I expected that this post would be quick easy to write, and then my thoughts began to run wild. As I recalled some of the most bizarre, distressing and implausible conversations I’ve had with both clients and potential clients regarding the “B”-word, I realized that talking budget is never easy. { Truth be told, I am not alone in what I’ve experienced. When the wedding planner convention comes to town, stories about wedding budgets will be shared.}
Wedding Budget Advice
My best advice regarding a wedding budget is: have one. The second piece of advice is: be sure it’s realistic. This is where things get a bit sticky. “Why?” you ask. Because realistic is a subjective term – that’s why.
It’s always interesting when people ask me how much I think their wedding will cost. Or conversely, they will ask if $XXX is enough to cover their wedding. Seriously – it happens all the time, and typically on the first phone call. It’s an impossible question. “Why?” you ask. Because I don’t have nearly enough information about the client’s situation or expectations to provide a reasonably accurate or relative answer. Occasionally we receive the answer that every event planner loves to hear: “We don’t have a budget” or “Money is not an object”. Unfortunately,when we ask if they are comfortable with a 100k working budget, more often than not, they answer no.
All weddings are not the same. Even if you had two weddings with the same number of guests at the same location the final tabs would likely not even be close because there are so many variables.
I wanted to share this nifty wedding trivia and bridal budget infographic. It highlights some average costs which I find to be pretty much in line with typical central Florida wedding expenses. Can you have a wedding in Central Florida for less than $26,984? Absolutely! Is it possible that you wedding will cost more than $26,984? Absolutely!
click to view larger
Getting Started
Before you can do anything, you need a figure to start with. Most planners with a few years experience have developed a few budget calculating tips. For example: Take a look at that number of $194 per guest. $194 multiplied by 50 guests is not the same wedding as $194 multiplied by 150 guests. While a smaller guest list will, or should I say can, result in lesser food and beverage costs, other expenses (DJ, photographer, wedding gown) will remain constant – meaning they are unaffected by guest count. That being said, I can tell you my thoughts on what I think $194 per guest will buy you, and you can let me know if that’s what you had in mind. (Alas, that’s where the free advice ends.)
I think people are reluctant to give a budget figure because they have some impression that the planner will make them over spend or charge a higher fee. This could not be further from the truth. An ethical planner is looking out for the client’s best interests, regardless of their budget, and wants every client to have the best wedding or event they can afford.
© 2011 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved
Our client was looking for something natural and zen-ish that would work with the classic elegance of the estate house and I was delighted to guide the design elements and create finishing touches.
The color palette for the ceremony was ivory, fern green and gray, and the interior palette for the reception was amber, fern green and rustic red. Linens were selected from BBJ Linen.
As I was shopping for ribbon and supplies to create the the programs, signage and decor elements, I came across “vine wire” and had the idea to use it in lieu of printed table numbers. Thus, we formed all the table numbers from the vine wire and then glued them to cardstock table tents. The look was clean but earthy, and everyone loved it!
