Revelry Recs: Wedding Planning Advice From a Pro
This week, we chatted with one of our go-to planners for tips that are practical, thoughtful, and totally doable. From budgeting advice to high-impact details, here’s her take on planning a day that feels just right for you!
How would you describe your planning style in three words?
Intentional, Personalized, Fun.
What’s one thing you wish every couple knew before they start planning?
Hire a wedding planner before you book your venue! Your venue is a huge decision that not only impacts your budget, but also the overall guest experience. A wedding planner will help you set a realistic budget based on your priorities and standard vendor rates in our area, and then we can direct you to the best venues that fit within your budget, guest count, and vision. We have the experience to tell you what works or doesn't work at particular venues (i.e., if 200 guests will be too tight even if they say the max is 220), and can point out hidden costs (some venues have an add-on ceremony fee or rental fees to use their decor or furniture). Additionally, if you have a particular vision, we take that into consideration when finding your venue—at some venues, it will require more rentals to accomplish your specific look, which again impacts budget!
What’s the first thing you recommend couples do when planning on a budget?
Every couple is planning on a budget, and the amount they’re comfortable spending on their wedding is going to be different from another couple’s. The important thing is to determine YOUR "comfortable" spend—what is the most you are willing to invest in your wedding? And does that number include things like your wedding bands, attire, wedding party gifts, hotel, and your rehearsal dinner, or is that amount just for your day-of vendor costs? Once you have a budget in mind, research typical vendor rates in your area. You can then start to divvy out your budget between your needs and wants. For example, in Minneapolis, professional wedding planners start coordination services around $2,000, so it's not realistic to say "our budget for a wedding planner is $1000"—if it's important to you, you'll have to adjust your budget in another area to account for our services.
Which wedding elements give the most impact without the huge price tag?
Personal touches like signature drink signs or custom cocktail napkins, and thoughtful favors like matchbooks! They're so cute and the cost is minimal for the fun touch it adds to your day. Plus, even if your guests don't take/use them all, you can keep using things like matchbooks and cocktail napkins past your wedding. I also think rental upgrades like floor-length linens or a colored or textured napkin add a lot visually. If you can't afford to upgrade place settings for all guests, it's worth upgrading just your head table as that's what will be photographed the most!
What areas do couples tend to overspend on—and how can they scale back?
Each couple has their own priorities, and it’s not overspending if something is important to them. I have some couples willing to spend $20,000 on a band or florals, and others who think $5,000 is too much. Ultimately, it’s aligning your priorities to your overall budget. I'd say it's only overspending if your decisions mean you have to sacrifice the quality of something else later on. For example, a lot of couples go "venue poor" when they spend too much of their budget on the venue without thinking about the added cost to design and fill the space, and typical costs for all of the vendors they still need to book. Once you add in rentals and florals and your must-have vendors, this often results in having to sacrifice elsewhere later (like maybe having to hire a lower-tier DJ or serving on plastic plateware). Reducing your guest count is the best way to cut costs. Plus, with fewer guests, you can truly focus on a better design and enhanced experience for those special people, like offering a higher quality meal or hiring better entertain.
Follow @happililyevents for more wedding planning advice and inspo!