Professional Wedding Consultants – Important Even When on a Budget!
Professional Wedding Consultants are no longer just for couples with unlimited budgets; they have become indispensable today to many brides and grooms who find their services well worth the expense. Being experienced in negotiating with all the other wedding vendors, they can save the couple precious time and money. Professional Wedding Consultants are not there to make decisions for you, but to guide and assist you in making those decisions. They guide you through the planning process and the wedding itself. They can help you create a style/theme and develop a color palette based on your vision, connect you to the appropriate vendors, advise you on proper etiquette, and suggest the best ways to use your budget wisely. Besides keeping your schedule on track, Professional Wedding Consultants also create a wedding-day itinerary and make sure all the details are in place.
What one question should you ask your Professional Wedding Consultant to get you the information you need? “How can I save money and still have the beautiful wedding I have always been dreaming of?”
Today, more and more brides decide to plan their own wedding; that way they feel their celebration is more “personal” and they feel they are more in control. However, do not take the value a Professional Wedding Consultant lightly. Any advice you can glean from these professionals who have created weddings from start to finish thousands of times will pay you back two-fold. But if you just can’t, or don’t want to, take advantage of ALL that a Professional Wedding Consultant can do for you, then try to find one that offers their consultation on a limited basis. Even just being able to pick the brain of a Professional Wedding Consultant can help your planning process immensely, and one of the great parts about this type of arrangement is you can work with any Professional Wedding Consultant who offers this type of service no matter where they are located because it can be done by phone or computer (technology today lets us connect with everyone in the world)!
As our company offers this kind of service, we would like to help you understand what you should expect/get for this type of consultation:
In a short cost-effective 2-hour meeting with a couple, you should be able to discuss all the main aspects of your wedding such as what kind of event you envision, the color scheme or a theme, and how much you want to spend. A good wedding consultant will attempt to glean a lot of “personal” information from you such as your “story,” your personalities and your heritage. With all that information they should then be able to create something like our “wedding concept report” that should include details such as a summary of your vision, a color scheme with inspiring pictures, ideas on décor elements that will make your day as unique as you are, a personalized checklist with deadlines, and a customized budget analysis based on your preferences. If you are using this service from a wedding consultant that is in your local area, they should also be able to provide a venue/vendor referral list based on what your budget and dreams are, and most importantly direct you to the right combination of professionals who match your vision and style.
Of course, even when you choose to take care of all the planning yourself, either not using the full services of a wedding consultant or using the limited services as outlined above, we strongly recommend you hire a professional wedding consultant to coordinate your wedding day and to make sure everything runs smoothly. Keep in mind this cost should be part of your budget, not an extra expense (you should include this category in your budget as soon as you start planning). This coordination would include tasks such as the preparation of a timeline for your vendors, supervision of the setup at both ceremony and reception sites, gathering your wedding party for pictures, making sure all the seating cards are in place, checking that the flowers and food are exactly what you ordered, and at the end of your reception collecting all your wedding items (such as guest book, toasting glasses and cake serving set).
I stress the fact on the word “professional”! Don’t ask your mother, your cousin, or your best friend to supervise everything at your wedding; they will not know how to manage the day from the “I Do” to cake cutting, or how to deal with emergencies in case something arises unexpectedly. In addition, they were invited to the wedding as guests; therefore, they should enjoy the day as much as you.
How to Interview Potential Professional Wedding Consultants
Always interview a few potential wedding consultants in person. A positive chemistry between you and your consultant is very important. You want to feel comfortable with them and make sure that they completely understand what your needs are. Depending on the level of assistance you require, you might be spending a lot of time together planning one of the major rites of passage in your life. During the interview (after you checked for references) find out how long they have been in business and how many events they do each month (you will want to be sure they have enough time for you). Look at their portfolio, focusing on how much attention was paid to detail, rather than whether the style matches yours. Also, ask if they belong to any professional associations such as the Association of Bridal Consultants (“ABC”).
ABC is the oldest and largest training organization for wedding professionals in the world and their members agree to uphold the ABC Code of Ethics and Professional Standards of Membership and are required to attend periodical conferences and seminars to keep up with the latest trends in the wedding industry. As ABC says, “Our behind-the-scenes professionals can manage the hard work for you, so you can spend more time with your family and friends – and truly Be a Guest at Your Own Wedding.”
Remember, this is your most important day, and you can’t afford to have it ruined by your cake being delivered to a different ballroom, or having the wrong song played during your first dance. There are no repeats for this even like at a holiday party, where you can do better the following year. Make sure everything is planned carefully, and a professional is in control. It will be well worth your money. Let your dreams come true at your wedding, and say “I Do” with a relaxed smile on your face!
Weddings that tell a beautiful story: Yours. This is what Sabrina Cadini, Professional Bridal ConsultantTM and owner of La Dolce Idea in San Diego, California, is passionate about. Each wedding should reflect the couple’s personality and Sabrina adds that magic touch to make it an event that couples and their guests will always remember. By offering truly personalized service and money-saving solutions for every budget, she fuses creativity, Italian-style (where she’s from) and professionalism into impeccably planned celebrations. Visit her at www.ladolceidea.us
Choosing Father Bride Dance Songs
When a bride asks her father to dance for a father and daughter dance at her wedding this is one dance he will not want to pass up even if he doesn’t like to dance. The father and daughter dance is meant to signify the transitional between childhood and adulthood. This is your turn to thank your father for his love and support throughout the years, so choosing the right song is important. There are thousands of Father Bride dance songs that are appropriate for this traditional dance and choosing the best one can be one of the hardest decisions of a wedding.
This special dance can be nerve wracking for both fathers and brides which is why it is so important to choose a song that has a special meaning between the two of you, but is not so sappy that it makes your guests want to throw up a little. There are plenty of great father and bride songs that will convey the love of the moment and special relationship between the father and bride without being too cheesy or sappy, unless of course sappy is the feeling you are going for and in that case there are even more mushy songs you can use.
The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing father and bride songs is the relationship and emotion between the father and bride. If you have a tender loving relationship and want a sentimental song, there is no shortage of songs that would be fitting. There are sentimental songs from every genre, from rock to jazz, that have a touching sentiment about the special bond between a father and daughter.
Some Popular “Sentimental” Father Bride Dance Songs are:
Daddy’s Little Girl by Al Martino
Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle
I’ll Always Be Right There by Brian Adams
Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
My Eyes Adored You by Frankie Valli
I Loved Her First by Heartland
Dance with My Father by Luther Vandross
In My Daughter’s Eyes by Martina McBride
Everything I Do by Brian Adams
A Song for My Daughter by Ray Allaire
However, many times the right special and memorable father and bride songs are not overly sentimental. Many brides might prefer to pick a song that reflects the special relationship between her and her father which might be more focused on learning, guidance, and the future rather than “mushy” feelings. Even though these types of songs might be less common, there are still plenty around.
Some Great “Not to Sentimental” Father Bride Dance Songs are:
Daughter by Loudon Wainwright
How You’ve Grown by 10,000 Maniacs
Still Fighting It by Ben Folds
Your Choice of Music for the Entire Reception Creates the Atmosphere
A fabulous resource not only for Father Bride Dance Songs, but all the music for your reception — not to mention a great resource for creating the entire wedding reception atmosphere that you want — is a “kit” created by Adrian Mak, a Master of Ceremonies and DJ who has attended thousands of wedding receptions.
His kit includes the biggest quality list of wedding songs you’ll find on the net and it notes which ones are lyrically suited for each wedding tradition. Over 16 of the most popular traditions are listed (such as the first dance, father daughter dance, bridal party entrance, cake cutting, etc.).
There is nothing better than being amongst a happy, partying group of folks and as Adrian Mak says, the atmosphere that your guests experience at your wedding reception (for which your music choices play a huge role in) will decide if they relax, dance, and truly enjoy your wedding reception.
To find out more about this great resource or to order your copy of The Wedding Reception Kit, just Click Here! At only $17.00, it’s worth every penny if you want to create just the right “atmosphere” for the wedding style you envision — and there’s a money back guarantee; so you have nothing to lose.
Examples of Other Brides Father Daughter Dance Song Choices
I read a blog a while back where many brides were offering how they chose their father bride dance songs; these are two excerpts from that blog:
One said: “Think back to your childhood and I’m sure there is a song in there somewhere that played on a fun day or you used to rock in the car to with just your dad. Some kind of memory, who cares if it’s Highway to Hell by ACDC…its about you and your dad!
Another bride shared that her father was an alcoholic when she was growing up, and in her teen years he walked away from the liquor and became an amazing parent and mentor, and in celebration of that she chose Have a little Faith in Me by John Hiatt for her father/daughter dance.
You get the idea… whichever song you choose for your father daughter dance will be perfect because the special relationship between a father and daughter is what makes this life milestone dance a memory you will have forever.
By Cheryl Cox, Editor of YourWeddingDollars.com, See “Note from the Editor” for more information on Cheryl and her credentials.
“Create Your Own Wedding — Own Your Style, Not Someone Else’s — and do it all while keeping money in your pocket!”
A Wedding Photographer Checklist of Questions
Whether you are planning to spend a large portion of your wedding budget on photography or you are attempting to keep the photography budget on the low side, this wedding photographer checklist will help you make some decisions. In this first part I want to focus on the budget conscious bride and groom. My next post will deal with what to look for if your budget allows you to go beyond the basics.
Many brides study the wedding websites and magazines to get as much information as they can before approaching a photographer. They often put together a long list of wedding photographer questions that are thought to be helpful. But most photographers will be able to answer all of your wedding photographer questions making it not so easy to pick the right one. The following are the most important questions that should be on your wedding photographer checklist:
- The first thing to remember when you contact a wedding photographer is to ask about their style of photography and talk a little about the images before you get around to asking about the price. The last thing you want to do is start out asking how much do you charge and then book a photographer strictly on what they charge. You will make them more interested in dealing with you as well. If they think that you are familiar with their work and are interested in it, they may even be more flexible in negotiating their fee downwards for you when you ask them to do so because of the tight economy.
Not every cheap photographer is bad, but if you are a on a tight budget, as so many brides are this year, be aware that finding a really good wedding photographer who will give you what you want for less than $1,500 -$1,800 requires that you really do your homework beforehand, have a great deal of luck, and be prepared to compromise on any of the extras you might be thinking about.
Let’s say you want to get at a minimum, a photographer who will give you at least six hours of coverage and all of the images on a disc with a release of copyright so you can go and get your own prints made yourself at a cheap lab. This will be a quest but doable if you keep a sharp eye out. - One of the next questions to ask when you meet with a prospective photographer who is offering to work in that price range is: how long they have been shooting weddings. If they show you a portfolio consisting of, at best, average photos and claim to have shot more than 100 weddings over the past five years, an alarm bell should be going off in you head.
- The next step is asking them to see a web gallery or proof book of all the photos from just one wedding. If they refuse or are reluctant to produce one, then you have a good reason to move on to the next photographer on your list. Any photographer with that much experience should be confident enough to show you all of the photos from a recent wedding if you ask, not just a few select shots from a number of different weddings. See what they say when you ask to see a proof book or disc of a whole wedding. If they produce one for you and it is full of great images, then you have found the right photographer.
If the photos are not that great, just kind of average looking, you might still want to book with them. If they are young, they may just be starting out, are getting better with every wedding and are charging a budget price to get more experience. Maybe they are doing it part time or are still attending school and are learning photography. This is probably the best-case scenario for a budget photographer. Perhaps they have assisted someone a number of times and now feel confident to go out on their own. If so, with this scenario, they just might be able to give you what you are looking for at a low price.
The wedding photographers to avoid in the lower price range are the photographers who will show you lots of albums and proof books and have been working professionally for quite a long time, and all of their work looks average to poor quality. They will surely produce the same quality of images for you if you hire them. And you will deserve what you get if you do hire someone just on price.
There is an old quote by John Ruskin, a British art critic author, poet and artist that I am reminded of:
“I have no quarrel with the man whose prices are lower, for he knows better than anyone else in the world what his product is worth.”
After 16 years of being a newspaper staff photographer, Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Daniel Sheehan began photographing weddings in 1997 after a call from a desperate couple unable to find a photographer. After photographing their wedding, he made the transition from covering hard news to weddings, documenting them in the same way as his editorial assignments. 250+ weddings later, photographing weddings (including Conan O’Brien’s wedding) has become his most gratifying work. The Wedding Photojournalists Association named him an International Award Winning Photographer. View his wedding photography and learn more about Daniel at his website: ABeautifulDayPhotography.com
What is a Photojournalistic Wedding Photographer?
Think of Wedding Photojournalism as the “Real Life Style” of wedding photography, or another way to think of it is “Documentary Wedding Photography.” Wedding Photojournalists’ work is best described as a documentary approach to wedding photography, focusing on real moments instead of staged recreations. Instead of stopping the action to get their posed shot, they stay in the background and look for real interactions and emotions that will tell the story of the day.
Many of the bridal magazines around today have conflicting information which complicates a search for the right Photojournalistic Wedding Photographer. Often times when a bride is looking to sort out the confusion over wedding photojournalism, she needs only read a newspaper and see the true candid story-telling pictures they publish.
Why Hire a Photojournalistic Wedding Photographer? “It’s simply what many brides want. They want real photographs that capture the moments of their day for them to remember.”
“Wedding Photojournalism” was coined by professional Wedding Photojournalists to describe the kind of photography they practiced when they photographed weddings. They were anxious to make sure people would distinguish the difference between their kind of photography and the kind traditional studio photographers practiced. The kind whose work was almost entirely posed and a had a highly styled portrait photography flair.
Wedding magazines soon picked up on the new trend and made Wedding Photojournalists the “hot” fashion for wedding photography. This forced traditional wedding photographers to hop on the photojournalism bandwagon as well, including those without the real skills to do candid photojournalism. What they did was fake the “look” of photojournalism’s real candid moments by staging faked pictures that look almost real. The problem is the wedding couple still know when they see the photo that it was faked. Adding to the confusion, other styles developed during the same period with elements of fashion photography, beauty photography, and fine art photography all being used in wedding photography.
Hiring a wedding photojournalist does not mean giving up on posed portraits at your wedding. Newspaper photographers have always been assigned to make portraits of various subjects from movie stars to Presidents and the people next door since the first newspaper photographs were published. Most wedding photojournalists focus on relaxed portraiture – a directed image where the subject may or may not be looking at the camera. While such images may give the impression of being candid, a wedding photojournalist would never try to pass off the picture as a real moment. A Photojournalistic Wedding Photographer must dabble in several approaches in addition to newspaper photojournalism. For example, mixing in some of the editorial fashion look and not just focusing on only one style in particular.
Some traditional photographers insisted photojournalism was merely a fad or a “buzzword.” But the buzz has persisted and many of the country’s top wedding photographers use a photojournalistic documentary approach. I am now past the point of calling it a fad. It’s simply what many brides want. They want real photographs that capture the moments of their day for them to remember. Newspapers across the country are laying off staff photographers and many of the top wedding photojournalists nowadays come directly from their ranks. Some, like 2-time Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Greg Gibson or Matt Mendelsohn were leaders in the photojournalism field and have a great understanding of their digital camera and computer equipment and really know how to tell a story; they are subtle, unobtrusive, and create artistic documentary wedding photojournalism.
Today’s discerning brides and grooms will pick the photographer that is right for them based on style and budget. For most of them, true-to-life real Wedding Photojournalism by a real Photojournalistic Wedding Photographer is the right choice for telling the story of their day.
After 16 years of being a newspaper staff photographer, Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Daniel Sheehan began photographing weddings in 1997 after a call from a desperate couple unable to find a photographer. After photographing their wedding, he made the transition from covering hard news to weddings, documenting them in the same way as his editorial assignments. 250+ weddings later, photographing weddings (including Conan O’Brien’s wedding) has become his most gratifying work. The Wedding Photojournalists Association named him an International Award Winning Photographer. View his wedding photography and learn more about Daniel at his website: ABeautifulDayPhotography.com
How to Keep Wedding Flower Cost Manageable
It is rare that I have an opportunity to talk with a bride at the very beginning of her planning process. Generally by the time I meet with a bride she has come up with a tentative guest list, has her “look” in mind, settled on a ceremony and reception location, perhaps chosen a photographer and picked out a cake. All which makes perfect sense, yet if you bring your wedding florist in at the beginning, you would be surprised how much their input can help make the process easier and less stressful and create a wedding that not only reflects who you are, but is beautiful and will keep your wedding flower cost within budget.
While flowers are my specialty, like every vendor associated with your wedding, I want every aspect of your big day to flow together in a coordinated manner that looks effortless to your guests and creates the perfect day you’ll never forget. As a florist, if you’ve chosen an elegant hotel ballroom for your reception complete with shimmery gold table linens and chiavari chairs, I immediately see floral displays that will complete the look. If you’ve chosen to have a garden reception with white garden chairs and wicker arbors, my mind sees a completely different set of blossoms to set off the location and feel of your event. The same is true for an outdoor barbecue wedding reception, a church reception hall or a local museum.
“Consider your natural surroundings as well to help keep your wedding flower cost down.”
The most important and first decision you make is your budget. Every bride has one, whether it’s $5000 or $125,000, and sticking to that budget can be difficult. Your budget determines your guest size, location, menu choices, flowers ~ every aspect of your event. For some brides flowers are not high on their priority list, while for others they are right up there at the top. While I cannot be anything but biased, I truly believe that flowers pull your whole wedding together. When you and your guests walk into your reception, flowers add the wow! They add color, freshness, fragrance and life to every venue. So, my advice when looking at your budget is to be realistic and set your priorities. If having 300 guests is of the utmost importance and your budget is $15,000 then a beach side resort is out of range, but a lovely champagne and dessert buffet would fit this size guest list and budget perfectly.
Consider your natural surroundings as well to help keep your wedding flower cost down. For instance, next week I’m doing an outdoor wedding that the bride timed it perfectly. The lilacs will be in bloom, the bearded irises abound and it will be warm enough for dinner outside under the stars. Each table will have a blue speckled Coleman coffee pot filled with lilac, nepeta, lamb’s ears, cottage yarrow and ladies mantle complimenting the setting, the time of year, and the style of this country bride. The coffee pots have been collected from various Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, none exactly alike and all with a story to tell — all beautiful and all within a modest budget.
In the past few years the number of Bridal magazines seems to have multiplied to take over huge swaths of the racks at the local book stores, Bridal shows have grown to include shows not only about weddings costing up to a million dollars but shows specifically about the cake, finding the right dress and losing weight just for that day. Wedding websites abound as well, with each offering a multitude of ideas on the perfect guest book, place cards, gifts for your guests, advice on bridal luncheons, rehearsal dinners, designer stemwear and cutlery. The photography is gorgeous and each story of the wine country wedding or the ranch wedding or the botanical garden wedding transport you there and we all want our weddings to be as unique and gorgeous as those we read about. It can be overwhelming. And it can make us forget what this wedding is really all about, which of course is about a new beginning for two certain people.
In my 30+ years as a florist, I have done thousands of weddings. I absolutely love weddings! I have done amazing productions complete with hand painted dance floors and a waiter for every guest. I have done weddings in parish halls, backyards, on mountains, by the ocean and in art galleries. I can honestly say that my favorite weddings did not become my favorites because of the size or location or budget. Without sounding ridiculously trite, it is the love between a bride and groom, the love of family and friends coming together to support two people who mean so much to all of them, committing to support them in their journey, and welcoming a new family with love. None of this can be fit into your budget, no matter how large.
So my advice for beautiful flowers and to help you keep your wedding flower cost within your budget – it’s really quite simple — don’t have 30 mediocre flower arrangements; have 5 gorgeous ones!
Margaret Bost is the owner and designer of Santa Fe Floral in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Specializing exclusively in weddings, parties and special events, Margaret and her staff focus all their attention on making each Bride’s vision a reality. With over 30 years in the floral industry, Margaret has been honored with numerous awards for her innovative designs and featured in many local and national Bridal publications. To learn more about Margaret and see the work of Santa Fe Floral, please visit www.santafefloral.com.
How to Save Money Planning Your Wedding
Beautiful weddings don’t have to be costly. How much fun can it be to have a fabulous wedding and then worry how to pay off the debt? Anyone can have a lovely wedding within their means by setting aside some money, planning ahead and prioritizing their choices. With some simple wedding planning, these money-saving tips can also help you stretch your dollar, without sacrificing quality.
Professional Help: If for no other reason than the money-saving opportunities, consider hiring a wedding planner and coordinator to expertly plan and orchestrate your wedding from beginning to end. The planner will help you develop a realistic budget. This expert has already sourced the vendors and knows the best values in the market. They can uncover hidden costs and surprises in contracts. Discounts that would not otherwise be available to the bride and groom can be passed on to the couple through the planner. Then, while you enjoy a special day, the coordinator will make sure your wedding day runs smoothly and without overtime charges.
“Understand what’s included in the price and be wary of hidden costs.”
Wedding Sites: Book your site at least 18 months in advance to secure the better-valued locations and vendors and to avoid “panic buying”. Look for off-season, Friday or Sunday discounts. Save thousands in decorations by choosing a site with existing style and decor. Understand what’s included in the price and be wary of hidden costs. Most country clubs and hotels offer package deals that include table and chair rentals, making them an excellent deal.
Guest count: The cost of invitees accounts for approximately 40-50% of the wedding budget, depending on the location and site. For substantial savings, cut back the number of guests.
Wedding Caterers: In some cases, buffets are usually the better value with the most variety. Double-check with caterers to see what is included with the price you are quoted. What sounds like an inexpensive price quote up-front, may not include items such as staff, china, linens or silverware.
Wedding Photographers: Choose discounted package deals. Items such as parent albums are almost always extra.
Wedding Videographers: Again, stick with package deals. Couples who cannot afford a “storybook style” video can consider having only the ceremony videotaped for a lot less money.
Wedding Florists: Ask the florist to focus on seasonal flowers to avoid the costly imports. If you love Calla lilies, consider using one lily as the focal point and surrounding it with inexpensive filler flowers or greenery.
Wedding Gowns: Utilize a full service bridal salon. End-of-season discounts usually run from October through January. For bridesmaid dresses, you can check local stores for end-of-season discounts.
Wedding Cakes: The towering, exquisite cakes in the magazines are beautiful and costly. Have your cake and eat it, too. For weddings of 100-150 guests, consider displaying a smaller decorated cake for 75 on a cake table, and back it up with a sheet cake for 75 in the kitchen. Note that some bakeries will not charge less for sheet cakes, so get quotes. Also, opt for buttercream icing instead of the higher priced fondant.
Honeymoon: Check with your agent for off-season honeymoon locations, which can save you anywhere from 20-50%. Keep in mind that off-season usually means fall and winter weather.
Always read the entire contract, including the fine print. Look for any extras that weren’t included in the initial quoted price. Make sure everything is covered to your satisfaction in writing.
Though you are on a budget, the old saying “You get what you pay for” certainly applies to weddings. Using family and friends can create tensions and wedding day problems. Start planning early so your budget will allow you to hire quality professionals. In the long run, doing so will save you time, money, and stress.
“Stress Free, Leave the Details to Me,” is the tried & true philosophy of Robbin Montero, California Wine Country wedding planning expert and owner of A Dream Wedding. Robbin is the premier wedding planner in the Northern California Wine Country, transforming any vision into a perfectly designed wedding creation. Robbin and her weddings have been featured in The Knot, Brides, Elite Magazine, Your Wedding Day, Vine Napa/Sonoma magazines and ImportantOccasions.com. Travel & Leisure magazine calls Robbin, “The expert wedding planner in the California Wine Country.” www.a-dreamwedding.com
This article cannot be reprinted without Robbin Montero’s expressed written permission.
Why Weddings Cost So Much
One of the biggest hurdles for parents planning a wedding is that thirty years may have passed since they last planned a wedding. To say things have changed in that time is an understatement. Back then, brides were often unaware of the costs and the mother of the bride often made all the plans.
To give perspective, I often tell couples and their parents to consider the cost of medium-priced cars then and now. Then, a car cost about $3,500, the same as the cost of a wedding. Today, a wedding with all the trimmings still costs the same as a mid-priced new car, which can be around $25,000 to 50,000, depending on the locale.
Calculating the scope of expenses
Before you argue that sounds like too much money, remember the cost of the wedding is much more than the ceremony location and food and beverage expenses. Couples frequently underestimate their wedding expenses by calculating only the cost of the reception. The cost of an officiant to marry them, the ceremony music, reception music, flowers for the ceremony and reception, invitations, and announcements are significant expenses that cannot be overlooked. There’s also transportation, a wedding dress, tuxedos, a wedding cake, a photographer, a videographer, party favors, and the rehearsal dinner. Regardless who will bear these costs, they are all factored into the total cost of a wedding.
“Many of the costs of a wedding are the same whether you will have 50 or 500 guests.”
Though often not figured directly into wedding expenses, I’m sure the bride does not consider the costs of hair styling, make-up, manicures and other personal services in preparation for her to look her best to be minor incidentals. They are also real expenses unique to the wedding party, which will have many such extras.
Couples are also prone to miscalculating the number of guests. Some costs (wedding dress, ceremony, reception music, photography, flowers, for example) remain the same regardless how many guests attend. Many of the costs of a wedding are the same whether you will have 50 or 500 guests. Known as “hard costs”, they will be spread over the number of guests. Food, beverages, cake, rental equipment, and favors are among the costs that vary with the number of guests.
Choices that can cost or save
Most weddings take place between April and October, with the majority being scheduled for summer. Couples may pay a premium for popular sites and services during busy wedding season. Since most weddings take place on weekends, they may also bear extra labor expenses.
Many vendors only get to book weddings on weekends and, often, only one wedding per day. Vendors have a limited time to make their money. They don’t work weddings seven days a week. High-demand photographers, bakers and florists are able to charge premium rates that can inflate your expenses. Any bride who can consider booking her wedding on “off” days -Fridays, Sundays or mid-week- can explore favorable pricing opportunities.
Naturally, the cost of doing business varies by location and region. Metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and New York City, are much more expensive places to marry than Kansas City, Missouri. California and New York also have a relatively high cost of doing business, as do popular destination cities commonly selected for weddings.
If you stop to think about all that goes into planning a beautiful wedding, and the number of vendors who will contribute to the day, it is easy to see why weddings cost so much. This is not like any other party you’ve hosted. However, if you decide what is most important to you before you commit to purchases, you can make choices that will help keep the cost of your dream wedding in line.
“Stress Free, Leave the Details to Me,” is the tried & true philosophy of Robbin Montero, California Wine Country wedding planning expert and owner of A Dream Wedding. Robbin is the premier wedding planner in the Northern California Wine Country, transforming any vision into a perfectly designed wedding creation. Robbin and her weddings have been featured in The Knot, Brides, Elite Magazine, Your Wedding Day, Vine Napa/Sonoma magazines and ImportantOccasions.com. Travel & Leisure magazine calls Robbin, “The expert wedding planner in the California Wine Country.” www.a-dreamwedding.com
This article cannot be reprinted without Robbin Montero’s expressed written permission.
How to Choose A Wedding Photographer – Who is the “Right” Wedding Photographer for You?
The first step in determining how to choose a wedding photographer is easy – Is this photographer or team of photographers, within your budget? Let’s discuss that a bit. What is your budget for your entire wedding? If it’s between $10,000 and $15,000 and you are inviting 150 people, you should plan about 10-15% for the photography – that’s $1500 plus or minus.
Now that you’ve established that, I feel the next step to decide how to choose a wedding photographer is to set up about 3 interviews with local photographers – yes, local. Within easy traveling distance since you’re probably going to be going to their studio or office, not the other way around. How do you find them? Lots of couples search Google, get personal references, or get referrals from the other vendors you’ve chosen, especially from the venue where you’re going to be married. The wedding coordinator there has experience with many photographers, and might even have a “preferred” list of those who have worked there before, and have worked well with her clients.
“Emotions and important moments happen fast, and experienced photography teams are ready in advance and won’t miss them!”
Get the most for your money. If one photographer works with an assistant, or if they have 2 photographers – a team – you’ll get more photos, and better photos. Emotions and important “moments” happen fast, and experienced teams are ready in advance and won’t miss them!
Determine Exactly What You Will Be Getting For Your Money
Does your wedding photographer offer the full-images on a disc for you? Is it included or is there an extra charge? From my experience, 50% of the photographers DO include the discs of all the images. Half of the ones that don’t will sell them to you, some of them not until after 1 year. (Personally, we have always offered to include the full-size images. Even when we have our own events, we make sure we’re getting them from the photographer, and the best way to do that is to put it in writing.) I should mention that those images are proofs, not photo-shopped or modified. If you’re planning to do your own album, and about 1/2 of our couples do, you’re going to have to enhance and crop the digital images before they are “album worthy”.
OK – Let’s get back to the subject of How to Choose a Wedding Photographer. When you have a list of three or so prospects, set up appointments with them and plan to spend about an hour with each of them, meeting them, asking them questions, and looking at their work.
Determine the Photographer’s Style of Professionalism and Whether You “Connect” with Them
Your first clue as to how they will perform is when you call them for an appointment. How quickly did they respond? Were they warm and inviting, courteous, and professional sounding? If not, you don’t need to spend an hour to find out what you already know. If they pass that first test – the second is the personal touch. Were they on time? Even if you are meeting them you can feel if they were “ready” for you, or not. If not, you can move on (I would) – no second chances here; you made an appointment, made yourself available and met them at their office. If they’re not ready – they’re not for you.
Are you compatible? Do you feel at ease? Do you feel that they’re interested in the same things you are? Does their personal style feel good? Are they dressed nicely? And I hate to even mention it – are they clean and smell good? If not – walk out the door – politely.
Most wedding photographers will pass these very easy tests! That’s why I say – if they don’t pass, move on.
Final Thoughts on How to Choose a Wedding Photographer
Now you can get down to business. Does the photographer have lots of work for you to see? Do you like his (or her) style? Is the quality the very best – don’t forget that this photographer is showing you their BEST work. If you don’t like it, don’t hire that one. Bells will ring when you meet the “Right” photographer!
Lastly, make sure you agree on everything:
- Price
- Number of hours
- Number of photographers
- Are they guaranteeing that they are going to be the photographers, and not sub it out to someone else?
- Approximate number of photos that you’re going to – or not going – to get
- How many photos are included in the package
- How soon you’ll get everything after the wedding.
When you have agreement – and feel good about it, that’s a good time to write a contract with the photographer and give him a deposit – usually about $400 to “save the date”. You don’t want to lose the one you want because you were too slow.
As a husband-wife team, Bette & George have been capturing moments for couples for 25 years and were selected as one of the 10 Best Wedding Photographers in San Diego. They pride themselves on their sytle, professionalism and quality, and they work hard to satisfy every bride and groom — treating you like family. For Wedding Photography in San Diego, please visit George & Bette at www.photographybygeorge.com where you will find photos and packages for virtually every budget.
The 5 Hottest Wedding Trends for 2009 Seen From the Eyes of a Wedding Photographer
We have almost hit the halfway mark for 2009, but don’t worry. The top trends in wedding style are still popping up everywhere! In case you needed some inspiration to help you adopt a wedding trend, here is a run-down of the hottest wedding style ideas of the year and how they can help you save money!
Wedding Trend #5
The color Grey (or gray depending on what your crayon box says!). This hip, cool neutral comes in every hue from a pale dove grey to a deep charcoal. Pair it with ivory for an upscale classic look or use it with bright pinks and oranges for a hot, urban vibe! Color is an easy, cost-effective way to add some flair to your nuptials! Have your bridesmaids select their dresses from a hot hue and carry that theme through to your invitations, table linens and bridal bouquet ribbon. A unifying color makes your wedding look posh, no matter how much (or little) you spent!
Wedding Trend #4
Vintage wedding wear! Vintage Style Weddings are hot — from birdcage veils and fascinators (a feathery head cap) to gowns cut on the bias and tea length dresses with huge slips, touches of bygone eras will be everywhere! The 20’s and 50’s will be the most popular decades copied for vintage style weddings. This may be the best way to economize on your wedding day! Why spend several thousand on a dress that screams 2009? Instead, head to your favorite vintage store, look on-line or pair up with a great seamstress and channel your inner diva with a vintage style wedding dress that echoes a golden-era screen siren. Remember, this is where eBay, craigslist and other online “flea markets” become your best friend!
Wedding Trend #3
Buffets and heavy hors d’oeuvres will still be popular, especially as brides look for ways to have an elegant affair this is easy on the wallet! Why chain your guests to a plated dinner? Having hors d’oeuvre stations scattered across your reception with plenty of high-top round tables and chairs lends a more intimate vibe to your wedding and cuts down on costs at most venues. Elegant fare like Fontina Risotto Cakes with chives, Chorizo Stuffed Mushrooms, Chicken Satay or Barbecue Sliders will add distinction to your wedding at an approximate cost of $15 per person compared to a plated dinner that can run $25 and up!
Wedding Trend #2
Not every wedding guest likes cake so brides and grooms are offering alternative dessert choices. A big wedding trend that is still going strong in 2009 is a wedding candy bar (buffet)! Couples are having a wedding candy bar for their guests and a personal sized cake for cutting. This is another way to add your personal touch to your wedding AND serves to stretch your budget, since you can combine dessert in the form of the assorted candies with reception décor. Imagine how much impact it would make to have punches of your signature color on tables across your site! If pink is your color, feature cotton candy, pink M&Ms, pink rock candy, bubblegum or chocolate hearts wrapped in pink foil. To get your imagination going head over to www.acandystore.com to view possible options. Their pricing is competitive and it helps to have everything in one spot, saving you time because we all know that to save time is to save money! NOTE: If you have your heart set on cake, consider this real-wedding money-saving tip: Have a small custom cake from a bakery to use for the cake cutting, but buy a sheet cake from Costco and have the catering staff cut and plate it. A recent bride of mine swears it saved her $500 for her wedding of 110 people!
Wedding Trend #1
The top wedding reception trend of 2009 has to be laid-back, relaxed wedding celebrations. More brides are opting for intimate affairs that celebrate family and love instead of huge events with guests they barely know. This year, wedding weekends will become even more popular with events like bridesmaids vs. groomsmen softball games, scavenger hunts around the brides hometown and rehearsal dinner picnics. All those activities cost little to nothing, just time and energy to coordinate. Backyard or garden weddings are still going strong with friends and family stepping up and offering their homes to bridal couples. In fact, 2 of the last 4 weddings I photographed were held at private homes around the Chandler Arizona Valley.
No matter what wedding trends you adopt and which ones you ignore, remember to take the time to plan an event that reflects your personal style. A great wedding doesn’t have to break the bank. All it has to do is create a sense of romance and unity where you remember the love surrounding you and your groom as you begin your new lives together!
Marnie McCown-Guard is a professional photographer based in Chandler, Arizona and available for travel. Her wedding photography has allowed her to document local and destination weddings throughout the United States and Mexico. She blends traditional and journalistic coverage with her passion for people to create images that truly reflect each individual wedding day. Known for her boundless enthusiasm and energy it is not uncommon to see Marnie on chairs, under tables or even on the dance floor, just so she can get the shot! She has photographed fashion, commercial and corporate work for clients across the United States, but nothing brings her greater joy than to witness the first hours of a new marriage. To view her work or learn more about Marnie, visit www.CrescendoPhoto.com.
Wedding Invitation Ideas for Post Wedding Reception Wording
Most couples have their wedding ceremony and reception on the same day; however, on some occasions, the wedding reception is completely separate from the ceremony and can be days, if not months, later. This can be the case with elopements, where the ceremony is kept private, where the bride and groom simply prefer a less lavish affair with only family invited, or perhaps there is limited seating at the ceremony venue. Whatever the reason, the post wedding reception wording you create for your “reception-only” wedding invitations will obviously not include the typical ceremony and reception together wedding invitation phrases.
When it comes to ideas for the style of wedding invitations for a post wedding reception, there are no firm rules – your invitations can be hand written, professionally designed or printed from your home/office printer, and they can range from traditional to modern in style. If you are having everything printed professionally, it is probably cheaper to keep the same design for everything. Regardless of the design or style, if you are sending out invitations to the reception only, be sure your post wedding reception wording is very clear with the fact that the invitation is just for the reception only – you don’t want any confused guests!
“Enclosing a copy of a wedding announcement is a great idea; this way there can be no doubt that the wedding has already taken place…”
The following are a few ideas of wedding invitation phrases specifically for post wedding reception wording that should help you get started in the right direction:
“This is to announce that Mr. and Mrs.__ were married in a private ceremony on __. Your company is requested at their wedding reception on __ at __”
“You are invited to a wedding reception in honor of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. __ at __ on __”
“Mr. and Mrs. __ invite you to celebrate their recent marriage at a reception being held at __ on __
Another variation is “Mr. and Mrs. __, who were happily married on __ at __, are holding a wedding reception on __ at __ and request the pleasure of your company.”
For further clarification, your post wedding reception wording could also describe the event as a late or separate reception, rather than just a reception. Enclosing a copy of a wedding announcement is a great idea; this way there can be no doubt that the wedding has already taken place and the invitation is to the reception only. And guests just like to see the announcement anyway!
The wedding invitation phrases you use for post wedding reception wording may depend on who is actually paying for the wedding. If the bride’s family is paying for the reception – or both the ceremony and reception – a slight change in the wording will help to imply this, such as:
“Mr. and Mrs. __ request the pleasure of your company to celebrate the recent marriage of their daughter __ to __.”
If both couples are paying, the wording can be changed accordingly.
Don’t forget the practical information. Even if your invitation is for the reception only, you still need to clearly indicate the date, time and place, and including directions is always a good idea, especially if out of town guests are coming. Some other things to consider when creating the wording for your invitations is whether or not having children not attend is a criteria for you, in which case a simple “no children” will suffice. And if you are having a sit down meal that includes more than one entrée choice, don’t forget to ask for your guests’ menu choices. And lastly, while obvious, it’s still important to note here that you don’t want to forget to request that recipients RSVP so you know how many guests are coming. A stamped and addressed envelope helps to ensure that your guests will reply.
Remember a primary concern with a reception that is to take place on a day other than the same day of the actual wedding ceremony is for the wedding invitation to be very clear that this is a reception only event. And how much fun are you going to have when it’s “just a party,” and you’re not worried about all the details that go along with the ceremony portion…? – LOTS! So enjoy!
By Cheryl Cox, Editor of YourWeddingDollars.com, See “Note from the Editor” for more information on Cheryl and her credentials.