Budget Trimming Mistakes

There are many ways you can trim down your budget, but there are also many things that you should NOT hold out on.

1. Photography: A good photographer is essential for your memories. A good photographer is one splurge that you shouldn't feel guilty about. Any photographer can line up your family members on the church altar and snap a photo (some can even manage to get them all with their eyes open!) but a GREAT photographer can capture the emotions and energy in a picture. I personally love the photo journalistic style, which is becoming outrageously popular. They do a great job at capturing the moment, and they are beautiful pictures that you will enjoy looking at in the years to come that really tell a story. They generally are more expensive to hire, but it is SO worth it, they are beautiful photos. Some say a photo is worth a thousand words, but I say a photo journalistic style picture is truly priceless. Need some suggestions? Check out Birdsong Photography's blog listed on my page, and their website is beautiful. I also love SilverBox Photography.

2. The music: A good DJ can really get your wedding reception rockin! They can inject energy into your party, and that's what your guests will really remember- how much fun they had! I've seen some DJ's that will interact with the guests and even play games and give out prizes at weddings. A good band is hard to find, which is why they can be so expensive. If you have your heart set on a band, give yourself plenty of time to do your research. Ask for demo tapes, and in either case ALWAYS ask around for recommendations.

3. The Food: Typically, the food for a wedding is about 45-60% of the total budget. You definitely don't want your guests to go home hungry. While it may be necessary to cut down slightly on the quality of the food, you don't want to cut down on the quantity. If your budget is tight, you may need to order chicken instead of the filet and lobster combo. But, they are doing amazing things with chicken these days!!!

My best friend's wedding...

Last weekend I attended my best friend's wedding as a bridesmaid, and what else but her wedding coordinator! I just wanted to share a few pictures that I took with my digital camera. It was such a cute wedding, and I'm so happy for Mr. and Mrs. Eric Baker!!! Enjoy some photos!

Lets Talk Food...

We all know the best part of the wedding- the food. The food cost should be one of the biggest parts of your wedding day budget (normally it's 40-45% or more!) But if you're planning with a tight budget, there are several ways to cut the costs without cutting the cheese... or beef, or whatever you want to eat.

1. If you are having a later wedding (after 5 or 6 pm) it is socially acceptable to only serve finger foods. Be sure to put on your invitations that it is an hor dourves reception, and your guests should know to eat before the ceremony begins. If you are having an afternoon wedding and your reception starts around dinner time, your guests will be hungry, and you will spend more money on hor dourves trying to fill your guests up than you would have if you planned a dinner.

2. If you are on a tight budget, ask if you can look at the lunch menu instead of the dinner menu. Many places will alllow you to select lunches (be it plated or buffet), and lunches are sometimes almost half the price, with a lot of the same options that some of the dinners have.

3. Which brings me to my next point- buffet or served? Honestly, sometimes they are about the same price. With buffets, people tend to eat more so they have to prepare more food which can cost more. With served meals, the food cost is controlled, but it takes more staff to run a plated dinner so the service charge may be more. It's totally up to you.

Wedding meals are a good way to treat your guests to something different that they don't normally eat. Try different flavors, colors, presentations- we eat with our eyes first and our mouths second. We all want something that beautiful on a plate, and there are so many options in this day in age. A lot of couples are afraid to try something different because they are afraid their guests won't like it even if they do. DON'T be afraid- a lot of times you are creating something memorable for a guest that they might never get to experience again. Leave the chocolate covered crickets and pig spleen at home though: no one will be able to stomach that. DO arrange a menu tasting before the big day, but DON'T be afraid to go with the sea bass if you like it. Just don't go with the entire fish on the plate- it's kind of scary.

Ebay for your wedding day

Well, it's been awhile that's for sure! But I've been researching some money saving tips from the most addicting wesbite ever... Ebay. This website is a goldmine for deals!

Do you dream of centerpieces with crystals dripping down? Well, you could spend hundreds of extra dollars by letting your florist get them, or you can spend $20 for 15 feet of crystals from a chandelier dealer. What a steal!

Don't spend a ton of money buying votives from craft stores or Wal-Mart. On Ebay there are stores where you can get 400 votives for around $40. Imagine the savings!

I even ordered a wedding dress from ebay- customized to fit me. No alterations ladies! It was a brand new dress for less than $300!!!

So when trying to find good deals, they are closer than you can imagine. Savings are just a click away- but don't get too caught up in the bidding. Set a limit for how much you're willing to spend for an item- or betting yet, search on the "buy now" feature or search for stores.

My personal favorite store- HJK imports. You can get vases, acryllic crystals to fill your vases, floral lights, and more. Perfect for the DIY bride like myself!

Happy Hunting!!!

Topic of the Week: Reception venues

There are lots of things to consider when choosing your reception venue- the look and feel, the cost, what have you. But the latest trend is not to have your reception in the typical hotel ballroom or the Eagles Lodge, but to go off the beaten path!

Museums offer lots of space, and additional things for your guests to do! There are so many beautiful and historic things in museums to look at, you may not even need much decor! You can also check out your local zoo for event space, which usually has lush landscaping, flowery foilage, and ponds/lakes. Your guests can take tours of the museum or see the animals at the zoo. (Just stay away from the monkey house!) It's a unique way for you and your guests to enjoy your day with you, and it will truly be a memorable experience for everyone!

Topic of the Week: Lighting makes the difference!

Lighting is one of the most important aspects in any event- especially weddings. It sets the tone for your event, red lighting for a sultry event, pastels for a romantic feel, etc. Lighting can change the look and feel of a room in an instant!

If you think you have to spend several thousands of dollars on lighting for your event, you're so wrong! The room appearance can change drastically by just placing lots of tea lights around the room, and you can buy those by the hundreds! Think you have to spend thousands on hiring a professional lighting company come in and design your event? Try doing it yourself! You can create a look similar to the picture by purchasing spot lights from a hardware/garden store and positioning them around the room. To change the colors of the lights, place pieces of colored cellophane on top of the lens and secure with a rubber band. That's it! And, if you're having an outdoor wedding, you can even get solar spotlights and then you can reuse them in the your yard after the wedding!

So you don't have to be technologically inclined to do your own lighting- it's as simple as that!

Topic of the Week: Wedding Cakes

I know every girl dreams of the traditonal white cake for her wedding, but the latest trend is not a big white cake, but a big purple, green, fuschia cake. It's out with the white, in with the bright. Instead of just using your wedding colors as an accent on your cake, how about painting the town (or the whole cake) red? Or blue, or purple or whatever colors your wedding are. Use fun, whimsical patterns and colors that reflect your style and personality!

Got big cake dreams on a sheet cake budget? I have the answer for you! Most bakers can make only a few layers actual cake, and then have "filler" tiers- pieces of styrofoam decorated to look like the rest of your cake! This will save you money and you can still have the big cake that only LOOKS expensive! This tip also works if you're having a small wedding with few guests, but still want the big cake. Just don't serve the wrong tier up to your guests!

So, now you can have your cake... AND eat it too!