Determining a Budget and Wedding Type
This is a tough thing to talk about, especially if each family has differing opinions and the bride wants something that the grooms mother doesnt. Its really tough to get a budget ironed out and sticking to it.There are a lot of various considerations to take into account. Planning a wedding isnt only about selecting a restaurant and music. Its about deciding on a sit down dinner or buffet, its about selecting a dj or a professional band, its about selecting butler passed hors d'odervs or a self service stations. Trust me, I had these choices to make ;)
First off, you need to decide who will be paying for the wedding. It is traditional that the brides parents pay for the whole wedding, however I find that today that is no longer tradition as is was years ago. There are other options to take into consideration such as:
- Bride and groom paying for the whole wedding.
- Bride and groom split with both sets of parents
- Bride and groom parents split with each other.
If I had to make the choice, I would pick the third...of course, costing me nothing. But, there are many who dont have the luxury of making those types of decisions.
When looking at a budget and what type of wedding you would like consider the following: a sit down dinner will be MUCH MORE expensive than your buffet, you need to consider the number of guests you want and if you want to keep the list short and simple or invite everyone you have ever crossed paths with. Today, a typical wedding will cost you anywhere from $10,000 on the low end to just about anything...the sky is literally the limit. I have heard that the average wedding will cost an individual up to about $30,000. (My wedding is over that marker, and we have been pretty conservative).
Invitations, cake, cookies, bridal shower, honeymoon, candles, dinner, rehersals, bridesmaid/groomsmen gifts, music, photographer, chapel, marraige liscence, florist, videographer, napkins, matches, candy, caterer, wedding planner (if desired), tuxedos, wedding gown, veil, shoes, bridesmaids dresses...and this list goes on and on and on. These are all the things that you need to take into consideration when deciding on the size of your budget.
So, make sure before you start to plan for anything, speak to your fiance...the parents, and inlaws. It is important to first find out who has what in mind and find a common ground. Remember, this is your wedding day, a day you will remember forever, so go all out and enjoy!
This is a very important topic to address early on in the planning process. Accoring to the timeline I am following provided by Rochester Wedding. Please see the link I have attached to help you follow along.
Perhaps one of the most important topics to address when trying to plan a wedding is deciding on a budget that is sensible. According to CNN money, the average cost of a wedding is about $30,000! Check out this Wedding Article from CNN :
The $30,000 price is only AVERAGE, not including a sit down dinner or any extras. I dont even want to begin to share what the wedding is going to cost...but its more than that. Thats why I am stressing the importance of a wedding budget and STICKING TO IT. You need to sit down with your fiance and plan what you both want the most. For example, you may want an extremely elegant restaurant, no cookies, a cheaper cake, a buffet or a sit down dinner. Its important to narrow what you both are really looking for.
I found some great books that will help you to plan for a budget and remember to bring the book with you to help you make your decisions and record your spending.
The first book I purchased was called:
The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner : Worksheets, Checklists, Etiquette, Calendars, and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
by Carley Roney.
It provides the couple with wedding checklists, fill-in worksheet on budgeting, and great ideas on floral arrangelemts, and the step by step process of planning the most wonderful day of your life.
A second book that I felt was a good investment is:
The Everything Wedding Checklist: The Gown, the Guests, the Groom, and Everything Else You Shouldn't Forget
by Janet Anastasio and Michelle Bevilaqua.
This book has all of the nitty gritty details that the bride needs to have taken care of before walking down that aisle. Imagine standing there thinking you forgot to do something, especially something so small?! I cant, so I heard about this book and immediately purchased it. This book contains great checklists, information on hiring vendors, and bridal registry. The Everything Wedding Checklist book is helpful so the bride-to-be will not forget anything!!
I have also included the link for this book, which can be found on Amazon. Click the link and let me know what you think!
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