The Big Talk: Budget

Okay, friends!  It's time for the big talk.  Maybe you're engaged right now (hooray--so exciting!).  Or maybe your thinking about getting engaged (a very quiet hooray! shhhhh...!).  Preparing for your wedding with the love of your life can be so. much. fun.  Think about it--you get to pick out your favorite music, your favorite foods, your favorite colors--all so that you can celebrate with your friends and family.  It's a beautiful thing.

As with most good things, there can be some challenges. For many couples, the hardest part to navigate is the financial aspect. Budget. It can be so hard to talk about money--to negotiate, to delegate, to compromise.  Often, multiple parties contribute to covering the cost of a wedding, which makes it even more complicated.  Determining who is covering what between parents, extended family, and and you as the couple can lead to some difficult conversations (because let's face it, talking money is just plain awkward).

I get budget questions from my couples all the time, and I've had a few special requests for a post that lays out some tips and tricks for making the most of your budget for the big day. So here it is--some frank (and hopefully helpful!) money talk.

When broaching the subject of money with my couples, the first thing we discuss is the actual total budget number.  This requires identifying all contributors (the couple, family, etc.), amounts, and what feels comfortable.  You are starting a life together--this might mean a house, a dog (so many exciting opportunities, goals, and adventures!). The last thing  you want is for this beautiful celebration of your life to stall your journey.  Having a budget will help keep it all manageable (sidenote: please, please figure in some emergency wedding money--it's amazing how many little expenses that you didn't think about will crop up as the day draws near.  I promise you'll be glad you did!).

Want to know the trade secret for having a beautiful day and maintaining your budget? I promise this isn't a plug--hire a wedding planner.  I'm serious. Why? Wedding planners know vendors and venues intimately.  They know where to find the talent and they have the connections to get you the best pricing.  If you have a good wedding planner, they will pay for themselves by helping you navigate the wedding world in the most economical way possible.  Not to mention all the time and stress they can save you!

It's really, really challenging to always stay on top of the budget, regularly communicate updates to your vendors, ensure that everyone is in the right place at the right time, and remember to enjoy.  Let your wedding planner help you handle the logistics--then you are free to spend quality time with your loved ones, relax, and enjoy to the fullest. It's absolutely worth it.

Once we have a solid number to work with, I work with my couples to identify which elements of the wedding are most important to them.  Most often, photography comes out on top, simply because the captured memories are what you'll have to enjoy and share at the end of the day (I strongly support this!).  Make sure you invest in a photographer whose work + personality you connect with, so you feel comfortable on your special day.

Of course, there are other important priorities--for you, it may be that your guests get to attend an AMAZING party--so maybe you want to splurge on a top-notch DJ or a live band (so much fun--I love it!). If you and your love are foodies, maybe you want to provide a unique farm-to-table dining experience.  Perhaps you want to create a floral wonderland that will take everyone's breath away.  Or maybe one of your biggest priorities is feeling like a princess on your big day--sipping champagne with your besties at a designer bridal boutique is such a special experience (and you only get to do this once, after all!).

Regardless of what you choose, narrow it down to three things and allocate a bit more of your budget to these categories.  It's at this point that you can find places to save!

Here are some of my favorite ways to manage costs (always cause to celebrate!):

• Catering: buffet style costs a great deal less than a plated dinner, but you can enhance the experience for your guests by providing a plated salad, so no one has to wait to begin eating--win!
• Beverages: offer wine, beer, and signature drink to provide variety while still cutting costs (also, many venues will allow you to brink your own liquor, but you will need licensed serving staff).
• The Dress: there are several ways to find the perfect dress while still being economical--bridal boutiques regularly do sample sales where you can secure a designer gown at a steep discount and if you're okay with skipping the boutique experience, bridal chain stores offer some of the best pricing.
• Floral:  flowers range widely in cost--using flowers that are in season and easily available will help you save. Big time.
• Paperie: I love gorgeous custom invitations and menus, but it can add up quickly--depending on your needs, this may be an area where you can DIY.  Craft stores like Michael's carry some lovely print yourself invitation suites.
• Venue: venues are generally most expensive on Saturdays during the summer season--booking during an off day (or off season) will mean HUGE savings.

Lastly, but maybe most significant--trim you guest list!  Costs for a wedding accumulate per person, so the more you narrow it down to the people you truly care about, the more room you'll have in your budget, and the more you can ultimately save.  Hooray!

Do you have any other thoughts or ideas on good ways to maintain the wedding budget?  Let us know in the comments! Want a little one-on-one time to talk about budget in more detail? I'd love to! Contact us here.

xo,

Jordan

Images via: 1, 2, 3, 4