What’s a Wedding Cost? 1 of 2

Talk about an open question!!! It’s like asking what’s a car cost? Do you want your wedding to be a large luxury or a small subcompact? There is no right or wrong answer. YOU have to decide what’s important and channel your limited funds to those areas. Ok, so let’s begin –

Here’s a short list of just 10 of the items that will lighten your wallet:
1. Catering Hall
2. Entertainment
3. Photography
4. Videography
5. Flowers
6. Wedding Dress
7. Invitations
8. Tuxedos
9. Rehearsal Dinner
10. Bridal Party Gifts

So, how do you select? Well, the first thing you have to decide is what’s most important to you. Set an overall budget ‘target’ and then set an absolutely drop dead ‘do not exceed budget’. Typically, 15% over your ‘target’. Think of this 15% as your “I deserve it if the value is there amount”. Next, start your search process. There are 3 vendors you must lock in early – Catering Hall, Entertainment and Photography. Usually, within a month of announcing the engagement.

Next, ask for referrals, referrals, and referrals. Why reinvent the wheel? If someone you trust refers a place, location or photographer, go visit and see what they have to offer. Every time you visit a vendor, ask for referrals for other vendors. Those vendors are used to working with each other and will take care of those little annoying things that can ruin even the calmest bride’s day. After a while, you’ll begin to see a pattern emerge of referrals. Is there one entertainment company or photographer that is referred to more often? There’s a reason for that. It means they’re experienced and are accustomed to working with each other. As a bride, you want that familiarity between your vendors. It’ll make your day, that much more special.

For example, let’s say that due to funding limitations, you hire a college kid to photograph your wedding. He may be a friend. He may even have formal training in photography. But, is he prepared? Has he worked with the entertainment company before and know what to expect and when to expect it? That’s part of what you are paying for. It doesn’t matter how artistic he may be, if he isn’t ready for the next thing, he can’t capture the moment when it happens.

Here’s an example of Mitzvah I did recently where the DJ / MC assisted me in capturing these photos. He was on the microphone instructing the men to rotate the chair and telling the kids to look at the camera.

Notice how he's looking right at the camera per instructions from the Mc.

The Mc just told her to look at the camera after he told the guys to turn her around.

Let’s say you hire a DJ who is brand new in the Wedding market. Will he keep the reception hopping? Will he keep it on schedule? Will he coordinate with the wait staff? Will voice the instructions in the garter toss? All this things contribute to making the event a success. Your vendors must work together to make your day the most special. And only YOU can decide what’s worth the investment.

In next week’s blog, I’ll discuss some interesting statistics on the average wedding cost. I think it’ll surprise many of you!! Stay tuned.

I’d love to hear your comments. Press ‘Leave a Comment’ below and write me.

Leon

Advertisement