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Busting the Budget Blunders
Busting the Budget Stigma
Everyday we have clients ask us for tips on how to handle their budget woes. This week’s Blog is going to be all about BUDGETS!…how to make a budget and stick to it!!
Step One: Making A Budget
The biggest problem clients seem to have is coming up with a realistic budget. Things to keep in mind while making a budget:
1. Industry rates range, depending on what state you are getting married in and if it is an urban or rural area. Having a wedding in a city versus a smaller town might end up costing you more in the end.
2. There is a price per guest for food and liquor. Remember to keep your Guest List in line with the budget.
3. Styles of weddings can determine the cost as well. If you want a more formal affair, you may be looking at a higher budget.
Check out the great Budget Builder at Real Simple Weddings Cost Calculator. You will find everything from the average cost of weddings in your area to budget worksheets to help you stay organized!
Step Two: Give Yourself A Cushion!
When creating your budget, be sure to put aside a percentage of your budget for emergencies. At the end of planning, you might want to use the money to upgrade your decor, food, bar or you might want to put it toward your honeymoon. But that little bit of money will ensure you never fully go over your budget!
Step Three: Talking Budget With Your Vendors
Once the budget is created it is all smooth sailing from there. I know talking budget with vendors can be intimidating, but follow these simple tips and it will be a breeze.
1. When picking a vendor, do your homework. Check out their websites or give them a call and ask what their price points are. Most vendors will discuss budgets right away.
“‘Be straight with the vendors and tell them your budget. If you have wiggle room, let them know. For the most part vendors are very honest and will tell you whether they can work within that budget and whether that budget is realistic,’ says Laura Wright of Laura Wright Events. ‘If they can’t work within your budget, ask them if they will give you the name of someone who can.’ You’ll save a ton of back-and-forth time if you’re on the same page from the beginning.”
-Article Planning Basics: How to Talk Money With Your Wedding Vendors, The Knot.com
2. You never know unless you ask! Tell your vendors what you want and ask what it would cost you.
“And trust us: It’s totally normal to experience sticker shock the first time you read through a pricing menu. Once you’ve learned that wooden farm tables are much more expensive than round tables and that even simple draping requires an entire team of pros, then you’ll really be ready to have a conversation. Additionally, when it comes to those intangible talents like photography, videography and design, Chenin Boutwell of Chenin Boutwell Photography points out that you have to remember that in some cases, you’re paying for “‘a unique eye, point of view and experience.'”
-Article Planning Basics: How to Talk Money With Your Wedding Vendors, The Knot.com
3. Make sure you have your vendor walk you through your contract and make sure to ask questions if you don’t understand. There is nothing worse than showing up the day of the event thinking you are getting one thing and really having another. Plus, Vendors are human, there might always be a mistake or adding error….it does happen!
For more tips on talking budget with your vendors check out this article on The Knot.com .
Step Four: Enjoy the Planning Process
Remember with the right vendors and the proper planning, no matter what size your budget, you really can have the wedding of your dreams.
Have questions or additional advice? We would love to hear it!
Whimsical Wedding Trends 3.13.12
Whimsical Wedding Trends
Tuesday, March 13, 2011
We wanted to do something with a little touch of whimsy for today’s blog! Here are some whimsical wedding ideas we fell in love with!!
Incorporating color and your personality into your event will guarantee you a FABULOUS design! Whether you are bringing color into your décor or outfit!
Oh yea, you guessed it…Neon Ray-Bans for the bridal party! We love a fashion throw back with attitude!
It is all in the ingredients. King of Pops is the brain child of three brothers out of Atlanta. They create all natural hand made popsicles with a twist! With all natural flavors such as Strawberry Mojito, Cucumber Margarita and Arnold Palmer these guys make popsicles for kids of all ages!
Get your mustache on….one of the hottest trends in wedding photography is the mustache. Men, women and children are getting on the ‘stache train! So to reiterate… Get your mustache on….enough said!
Even catering is getting in on the fun!
To Sit, Stand or Graze?
Of all of the wedding shows on TV one of my favorites is Four Weddings on TLC. Brides attend each others weddings and rank their competition’s wedding on dress, venue, food and over all experience. At the end of the show the bride with the most points wins a honeymoon to some tropical place. One thing I have noticed on every show is that the other brides have strong opinions on which way the food should be served. There are advantages and disadvantages to both but most importantly it depends on the event and the ambiance you are trying to convey.
1) The Buffet
Most casual bridal couples prefer a fun and relaxing reception by having wedding guests serve themselves from a variety of foods. This is a great option for wedding reception food because the nature of a buffet offers something for everyone.
Pros-
- Food is generally less expensive
- No need to pay for a wait staff.
- More causal
- Wide variety of food choices
Cons-
- The fear of running out of food
- Long wait lines
- To causal for some couples
Helpful Hints:
- Have two buffet lines to cut down on wait time
- So that it doesn’t look as causal, use nice polished aluminum to add a more formal presentation
- Use different shape and size tables to look less causal
- Release the room in sections to cut down on lines
2) The Sit-Down Dinner
Elegant traditional bridal couples often take the opportunity to have waiters serve their guests so that everyone eats and finishes at the same time which allows more time to socialize.
Pros-
- Will appear as if you went all out
- Considered to be more formal
- Less chaotic
- Guests don’t have to do much work
Cons-
- Fear the food will get cold
- Fear that dinner will seem to “stuffy”
- Limited on what you can eat
- More for the bride and groom to figure out beforehand ( specific guest count, place cards, who is eating what, etc..)
Helpful Hints:
- Hire a caterer that will prepare the food during the reception so food will be fresh and hot
- Give a variety of menu options for different taste buds
3) FOOD STATIONS
Most adventurous bridal couples like the style of this reception because it provides a lot of fun and variety for guests to sample foods from each station. One thing’s for sure–wedding guests will rave about this party for years to come!
Pros-
- Will get your guests to mix and mingle
- Stations offer many food options for a variety of guests
- No need to pay wait staff
Cons-
- Each station will need its own china and silverware
- Serving dishes and presentation can get expensive
Helpful Hints:
- Stations can be positioned across the venues to maximize flow
- Use polished aluminum to add a formal feel
- Spend a little extra money and have people behind the stations to explain the food or cook it live
Will you be my Man of Honor and Other Current Trends
Will you be my Man of Honor?
Recently, in pop culture, I have noticed a new trend among brides when picking their bridal party. More and more brides-to-be opt for a Man of Honor or a Brides-Man instead of a Maid of Honor. Some girls are just closer to that guy friend or a lot if times it could be a brother. There are certain responsibilities for your Man of Honor just like your traditional Maid of Honor. Check out Wedding Bee to get more tips.
Man Caves
During a BRAVO! Bridal Expo we saw how successful it was to have a room for the groom so it doesn’t surprise me that this trend is on the rise. These man caves will consist of items like a cigar station, a poker game, a Wing Bar or even a Brandy Bar.
Simple Wedding Cakes
For awhile there we were seeing over the top wedding cakes. It seemed with all the new shows on T.V. the more over the top the better. However, lately we are seeing wedding cakes being toned down quite a bit.
I am LOVING the new ruffled trend!
Very Recently I have seen some brides like Hilary Duff opt for Non-Icing cakes
Non-Traditional Wedding Favors
Why waste your money on something that your guest will never really enjoy? Instead couples are choosing to provide their guests with a dessert bar, a candy bar, cigars and/or souvenir photo booth picture strips in lieu of the traditional wedding favor. Check out the girls at Flash Photo Booth Rental for a local vendor.
Non-traditional Reception Seating
We are seeing more and more couples using different shapes and sizes of tables at the reception to create a more casual lounge feel. Some are using a mix of farm tables and tables with linens. Some couples are even using hay and blankets for a picnic feel.
What new trends are you seeing and liking?
Current Wedding Obsessions
As I scroll through pictures and other wedding blogs I come across ideas and themes that I fall in love with! Although it was hard to just pick a few; below is my list of 5 current obsessions.
1. Using Ribbon as a Backdrop
Use ribbon behind the food table
Use ribbon during the ceremony
Use ribbon to dress up an area
2- Using signage throughout the wedding and reception
Signs can help guest know where to go
Here comes the bride
They can caring your theme throughout your event
They can be a creative way to give instructions to your guests
Or they can be just for fun
3. Not using flowers in your bouquet
4. Mix-Match Bridesmaid’s Dresses
5. Comfort Food at Receptions
Cookie Bar
S'mores Bar
Ice-cream Bar
(!!!!!!) I know
Cereal Bar
Popcorn Bar
What are your current wedding obsessions?
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