Hey all...yeah we know it's never easy to talk about money.  But talking about and being honest about your wedding budget is crucial.

It is important to have a clear idea of how much you are willing to spend before you start making any decisions. 

The word budget can mean something different to each wedding couple. The definition of a budget is "an amount of money that is available for, required for, or assigned to a particular purpose." When it comes to weddings, your budget may include everything from the cost of the venue and catering to the cost of your wedding dress and flowers. For some, it may be a set dollar amount that they are willing to spend on the entire wedding. Others may have a more flexible budget that allows them to spend more in certain areas and less in others. Having a budget does not mean that the wedding is any less luxurious or DIY, it simply allows couples to be more mindful of their spending and make choices that are in line with their overall vision for the day. 

There are a few different ways that you can go about setting up your wedding budget. 

- Decide how much you are willing to spend. This is the first and most important step. You need to have a clear idea of your budget before you start making any decisions.

- Make a list of all the costs associated with weddings. This includes things like the venue, catering, flowers, decorations, music, etc.

- Determine which costs are most important to you. This will help you prioritize your spending and make sure that you are getting the most important things for your money.

- Start making decisions based on your budget. Once you have a clear idea of what you can afford, you can start to narrow down your options and make more informed decisions.

-Be honest with your wedding pros about what you can and can't afford.  It saves stress and heartache in the long run.

If you are looking for some help setting up your wedding budget, then look no further! Our team at Fabuluxe Events has years of experience and can help you figure out your wedding budget. We will work with you to find ways to stay within your budget without sacrificing your vision for the big day.

Hello out there!  I hope everyone is having a great January. 

So, we are in the middle of engagement season and the topic of budget is a big issue for newly engaged couples.  It can be awkward, uncomfortable and daunting to talk about budget when planning the wedding of your dreams.  

First and foremost...EVERYONE HAS A BUDGET.  Whether your budget is $10,000 or $100,000 it is still a budget and your ideas will need to fit within those parameters.

So here are some tips for handling the budget discussion.

1.  Sit down with both sets of parents.  Ask what, if anything, they are able to contribute. Sometimes it is a dollar amount. Sometimes they will say, I want to pay for photography or flowers up to a certain dollar amount.  But be up front and ask the questions.

2.  Talk honestly as a couple.  What can you two afford to contribute to the wedding expenses?  Be honest...Do NOT go into major debt to plan a wedding.  It is not a competition.  It is a wedding celebrating two people in love making a lifelong committment to each other.  

3.  Have realistic expectations.  You may have to sacrifice in some categories to get what you really want in other categories.    You can not have surf and turf, open-premium bar and a live band for 150 on $5,000...so something will have to give.  Be realistic.

4.  Set priorities.  If photography is a priority get the best possible photographer you feel comfortable paying.  If food is a priorty stretch the food budget and lower another category.  

5.  Carefully watch your guest list.  Less guests = less money.  It is that simple.  So Uncle Joe, three times removed does not have to be on the guest list if no one in your family has seen him since Reagan was President. 

6. Hire only professional wedding vendors, with wedding experience.  It will cost you far more in time and effort if you hire someone who is not a pro or let a family member handle certain things. 

7. Hire a fantastic Wedding Planner, like Fabuluxe Events.  Wedding planners will know which vendors and venues will fit your budget. They can help you negotiate contracts.  They can keep you on-track and sane during the process and that my friends, is priceless.

So remember, EVERYONE IS WORKING WITH A BUDGET.  They key is being realistic and honest about it from the very beginning.

And remember,
You Deserve a FABULUXE Day!
Jen
jennifer@fabuluxeevents.com 
561-254-2041 

Happy 2017! We are so excited to see what 2017 brings! For one of the Fabuluxe Girls it means a wedding!  That's right Ashli got engaged on Christmas Eve. And just like many of you she is saying...NOW WHAT?!  It can be overwhelming to think about everything that goes into planning a wedding, even for a wedding planner.  

It seems like all of the sudden everyone is asking you things like

• "When is the Wedding" 
• "What is Your Theme"  
• "Who is in the Wedding"  
• "Can I Bring a Date"
• "I Have a Friend who is a ______ (Photographer, baker, officiant, florist, etc)"  
• "I Have 15 Dietary Restrictions...that won't be a problem will it"

Here is our step by step guide to getting through those first few days and weeks of being engaged.

• Enjoy the Moments - Being engaged is special, take the time to stare at your ring for hours, flip through wedding magazines, and dare I say it, spend time on Pinterest.
• Decide on things you  like and don't like - find your style.
• Have the dreaded budget conversation - It's a must...Sit down with your fiance and families and really determine who is paying for what and what each party can afford.  It's better to know from the beginning and work within your budget than have arguments about money down the road...but wedding budgeting is another blog entirely.
• Look at Dates that fit in your schedules - check for things like family milestones, holidays, your busy times at work and then think about what time of year you want to get married, is your date in peak season and will that affect your costs?
• Start Researching Venues online - Only make appointments with your Top 3 and remember that your venue may not hold your entire guest list...so then...
• Start on Your Guest List - remember things like how many people your venue will hold, how far will people have to travel.

The priorities should be:

• Select Your Date
• Hire Your Wedding Planner - no matter how extensive the services you contract with your planner, make sure you lock in the date
• Book Your Venue 
• Book Your Photographer

You will be amazed at how great you feel once these few tasks are completed!  

Don't forget Date Nights and Exercise!

And most important of all...

Remember why you are doing all of this...to celebrate your love and commitment to each other!

At Fabuluxe Events we have 3 Different Levels of Planning.  Our goal is for you and you family to feel like guests at your own wedding.  When you hire us you are buying peace of mind!

Happy Planning!

Jen

561-254-2041

jennifer@Fabuluxeevents.com