Hi all,

Lots of talk these days about budgets and tariffs and costs.  While none of us know exactly what will happen.  We can expect increases in prices across the board. It's a fact of life and these market ups and downs don't help.  

Did you know that we don't grow any "wedding flowers" in the USA?  99% of flowers come from outside the country.  

I see so many posts in FB and other platforms where the post starts with:

I am on a budget or I don't want it cost an arm and a leg.  To be honest I don't know that means.  

Couples don't be afraid to speak in real numbers.  No matter your budget there are Wedding Professionals for you.  "on a budget" means different things to different people.

We have worked with couples whose families are on the Forbes list and they had a budget.  We have worked with professional athletes who are on a budget.  It's all very subjective.  

A budget is $10K-$10,000,000 but the biggest thing is to be honest with your creative partners.  

And NO people don't charge more because "it's a wedding".  Weddings are more work on the back end. 

Finally, honesty is the best policy when working with your creative partners for your wedding.  

Remember at Fabuluxe Events we are here to help you create your South Florida, Carribbean or Mexican wedding!  

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.

We made it to February and while Coronavirus is still a challenge, we are happy to be open and working in Sunny South Florida.  We truly believe that things will continue to get better and that you can celebrate safely!

Today's topic is the dreaded "B word" - BUDGET.   It can be awkward, uncomfortable and daunting to talk about budget when planning the wedding of your dreams. 

And a quick word of advice.  Please don't start the conversation with your vendors by saying "I am on a budget".  Yes, you are.  Everyone has a budget.   A great wedding planner, like Fabuluxe Events, helps you match your vendors with your budget. 

Whether your budget is $10,000 or $100,000 or 1,000,000 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 families.  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 commitment 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 priority 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 

Y'all we made it to 2021.  Did you ever think we would get here?!  2020 seemed never-ending.  We are excited for a return to celebrations and weddings and can't wait to share the joy with you all.

So many engagements over the holidays...so many couples thinking...Holy Cow, what do I do now!

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"

So the first thing to do is take a deep breath...this will all be ok.  Here are some reminders and Top 10 things to do 

• 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 (just don't get sucked into the Pinterest vortex!)
• Decide on things you like and don't like - find your style.  

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!

Here are our Top 10 things to do now that you are engaged.

1. HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER!!! No matter what level of planning you hire (full planning, partial planning, month of coordination) you have just hired someone to give you Peace of Mind and you can't put a pricetag on that item!

2.  Decide what kind of wedding you want - Destination Wedding, Formal Wedding, Casual Wedding at the Beach, Something Rustic, Something Classic

3.  If you don't live near your families, decide where you will hold the wedding.

4.  Have an open, honest conversation with both families about any money they be contributing to the wedding, what costs you are expected to cover, how you are to use funds contributed by your families.  This one is hard and stressful...but better to get it out in the open and avoid conflict later on down the line.

5.  Start you guest list - Be realistic - if you haven't spoken with, emailed or seen these people in over a year - seriously think about whether they need to be invited - this includes distant family. And remember the size of the venue you select will impact the size of the guest list.

6.  Decide what time of year you want to get married - know the busy times of year in your area, check for popular dates, dates that are important to your family (birthdays, milestones, etc), holidays, festival dates (in West Palm - Sunfest, BoatShow, Tree Lighting, etc).

7.  Choose your wedding party - and no, you don't have to have the same number of bridesmaids and groomsmen and yes, you can have bridesmen and groomsladies.

8.  Select your venue.  But don't visit more than 2-3 venues in one day.  It's overwhelming, confusing and tiring.

9.  Get your engagement ring appraised and insured.  This one isn't fun but it is necessary!

10.  Start refining your budget by category.

The Fabuluxe Team is here and ready to help you!  We have been around for over 10 years!  Trust us to help create your magical day!

Cheers!!

Jen, Mandi, Nikki, Lara

So you are chugging away with wedding planning and every time you bring it up the groom-to-be disappears.   How can you get him to be interested and help with the planning.

1.  Remember to talk about things other than wedding planning.  It is important to keep perspective, you are spending the rest of your life with him and that lasts much longer than one day.

2.  Find out what things are interesting to him with regard to the wedding.  A lot of grooms are interested in the food, the bar, the music...but make them look at 150 bridesmaid dresses and you may have a mutiny on your hands.  It is ok if he doesn't want to be involved in every single aspect of planning.

3.  Narrow choices to the top 3 in a category.  Do the research first and then ask his opinion on your top 3 choices. This works well for venue, invitations, favors, and color palettes.

4.  If your groom does have to go to an appointment with you, have a plan for after the appointment..Go to his favorite restaurant, promise to watch a ballgame with him, encourage him to have a guy night.  After all, you will be practicing the art of compromise for the rest of your life.

5.  Plan date nights and promise not to talk about wedding planning during your date.  

6.  Set aside time to talk about the wedding plans with no distractions.  You will get more done in less time and won't lose his attention.

7. Go back to number #1.

As always, stay true to yourself and true to the two of you as a couple.  

Remember, You Deserve a Fabuluxe Day!

Cheers,

Jen, Mandi, Nikki, Lara

jennifer@fabuluxeevents.com

561-254-2041