You and Your Wedding Budget

I know how exciting it is to be engaged and planning a wedding.  Your mind is swirling with visions of fairy tales, glamour, love and lace.  And it is so easy to just start shopping right away!  But take a breath and don't spend any more money until you and your groom or your parents (whomever is helping to pay for the wedding) sit down and work out your wedding budget. 

It's really easy to go overboard and blow your budget, and you don't want to start your new married life in debt or with your parents in debt.  So with that said here's a little guideline to help you get started.

This is just an estimate and every wedding is customized, so please keep that in mind when setting your budget.

50% of your budget goes to your reception, this includes: catering, reception venue, the cake, rentals, bar, entertainment.
10% of your budget goes to the attire, your gown, grooms tux, if you are paying for flower girls dress
10% of your budget goes to music, the music at your ceremony and reception
10% of your budget goes to photography/videography
10% of your budget goes to decorations and flowers
5% of your budget goes to the ceremony, this includes the minister's fee or church or venue rental
5% of your budget goes to invitations and guest details, this could include guest transportation

As stated before this is all subject to change and personality of each couple, this is just an idea of the average costs and budget.
Other fees and expenses to keep in mind are:
-taxes
-delivery/setup&breakdown costs
- service charges
-standard tips
-overtime

You can have the wedding of your dreams on a budget, you just have to know how to negotiate, be flexible and read your contracts thoroughly. 
Please feel free to contact us here at Blessed Events anytime for any questions we are happy to help.  We LOVE weddings.

Kathryn
Blessed Events
www.blessedevents.us
email-kathryndavis76@yahoo.com
951-415-8628

Top Wedding Ceremony Tips

Hello brides and grooms! 

         I have a new wedding tip for you.  This one comes from the heart and I can attest to these tips as a wedding minister.  This tip is about your wedding ceremony.  This is the beginning of the wedding and can set the tone for your reception and even your marriage.  I have noticed that the couples who have the cute and funny ceremonies seem to have the longer and happier marriages.  One reason for that is the importance of laughter and fun in a marriage.  I firmly believe you have to be able to have fun with your spouse, if you can't be silly and have fun or be child like and goofy as well as being partners and in love with your spouse then you might need to rethink your match.

Let's get on with some tips.

1.  Keep your vows simple.  Whether you choose to repeat traditional vows or write your own you don't want your guests sitting there looking at their watches wondering when the party is going to start.  If you are writing your vows make them personal (but not too personal, we don't want to hear about bathroom stuff) and sweet and under 3 minutes.  And if you can help it at all don't wait until the last minute to write your vows, writing them the week before or week of the wedding is fine.

2.  Make a program.  Now this is something that not all couples do and it can be due to budget or preference.  But I can tell you that I have heard from a lot of guests that they like having a program, especially for longer weddings and especially destination weddings.  It also makes for a nice souvenir.

3.  Schedule a rehearsal.  I feel pretty strongly about this, it really makes everyone in the wedding party feel so much more secure and less nervous for the "Big Day" as they get a run through with a rehearsal.  Everyone needs to see the layout and know where to stand, where to walk and so forth and this includes the minister.  I personally prefer to schedule a rehearsal for a wedding I am officiating especially if it is a location that I have not been to yet.  A rehearsal is always a good idea.

4.  Invite your officiant.  It is always nice to receive an invitation to the wedding reception for myself and my husband or a plus one.  I often decline when I get an invitation on the day of the wedding because I have already made plans with my family after the wedding or scheduled an appointment, but had I known ahead I could have stayed longer.

5.  Don't forget to include both sides of the families.  Even though your wedding day is about you and your groom, it is good to listen to your families and their wishes.  You and your groom can take that information and decide together how it will play out, and remember you cannot please everyone and ultimately it is your day.

Remember to enjoy this most special of days.

Kathryn
Blessed Events