Hello everyone!  Wow, I am so not liking this whole winter situation. For my friends and colleagues up North...I don't know how you do it.  This Florida girl is done with cold.  I have worn my boots and leggings and am now ready for my flip flops again. 

So today, I thought I would add to last week's blog about budgeting and share some common mistakes that are made when budgeting for your wedding.

1.  When looking at pricing...especially catering and venue...make sure you factor in a service charge of anywhere from 18-22% of the total and sales tax.  These numbers add up.

2. When looking at any vendor pricing ask about pick up and delivery fees, sales tax or other charges.  

3.  For invitations, postage is expensive and adds up...Plus the postage rate is about to go up again. Try to stay with standard sizes and don't forget that you have to put postate on the RSVP card envelope.

4.  Those little things that you see when you are on Etsy or at Michaels or Hobby Lobby, kill your budget.  Because $50 here and $20 there and $100 here are suddenly $1,000 and you have no idea what you got for $1,000.  

5. Don't forget to budget for your officiant.  The person marrying you gets paid too.  

6.  Tips - always have cash on the night of the wedding to tip your vendors.  My general rule is to tip anyone you think did an exceptional job for you.  This includes photographer, videographer, DJ, band, valet, officiant, etc.  You can add extra tip to your catering bill as well. You won't believe how much your vendors appreciate you tipping them.

7.  DIY can sometimes be more expensive than hiring someone to do the work.  Especially, if you are not crafty and don't budget enough time to do all of your DIY projects. 

So be informed, don't forget the small things and remember EVERYONE has a budget.  It is the size of your budget that you need to remember and be smart to stay within your budget.

Have a great week!  We will be at PGA National this week for Alexa and Brett's spectacular, blinged out wedding.

Jen

Hi All, Hope everyone is well.  We have been super busy with weddings this fall!  Can't believe it is November already and that Thanksgiving is next week.  Where does the time go?!

The music will set the tone and the mood for the different aspects of the ceremony and reception or any party.  The music should become part of the overall theme of the day and will help set the tone, mood and atmosphere.

Then there is the question of whether or not to go with a DJ or a Live Band for the reception and what about the ceremony music?  It can get rather overwhelming.

We love the idea of a string quartet or a musical trio during the ceremony.  There is something so timeless and elegant about it.  How about the violinist strolling through your cocktail hour and taking requests from the guests?  Such a sophisticated feel for the day.
Do you want the high energy of a DJ but don’t want the cheesy stuff…(can’t imagine why not everyone wants the chicken dance at their wedding..lol).  This is not a problem.  Don’t be scared of having a DJ because you don’t want some of the crazy group dances.  A good DJ has a meeting with you before the wedding and will go over everything…what is acceptable, what is not acceptable, what types of music do you like, how to pronounce every one’s names correctly, are there any anniversaries or birthdays that you want to acknowledge, etc.  A good DJ can judge the mood of the crowd and knows when to kick up it a notch or when to slow things down.  A good DJ  doesn’t take over the party, but helps create the party.

  A live band can really ramp up a party!  Before hiring any band see if you can watch them in person somewhere.  Have them send you links to videos and definitely speak with past clients.  Recently we worked with an amazing band that had the party going and the dancefloor was never empty.  Check out the Jerry Wayne Band.  Holy cow, this band was fabulous!  This coming weekend we are working with another amazing band  Beth and Command Performance  If your budget allows a band is a huge crowd pleaser and they can create an energy like nothing else you have seen.

Then there is the question of an IPOD or IPAD for your musical selections.  This NOT recommended by us.  Yes you will have a variety of music being played…but that is it.  There is no one to make announcements such as time for the cake, first dance, mother/son dance, father/daughter dance.  No one is working with the flow of the event or checking the mood of the guests.  

Definitely choose your music carefully and feel free to reach out to us with any questions.

Jen, Mandi and Amelia
www.fabuluxeevents.com
561-254-2041
Jennifer@fabuluxeevents.com