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Wedding Planning 101
A Practical and Simple Guide to Planning a Simple, Yet Elegant
Affair
Coordinating All the Pieces
The biggest part of planning a wedding is making sure you have
all the pieces. There is an awful lot to consider and you don’t
want to be walking down the aisle when you remember that you didn’t
hire a photographer! In this section, we’ll list all the areas
you’ll want to consider. Remember, that you do not need to include
everything in this list. This will give you many options. Choose
the ones that fit your dream and eliminate the others. Also, keep
in mind that if you are working on a restricted or tight budget,
you may need to scale down some areas in order to spend more on
what is important to you. For example, if you really don’t care
about a huge reception, you can cut out everything but the basics
such as wedding cake, a Groom’s cake, and punch in the fellowship
hall of your church. By cutting out most of the reception costs,
you will have much more to spend on that elegant dress you’ve
always dreamed of... get the picture? As you look through this
section, determine what is important to YOU, and what is not.
Saving money in one place means more money for what’s important.
And keep in mind that just because your two best friends had rehearsal
dinners, doesn’t mean that you have to; prioritize based on YOUR
dream!
These are areas you should consider. As you and your groom look
at each area, determine if you want to include it in your plans
and who (realistically) will pay for it. Determine if you want
it, who will pay for it, and how much you want to spend on it.
The three right columns will give you realistic minimum and maximum
spending limits and will also tell you who, if anyone, is traditionally
responsible for the costs. “B” or “G” indicates that either the
Bride or the Bride’s family, or the Groom or his family may want
to bear the cost. But remember that in the 21st century, all norms
are thrown out the window. Go with what works for your situation.
|
Maximum
|
Minimum
|
Who SHOULD Pay?
|
| Bridal Clothes |
$150
|
$5,000
|
B
|
| Music / Ceremony |
$100
|
$300
|
B
|
| Music / Reception |
$200
|
$2,000
|
B or G
|
| Flowers |
$100
|
$5,000
|
B
|
| Photos |
Free (donated)
|
$7,000
|
B
|
| Some brides who are really on a very tight budget opt to have
friends or family take pictures and video tape weddings for free.
This is a good way to save money, but please remember that your
pictures and video can NEVER be redone. We highly suggest that
if you choose to have a volunteer do this for you, select someone
with experience who knows what they are doing. |
| Videos |
Free
|
$500
|
B or G
|
| Some brides who are really on a very tight budget opt to have
friends or family take pictures and video tape weddings for free.
This is a good way to save money, but please remember that your
pictures and video can NEVER be redone. We highly suggest that
if you choose to have a volunteer do this for you, select someone
with experience who knows what they are doing. |
| Bakery (Wedding Cake, Groom’s Cake, etc.) |
$200
|
$2,000
|
B
|
| Catering / Rehearsal |
$200
|
$5,000+
|
G
|
| With regard to catering costs, both for rehearsals and receptions,
it is difficult to put any sort of maximum on this because there
are varying degrees of elegance and also varying numbers within
a wedding party and a guest list. For example, someone with a
wedding guest list of only 75 people could provide an very elegant
sit-down meal for everyone for much less than it would cost to
have a simple meal for 700 guests. You must include the number
of people in your planning. It makes a big difference! |
| Catering / Reception |
$200
|
$5,000+
|
B
|
| With regard to catering costs, both for rehearsals and receptions,
it is difficult to put any sort of maximum on this because there
are varying degrees of elegance and also varying numbers within
a wedding party and a guest list. For example, someone with a
wedding guest list of only 75 people could provide an very elegant
sit-down meal for everyone for much less than it would cost to
have a simple meal for 700 guests. You must include the number
of people in your planning. It makes a big difference! |
| Clergy Fees / Honorariums |
$100
|
$500
|
B and G
|
| Some clergy or officiants may charge a fee, but even if they do
not, it is customary to give an honorarium to the person officiating
your wedding. A gift of less than $100 would be like a bad tip
for a good waitress. Don’t go less than $100. |
| Church, Building Rental, Tents, etc. |
Free
|
$10,000
|
B or G
|
| If you are getting married in a church where you attend, you may
be able to use the facility free of charge. Many churches charge
a deposit that is returned if nothing is damaged. Here again,
it is hard to determine a maximum in this category. Use of your
church as compared to renting 10 large tents are not even in the
same ballpark. |
| Decorations |
$100
|
$4,000
|
B
|
| Ceremony Misc. |
$100
|
$3,000
|
B
|
| Ceremony Miscellaneous items include everything from a guest book
to candles. Choose what you want, but use what you choose. Items
in this category can really add up! |
| Wedding Party |
$25 per person
|
$300 per person
|
Women - B
Men - G
|
| It is customary to give each member of your wedding party a gift.
Brides often like to select something for their bridesmaids that
can be worn during the ceremony. For example, simple pearl earrings
not only say “thank you” quite nicely, but your wedding pictures
look great with everyone wearing the same thing! The bride should
choose the bridesmaids gifts and the grooms should select items
for his groomsmen. Remember, it’s more expensive to buy for eight
attendants than to buy for two! And don’t forget to buy something
special for the ring bearer and flower girl. |
| Printing |
$50
|
$4,000
|
B
|
| Last but not least, printing is one of the biggest costs in a
wedding. From invitations, to thank yous, RSVP’s for both the
wedding and the rehearsal, envelopes, napkins, and so on, printing
can eat up your budget. Consider the use of rubber stamps to save
money without saving on the elegance. We’ll explore this possibility
in the next section. |
Next Page: Using Rubber Stamps / The Why
WEDDING PLANNING 101
INDEX – THE BIG DAY – COORDINATING THE PIECES
USING RUBBER STAMPS: WHY – HOW
YOUR SEAL OF APPROVAL
WEDDING PLANNING 101
Copyright 2003 by Canville Communications
Edited by Dan C. Rinnert – Contributor: Lynda Andrews
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted, in any
form or any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording or by any informational storage or retrieval system
without express written permission from the publisher.
LEGAL NOTICE: While all attempts have been made to provide effective, verifiable
information in this Book, neither the Authors nor the Editor nor
the Publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies
or omissions.We do not assume any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness,
or usefulness of any information contained herein.
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE RUBBER STAMP SHOP
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR WEDDING STAMPS
|
OTHER WEDDING RESOURCES
The Master Wedding Planning Guide
Practical tips to save you money and avoid unnecessary stress in preparing for your wedding day.
IDEAS for YOUR WEDDING
Marriage Vows and Wedding Vows
Pre-written and time-tested vows you can use for your wedding, including tips for writing your own.
Ultimate Wedding Vow Toolkit
Learn the secrets of writing amazing wedding vows that most people will never know.
Wedding Ceremonies Galore
Comprehensive book of wedding ceremonies, vows and readings helps you choose the selections perfect
for your wedding.
Wedding Themes and More
An excellent source of unique wedding books and theme ideas to help you plan a magical wedding.
SAVE MONEY on YOUR WEDDING
Discount Wedding Guide
Former wedding planner shows you how to plan an amazing wedding without spending a small fortune.
Insider’s Secrets to Planning a Wedding
Bridal consultant shares tips, tricks, secrets and tools of the industry to help you plan
a magical wedding!
Wedding Planning on a Budget
Learn how to save thousands of dollars on the wedding of your dreams from a
couple who kept their dream wedding under $2,000.
Wedding Planning Secrets
Learn how you can have your fairy tale wedding on a shoestring budget. |
