Budget Help

[SarahLovesJS]

Well I am new here and I thought I would ask for some budget help. I am trying to put a budget together and the reception site I think I want is very expensive, not impossibly expensive but pretty close to it. So what did you do in this situation? Did you sacrifice in other places or did you find somewhere else?

It''s very overwhelming because I believe I really want this place (I need to look at it in person before I can say 100% it''s what I want). However, money only goes so far. Any advice/experiences?

 

[firebirdgold]

I say look for another place. It sounds like it's still early planning stages for you, so I'm betting your vision of your wedding will evolve over the next couple of weeks. Keep an open mind and be creative.
It'll also help to make up a list of the 4 things that are vital to your wedding. It'll help you realize if the location is worth the money, or if something else is more important. We all have/had unique priorities.

Welcome to PS!

ETA: if it helps to give an example: my four things were getting married on a beach with the sand between our toes, lovely flowers, a lemon cake, and a beautiful dress. Everything else was open to compromise or out right elimination.

 

[violet02]

I REALLLLY wanted to get married at the Highlands Inn in Carmel. It has the most spectacular view, it''s amazing. You get married at sunset and it''s so gorgeous. They have a four star chef there too etc etc. Anways it''s really expensive to get married and have a reception there. Like almost double what you''d pay a caterer incl booze!

What Indie says is on the money. Make a list of what''s most important to you. I realized after going over what I thought was important that I''d rather have more people, a nicer dress, more flowers, etc etc then blowing it all on an overly fancy meal with a great view. I found a fantastic place through my wedding planner and it''s totally reasonable too. We just had to spend some time looking around. Also once you start tallying up how much things cost you''re more willing to cut back on other things.

 

[Independent Gal]

Another vote for making a list of what elements are essential to make your wedding feel wonderful for you. For example:

1) I want my granny to be there
2) I want there to be dancing (or you could do like my FI and suddenly decide you MUST HAVE DANCING 8 wks before the wdg

)
3) I want to serve FI's favourite ice cream
4) I want flowers everywhere


Something like that. If you start from what's important to you and work backward, it sometimes can help you focus a little more and have a more coherent vision.

That said, if it makes you feel any better, for part 2 of my wedding (long story), we are spending practically everything on serving our guests a fantastic meal. Everything else is on the cheap: DIY invites, dress off the rack at 70% off, photographer is my bff's sister, etc. The idea is, if it turns out that what's really MOST important to you is to be in this special place when you get married, then sacrifice things elsewhere. You're really only being nuts / bridezilla if you refuse to sacrifice anything and want EVERYTHING to be perfect perfect perfect, despite it being over budget or putting you into debt. But it's totally OK to splurge in one area as long as you save in others.

Another thing to consider, can you get this place cheaper at a certain time of year? day of the week? Can you get married on a Sunday in February instead of a Saturday in June? You may find it gets waaaaay cheaper and that you can negotiate. So there again, which is more important to you: the place, or the time? See what I mean?

Start by sorting out your priorities. Then sort out your budget accordingly.

Hope that helps!

 

[ChargerGrrl]

the fastest, easiest way to keep costs down is to cut the guest list

good luck!

 

[pjean]

Date: 2/3/2008 3:58:44 AM
Author: IndieJones

It''ll also help to make up a list of the 4 things that are vital to your wedding.

I''m sure I''m the only person who''s never heard that, but it''s genius. That''s totally going to make a lot of my planning problems evaporate. Plus, it''ll help sort out competing priorities with my bf. Thanks!

 

[lucy.lucy.80]

agreed a great way (although not the easiest) is to cut down on the guest list if you really want this venue and have to stick within your budget. Just out of curiosity, what do you love about the venue (ie food,decor,location) and can you find it somewhere else??

FI & I wanted our venue to be on a lake and have great food, however most of the places were very expensive. We had a budget of 125 a plate (including 5 course sit down,top shelf open bar, taxes/gratuity, etc) and for us prices around here go up to 250 a plate. We shopped around and found a place on a lake with excellent food, however the decor was so-so. We figure with flowers and everything else we can make it what we want.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I found out something slightly encouraging today, looks like having the wedding there and the reception might be a little less expensive. I really like the decor, tall ceilings, chandeliers, etc. Hmm..but I think the list thing is a very good idea. I am going to do that. I also think meeting with the coordinator there and looking at actual numbers might bring me back to reality. Thanks again everyone I am really excited to have found this board!

 

[ljordan]

My budget is about $10,000 and any thoughts as how best to maximize my dollars would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

There are SO many great ways to stretch a tight budget without looking or feeling like you''ve skimped on certain things!

First off, a great way to get the reception hall you want at a price you can afford, is to consider having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday. Saturdays, esspecially during the summer, are at a premium, locations with heavy bridal traffic know they can book nearly every Saturday, the their prices will reflect that. If you push your wedding to what is considered an "off peak" day, you will see the price per plate, rental fees, and such shrink considerably. While this may not be something you want to consider--since a Saturday wedding is by far the most popular--remember, your guests will most likely have to travel and take a few days off work anyway. The nice thing about having a wedding on an "off" day is that you can truly stretch your celebration! If you marry on Friday, you can have a really fun, low key bbq on Saturday for family and friends that have traveled to celebrate with you! Or, if you are marrying on a Sunday, you can have a lovely Saturday brunch for those who have traveled. While, you may not be getting your Saturday wedding, guests will enjoy spending quality time with the bride and groom!

Another awesome way to make a minimum budget go the distance is to attempt to find an "all inclusive" venue. Many places will off you packages...including discounts on linens, flowers, etc... When selecting a location, make sure you find out what incentives the hall is willing to offer...maybe it''s a free wedding cake, or a hefty discount on flowers when you work with a prefered vendor...but regardless what the actual bonus is, be sure to take full advantage if you decide to go with that location!

Be sure to think with your head, and not your heart. When planning your wedding, its very easy to become emotionally involved with the choices you''re making...and the vendors know that! I work heavily in the bridal industry, and the ongoing joke is that we impliment a 50% emotional surcharge on everything the minute we hear "wedding". It''s important to shop around, and openly share that you are shopping with the vendors you visit...this will make them more competitive for your business, many will be willing to meet or beat what others are offering you. It will sure take more time, but in the end every penny not spent on "x" can be later spent on "y".

Also, a great way to offically start planning a stress free budget friendly wedding is to set a firm budget...don''t play the "we want to spend, but are willing to spend..." game, that is nothing but a dangerous journey! Set a firm budget...make it the maxium you''re willing to spend, and then subtract an intial 10%. Take that money, and set it aside for the incidentals that will arise over the planning. No one can properly give you a list of all the things you''ll need to invest money in...and often times, esspecially during the intial wedding planning, big money is usually spent...meaning the closer your wedding gets, the smaller and tighter your budget becomes, which is really when you need the extra money the most. Having a small nest-egg will allow you to comfortably manage the surprises!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

^ ^ Wow thank you, very insightful post!