The budget is no doubt the most important wedding planning detail, and the basics will keep you on the right path. Get a head-start on your budget planning, deciding how much money you want to dedicate to each element of your wedding. With a realistic plan and money-saving tricks, you can have the wedding you've always dreamed of! These five tips will help you get a good start on your budget strategy.

1. Know your budget before starting the venue and vendor search. It's really important to know the numbers too because asking vendors to be "affordable" can mean anything! Never spend more than 50% of your total budget on the venue, food and beverage, otherwise, you will have nothing left for all of the vendors you need - Danielle Rothweiler of Rothweiler Event Design.