Setting the budget for the wedding is, in my opinion, THE most important step in the whole process. During the creation of the budget, both the bride and the groom must be honest with each other about their expectations and wants. It is very easy to skip this step and just go straight into booking venues, photographers, and all the other things that are so much easier (and more fun) to focus on than setting the budget. In addition to being the starting point for the whole process, this time also can be a good chance for the bride and groom to really talk and connect about what they want their wedding to be. Is it going to be a lavish cocktail affair or more of a family celebration with barbeque? By being honest during this period both the bride and groom can avoid potential fighting points later in the process.
There are two different ways to start the budget planning process. Both are viable options but both take cooperation. They start with picking a guest count first or picking a venue first. If you are going to have a lot of extended family and/or friends coming to your wedding, I would recommend starting with the guest list first and then looking at venues based on that number. Conversely, if you are dying for your wedding to be at a certain place then find out the guest count that particular venue can accommodate and make your guest list based on that. Regardless, the majority of your budget focuses on the guest count and booking the venue. Sit down with your future husband/wife, talk to them about what they want and expect from the wedding, and share your feelings with them. Once you both agree on what you want, then you can talk to parents, friends, and relatives who WILL offer suggestions and critiques.
Which brings me to an important point:
EVERYONE WILL TELL YOU WHAT THEY WANT AT YOUR WEDDING.
Your fiancée is your ally and is there to help you when all these "helpful" suggestions start to weigh you down and make you doubt your plan. Talk to him/her.
Based on what resources you have once you book the venue and find out how much each guest will cost you, you can make appropriate decisions for photographers, flowers, etc. A good way to get a feel for the people you will be hiring to work your wedding is to go to a bridal show…together. Yep, drag your better half with you. They are just as much a part of this whole process as you are. If they do not want to go, I would recommend you tell them how much you want their input and value their opinion. Hire those people you meet and really connect with and be honest with them so they know what you expect. I will write about each person you need to hire during the next posts. Good luck!
I agree with the budget being one of the most important aspects of planning a wedding. It's easy for a person to get caught up in the excitement of things and forget that somewhere down the line someone has to pay for it. Especially when you have everyone in your ear about what they think you should or should not do at your wedding.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I think it is great that you are doing this blog! I have worked many many many weddings and been in even more and for the majority of them the groom is always underestimated in their ability to understand and be able to be helpful. I look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteI couldn’t agree with you more that the budget is the single most important part of planning a wedding. I honestly can’t see any of my friends or family telling me what THEY want in MY wedding because they know how I like things to go my way but you never know! I think it is a great idea to pull your better half along with you to bridal shows because like you said it is both, the bride and groom’s, day together.
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