Planning a Wedding Without Going Broke

Did you know that statistics show the average wedding costs $20,000 or more. Most young girls dream of the fairytale wedding including the long white gown, bridesmaids, a sit-down dinner, and a band that everyone will want to dance to.

In fact most brides have been dreaming about their wedding day since they were a little girl. However these dreams can often come with a a big price tag and the realization that their fairytale day may never happen. Even though weddings are very costly, rest assured that your dream day can come true.

By taking the time to plan every detail, you will be amazed at the amount of money that you can save and how it will help make your wedding a day to remember for you and all of your guests!

It's only natural to want the Cinderella fantasy wedding, complete with ice sculptures, a heavenly cake, and hundreds of guests who've flown in from all around the world to enjoy the festivities and it's only human to cry at the bill that this dream can come with.

It's no secret that the cost of the perfect dream wedding can add up fast. Especially when you factor in the cost of the dress, flowers, photographer, food, drinks, music, decorations and the venue your wedding can seem like an unattainable dream. But it doesn't have to be that way.

So, how can the average person have a beautiful wedding with all the bells and whistles without going into debt or going crazy?

Perhaps these three little words say it best!

They are "do it yourself" (DIY).

When you do it yourself you can have the elegant, beautiful wedding of your dreams without going crazy or going broke.

Don't panic, having a do it yourself wedding doesn't mean giving up style and flair. It means using your imagination, using your own hands as well as recruiting the help of family and friends.

So where should you start?

One of the first things to consider is the budget.The question of how much is available to spend and who is paying for what are two of the important questions when it comes to setting the budget.

Once the budget is set, the next step is creating a timetable. Some important factors to consider include honeymoon, work schedules, holidays and family occasions, and day of the week.

Then you will want to start looking at rings, making announcements, choosing invitations and planning the pre-wedding activities such as; engagement parties, a dinner for the families of both parties to get acquainted, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers and so on.

After making the wedding known to everyone, the next step is the guest list. This list usually affects several aspects of the wedding especially the budget and the size of the party.

Here is a quick tip: Try dividing the guest list into five categories:
a) bride's list;
b) groom's; c) couple's common friends;
d) groom's parents' list and;
e) bride's parents' list.

This will help you sort it out effectively! Don't worry if the list is too big at first. It often takes several revisions before you come up with the perfect guest list.

As I mentioned earlier, when it comes to planning the perfect wedding there are many things to consider like the ceremony, reception music, flowers, wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and the groom’s attire, photographers and more.

Inside each issue of the Your DIY Wedding newsletter I will do my best to provide you with the best tips and tricks from the experts to help you cut costs without cutting class and sophistication. We will explore different ways that you can plan and save on all aspects of your wedding.
Make sure you look for your next issue soon. We will be talking more about how to save money when planning your perfect wedding.

What are you stressing about most about planning your wedding? Click here and let me know!

Cindy Lieber
Accredited Event Designer
OC Brides Event Coordination
www.weddingplanneroc.com
Cindy@ocbrides.com
(714) 970-6380

Hiring the Right Team

Hiring the right team is critical to planning your dream wedding…and it can also be quite stressful.

How do you find the right match for you? How do you know who to trust? Where do you go for advice?

First of all, this is not an easy task and it’s totally normal for couples to feel overwhelmed, frustrated or confused.

It’s not like you plan a wedding every day! This is all probably brand new to you, so be patient with yourself.

So how do you pick the wedding vendors who are right for YOU?

First of all, STYLE, PERSONALITY, and PROFESSIONALISM are the biggest things to look for. You want to hire vendors who your guests will feel comfortable with...because the more comfortable your guests are the more FUN they have. Each vendors should also match the style and vision of your wedding.

Here are 8 Must Ask Questions to ask ALL your potential wedding professionals before booking:

1. How many wedding do you do per year? How much experience to you have?

This is an extremely important question. Ideally, your wedding professional should have ample experience specifically with weddings. Not only will they be more skilled in their craft, this also makes them a valuable source of information and ensures that your wedding day goes smoothly.

2. How much do you cost?

Price is often relative, especially when you factor in experience, reputation and expert skill. Generally, the most talented professionals have a higher price tag because they are worth it.

3. How much is the deposit?

Most often the deposit will be 50% upfront and the balance at least 7 days prior to the wedding.

4. What specifically is included in that cost?

Because packages often vary, it's likely that you won't be able to compare one vendor exactly to the next without doing a little figuring. The lowest cost isn't necessarily the best deal; some higher quotes include services that you have to pay extra for in other packages. Make sure you take this into account.

5. What happens if I cancel? What happens if you cancel?

Find out if your deposit is refundable under any conditions. Does the wedding professional have a back up plan if something happens to them?

6. Do you use a contract?

If the answer is No, RUN! A contract is designed to protect both you and the wedding professional. Don't settle for a verbal agreement that won't hold up in court.

7. Are there any additional fees?

Taxes, service charges and travel fees can add up quickly. Make sure you understand exactly what is included and if there are any other fees you will have to pay. This should be clearly defined in your contract.

8. Do you carry liability insurance?

The answer you are looking for is YES. This protects you in case of an unfortunate accident should occur on your wedding day. It's also a sign that this is a reputable business, since most "fly by night" operations don't invest in insurance.

One final bit of advice: READ YOUR CONTRACT. Make sure you understand everything that's written and ask questions if you don't. There IS no stupid question   ...  except the one you don't ask. Make sure you know the price as well as cancellation and refund policies.

GO WITH YOUR GUT.   If something feels "off" about the wedding vendor...you're probably right. Make sure you feel comfortable with him, you like him, and that his personality will be a good blend with your guests and reflect the tone of your wedding.


Remember: if chosen wisely, the right wedding vendors will give you expert help and advice on every aspect of your wedding…for free!

Cindy Lieber
Accredited Event Designer
OC Brides Event Coordination
www.weddingplanneroc.com
Cindy@ocbrides.com

P.S. Do you have a question about hiring a Wedding Coordinator?  Click here to Shoot Me An Email