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I am planning my wedding for July 23rd 2010 - very soon. But my fiancee and I are on a budget and we need a ton of help. Many wedding planners are too expensive - We are in Denver Colorado. Any ideas?
Posted On:
Jun 3, 2010 at 10:48 PM
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cdumbleton92
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Posted on: Jun 4, 2010 at 8:58 AM
We are a husband-wife photography team and we see this kind of post frequently and hear this from our couples from time to time - the budget woes. What we encourage our clients to remember is that every wedding has a budget, be is $1,000, $10,000 or $100,000. We have served couples in all three of those budget ranges, and we've seen beautiful weddings in all three price points.
Sure, a $100,000 wedding might have more bells and whistles, and the couple has more vendors open to them because the pool of vendors they can afford is larger. But bigger budget doesn't mean more meaningful wedding, and that's the bottom line.
We always advise all of our couples to take a look at a list of things that you can spend money on for a wedding (lists abound all over the internet). Sit and talk together about what things you care about, and what things don't matter to you. For example, do you both really care about favors for your guests? Do you both agree that they enhance the meaningfulness of your wedding? Or do you both feel that they'll be forgotten by your guests as soon as they climb into their cars and that you'll have wasted a precious part of your budget? We advise couples to choose their favorite three things and focus your financial resources there. Then decide what things you can live without, and then decide what to do with the budget you have remaining.
You are planning a Friday wedding - some vendors offer discounts for Friday and Sunday weddings. Some don't offer them, but would entertain the idea - if you ask for it.
Remember, from the vendor side of the wedding, they are operating a business and trying to make a sale. While no vendor can operate at a loss and give away products for less than they're worth, there may be some wiggle room in the list price. They may be willing to come off the price if it means making a sale and filling a Friday night that they otherwise would not have.
If you aren't dead set on a florist, try your local farmer's market.
If you have a talented baker in the family, perhaps she or he will give you the wedding cake as his or her wedding gift to save on a bakery.
Do you have a friend who is talented with a graphics design suite? Perhaps he or she could design your invitations or programs.
Another bit of advice that doesn't necessarily relate to the budget is this: if things don't go exactly as planned, no guest will know it unless you point out the mistakes or the things you felt like you couldn't afford. Most guests just go with the flow and are delighted to have been invited and included in your celebration. Remember that no two weddings are alike. Many couples have every single wedding tradition (the bouquet toss, the garter toss, the groom's cake, the bride's cake, the exit, etc.). In our experience, most couples don't choose to include all of those things. We've rarely overheard a guest asking about a "missing" event from that list, and never heard one complaint about it.
Enjoy your big day - we hope you have the time of your life. Best wishes for a long, happy, healthy marriage!
Katie & Jeff Barker
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Vcortez
Posts: 5
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Posted on: Jun 4, 2010 at 1:03 PM
I couldn't have said it better.
My advice to the engaged couple "plan for a marraige, not just a wedding'. It's the way you receive guests that make them remember your beautiful day, it's not about how much you spend.
In my rural area in Michigan, a wedding planner is not used very often. I do agree, you need someone in charge that day, preferably someone who is not directly involved with the wedding. An organized Aunt or friend of the family works well. There are many details that need to be done last minute and directions that need to be given.
Again, enjoy the day, no one will notice what you don't have. Keep it simple.
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sonnyfairley
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Posted on: Jun 4, 2010 at 4:48 PM
If you need live music with your budget let me know
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Guest
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Posted on: Jun 5, 2010 at 10:11 PM
makeup and hair for $100 contact Lili At www.lilisweddings.com
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adam
Posts: 2
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Posted on: Jun 8, 2010 at 9:42 PM
catering for any type of event contact TARR-B-Q Catering & Events at adam@tarrbq.com
Full custom menus available, as well as drop off only!!!!!!!
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vvlevv
Posts: 4
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Posted on: Jul 2, 2010 at 5:09 PM
cdumbleton92 wrote:
I am planning my wedding for July 23rd 2010 - very soon. But my fiancee and I are on a budget and we need a ton of help. Many wedding planners are too expensive - We are in Denver Colorado. Any ideas?
I know of a great photographer. You can try contacting her to for your wedding. She will do her best to work with you.
kalaidecam.com
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DesertLightWeddings
Posts: 130
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Posted on: Jul 2, 2010 at 11:44 PM
I'm a planner in Phoenix. Email or call me and I'll give you some advice and guidance (no charge). I don't know the area, but certainly can guide you with what you need to do and point you in the right direction.
Robbie
Desert Light Weddings
www.desertlightweddings.com
contact@desertlightweddings.com
(480) 235-0325
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Guest
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Posted on: Jul 5, 2010 at 3:01 PM
How much do you have to spend per person for your reception? Fogo de Chao in Downtown Denver might work for you? How about a lunch reception? We do not charge for space rental. Call Nicole at 303-623-9600 for a tour of our space.
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AylaR89
Posts: 3
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Posted on: Jul 5, 2010 at 9:57 PM
honestly i'm in the same situation except ours is a little further away... you can get some great stuff from walmart, target, and if you have any local crafts stores you could probably get flowers and make your own boquets, also think less is more when it comes to table arragements: candles, water, flower petals, glass bowls, even colored rocks, etc good-luck!!!
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Guest
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Posted on: Jul 5, 2010 at 10:39 PM
im planning my my wedding for january 29 2011 ..i never started i live in the orange,tx area hellllllllllp
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WeddingsByDiana
Posts: 1
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Posted on: Jul 5, 2010 at 10:56 PM
I have been a planner in Santa Barbara for over 30 years and my best advice would be to go to a planner there who does hourly consultations ( I only charge $75) and go over everything you have or haven't done and get their advice and recommendations. Take notes. Make a timeline of how you want the day to go and then delegate different responsibilities to anyone who wants to help. It can be different people at different times so they can still enjoy the day. A timeline given to all vendors helps keep things on track.
Good luck!
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Guest
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Posted on: Jul 6, 2010 at 12:06 PM
I am looking for a reception hall where i can ring in our own food to accomadate the two different cultures of our guest..please help in Milwaukee Wisconsin.
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