We’ve all done it. Cruised Zillow to check out houses far beyond a manageable mortgage payment. Scrolled travel sites, day dreaming about a lottery-winning-worthy vacation. You get where I’m going with this. Though social media, influencers, and the bombardment of advertisements make it nearly impossible to avoid, wedding planning is not the time to fall in love with options far beyond budget. It will only lead to disappointment and what I call the “Budget Broken Heart”.
Below are my tips to avoid having to suffer through “Budget Broken Heart”:
- As mentioned in blog/workshop #4, develop your budget before any planning begins.
- Allocate what portion of your budget you’re willing to spend on each vendor, item, or need.
- Research!
- Before touring any venues, read reviews, check websites, ask on public forums… do what you need to do to ensure you’re about to tour a venue that falls within your budget and can accommodate your max guest count. Be honest with the venue if their pricing is not listed or can’t be estimated by a couple that previously used the space. Let them know you do not want to waste their time or yours by touring a venue that may not be in your budget, so you need a ballpark ahead of time. Another option is to post in localized wedding groups asking for venue recommendations that fall below $___. Let the venues leave a comment if they fall within your budget.
- Same goes for wedding dress shopping. Check online for pricing prior to your visit, to ensure there are options within your budget. It is HEARTBREAKING to see a bride reduced to tears because the dress of her dreams is $2k over budget. Once that happens, no other dress will live up to that dream dress.
- After initial research is done, do a second round of research. This time, look into budget friendly look-alikes or similar items that can be purchased or rented at a lower cost. Great example; my DREAM wedding venue. I have wanted to get married at this conservatory style venue for as long as they’ve been open. Their $40k BASE PRICE for 120 guests?! Absolutely not happening unless it starts raining money. However, a hotel not too far from that venue has stunning atrium that gives similar vibes and comes with a base price of $12k for 200 guests. A little (but not much) easier to swallow than $40k!
- Once your research is done, stick to your guns. Only visit venues, meet with vendors, or try on dresses that you know will fall within your budget.
- Do not let the opinions of others sway you to go over budget. If they aren’t forking over the cash to help pay, they don’t get a say.
- When meeting with potential vendors/venues, be sure that hidden costs are discussed (and in writing before signing anything). Travel/delivery/overtime/“outside vendor” fees, and additional items they do not provide add up extremely quickly.
Helping YOU say ‘I-DO’,
Your WedUcator