Budget Planning!

So your engaged! How Exciting!! You have so many idea's in your head, most you have been thinking about for a long time, now to make it happen! Start making calls, getting numbers and information and then at the end if the week your like AHHHHHH!!!! What do I do with all this?

STOP !!!!

Lets go back a few steps! Start the planning process off right and keep on track and within budget! Enjoy being engaged and then when you start to come off cloud 9 you can start planning your budget.

• I recommend you and your fiancé sitting down and writing out everything you BOTH want for your wedding, YES this includes, rings, honeymoon, attire....EVERYTHING weather or not you think it's in budget.

• Go back over the list and prioritize your list number them from most important to the least important. Is the DJ/Band more important over the Photobooth or are the Peonies  more important over the Signature Cocktail?

• Start doing your research, better yet call a wedding planner! :) When you call the vendors be as specific as you can with what you want so you know you are getting a accurate quote. If you just call and say hoi what are your prices and not engage in a conversation (fear of being bothered later) your getting a ballpark and that price will not be the same if you decide to book them later on.

•  Once you have your pricing down time to start comparing the numbers and looking to see what you can cut where. Your venue typically eats up a large portion of your budget. Remember your there to celebrate your marriage and have fun, having too much food can add additional cost's, and cut into dance time!  Think about a Friday Wedding you save at least 10%  with most venues. When talking to your florist you can still have that Peony, but maybe just a few here and there, and substitute with Garden Roses. There are many ways to cut cost's while still getting the things you really want. If you really want a Band over a DJ have a trio for your ceremony/ and cocktail hour and a DJ for reception you get best of both worlds and still less expensive.

• Now you have the vendors and the Pricing you want, it's time to finalize the contract and  book them before your date is gone!

• All your vendors are booked and you can start doing the fun stuff like dress and accessory shopping, just make sure your keeping your budget in check and on track with the payments you need to send out. Keep a reminder in your phone, on your computer or a list on your refrigerator. 

Budget planning is the least fun of the wedding planning process but it is important. The average cost of a wedding based on 100-150 guests is 15k. This is not to say you can't do it for less but it is something to think about. When inviting you guests remember this, if you haven't spoken to them in like 3 years or haven't seen them in like 5 years they do not need to be on your "A" list put them on the secondary list as a possibility if you can add more to you list. Keep in mind Venues are $74.00 Plus plus per person, I think it's best to figure $ 100 per person when budgeting.

So that's Budget Planning 101, if your not budget savvy call a wedding planner and let them do the research for you save's you time and money!