Now this is not going to be a how to budget for your wedding. There are plenty of resources and I found this one to be helpful, along with some of her other learning tools for event planning. I say i’m not going to help you budget because I don’t know how. I don’t even have a budget. Now that’s not to say that I have all the money because that is definitely not the case. Also first figure it out is the wedding something you and your fiancé are going to split, are you going to traditional of brides family pays for the wedding, or are both families going to help. Figure out where you’re getting this money from and don’t be afraid to ask for help, like I was.
I did do a lot of research on what was average in my area and then I decided what prices were absolutely ridiculous for me. For example to me a venue of $10,000 that also does not include food, alcohol, or a wedding planner sounded ridiculous to me. So, you’re saying I also have to pay for catering and someone to plan my wedding for me, or keep things moving on the day of my wedding. I did not want to do that. I also had to have a long conversation with my fiancé about how we wanted to do alcohol because that can be a large chunk of whatever “budget” you set for yourself. Deciding on whether or not you want to have an open bar, a cash bar, an open bar for a certain amount of time and then a cash bar, or maybe you just want to do beer and wine. Then is your venue providing it or do you have to provide all of the alcohol for your wedding.
Some people have that budget and that is good for them. There were some things I was not willing to go cheap on though and that was my photographer. I wanted all of my pictures to be fabulous because these are memories and moments that you can’t get back, but want to see them forever.
I know nothing about flowers…like nothing… when he gets me flowers, I’m just like those are pretty…. but that’s it. So I have been requesting quotes from different shops to try and figure out what I think isn’t ridiculous. I mean come on! $200 for a bouquet that’s not lasting for ever?!?! That’s crazy to me. Then you have to add on delivery feet and set up fee, which quickly adds up to $500 for just that. Next thing you know you spent $2000 on something that isn’t lasting forever. Now I know some people have started to go to wood flowers or these super detailed styrofoam flowers, and I’m highly considering it for decorations and center pieces.
Which brings me to my next thing, DIY. DIY is only a good option if you are crafty, or you have a large amount of the craft supplies already. If you’re going to spend $300 on a machine, before getting the supplies you’re already putting yourself in hole. There are so many Etsy shops and of course Amazon, that can get you to those personalized gifts you really want. Also don’t take on too many DIY projects if things like that don’t make you happy. There can be so many projects, but overdoing them will put a lot of stress on you during this joyous time.
If something seems outrageously priced, do your research and see what the average is. If it’s something that you don’t need then hold off getting it. If it’s something you really, really want pay for the things that you need to pay for first and then get the things you want. Just remember going into debt to impress your friends and family doesn’t make your big day anymore special! Everything is going to turn out beautifully and don’t sweat the small stuff! Let me know how you budgeted for your beautiful day, so I can have some help! Until next time,
Keep Turning the Pages
India
Life is a Page Turner 