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Planning Your Own Wedding? Leave Your Emotions at the Door
Gail Wise
We all know that our economy is not in the best shape. Money is tight for many of us and as a result we're more cautious about spending it.
So it makes sense that right now a lot of brides to be, in order to save some money, are considering planning their own wedding rather than hiring a wedding planner.
Now it's certainly possible to plan your own wedding and have the wedding day you dreamed of. But the real question is can you plan your own wedding and still stay within your budget.
Of course its possible… You think to yourself how difficult can it be I'll only spend exactly what I have budgeted no more no less. It sounds like a good plan.. but will it work?
A word of caution before you make the decision to plan your own wedding: Your wedding day is probably one of the most emotional days of your life. This is probably a day you've dreamed about since you were a kid…you've been playing and then replaying the day over and over in your head for forever.
Dreaming about something you've wanted for so long is just that a dream…making the dream a reality without spending every penny you have to make it happen is quite a different matter.
Right now you say you have a definite budget and have promised yourself that you will stay within that budget. Its possible you tell yourself to get the wedding day you want and not spend more than you've planned for… but let me warn you that there could be a little snag in your plan.
And the snag is …all those emotions that you're feeling because it's YOUR wedding.
Emotions are pretty powerful things and your emotions can get in the way of you having the wedding you want and without getting yourself in debt unless …you're careful.
So how do you avoid this snag in your plan? Well, In order to pull off this wedding thing and stay within your budget you've got to be able to see your wedding as a business project. You've got to think with your head like a businessperson and not let your heart run the show.
So how does thinking like businessperson help you pull off your goal of an on budget dream wedding? Well for starters a businessperson tends to think more with their heads than their emotions. They organize and execute their plan using practical steps ensuring that the project is completed on time and on budget. When making decisions they try not to let their emotions interfere and cloud their judgment.
How do you plan your wedding like a businessperson?
I can't do magic tricks and presto make you a businessperson but I can give you a few pointers on how to think more like one:
1. First you need to create a planning schedule-Set aside a certain amount of time every day or even weekly to work on your wedding plans and then stick to it. Make a list of what you need to take care of and schedule time to do it. Its important when planning your own wedding to have time to:
Research… research… and more research, time to interview lots of vendors, to visit venues, read contracts, visit caterers see what they offer…
2. Next establish a "set in stone" budget. What can you spend without breaking the bank.
3. Envision-First just brainstorm what does your perfect wedding look like. Write down your thoughts. Draw pictures of the reception room. Or go through wedding magazines and find examples of your dream wedding. Get a clear idea of what you're shooting for.
4. Then Prioritize-This is one of the key elements to your dream and on-budget wedding.
After brainstorming make a list of what elements are the most important for your dream wedding to what is least important to you. Actually write them down and assign numbers to each element. Is it the food # 1 the music # 3 the flowers #8…
For example maybe you think an expensive sit down dinner for your guests and having a great live band are both important. Say your budget doesn't allow for both then its time to prioritize and to figure out what is most important to you. For example if you decide a sit down dinner is number #1 on your list and music is #2 you will either need to look for a less expensive live band to hire or maybe you hire a dj which may be less expensive so that you then have the money in your budget for #1 the sit down meal.
5. Consider adding a Wedding Planner/Coordinator to Your Priority List-If you feel you can't afford a full time planner consider a planner that does partial planning or offers a la carte services. It’s a good idea to have someone who's not emotionally involved to look over your plans. It also makes good business sense to have an experienced businessperson who is knowledgeable with vendor contracts to review any contracts before you sign.
Of course I've listed just some practical steps to take when planning your wedding, which will hopefully help you keep your emotions from running the show.
Unfortunately I can't list everything that’s important in this one article.
But a couple of the most important things that you'll need to keep in mind are:
Remember to plan with your head. Stay grounded. Don't let your emotions run the show. And another is stick to your planning schedule and keep your budget always in mind. Sticking to your schedule ensures you will have the time to research and find the best services for the least amount of money and will also help you stay within your budget by preventing you from having to settle for only what you can get at any cost because you've run out of time.
My final advice to all you potential bride to be planners out there…be practical and realistic. Of course your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life but let your head lead the way when planning for it. This way your heart can be as happy and joyous as it wants on the day of because you got the wedding day you wanted and you can also feel relieved because you've done it without putting yourself in the poor house!
Gail Wise worked in the movie business for several years on such films as Jerry Maguire, Dante's Peak, American Pie, Twister and many others. After leaving the film business she returned to the event industry and now operates an Event Vendor Referral Service Match Me Event Services.
www.matchmeeventservices.com