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It's the middle of January and many of you are likely to be newly engaged from the holidays. Congratulations! And, if so, you're probably just coming back to reality after the initial excitement and frenzy of announcing the good news, asking yourselves, "Okay, where do I start?" It's completely normal, of course, to be unsure on what to tackle first. In general, it's a first-time experience even if you've been involved with close friends' or family members' weddings. It's completely different when it comes to your own day. I thought it might be helpful to do a Newly Engaged Tips series in this newsletter from now until Valentine's Day. This week's first issue to tackle: the budget. The wedding budget covers more than just the reception food and beverage costs. You'll also have to consider these, among some others:
Invitations
Fees for the officiant and ceremony site
Wedding attire
Transportation
Flowers
Photography
Gifts for the attendants
Gratuities
Wedding Planner
Favors
Décor
Music
The honeymoon
We all know weddings can be expensive, and if you have never been exposed to the cost of hosting a special event in a hotel, restaurant or club, the price tag of a typical wedding reception may shock you. Whether your budget is large or small, however, your main objective is probably to squeeze the most value out of the dollars you have to spend. If you and your fiancé are paying for your own wedding, setting the budget should be a relatively straightforward process. Often, however, the bride's or groom's family is involved in paying for parts of the wedding. In this case, you should probably sit down with your parents and have a frank discussion about the wedding budget.
The highest-cost items are generally food, beverages and equipment rentals, such as tents, tables, and chairs. So, being creative and controlled with your spending in these areas will have the most impact. Instead of skimping on the standard approach, make different, creative choices and you'll have a great celebration that fits your personality and budget.
My general philosophy is to do five things really well instead of 10 things poorly. The priorities are different for each couple. Some may know they want to splurge on the food and venue and not care much for professional photography or entertainment. Others may want to splurge on an open bar, but go DIY with decorations. Whatever your preference, be sure to decide together what you're willing to invest in and what can be cut back. As long as you're both honest about what's really important to you now, there will be fewer surprises (and arguments) in the future.
Next week, we'll tackle something that could make or break your budget: the guest list!
As always...more to come!
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