Wedding Planning

The cost of a wedding can be a heavy burden. All of those little things begin to add up quickly and pretty soon, you're faced with the decision of cutting back on costs. But which part of the wedding day should have a smaller budget? Ahh, the big question! There are so many elements that make up a wedding day. But there are KEY elements to remember. Vendors with a minimum of 3 years of experience in the field of services advertised, are best. Especially those with 3+ years of wedding related work experience. In most cases these vendors know their craft very well. They've dealt with wedding day chaos, different venues, weather elements, etc.

To splurge on beauty or not to splurge on beauty?
You shouldn't feel guilty, or feel it's not worth the cost to look and feel great on your wedding day. It doesn't make sense to have a $1,500 budget on flowers or linen rentals yet, only allow an $500 budget for a photographer, or a $100 budget for both hair & makeup services. Will the guests at your wedding remember your centerpieces & linens? Probably not. My advice to future brides is: Do not cut your budget from the following areas:

• Photographer : Your wedding photos are forever and you cannot recreate them! Your photos will reflect every important detail of your wedding day. They should capture all of the special moments that you dreamed of from the moment you begin hair & makeup, to the very last dance. You & your new husband should look great in each one of them.

• Hair Stylist : An experienced bridal stylist knows what hair styles flatter your face shape, and can determine where the best placement is for your veil or hairpiece. They'll also know how to deal with elements of surprise when it comes to the weather (rain, humidity, wind). You don't want your hair to frizz, fall out of place while walking down the isle, or falling while dancing. You'll be photographed all day long, greeting & hugging guests, dancing, and probably sweating a bit in between all of it. Hair & makeup mishap's shouldn't be a factor.

• Makeup Artist : You want to be sure your makeup lasts from beginning to end. Book with a talented makeup artist that is experienced in bridal makeup services. You don't want a mismatched foundation color, poorly blended eye makeup or even have your makeup melting off (at all) much less before the reception starts. It's OK to splurge on a makeup artist because it's a special day! Pamper yourself!!

• DJ : If the DJ isn't entertaining, the music probably won't be entertaining either. A fun DJ knows how to work a crowd. A funny DJ is even better! They introduce the bridal party with good energy and set the tone for the rest of the night. Personally, I love when a DJ has a good sense of humor and knows how to roll with the punches. The guests are more likely to dance and have fun. 

Another blog of mine will discuss rates for hair & makeup services. It will help you understand why wedding vendors charge a higher rate for particular services. It's more complicated than you think... ;)

xoxo
Anj~