Part 1: You’re Engaged: Now What?
“Pop, Fizz, Clink!”
Cue the tears, the ring selfies and the happy calls to family and friends! But once the champagne fizz has cleared, there’s a wedding to plan. Despite how many weddings you’ve attended, when it’s your turn, the process can be downright overwhelming! Local wedding planner Jackie Fogartie, with Jackie Fogartie Events, has broken down the planning process into manageable steps that will get you down the aisle stress free!
Step 1: Money talks – Set yourself up for success with these budgeting tips:
Figure out an all-in budget number before booking anything. Talk to your family and your fiancé to determine what you have to spend.
Leave about 5-10% of your total budget number for incidentals. There are always unexpected costs when planning a wedding. Whether it’s additional dress alterations or clear umbrellas for those beautiful rainy day photos, those extra funds will come in handy!
The biggest chunk of your budget will be the venue, food and alcohol cost. These three items will make up approximately 40% of your wedding budget.
Get ballpark costs from venues in your area to find the most affordable wedding venues for your budget. If a venue quotes an amount well over 40% of your total budget, you’ll need to reassess.
Guest count is the biggest factor in determining your wedding budget, so be sure to choose wisely. Every 8-10 guests at your wedding makes up one reception table. Each table means not only more food and drink, but another tablecloth, set of chairs, centerpiece, etc. How much do you love Great Aunt Millie?
A planner can be hugely helpful in understanding the market pricing of venues and vendors in your area. An experienced planner will help save you money and ensure you are spending your money as efficiently as possible.
Step 2: Set the Date
Time of year: Depending on where you live, the time of year is an important factor when choosing your venue. Is it summertime in the South? You’ll want a venue where you can turn up the AC. Having an outdoor wedding ceremony in a rain-prone month? Better have a Plan B firmly in place.
City Calendar: Before committing to a date, check your city or town calendar. If it’s a busy weekend (i.e. your city is hosting a sporting event, festival or it’s a holiday weekend), hotel pricing could skyrocket and traffic will be an issue.
Seasonality and Aesthetics: Choosing a venue with beautiful grounds for those must have wedding photos? You may want to pick a spring date when everything is in bloom. Have to have peonies in your bouquet? You’ll want to choose a May or June wedding date.
Step 3: Booking your venue – Details matter
Before signing that contract, be sure you understand exactly what is included with your venue. Here’s a list of some basic items that may or may not be included with your venue:
o Chairs
o Tables
o Linens
o Staging
o Dance floor
o AV/Audio
o Rain plan tenting (if an outdoor venue)
o Ceremony location onsite
Food/Alcohol: Does your venue come with a caterer or do you need to find your own? Is there an approved list of caterers? Are you able to bring in your own alcohol or does it need to be purchased through the venue?
Set up time: Does the venue allow for ample time for set up?
Bridal Suite: Will the wedding party be able to get ready on site the morning of the wedding? Getting ready at your venue allows for a relaxing morning with family and friends.
Step 4: Booking Vendors
Once you’ve picked a date and venue, turn your attention to priority vendors that will get snapped up quickly. Typically, these vendors can only handle one wedding per day.
Priority vendors include:
o Photographer
o Videographer
o Band
o Wedding planner
o Wedding Minister/officiant
o Vendors such as cake bakers, caterers and florists can often handle more than one wedding per day.
Thanks to Guest Blogger, Jackie Fogartie, Jackie Fogartie Events for sharing these tips with our future brides. Stay tuned for Part 2 where we will focus on all things Wedding Design!