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 

Happy Thursday!  Today I thought I would share some of the mistakes or pitfalls of the wedding planning process.  Just a few tips to remember when planning your big day.

1.  Remember why you are doing this....Too many people get caught up in all of the little details and stress of wedding planning.  Remember that you are marrying the love of your life.   You are committing your lives to each other in front of friends and family.  You are celebrating your love.  

2.  Don't always steer the conversation to your wedding planning...When you are with your friends and family, yes, they want to hear how it is going.  No, they don't want wedding planning to be the only topic of conversation when they are with you..Besides it makes me seem very self-centered.

3.  Losing your personality in the wedding...You are celebrating the love of two people.  Let your personalities show, as individuals and as a couple.  It can be through decor, table names, food choices, song choices..but stay true to yourselves...Just because you saw it on Pinterest doesn't mean you have to do it.  Be yourself!

4.  Not hiring professional, experienced wedding professionals...This is a big one.  You think you are getting a great deal by hiring that DJ or Photographer from Craig's List...WRONG...make sure your wedding pros are experienced in wedddings, have the appropriate licensure and insurance, can provide references.  There are horror stories all over the internet from brides who went the cheap way and it ended up costing them so much more emotionally and monetarily.

5.  Underbudgeting...Don't underestimate how quickly the small things add up...postage, garter, that cute little sign you saw on etsy, hair accessories, getting your nails done, driving around town on wedding errands (hey, gas is expensive).  

I don't want to be a "debbie-downer" but I have seen people fall prey to these things on more than on occasion.  I don't want it to happen to you.

Have a great weekend!

Jen, Mandi and Amelia

561-254-2041

Jennifer@fabuluxeevents.com