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

Hello out there!  I hope everyone had an amazing Valentine's Day and is enjoying this fabulous time of year.

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 

Hi everyone,  Happy Thursday!  Hard to believe that we are in October already.  Where does the time go?!   We are so excited as our Mandi is getting married this weekend.  It is going to be an amazing day filled with love!   Watch for pictures and a recap next week!

Today, I thought it would be important to talk about photography and videography.  Your wedding is something you have planned and dreamed of for months and even years.  Every detail has been planned and the day is happening flawlessly.  How do you remember this amazing day and the feelings you had?  The answer is easy...hire the best possible photographer and videographer that you can afford...stretch your budget on these items.   

You have one chance to capture the memories of the day...One chance to capture the walk down the aisle, the first kiss, the vows, the first dance. Unplanned moments often make some of the best photos and video.  They are spontaneous and natural and emotional.    You will be able to look back at your photos and video for the rest of your lives.  The feelings will all come rushing back every time you look at them.  

In years to come you might find that your wedding photos and video hold some very precious moments.  Our families change so much over the years.  You could capture a special moment and not realize until years later how special it was.    That happened to me...I had a fabulous photographer and videographer.  They captured my great-aunt and uncle dancing...I mean dancing like people used to dance in the 40s and 50s.  She was in the early stages of Alzheimers and shortly after our wedding the disease took over.  But I will always have the footage of two very imporant people in my life, dressed perfectly, dancing beautifully and sharing their love with the rest of us.   

So when planning your wedding or other special event, remember you get one chance to capture the memories of a lifetime!

Have a Fabuluxe Day!

Jen, Mandi, and Amelia

561-254-2041

Jennifer@fabuluxeevents.com