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Tag Archive for: wedding planning tools

Most couples aim to save a lot of money when planning a wedding. Couples tend to scrutinize the budget multiple times to ensure that they have saved the most that they can. Even with the level of scrutiny wedding budgets gets, mistakes still occur that can lead to loss of a substantial amount of money, as much as thousands of dollars.

Common Wedding Planning Questions Answered by Jamie Nicole Krause

Here are our top wedding planning mistakes to avoid in a bid to save more money.

Renting instead of buying

Most couples do a lot of renting, especially with items that are assumed to be necessary for only the wedding day. Wedding vendors understand this thought pattern and provide rental services for a range of items. However, renting may be a more expensive option. To avoid this mistake, weigh your options even with items you think you might not need in the future.

Renting a Venue without Knowing its Terms and Conditions

Some venues come with furnishings. For others, you only get the space. Before committing a venue, ensure that the terms and conditions are convenient. Otherwise, you may end up spending a lot of money on getting services and items not provided by the venue.

Altering the guest list

The guest list is the first thing you should consider while planning your wedding. Other decisions are affected by the guest list. Be sure of who’s on the guest list, and be prepared stop invitations as soon as you make a comprehensive guest list.

Also, be sure of who gets to come with a date and stick to a strict policy. Change in guest list affects the venue, food, accommodation plans for guesting coming from afar and other activities planned for guests. Such changes can cost a lot of money.

Outdoor locations are cheaper

Yes, the cost of renting an outdoor space may be cheaper, but the cost of tents, power, chairs tables, lighting and other materials needed to make the outdoor space cozy may increase the cost of using outdoor locations drastically. Before you conclude on an outdoor location, ensure that the overall cost won’t cost much more money.

DIY projects are cheaper

Except you are sure of your competency with a particular task, do not attempt to do it yourself. Embarking on DIY projects for your wedding can lead to incurring more costs.

The cost of learning how to do a task, getting the right materials and tools and executing the task may be more than the cost of getting the task done by a professional. Except you are a professional or a near-professional, DIY project may not be the best call. DIY projects may cost you much more money.

I can do it all

No, you can’t. The more helpers you have, the better. The tendency to control every bit of their big is common with most couples, especially brides. Controlling every bit of your wedding can wear you out and lead to mistakes that will cost more money.

The more help you get also gives you time to focus on aspects that matter most to you. If possible, get a professional planner and allow them to take a lot of stress off you. If you can’t get professional help, accept the help of willing friends and families, and try not to overstress them.

Forgetting to make accommodation plans for out-of-town guests

Most guests coming from other towns and cities will arrive the night before. Most of them might also forget to make accommodation plans. To save cost and stress, provide accommodation options for out-of-town guests with an agreement on who foots the bill.

Bulk accommodation plans may also attract discounts. Waiting to the night before to procure accommodation for out-of-town guests may result in spending a lot more money as your preferred hotels could be completely booked.

Wrap Up!

Ultimately, every couple wants a day that turns out great without overflowing stress and expenses. Mistakes and inevitable when planning a wedding, and it is necessary to mitigate mistakes as much as possible, especially those that will lead to spending more money.

When you first start planning your wedding, there are things that are nice to know (like the hottest wedding colors of the year). Then, there are things you need to know — advice so essential that any bride who’s lucky enough to hear it thinks, “I’m so glad someone told me that!” These are those.

Wedding Planning 101 Essential Things You Need to Know

1. DON’T BOOK YOUR VENUE BEFORE YOU HIRE A PLANNER

Venue selection is the starting point, but if you are able to work with a planner, involving them first can be a lifesaver. “Some clients inquire about our services after they have already booked their wedding venue, but the venue can dictate almost all of your wedding-planning decisions, which isn’t always ideal if you are not aware of this,” says Lindsey Norton of L. Brook Events.

“Does your venue have the ability to fit 200 people, with a dance floor and a stage for a 10-piece band? If your guest count exceeds a certain number are you required to rent bathrooms? These are all questions that you may not know to ask, but your planner does.”

2. PEAK WEDDING MONTHS ARE EXPENSIVE

June to August is peak wedding season, and everything is at a premium cost during this time. Consider getting married earlier in the year, when winter is no longer as severe, and spring is just about to arrive. Or, you can consider early fall for your wedding, as venues often slash their prices this time of the year.

3. LIGHTEN YOUR LIST

The easiest way to trim your wedding budget? Cut your guest list. We know that might seem impossible to those with large families and friends from all over the place, but consider this: Half of your wedding expenses go to wining and dining your guests.

If it’s costing you $100 per person, eliminating one table of 10 can save you $1,000. Not to mention, you just took away a floral centerpiece, 10 place setting rentals, 10 invitations, 10 favors, and more, saving you thousands.

4. IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO

You’re getting married, not having a birthday party. Remember: Your wedding is about two people coming together—and the celebration should reflect that. “Stop comparing your wedding to what your friends have done in the past, what you see on Pinterest, and what your friends and family are telling you need to do,” says Morgan Perrone of Valley Flower Company.

“It has to be what feels true to you as a couple. If it means having 1,000 red balloons because it reminds you of your first date, by all means, have the balloons and don’t let anybody tell you it’s stupid. Don’t worry what people think or say about your wedding.”

5. GET ORGANIZATIONALLY FOCUSED

Before you meet with any vendors or sign any checks, set up your online checklist, budgeter, and guest list manager. Get a three-ring binder to use to compile all your correspondences with vendors, notes you make during meetings, and photos or tear sheets from magazines you want vendors to see.

It’s also a good idea to set up a special email address dedicated to your wedding (so that you can easily access all wedding-related emails).

6. BEFORE YOU GO WEDDING SHOPPING

Wedding dresses are crucial to transforming you into a splendid bride, however they can be quite pricey. Before you step into the shop, do your research and know your options. Here are some ways to make the most of your wedding dress budget.

Consider more than one style: If you keep your options open, it is easier to find a dress that falls within budget. Do your research ahead of time, and identify which styles will look good on you. Then look at dresses in these styles and choose the one that you are satisfied with, both in look and in price.

Look at the clearance and sale section: Many bridal will always have dresses on discounts and on sale. Before you look at the latest collection, it may be a good idea to see what is available in the sale section. You may find a dress that is quite similar to what you love in the current collection, at a fraction of a price.

Wait for trunk shows: Trunk shows are a bride’s dream-come-true, especially if you are in a standard 8-12 size group. These shows allow you to find the dress of your dreams at a reduced cost. If you are engaged for a year or more, it is likely that you will come across at least one trunk show during this time. So, call up the boutiques in the area and find out whether they have one scheduled in the near future. Put off your wedding shopping session till after wards, so you can take a chance and hope to find your wedding dress at the trunk show.

7. PROVIDE ACCURATE DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Make sure guests know where they’re going. As easy as online map programs are to use, sometimes the directions are wrong or there’s a quicker, less traffic-prone route to take. Ask your ceremony and reception sites for printouts of recommended driving directions, which they often keep in stock for weddings and will give to you for free, and test out the routes yourself.

Digital music Premier St Louis DJ

The Death of the Phone Book – Finding Wedding Entertainment Online

Wedding planning in the digital age and how it changes how to book, plan, and find your entertainment. The old days of finding your wedding entertainment in a paper phone book are nearly extinct, and brides are going straight to the internet to do all their research of finding the right DJ, checking their reviews, and so much more.

Say Goodbye to the Old Ways: Planning Your Wedding Digitally

Old trends such and planning meetings, mailing contracts, mailing checks are all in the past. Finding the right entertainment company that offers these services and so much easier on your time & budget. They usually call this “wedding online planning tools”. They offer many benefits to you that will save you time from scheduling multiple meetings and money from possible time off work.

Wedding Online Planning Tools

Wedding online planning tools will compile all the vital information the DJ needs to know at your wedding reception in St louis such as: Wedding party names, special dance songs, how much you would like your DJ to interact with your guests, etc. You can even access an online music database where you can choose all the music you want and can list them in your “must play list” or even your “do not play list”.

Say Hello to Digital Communication

Meeting in person is coming to an online SKYPE conversation just to get a feel for your DJs personality and if he is a right fit for you because we all know not every DJ is created equal.

Sign on the Dotted Line, Digitally!

Signing contract is as easy and “digitally signing” or typing in your name at the bottom of the contract. This is legally binding because it records your IP address of both parties on the agreement. This means no more mailing for faxing back and forth to confirm your booking. Saving money on stamps!

All in the end, this is the new age in digitally technology which is our friend and making our lives easier.