Wedding Priorities – Where are your priorities when it comes to the the wedding budget?   Every couple has some form of a budget.  Some budgets are larger than others, and some very limited.   In 2009, the average wedding budget was around $27,500. That, of course is up from 2008 when the average wedding cost was $ 25, 350.

If you are on a tight budget, here is some premium advice. Don’t be impulsive when you book with your caterer.    Here’s why………..

The first thing a couple will book is their wedding facility and catering. So many times, the caterer will  upgrade with a couple who is excited to begin the wedding planning process. It is a fact that brides purchase based on emotion, and many wedding service providers use that emotion as an advantage when getting upgrades.  Who actually buys a car with no extras? No one, and it is the same way in the wedding industry.

Now, I am one of those wedding vendors that will encourage my clients to upgrade, so I’m not saying there is anything wrong here.  What I am saying is, don’t blow the budget right out of the box!

A bride and groom book their caterer at $ 89.99 per plate and then add a chocolate fountain, chair covers, martini bar, and venetian table. Now the per plate charge is $ 145 and the couple is over extended. The couple may be forced to get a budget DJ and Photographer because of this impulsive spending spree with the caterer, and that can lead to disaster!

At a wedding I recently performed at, the bride really wanted to add our architectural up lighting, but had over extended her budget with the caterer. The caterer upgraded them to a chocolate fountain package which added $750 to their bottom line, so there was nothing left for the lighting upgrade. Unfortunately, the chocolate fountain was not ready for the  guests until the last 1/2 hour of the wedding, and most guests never got up to enjoy it. They were already stuffed from the 5 course meal and wedding cake.

What would have been a better use of the budget?  Beautiful up lighting, which would have made a complete impression and changed the room atmosphere………..   or chocolate???   Where’s your priorities?

Let’s face it, do chair covers make the difference or an amazing DJ?  Martini bar or an professional for your photographer who will provide images to treasure a lifetime. Not to pick on caterers here, but most suck the bride and groom’s budget dry before they even add another piece of the puzzle on.  That’s like when I get a call from a potential customer who is asking for a low price DJ and has a $175 per plate wedding facility. Getting a high end facility and hiring a cheap DJ is like building a 1.5 million dollar home only to put in Formica counter tops. You just don’t do it!!!

The Best approach when it comes to a wedding budget is to book a manageable package with your caterer and then leave room for the other professionals and services. You can always go back  and add that chocolate fountain later when you know there is money in the bank to pay for it.