Creating the perfect wedding budget!

Budgeting is one of the most important and most dreaded parts of planning a wedding. The budget conversation should be one of the first with your partner.

Who is contributing financially?

Figuring out who pays for each part can be tricky and potentially awkward. Here is a very TRADITIONAL and very basic breakdown of who is expected to pay for what:

The Couple: the rings, all gifts for family and bridal party, the marriage license, and their share of the bachelorette/bachelor party.

The Wedding Party: Their outfits for the wedding and their share of the bachelorette/bachelor party.

The Groom’s Family: The rehearsal dinner and a shower, if they choose to throw one.

The Bride’s Family: The wedding and reception.

However, nothing is traditional these days, especially when it comes to weddings. Couples themselves are often paying for a lot more of their big day, leaving their families with less of the financial burden. Or some couples opt for more simple and inexpensive weddings, such as backyard ceremony or reception to save money. But no matter how you break down your budget or how much you plan on spending consider everyone who is helping you pay for your big day when making decisions so no one ends up breaking the bank. It is also important to keep in mind how much you are expecting each person or family to pay. Don’t expect too much or push too hard because money is one of the trickiest topics to talk about and to decide upon. So be smart and save when you can to ensure your big day goes off without a hitch! 

Making your dream wedding come to life on a budget may seem like a difficult task, especially when you know what you want. However, we have a few tricks up our sleeves to help you get there without breaking your bank account.

Agree to a specific $$$ amount!

First and foremost, set a budget number and stick to it. This is the most important rule of budgeting. You need to keep that figure in the back of your mind when considering all the details of your big day. The point of a budget is to prevent you from overspending, so you need to establish this dollar amount as a hard stop. 

Set individual budgets. After you set the overall budget amount, breakdown budgets for each individual area of the wedding. Set a dollar amount for your dress, the groom’s attire, flowers, favors, catering, décor, etc. Also, make sure you include taxes, service fees, and gratuities.

Create a Budget Spreadsheet

To keep yourself on budget, you need a system in place to keep yourself on track. Create an excel spreadsheet or find an online Wedding Budget form. I recommend separate categories for the estimated budget line item and what you actually spent so if you spend more or less in areas you can readjust.

Estimated Guest Count

When you’re thinking about who you would like to invite to your big day, remember that you’re paying for their accommodations as well. If you really can’t compromise on cutting anyone from your guest list, then retract a plus one from the invite. This will help save cost on food and drink more than you may think.

Non-Negotiables

Identify what are those must-haves for your wedding like a certain wedding vendor and make sure to budget accordingly.

Set-up separate bank account or credit card

Rule of Thumb: Don’t get into debt for your wedding. Set aside money each paycheck into a separate bank account that you won’t be tempted to touch for other things. If you are going to pay for all your wedding expenses, consider applying for a credit card with rewards. Only use this card for the wedding and be easier to track it your spending.

It’s never easy to set limits, but if you sit down with your partner and draw up guidelines about what you both really want and what you can do without, then set the budget will be much easier. It all comes down to what is most important to the two of you and the rest will follow! 

Love conquered COVID | Thais + Jack | Mountain View Manor

Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs | Photographer: Kat Skye Photo | Venue: Mountain View Manor | Flowers: Flora D’Amore | Beauty: Salon Maison | Rentals: The Meaningful Details | Chalk Art: Something to Chalk About

What would you do when you have to change your wedding date twice only to find out your wedding venue isn’t doing weddings?

For Jack + Thais, their story began the summer of 2016. They met as camp counselors at the camp they had both grown up going to. They started to get to know each other by running together during our break every day. Thais was on the cross country team at Whitworth and was doing her summer training. Jack was the only person at camp that was up for running with her for so long! During those two months of summer, they spent time getting to know each other and became quite close. They went on our first official date, a few weeks before camp ended at a nearby pizza place in Sultan. A few days later, they started dating. Over the next two years, their relationship consisted mostly of video calls, texts, and occasional short trips to see each other. Even though long-distance was the hardest thing we had to do, it taught them how to communicate better, and to love and appreciate one another.

And it was because of their communication and love they were up for any obstacle thrown their way. Originally planning to wed at the end of June, then along came COVID who had its own agenda. So then the wedding postponed until August only to be told weeks before their wedding that their venue canceled on them only a few weeks before. Then the race was on to find a new venue.

I was blown away by the calm and grace these two had when faced with the obstacles they were. With Thais, a kindergarten teacher and Jack newly commissioned in the US Army, I knew I had to make do anything and everything in my power to make their dream wedding happen.

Based on their previous location, the couple wanted to keep their wedding south of Seattle. After a dozen or so phone calls and emails, I knew I found the perfect venue in Mountain View Manor. When we arrived for their tour, I saw the look on the couple’s face and right away I knew we had a winner. It was a sense of relief for the couple that they indeed found the wedding venue of their dreams. In reality, the couple had said if they had known about this venue before booking their original one this would have been their choice.

I really need to thank MVM Owner Sheri Armstrong for going above and beyond for this couple in light of the restrictions to make this wedding happen.

Wedding Day couldn’t have been more perfect for this special pair. Surrounded by 24 of their closest friends and family, the ceremony was officiated by a long-time family friend of the groom who also married Jack’s parents. Talk about a memorable thing.

What we loved was Thais really thought about all the details even when it came to masks for the bridal party.

Outfitted in his dress uniform, Jack was joined by his father and grandfather. It was such a magical thing to see three generations of service members.

One of the several memories I will take away from this beautiful August day was when Jack’s father arrived only to have his shoes disintegrate in the heat. It was a great story that will be told for years and generations to come.

Thais + Jack, thank you for having me part of your wedding journey. I truly loved getting to know you over the past year. I wish you two the best of luck and all the love in the world.

From the Bride: “Amazing and incredibly helpful wedding planner!! Lori was on top of everything and handled our Covid wedding plans with so much positivity and grace! We initially hired Elegant Affairs as part of our venue's requirements and we are SO glad we did! Looking back, there is no way I could have done it without her. Lori was responsive, flexible, and proactive throughout everything! When our first venue dropped after Covid changed things, Lori was immediately on the lookout for our next venue. A few days later, we found the venue of our dreams that we couldn't have found without her. During the whole process, she checked in frequently and communicated with us clearly and efficiently. Looking back, if I had to do it again, I would hire Lori to do my whole wedding! So if you're a bride unsure of whether you need a wedding planner, seriously hire Lori. You will not regret it! She is phenomenal. We are so thankful for her support during our wedding and we love her so much!”

Finding the perfect spot to Say I DO!

After you get engaged, one of the first thoughts that may cross your mind is location. As an events company based in the Pacific Northwest, we have been fortunate enough to work with some of the most beautiful outdoor and indoor spaces that this corner of the world has to offer; and that’s just in the PNW! There are gorgeous venues throughout the world and as a newly engaged couple, this venue world is your oyster…almost to a fault! There are so many choices that it can be intimidating, making it difficult to narrow them all down to one space. Here are a few things to think about as you go about picking your perfect venue.

Budget. Now we’ll start looking at the budget since you have a general idea of what and where. It’s always fun to tour different venues, but you don’t want to fall in love with something that you won’t be able to afford; the heartbreak can be unreal in this situation. Talk it over with your partner and when you come to a mutual agreement, begin to tour the venues you can afford following the above guidelines you’ve already laid out for yourself. This will make the process much less stressful knowing you can say yes if you want to. You will be confident and excited when you look at the owner of the venue and say, “we’ll take it.”

Hot or cold. First and foremost, you need to decide if you’re shooting for a summer or winter event. This will help you steer toward an indoor vs. outdoor space, or a venue that offers both. From here you can start deciphering the finer details of what you’re looking for. Another thing to take into consideration is if you need a tent if you choose an outdoor venue, just in case of inclement weather.

Distance. Secondly, consider distance and travel when it comes to the guests you wish to invite on your special day. If your great aunt and uncle are required to be in attendance, contemplate the means of transportation by which they will be traveling to the location and how long it will take for them to do so. You want to be considerate without sacrificing your own dream location; but what makes a party is the people, right? You want everyone you love (whether this number be large or small) to take part in a celebration that you’ll remember for the rest of you and your partner’s life. This holds true for how many kids will be there and what that age group entails as well. One more item that is linked with distance; expense. Anything can ultimately be managed for you and yours, but deliberate with your other half about an average budget your guests can afford when it comes to travel expenses.

Your needs. After you’ve decided on indoor/outdoor (or a combination), the distance/general geographical location you’re aiming for, and the budget you and your other half have decided upon, you can finally look at the nitty-gritty; what you want your wedding to feel like, look like, and where everyone will be prepping, eating, and dancing. This is the most fun!

Although it can be a bit intimidating, picking out the perfect venue for you and your fiancé can be a joyful and thrilling experience if you follow these helpful tips.