Feature image by Casey Rose Photography. Knots ‘N Such is a Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist.

Happy 2018 everyone! Today we want to dive into that underlying “B” word of wedding planning: budgets.  Weddings do take money, and that number sometimes can be an overwhelming factor in the planning of their wedding.  First of all, let us tell you nearly every bride is on a budget.  Big or small, there’s always a limit.

Photo by Thirteenth Moon Photography

However, there are two types of brides when it comes to budget etiquette, and in an effort to help you plan and execute a wedding on your budget with grace and style, we want to help you understand the two categories.

The first is that “bride on a budget”.  This is the bride who understands that any budget has a limit, researches her options thoroughly, and is content with the options that are presented to her.  This bride will look back on the wedding planning experience and rejoice over the final product.  The second is a “budget bride”.  Like the first bride, this bride recognizes that she has a budget, yet struggles to be content with what money can buy for her budget.  This bride will look back on the wedding planning experience and be discontent with the final product. She doesn’t appreciate what her budget can buy, so is forlorn.

Photo by Ultimate Images

When looking at the two types of bride, it’s easy to see that the bride on a budget is what we want for every bride, no matter the budget they have for their wedding.  Here are some tips to help you in your budgeting and planning for your wedding:

1. Know and set your realistic budget from the very beginning (educate yourself on the cost of weddings in your area, determine what you can afford by setting priorities). If you determine a large wedding is nearly impossible, there’s no shame in having a small intimate affair or elopement. It’s actually quite trendy these days!
2. Make a list of areas of the wedding and your budget for each category.  Here is a worksheet that can help you get started from the magazine Real Simple Budget Worksheet (do this before contacting any vendors)
3. Research vendors that are in your budget area (staying within your budget area will help with disappointment later when you receive that estimate). Be realistic with your expectations.
4. Visit open houses and bridal fairs to gather more information in your planning
5. Contact vendors that meet your criteria to set up meetings
6. Realize that vendors are there to educate and support you. Yes, we must be able to support ourselves so must price our products and services to do that. This is a career not a hobby for us.
7. Before signing a contract, go back to that budget and make sure that you are focusing on those important details from Tip #1
8. Finally, enjoy the process and look at the options you have and know that your day is going to be special

Photo by McCardell Photography

Knots ‘N Such, a Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist, wants to share this information with you, not to scare you off from contacting vendors or dreaming big, but to help you know your budget and not look back at wedding planning as a daunting time.  Our hope is, no matter the budget, you are the bride who is satisfied with every option and gets to the day of their wedding a bride beaming with pride knowing this is the day for them.  Happy wedding planning friends!

XOXO,

Amy