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Original post date, December 2017.
Getting engaged and planning a wedding is probably the happiest time of your life. It can also be one of the most stressful times of your life. Sometimes, brides get so caught up in the moment and the wow factor that they begin to make serious mistakes. The following 5 mistakes are ones that I see time and time again. Forgetting the Purpose. Don’t forget the purpose of your wedding. Its not to impress or out do your girlfriend. It’s not about keeping up with the Jones’s. It’s a public display of your love for one another. Remember, the Ceremony is the main event. Your reception is the party celebrating the main event. Don’t neglect the details of your wedding like the vows, meaningful music, etc. The Budget Your budget is your Guideline. Make every effort to stick with it. You have spent a year or so saving your money and in some cases, receiving help from your family. Make sure you do not fall victim to useless, wasteful spending. If your wedding and reception is at the same location, why do you need a limo or luxury car? Do you really need a champagne toast? Do you really need 200 people at your reception? Just because it appears on the WE channel or David Tutera made it happened does not mean it’s in your budget. The last thing you want is to be in debt after your wedding. This is not the time for being impulsive. Spend Wisely. Forgetting the Wedding is WE not ME. Ok Brides, I know “Its your day”. But the wedding is about you and your groom. It takes two to get married. Make sure you involve him in the planning process. Make sure the celebration is a reflection of the both of you. Not Hiring Professionals: This day and age, we are watching our penny more and more. Sometimes you can get away with DIY projects. I have worked with many talented brides that did a lot of their own things like stationary, gift baskets and centerpieces. But some things you really need a professional. (1)Photography is first and foremost. These pictures will last a lifetime. This is what you will show your children and grandchildren. (2) DJ. For some reason, DJ’s do not get the proper credit they deserve. Their equipment is not cheap and it takes special talent to keep your reception guest entertained throughout the entire event. Your DJ needs to be a great MC as well.(3) Catering. This alone is another article. Check your references.(4) Coordinator. These days, everyone is either a planner or an aspiring planner. Do your research. Not reading the contract: If I had a dollar for every couple that did not read their contracts, I would be rich beyond my wildest dreams. This point cannot be stressed enough. You need to know what you are getting, how much time, unspoken charges (service charges, cake cutting fees, corkage fees, taxes). Were all of the services discussed in the meeting put on the contract? Is there a refund policy? Rain Policy? I can go on and on. There are so many other things that brides forget but this is my top 5. What is so Hard about Planning a Wedding
Ivy Honeycutt The Silk Veil Events by Ivy | Charlotte, North Carolina 2017 https://theweddingvision.com/what-is-so-hard-about-planning-a-wedding/ That is a loaded question. Most people think planning a wedding is easy because all they have to do is find vendors and then deal with a few details. In reality, it takes a lot of time, energy, stress, and budgeting to planning a wedding. Experts say it takes over 400 hours to plan a wedding. A major problem is the fact that many do not realize just how much a wedding costs. Statistically, the average wedding in this area for 150 guests is about $25,000-$30,000. For some this is a drop in the bucket, but for others, it is a lot of money. Note, there are weddings ranging $10,000-$15,000 and also $50,000-$250,000 in this area but pricing seems to be based on your wedding costing a minimum of $25,000-$30,000. (This budget does not include the rings, honeymoon or bridal gown) Once you get over the sticker shock, you then decide you want a planner to help with this process. The internet leads you to believe that you can afford a full wedding planner for 10% of your wedding budget. This only applies if your wedding budget is over $25,000.00. Remember, 400 hours to plan a wedding. Many couples do not realize that the average planner is $2500-$5000. Now you must ask yourself: How many people will we invite? How many of our friends and family will be in the wedding party? This has such a huge impact on your budget and most do not realize that until it's too late. The more guests you invite, the bigger the venue, and the higher the cost. The bigger your wedding party, the more you will spend on flowers and let us not forget rehearsal dinner and their gifts. The hunt for a venue is time-consuming. You must look at the venue, amenities, location, parking, service charge, and taxes. Does the venue cater? Can we bring our own alcohol? It's a game of comparing pricing and value. Many couples will spend months just finding the perfect venue that meets their needs, their style, and budget. Now it's time to research vendors. For every vendor category (photography, caterer, dj, band, cake, florist, videography) there is a minimum of 200 options. These options have different styles, price points, and specialties. Some seem to base their decisions on price, which can be very dangerous. Cheaper is not always better. I have seen a lot of bad videos and photography, heard a lot of bad Djs, and have tasted a lot of bad food (some made me sick and some I did not eat as the caterers did not practice proper safe food handling procedures) It is at this point that most of your budget is blown and you are left wondering what to do or ways to cut back. It is also at this point that many will start making irrational decisions that make their event look less than what they wanted or expected. We now have to deal with a wedding party that doesn't want to purchase their dresses or tuxedos, deal with hair and makeup, jewelry, alterations, ceremony and reception decor that is not provided by a florist or designer (table numbers, escort cards, stationery, guest book, wedding favors, etc.) and more. You must also deal with RSVPs, your wedding registry and thank you gifts, and payment schedules. I suggest, when planning your wedding, do your research. Take a hard look at what you like and what the average cost is. Then have a real heart to heart with your fiancé about what you can really afford. Also, READ! Read everything. It seems like bride and grooms-to-be have a new trust factor with wedding vendors or hear one thing, but that is not what is in writing. If you cannot afford a wedding planner, then hire one as your consultant and pay them by the hour. They can save you so much time and stress when it comes to making sound decisions. Then, hire a coordinator (either day or month of) to help bring all those details together so you can finally relax and enjoy your day. If you cannot afford 250 guests, have only 150. Only invite those you have seen in the past 6 months. With decor, remember, sometimes less is more. If you can't afford tall, elegant centerpieces, then have a few of them and have small elegant centerpieces. If your parents are not financing the wedding, then properly estimate how long it will take to pay off your wedding. If you and your fiancé can pay for the wedding in one year, then set your wedding date one and a half years out. Remember, you cannot make everyone happy so don't stress the menu but make it enjoyable for the majority. Remember, this is the first party you are hosting as Husband and Wife so be mindful of your guests. Remember, you do not want to go into your lifelong journey with your soul mate in debt so make wise choices and know that you may have to compromise because sometimes, you cannot have everything you want. At the end of the day, you are marrying the man or woman of your dreams and it is that thought that should remain throughout your wedding planning process. Ivy HoneycuttThe Silk Veil Events by Ivy | Charlotte, North Carolina 2017 |
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