Tuesday Tips | Volume 17 | Your Vermont Wedding Planner

The Best Way To Stretch Your Wedding Day Budget

Photo by Orchard Cove Photography

Let's face it, weddings are expensive.  We often have couples ask us for ways to save money on their day so that they stay within their budget.  They've often been told by a well meaning friend or family member to ask for local, 'in season' flowers... this does not save you money in Vermont, that is for sure.  It's been suggested that they just purchase a 'cutting sheet cake' but really, it's your wedding day.  Do you want to serve a sheet cake?  I've heard that you can cut back on food... just no, to this suggestion.  You do not want hungry guests who spend the night drinking more to fill themselves up.   

Most of our clients have a vision, "the vision", the one that they have been planning and dreaming about.  Expectations are high on your wedding day.  You want it as close to perfect as possible.  This is probably the most expensive celebration you will ever have.  So how do you save on your wedding day without drastically compromising on your vision?  You cut the guest list. It's as simple as that, you cut back the number of guests you plan to invite.

Let me give you an example of how this breaks down.  If you have a budget of $75,000, which is pretty average; and let's say you have and estimated 150 guests.  That's a budget of about $500 per person.  As you are talking to vendors you realize that in order to have the day you want you are going to need at least $80,000. So where do you cut to get the budget back into the 75,000 range?  Do you cut out the stationary appetizer table?  No, that's definitely not going to make for happy wedding guests.  Do you cut the photographer?  Obviously not.  Do you go with a cash bar?  Guests will probably not appreciate that either, after traveling all the way to Vermont.  So the easiest thing to do is to cut your guest list back by a few.  If you cut 10 guests you would have approximately $4,000, maybe a little more.  You wouldn't have $5000 extra because some of your pricing is fixed like your venue, attire or photography costs.  But you would save on food, bar, flowers, linens, tables, place settings and transportation not to mention favors and invitations. Every little bit counts.  And you wouldn't compromise your vision. So remember...  when looking to save on your wedding day consider cutting the number of guests before you consider anything else.

I'll be back next week with another tip for your Vermont wedding.  ~Randi

Tuesday Tips | Volume 5 | Your Vermont Wedding Planner

Greeting from Vermont! We are FINALLY out of the deep freeze. Today the sky is blue and it kind of feels like Spring, if you close your eyes and ignore the snow. Ahhh, life in Vermont! Last week we started a conversation about prioritizing your budget so it seems to me the logical next step to take is to talk about your guest list. Your list opens up a whole new can of worms so let's break it down. Today I will address the age old question...

Should We Invite Children To Our Wedding?

                                                        Photography by Kelsey Regan Photography at Topnotch Resort

Your guest list is always a delicate matter but whether or not to invite kids might be the hardest decision of all.  I have had couples agonize over this decision.  This decision is yours and yours alone.  I can't make it for you but I can give some advice around the decision.  Make the decision early and stick with it... no wavering.  If the answer is "Yes, we love children and want them to attend".  Great!  Let's talk about a kids table and maybe an activity or two to help when they get bored.  If the answer is "No way".  Again, Great.  That was easy.  If the answer is "We obviously want our flower and ring bearer who are 2 and 5 but no one else under the age of 12" well, this is where is gets a bit tricky.  Having perimeters around age and who is allowed to bring their children is a decision, it's just one that comes with some explaining. We can talk about how to work that conversation in early before there are any hard feelings. It might be best to just pick up the phone and speak directly with anyone who you feel might take issue with your decision.  I think feelings get hurt when guests 'hear it through the grapevine'.  Invitations are a great way to help clarify the guest list too.  When addressing the invitations we need to make sure it is crystal clear who is invited for the wedding festivities. We can also add a message on your save the dates and your wedding website. If your wedding is a destination wedding and you feel that your friends and family may not want to leave their children for an extended period of time you can consider offering a Nanny Service.  We have some great ones here in Vermont. 

At the end of the day, this is a decision for the couple. Talk it over early; stick with your decision; make everyone aware of the choice you make and the reasons behind it.  And lastly, be happy that this decision is behind you and you are officially one step closer to your wedding day.  If you want to chat more about your guest list and all of your wedding planning reach out by clicking the button below.