Form the age of 3 or 4 girls start to plan their weddings. From day dreaming to dressing up in your mothers clothes, little girls start to fantasize about their wedding day. Planning your wedding can take hundreds of hours. Starting form the largest details like choosing the wedding site to the smallest details such as what favors you will give to your guest.
The first decision you should make is how much you can afford to spend on your wedding. Find out if you will be getting any contributions form your families. In today’s society brides and grooms are now stepping away form traditions and they are paying for there own wedding. The average cost of a wedding is starting around $20,000.00.
Secondly, you should locate a really experienced wedding or event planner. They can be a great asset to you and your wallet. A planner that offers full services will start the couple off with the budget plan. A basic budget work sheet will let you know the average spent on each aspect of the wedding. Along with your wedding planner you should decide what is most important to you, food, flowers, pictures or location. Then you can adjust you budget accordingly to what’s more important to you.
In additions to the steps above here are a few more things you and your wedding planner can do to have your platinum wedding on a budget:
Have a plan - allow yourself enough time to save up. Create a schedule to let the planner know when you plan to start paying for wedding. Allow your self time to just shop around to find the best prices. The more time you allow your self to plan the more you can save. Consider have both the ceremony and the reception in one location, it may be more cost effective. This may also cut the cost of your transportation.
Use a budget - As soon as you accept the proposal start you budget worksheet. After your monthly expenses and saving, multiply the balance by the number of months left until the wedding. This will let you know how much money you will have to spend on the wedding. It won’t be easy but follow your budget. You can lean on your wedding planner for assistance and support. Some wedding planners will allow you to have an escrow account with them. This will help you stick with your budget.
Window shop - always keep your budget in mind before you make a purchase. Ask you wedding planner for referrals of vendors and if they will assist with the negotiations of your contracts. Be sure to check them all out, ask for reference. Don’t take the first offer that is given to you compare with other vendors and suppliers.
Locations- When choosing a locations site for the reception consider choosing a date during the off peak season. Some site have discount days ask what the prices and days are. If you choose a date around the holidays most reception site are nicely decorated by the venue.
Decorations ideas- To cut cost of large flower arrangements alternate the arrangement on the tables. You could use candles of different sizes and shapes to off set the high cost to flowers. Candles are a great way to have a very elegant atmosphere, with out breaking the bank. Make sure to check with the reception site to ensure that they will allow candles. You can buy different sizes of candles and arrange on a mirror, for the light to reflect off of. You could combine your place cards with your favors. Opt out for a smaller weddings cake and have a sheet cake in the kitchen to serve your guest after the decorated wedding cake is gone.
Flowers - The price of flowers can get very pricey very quickly. You can save by buying flowers that are in season vs. special order flowers from other countries. Consider using silk flowers or both fresh and silk. Don’t be afraid to shop at your local grocery store florist.
You can plan an elegant wedding on a budget by starting early and hiring an Event Planner. Heavenly Events, LLC have experienced Event Planners that can assist you through the planning stages. To find out more information about them visit them at their web site at heavenlyevents4u.com.
By ShawnTa' Blaine
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