Next year I'll be leaving my usual spot from behind the camera to be in front of it on my wedding day. Instead of getting paid to take pictures, I'll be paying someone else. Instead of smiling at the newlyweds dancing, I'll be dancing. And I'll be finishing out the day with a price tag less then $10000. Period. And if I can work it out, I'm challenging myself to do the entire wedding for $5000....and still make it look and feel amazing! I'm not one of the lucky ones that has a huge or a non existent budget, so I'm doing what I can to make it work. I'm not cutting corners when it comes to planning my wedding - I'm just taking a different approach of not dropping hundreds for everything I need. So, I'm sharing what I'm doing periodically throughout the next year to save on my wedding and at the very end - once the I Do's are said and done - I'll let you know the final cost and how it rolled.
tip #63 - BEFORE DECIDING ON A VENUE, GET ALL THE DETAILS UP FRONT.
I know - may be a "Duh" statement but really, a lot of people don't get ALL the details up front about the venue...and it could cost you, lots! I found a couple of beautiful places where I wanted to have the ceremony and reception - I mean G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S. But soon I had to hit the brakes when I heard all the requirements some of these venues had.
Like caterers - I was given a list of caterers I had to pick from - those and those only. Ok, well...I guess that'd work except the list consisted of the most $$$ caterers in the area! I mean I want good food...but not break the bank good food.
On top of that some of the venues would have more then one wedding scheduled in one day....in close proximity to each other. I know I for sure want to feel special on my wedding day and I'd rather not see another bride running around the venue when I'm about to walk down the isle.
Another problem with having multiple weddings on the same day at the same location is enough time to set up. I mean two hours is all we have, really?? I don't think so...
Pay close attention to how you're treated and stick pretty close to your first impression of the staff and the venue. And if at all possible get feedback from other brides that had their wedding there - ask the coordinator at the venue for names and numbers for the last 5 brides. Some places (as with everywhere) is known to kiss up to get you signed then you're hooked, on the back burner you go!
Whenever you're checking out venues - keep the image of how you want your wedding to look and how you want the day to go. Try to play out the day in your head at each location. Take pictures and write notes of what you like / dislike.
Don't forget to ask about limitations in regards to decorations, photography, guests limits, parking, setting up...etc. As well as ask for a full faith estimate of everything you will be charged that day from rent to clean up - some places will throw in fees for this and that and you won't know until after the fact.
And last - think about holding your ceremony and reception at the same location - most places will cut you a deal if you do it that way AND some places will throw in some extra discounts like on rooms or service.
TOTAL SAVINGS FOR TIP #63 = HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
For more tips on picking out a venue visit:
10 Tips for a Great Wedding Venue Visit
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