Budgeting for the Wedding of your Dreams!

When you get the ring on your finger you immediately start planning for the big day even though you don't have a date set. While this is normal for most brides, the hardest part is figuring out how to get what you want at a price you can afford.  But some areas you should not try to skimp on as they will be remembered long after the big day has passed. Today we will discuss five areas not to skimp on and why.

First the top 5 items not to skimp on your wedding:

1) The Photographer

2) Reception Food

3) Venues (Church and Reception)

4) Wedding Gown

5) Your vision of the one must have thing you have to have.

So lets explain why we chose these items and ranked them as we did.

In First place we chose wedding photography. Long after the big day is over you will look back at your wedding.  What will you look at, the photos.  That is why we chose Photography at the number one spot.  When reminiscing about the past you reach for a photo or the wedding album.  When you have kids and they are getting married you reach for the wedding photos or wedding album again to talk about style, what was around then, pricing, etc. to give advice.

Choosing a professional wedding photographer should be based on the quality not pricing.  Most professional photographers are not cheap.  Why you ask - they have schooling, seminars, and participate in continuing education to keep on top of the latest trends.  Their lighting, technique, equipment all play a role to capture those moments you see on their website.  A professional will know how to flatter the lighting so you as the couple don't look washed out or blended into the background if you are in the church, outside or in a dark reception hall.  You should base your photographer on how vivid the colors are, the style, the emotion the pictures you see on their website create within you.  Then finally on price.  Chances are your first initial budget on what you thought you would spend is blown out of the water.  So we will look at other factors and options in coming blog post on where to save.

For Second place we chose reception food.  This is due in fact of the many guest you have attending the reception that are family, friends and co-workers.  You have a style and presence with each that are define differently.  You yourself, will want a memorable meal after a long day.  The last thing after a long day that you don't want is to be left with the feeling we should have done that instead of what you did.  That filling will stick with you for years to come.  Meanwhile, family, friends and co-workers will feel the same as you but may not say anything.

For Third place we chose Venue.  This encompasses the photos you will remember and the feeling you get when looking back at them.  If your church or reception hall is what you want then you should push your date back, save and go with the gut feeling if its more than you can afford or find a equally memorable venue that creates the same emotion as the first choice.

Fourth place is the wedding gown.  You want to feel like a princess and this is your day.  After trying on hundreds of gowns, go with the one you feel most comfortable in.  Its a long day, so after considering the weather and how you feel on this day in that gown, and how it looks on you, go with your favorite.  Most bridal shops have payments plans so you don't have to worry so much about not having the dress of your dreams.

For Fifth place we chose, that one must have item.  Be it a cake topper, garter, a favorite aunt attending your day or one of the above mentioned choices, having that one must have thing will make you feel your wedding is complete and you be more relaxed and able to enjoy your big day.

Check back with us as we discuss more tips to have a fabulous dream wedding.