Wedding Budgeting: Six Tips to Avoid Stress and Debt

Money, money, money! Thoughts of finances can cause us to stress out and lose sleep, right? Investing such large amounts of money, as with a wedding, can cause even more distress. But the time leading up to your wedding is supposed to be a fun and exciting, and not stressful, right? Follow these tips so that wedding budgeting is not a chore, but will help you stay focused on your goal….starting your marriage with little or no wedding debt!


Take time and develop a budget before doing any other planning
Before you go dress shopping or honeymoon planning, sit down with your fiancé and determine how much you want to, and are able to, spend. Be honest with yourself…..do you have other debts like student loans you are trying to pay off? Do you want to buy a house after you get married, or will you need a new car soon? All of your financial obligations must be taken into consideration when you plan your wedding budget.

Include all elements of your wedding
Don’t forget to include such smaller things as gifts for your bridal party and extra trips to the hair salon for your trial runs. These items may seem insignificant, but they can add up and possibly blow your budget if you’re not careful.

Determine if family members will contribute to your overall budget
Find out from family members if they are planning to contribute to your wedding budget, as early in the process as you can. If someone is not able to give you a significant amount of money, they may be able to take care of your cake or favors (for example). Every bit can help!

Keep your budget in mind when visiting vendors
Now that you’ve taken the time to develop a budget, use it! As you visit vendors and shop for attire, remember what you agreed to spend on a particular item. If the two of you agree to go over your budget on one item, you should make adjustments with another item, so your bottom-line figure remains about the same. Also, adjusting a budget line item should be a joint decision, not one made by just the bride or just the groom!

Don’t make rash purchases
The local craft store is having a great sale on wedding items….do you rush over and buy everything you see? Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean it’s a wise purchase for you. Again, keep your budget in mind and don’t rush into a purchase. If you don’t do this, you may find yourself with lots of purple ribbon and no use for it!

Use tools to help you
There are many free tools available to assist with budgeting. One I like to suggest is http://costofwedding.com. This is a site that will give you, based on your zip code, average wedding costs in your area. This can help provide a frame of reference for you. Also, a great tool for calculating your individual budget is http://www.weddingplanningonabudget.com/my-wedding-budget.php. Just enter your estimated overall budget, and the spreadsheet will calculate how much you can spend on each category. You can adjust the percentages assigned to each category based on your own preferences.

Your Planning Assignment
Make the time to develop your wedding budget. Block time on your calendars if necessary, but do whatever it takes to get this done. This task is too important to be ignored or rushed through. As always, feel free to comment on this article, 'like' it, and share it with a friend.  Happy Planning!

Custom Invitations: Four Important Things to Consider

Courtesy of wedding-beauty.com

You’ve set your date and chosen your venue. You’ve also decided on the type of wedding you going to have as well as the theme. So what’s next?? Invitations! We’ve talked about invite wording in a past article (visit our blog if you missed it), so this week we’re going to explore custom invitations.


Custom invitations are uniquely you!
Vendors such as Carlton Craft and Invitations by Dawn offer very beautiful choices in invitations. But if you and your fiancé’ want something that’s totally unique to you, consider having them custom made. They can fit your theme, colors and style to a “T”, and no one else in the world will have the same invites as you do.

Contemplate hiring an invitation designer
DIY is always an option for you (check out your local craft store), but consider hiring a professional designer to translate your ideas into something tangible. They are experts on typesetting, colors and paper…and, they are SO creative! They can also help you tweak your wording so it reads and flows effortlessly. Lastly, if you like, they can take the burden of addressing and mailing them off of you!

What about budget?
As with anything custom and unique, these invitations may be a little more expensive than DIY or non-custom ones. If having invitations that are all your own are a priority for you, consider adjusting your budget to allocate more money for this and less for something else.

How long do they take to complete?
Again, because your custom invitations are designed with you in mind, the turnaround time to complete them may be a little longer. Find out from your designer what the options are for rushed availability if needed (don’t forget, they still have to mailed so that guests can respond in a timely manner). Your wedding planner can work with you to ensure you stay on schedule with this (and other) wedding tasks.

Your Planning Assignment

Choosing your wedding invitations is a task that is not to be taken lightly. When your guests receive them, your invites will set the tone for your special day, and give your guests an idea of what to expect. Whether you go custom or not, this is a very important decision. Happy Planning!

Tiffany and Kyle's Wedding - September 10, 2011

Bride Tiffany and I have a mutual friend, and when she got engaged and started planning her wedding, our mutual friend suggested she contacted An Elegant Affair to help plan her wedding. There was an instant connection between Tiff and me, and I consider her to now be a friend, not just a past client.


Tiffany and her fiancé (now husband) Kyle met about 4 years ago when they were attending a job training session. They share a mutual faith and are definitely made for each other! I especially love how close their families are!

The hot pink and green color combination was a favorite of the bride, and looked great on the bridesmaids! After a meaningful ceremony at Northwest Tampa Church of God, the guests and bridal party moved the celebration to The Columbia Restaurant, a very popular and well-loved restaurant in Tampa. Guests enjoyed traditional Cuban fare….Arroz con Pollo, yellow rice, and flan.

Check out these great pics, courtesy of Rachel O’Brien Photography.

After their wedding, Tiff was kind enough to share these words: “I was very satisfied with the service I received from An Elegant Affair. Their services were worth every penny. The day of my wedding I didn't have a care in the world. I didn't have to worry about a timeline or make sure all of my vendors were paid. I didn't have to worry about finding seating for last minute or uninvited guests. Instead of being concerned with so many last minute details, I actually enjoyed the day (and it was beautiful). Everything ran so smoothly I couldn't believe it. My only regret is that I didn't hire An Elegant Affair to plan the entire wedding. I TOTALLY recommend them”

Many thanks to these fantastic wedding vendors: Rachel O’Brien Photography, The Columbia Restaurant, DJ Dollar of Diamond Events, Diana Jerzek of Di’s Delights, and Carrollwood Florist.

Should I Hire a Professional Makeup Artist?

Courtesy of Project Wedding

As you make decisions about your wedding attire, don’t forget to think about your face! Wedding pictures will be the memories of your wedding day, so you want to ensure you look flawless. I recommend to brides that they consider hiring a professional makeup artist. Why? I’m glad you asked! :-)

A makeup artist is an expert in all skin types
He or she will assess your skin to determine the best type of makeup that will work for you. They will know which products are best for your skin type (oily or dry for example) or your ethnicity.

A makeup artist can help create the look you want
He or she wants to make sure you look your best! If you have a particular look you are shooting for, he or she can help make that happen for you. But if you don’t have a clue, don’t worry….a professional makeup artist can give you a look that fits your personality and your wedding type (informal, semi-formal, or formal). If you’re not into makeup, don’t be concerned about being overly made up….that’s why a professional offers a trial run makeup session!

A makeup artist will consider the lighting and setting of the wedding
He or she will take into consideration whether you are having an outdoor wedding (with lots of sunlight) or a candlelight ceremony with very little lighting. These are important factors to know when coming up with your bridal look.

A makeup artist will come to you and can be available for touch-ups on wedding day
Unlike going to the makeup counter at the mall, your makeup artist will meet you where you are to enhance your beauty on wedding day. In addition, they can be available to touch up your makeup for post-ceremony and reception pictures (this is particularly important if you are having an outdoor wedding in warm weather).

What about the groom?
No one wants to look washed out on wedding pictures….not even the groom. If he’s interested, a professional makeup artist can ensure he had even skin tone and a great look for those important photos!

Don't wait until the last minute to start thinking about your wedding-day makeup.  When you meet with your makeup artist for the first time, share with him or her your wedding colors, venue, setting, and well as a picture of your wedding dress. Happy Planning!

Should I Get a Second Wedding Dress?

Any of you watch “Say Yes To The Dress” on TLC? That is one of my favorite shows! Sometimes a bride has narrowed her choices down to the top 2, but is stuck trying to determine which one is ‘the’ dress. She loves them both equally and finds herself in a quandary….which dress do I choose? For some, there may be option of choosing both!

Why should I have a second wedding dress?

Different look – You may want to go with one look for the ceremony and one look for the reception (something more traditional for the ceremony, and something more casual for the reception, for example). And if you really want to party the night away at your reception, maybe a less formal dress for the reception is on order (shorter, no veil, etc.)

Wow Factor – Surprising your guests (and even your new husband) with a wardrobe change can add even more excitement to the day! They’ve already seen you look one way, and now they will get to see you look another way….the entire time being the glowing bride. And for those who really enjoy being the center of attention, a wardrobe change will put even more spotlight on you!

Just can’t make a decision – If you absolutely cannot choose between dresses, this could be an option for you (if your budget allows)

Consider something that can be worn again – In my opinion, your second dress should be different from the first one (what’s the point of changing when both dresses are, for example, ball gown styles?). So that you can get more wear out of it, choose a second dress that can be worn again (at a formal ball, after-five event, party, etc).

Why shouldn’t I have a second wedding dress?

It’s not in your budget – Weddings can be expensive, and so can wedding attire. Don’t stress yourself out if you can’t afford more than one dress. Those monies could be better used on your new life after the wedding!

Wardrobe changes takes time – Your wedding day will go by very quickly, and you want to be able to enjoy every minute of it. Changing dresses will take some time away from your guests. If you decide to do this, work closely with your planner or coordinator to determine when during the day you will change, where you will change, who will help you change, etc.

Your Planning Assignment
Ponder the pros and cons of a second wedding dress, and weigh your priorities before you make a decision. Happy Planning!

The 411 on Wedding Favors

Courtesy of Oriental Trading

A favor is a small gift that you can give your guests, as a way of saying ‘thanks’ for attending your wedding. They can range from a small picture frame containing an engagement pic of you and your new husband, a trinket with your name and wedding date on it, or even something edible (edible favors are my favorite!). The possibilities are endless!


Are they necessary?
Favors are a nice thing to have, but in my opinion, are not always necessary. If you are on a tight budget or are looking for a way to decrease costs, this is something that can be eliminated. You are already providing your guests with a delicious meal, delectable dessert, and great entertainment. And if you guests are not really into the favor you give, it may be left on the table, which is a waste of money!

Ideas
If you are going with favors, they should coordinate with your theme or your color scheme. For example, if your wedding has a Mardi Gras theme, your favor could be a mask, something in Mardi Gras colors, or even a slice of King Cake to go (can you tell I’m from New Orleans?) Before deciding on what you will have, think about your guests. Will they enjoy and appreciate what you give? If you choose something more feminine (like a votive candle or a sachet), or something like a shot glass, there will be some guests who would not be able to relate to it (i.e., they don’t drink), and will not take it with them. An edible favor tends to fit both men and women, but you must be aware that some people may be allergic to certain things (like nuts). For more ideas, Google ‘wedding favors’ for an entire list of websites!

DIY favors
When considering DIY favors, keep in mind how much time it will take to put them together, along with the number of guests. If your favor is something with a complex fold or needs a ribbon or some other applique, factor in enough time to get this done (not the night before the wedding). Solicit bridesmaids or other friends to help you with this project….do not do it alone!

Your Planning Assignment

Discuss possibilities with your fiancé, and even ask him what his friends would like. And don’t feel pressured to provide a favor. Happy Planning!

What Qualities Should I Look For In A Wedding Planner?

The task of choosing a wedding planner is not one that should be taken lightly. The person you hire will be a part of your life for quite some time (a year or more in some cases), so it’s important that you take your time in making this very important decision. As you consider a planner, what qualities should you look for?


Passion
When a person loves what he or she does, it shows! Your wedding planner should show enthusiasm about working with you and planning your special day. Don’t get me wrong, wedding planners have bad days just like everyone else, but their overall mood should be one of heartfelt excitement about what they are doing!

Knowledge
What is passion without knowledge? Your wedding planner must know what know what he or she is doing, and must be able to articulate that knowledge to you. If you have a question, your planner should be able to answer it or get an answer for you. Beware of those who don’t take the time to answer your questions or are condescending when they do answer! Also, a wedding planner should use his or her knowledge and experience to plan for certain risks. For example, if a bride wants an outdoor wedding, a wedding planner should immediately suggest having a ‘Plan B’ in case of inclement weather.

Open-Mindedness and Flexibility
This is your wedding day, not the planner’s! Your wedding planner should be open to your ideas and help you make them come to fruition. If the planner sees that a particular idea may not work for a particular situation, or can suggest another way to do it, he or she will do so. But the planner should never impose his or her own will on yours!

Trustworthiness
Trust is built over time, and should be displayed in the fact that your wedding planner is a person of his or her word. He or she follows up as promised, and should let you know if there will be a delay in responding or answering your questions. He or she should return calls and emails in a timely manner (don’t forget that planners have lives too, so please be reasonable in your expectations). The responsiveness continues well beyond after you signed the contract and throughout the life of your working relationship.

Detail-Oriented

Having many years of project management experience, I can tell you that a wedding is a project, with lots of details that must all come together to make a beautiful occasion. Your wedding planner must be a detail-oriented person to ensure nothing is missed.

Kindness

I’ve listed this quality last, but it is certainly not least! Your wedding planner should be a kind person who cares about you. As I stated earlier, this person is in your life for a period of time, so they should genuinely want to ensure you have a beautiful wedding day. You should be treated like an individual, not just another paying client. When a planner stops caring about the couples he or she is working with, it’s time to close up shop!

Your Planning Assignment

As you consider hiring a wedding planner, ponder these characteristics. They will help you find the person who’s just right for you. Happy Planning!