Planning for a wedding is indeed harder and more expensive than we see or heard. If you budget a wedding you should organize first what you want. Planning as early as a year is really an advantage even budget wise. Some reason couples over spend is because of time restraint. Some reason for over spending really is not because you want to make it more beautiful or more extravagant, some reason is simple. No one have manage to book a wedding singer early on, so couples are now desperate so they hire anyone regardless of cost. Other reason is the booking of place for the reception. Remember to book your reception the same time you book the church. Most guest really prefers the reception near the church. If you did manage to book a place that is far from church the time you rented with the place will just be eaten by the time travel the couple and the guest will travel. Another advice is try to hire a host early on. If you have a friend or relative who can host the event is an advantage but make sure he or she has a script for the event. Last advice is try to hire a coordinator. I know some couple wants to do it themselves but before and during the event whatever you pay the coordinator will be worth it.