Checklist

 Alright I'm getting closer to my date and the stress is real!

So far I have:

Venue

Catering

Desserts

Hotel Block

DJ

Flowers

DOC

Dress

Rings

Various Decor

Still need:

Grooms wear

Dress Alterations

Photographer

Transportation

Finishing Decor items

Dance lessons 

Marriage Lisence

Officiant (but will be meeting with them in July) 

It always seems there's more. LOL

The item I'm finding most stressful is the Dress Alterations. I've yet to fully look into it due to how stressful the actual dress shopping was.

How can I do it?! Part 3

We have our planners, our wedding date, our A and B guest lists, and an idea of we want our count to be! We have started to research the four of the most important vendors (maybe booked a few). Now onto our secondary vendors (the one's we want but don't HAVE to have)!

Remember: I am basis this off my 5k budget.

Wedding Planner: The reason I am putting this here is because if you chose to do one they will mostly likely be your most expensive vendor outside of the venue, photographer, and catering.

Do you need one? 

You might have someone in your life good at planner and willing to take control of the day and run it instead of being there IN the ceremony. Maybe only hire them as a day-of-coordination (DOC), so the actual day is taken care but you're still the one making all the plans before hand.

Positive: Most have a vendors they work with so you don't have to stress and research. They also tend to have a warehouse of wedding supplies.

Negatives: The COST. Wedding/Event Planners can easily eat up your entire budget. Also, something I have personally learned, if you are looking for something they don't have they charge you the full price to obtain but still keep it in their warehouse to reuse.

No matter which way you go please make up a clear vision on what you want and chart it out.

Florist: Most florist think you cannot have a wedding without them! Sit down with them and you'll see it's true. 

Positives: You can tell them what you want and they do all the work.

Cons: The Cost. Most budget florist start off around $700 and go up. 

You do have options though. You can DIY your own floral. Whether they are from your local craft shops, thrift store finds, online retailers, or a mix. At some point they will be on sale. Keep a watch for the holidays that hold major shopping trends (President Day, Memorial Day, Black Friday, etc). I sourced alot of my floral at 70 to 90% off doing it this way. 

You can also mix it up with a blend of real and fake. It you have people setting up then don't do delivery but pick up and put them up yourselves. 

DJ: DJs run in a crazy range of pricing. Worse than photographers.

Pro: They keep your wedding on track. They are your emcees. They can cut off embarrassing speeches and drown them out with the music.

Con: There is a wide range. What do you want them to do?

If you don't need the fancy lighting, dancing on clouds, the over the top emceeing than you can find one for under $800. If you want the extras start planning at $1800 and above.

If you chose not to do a DJ than get a bluetooth speaker and make up a playlist.

Baker: Do you love cake and desserts or are you having it because that is what people expect?

Pros: Yummy (usually). They can make something one of a kind. They deliver and set up. 

Cons: Some people have a set formula of flavors, your cake might be shown on social media before you or your guests see it. And of course the cost.

Some alternatives could be: Get a basic cake from your local grocer you favor and jazz it up with fake flowers for the photos. Do a cupcake cake. Offer other sweets besides cake (brownies, cookies, macarons). 

Again, do you have a family or friend that can do this for you and you pay for the supplies?

 

How's your brain? Don't stress there are always options. 

Up next: Save the dates, Dresses, and Decor. 

How can I do it?! Part 2

Okay, do you have a date range and guessimate on guest count?

Now for another list. Oh, wait...Do you have a planner just for your wedding or use excel? Let's weigh the pros and cons.

Store Bought Pro: They have a lot of information. 

                     Con: They might have too much and nothing the fits inside you vision.

 DIY Planner Pro: It's a blank slate and you can design it how you want it.

                     Con: If you're not comfortable in programs like Excel it might feel daunting. 

 

Okay, you have you're planner now and ready to start making a projected budget.

Look at your key items: Venue, Caterer, Photographers, and Officiant.

In the end all you really need is a place to get married, someone to marry you, your witnesses, and photographer for the memories. EVERY thing else is just dressing but it's also what makes the day seem magical. Even the rings are under a different section because some people do not do rings. The reason I put caterer in a key spot is because if you are doing a reception you want to feed your guest.

If your guest count is low than the highest cost usually come from Venues and Photographers. If your guest count is high than it'll most likely be Catering, Venue, and Photographer. 

Are you okay? Don't stress; we will break this down. 

Venue: Outside, Indoor, Both. There are a myriad of options based on what you want. 

If you are okay with outside, maybe a little rustic, than state parks all the way. Some are designed to have a more elegant feel to them. Most state park might have a cultural building or pavilion that comes with kitchen, table, and chairs!

Some Airbnb, VRBO, and vacation rentals allow small events to be held on the property. Reach out to the property owners and see what they will allow before booking though.

Dance Halls or Garden Clubs seem to be sleepers. They give you space for usually and afforded price. 

Pubs and Speakeasies. We have a few in my area that have big open modern spaces. 

A friend's backyard. There is nothing wrong with a friend hosting a wedding for you if you have one with a large enough space.

With a 5k budget just keep in mind, go outside the box with your venue so you can allocate more money to things that are not as flexible. 

Photography: This is a stressful one for me personally. I have seen photography prices skyrocket in the last year! If you are on a 5k budget than it's hard. Most photographers in my area are now starting at $1800 and up. Deep breaths...there are ways around this.

Look for a student or someone that's just getting into wedding photography. People just getting a foothill in this field will be willing to work at a discount usually, but here are a few things to look at...do they have a portfolio showing their style...maybe schedule an engagement or test shoot. You might even find someone that's technically retired but takes side jobs from time to time.

Also does a family or friend have mad photography skills that you trust?

Catering: There are several ways to do this. Decide what type of meal you're having. Some people are now do a reception breakfast or lunch over the traditional dinner. There is no wrong answer, only what suits you and your vision.

 Don't be afraid to go with your favorite restaurant or fast food. Most places cater so go with something you know you will like not what you think a wedding should have.

Officiant: Are you religious? What are the laws in your area?

If you have a regular church, check with them for your officiant. Some have set amounts, some do what is called "love donations" where you donate what you can, and others might have that day off and feel like doing a good deed.

Are one of your friends or family members willing to take an online course that allows them to marry you?

In some states all you need is a notary. Do you live in one of those?

Don't automatically think you'll have to pay $250 and above for that officiant you met at an expo.

P.S. I thought this was posted in February. LOL