Money and Finance:
Money and Me: The cents in Common Sense
Are you planning a wedding?
What will it cost to get that dream wedding of yours?
Well, it is your budget, your parents’ budget, the number of guests you want to invite, the location and venue, the type of food and so on … these will all add up to the final numbers. However, until you start speaking with specific vendors, you can use the following estimates listed below, based roughly on a 150-person guest list. This exercise will allow you to have a good idea of all the things you would need so that when you meet with your wedding planner, you will be fully prepared. This will make you more knowledgeable and help in your negotiations. Some items you can take care of yourself if you are on a tight budget. At the end it will all be worthy of it.
Now let’s break it down:
What is it you want – do you prefer a traditional wedding with a church, a white dress and 5 tier cake or would like to have a tropical destination wedding with pastel wedding gowns and a platter of cupcakes and chocolate fountains?
- Bachelor / Bachelorette Parties
- Gifts for bridesmaid and groomsmen
- Gifts for family members such as parents etc.
- Beauty treatments aside from the big day, such as hair and tanning
- Postage and invitations
- Alterations to suits and dresses
- Rehearsal dinner
- Wedding Day Brunch and day after breakfast
- Wedding favors
- Vendor tipping
- Videography
- Lighting and other décor
- Backup plans – tents for rain or moving the event indoors
- Thank you notes
Cost Cutting ideas:
What are the things that each of you consider the most important for this event? Pick one item that you would like to splurge on and then slim on the other items.
- Bachelorette / Bachelor parties – typically you will not pay for this event as the bridal party will usually pay to cover your costs. However, if the event is extravagant then maybe
- Gifts – see below some ideas that you may like that are under $50.00 such personalized phone cases, necklaces, ear rings, bracelets
- Groomsmen gifts around $30 to $50: Cufflinks, silk ties, grilling tools
- Gifts for the mothers under $50: Personalized handkerchief, pair of earrings, necklace etc.
- Groomsmen gifts around $30 to $50: How about cuff links. silk ties, grilling tools
- Gifts for the mothers under $50: Personalized handkerchief. pair of earrings, necklace etc.
Hope this helps to put perspective in your initial thought process. Leave me your comments down below...as I would love to hear your experience.
