March 2011 Archive

Here’s the second installment of our two-part series on wedding budgeting!

To give you some numbers to work from for the Nashville area, here are some pointers for what to expect when meeting with vendors and how much you could potentially be spending. Also, look to these prices for those experienced, professional, and responsible vendors. When meeting with vendors, keep in mind that numbers on the low range of the scale in budget are for “bare bones” products and services while numbers on the high range are for more elaborate and complete services. And of course these are just estimates of what is typical for most weddings in Nashville, but some people do spend less or sometimes far more.

Wedding Planning services:  Month of (or otherwise referred to as day-of) coordination services: $700-$3,200. For partial to full planning services: $2,500-$6,000++. In terms of percentages, expect to allot between 10-20% of your budget for a planner. Brides, see the value in paying a professional, experienced wedding planner/coordinator!

Flowers/Decor elements: For Personal flowers (bouquets, bouts, etc.) you can expect to pay anywhere between $500- $2000 depending on amounts needed (# in bridal party, family, etc.) and for full floral design that includes ceremony flowers, reception flowers, centerpieces, etc. you can expect to pay $1500 – $8,000 or more. If you’re wanting to include lighting, you can expect to spend anywhere between $400-$3,000+ depending on your choices (from simple uplighting to pin spotting to hanging chandeliers, etc.) and the labor involved in them. This also goes for drapery for your space as well. In terms of percentages, expect to allot between 15-25% of your budget for florals, lighting, and drapery, depending on what you choose to incorporate.

Photography/Videography: For many brides this area is very important to them; when your wedding day is over, all you will have is your wife/husband and the photos/video of your wedding day! For a professional/experienced photographer in our area you can expect to pay anywhere between $3,000-$7,000+. For videography in our area you can expect to pay anywhere between $900- $4,500+. In terms of percentages, expect to allot between 10-20% of your budget for a photographer and/or videographer. Brides, see the value is paying a professional, experienced photographer!

Paper goods (Invitations, programs, etc.): This choice can vary depending on whether you order online, from a book company, or have custom created goods. In terms of percentages, expect to allot between 5-15% of your budget.

Catering/Beverage (bar): For your food and beverage, this is going to vary greatly depending on the number of guests you have; whether you choose to do a cocktail style reception, buffet, or plated meal; the amount of selections being prepared and the intricacies that it may have (thinking for your hors d’oeurves). You need to plan to allot 40-60% of your budget for catering/bar services. If you choose not to serve alcohol, or just a wine/beer reception, you can certainly fall to more of the 40-50%.  On average, catering prices range from $30- $100+ per person (not including tax or service fees) depending on the type of meal and menu selections chosen.  For the bar/alcohol, to calculate a starting point, multiply $6 times the number of hours the reception will last, and then multiply that times the number of guests.  So for a 150-person wedding reception lasting 4 hours, you can expect to spend a minimum of $3,600.  If you choose to have a full open bar or if you have heavy drinkers, plan on spending more.

Entertainment: Your budgeted amount is going to depend on the choice of band vs. DJ. Bands can range anywhere from $1,500-$6,000+ and DJ’s can range from $700-$1,500.

From there, you can determine what other important elements you need to consider depending on: your location (rentals/linens needed), make up artist/hair stylist, whether dress and attire need to be factored in or separate (some brides are gifted this), cake or desserts, transportation, and ceremony musicians.

This is a LOT of information, however it’s better to be prepared than blindsided in the midst of planning once you have vendors booked, right?

Visit StudioWed Nashville by making an appointment at 739.5477 and we can give you realistic planning advice and easy access to some of the best vendors in Nashville!

Here’s Part One of our two-part Wedding Budgeting Series! Enjoy!

With many brides and grooms, one of the first conversations you have as a couple and with your families is How much should we spend on this wedding? If you’re not having this conversation, first and foremost, you should be! Your budget is going to determine the type of venue that you can afford, help you to arrange your priorities, and create a common ground that all parties are comfortable with. Many times brides will worry about setting up a wedding date and finding a location prior to setting a budget, get into a venue that takes up a good percentage of their budget, and then those other priorities are pushed to the back-burner due to a lack of budget remaining.

Throw the wedding budgets that you see online out the window! Plugging your information into a prepared excel sheet of numbers isn’t going to be able to give you the personalized budget that you need. Your wedding isn’t going to be the same as the next bride and many of these online budget calculators and sheets are giving you a false indication of how much things cost in weddings! If you choose to hire a planner, one of their responsibilities is providing you with a budget, showing you a realistic view of how much things cost in your area, and what is a reasonable and appropriate amount for you to allot per item/category/vendor.

• Prior to the budget discussion, next go on to the tedious task of putting together the guest list. An average wedding in Nashville may cost around $27,000 but that is for approximate 125 – 150 guests. If you are planning to have 250 guests, your wedding may cost a lot more so be sure to take your guest count into consideration. Best advice: Heads =$$$. If you want to reduce your overall wedding costs, you must eliminate guests, as that reduces your cost in food/beverage bills, florals needed for centerpieces, rentals, and possibly the size location that you would need. Also, keep in mind on your guest list who are close with? Who do you talk to all the time? Have you seen them in 6 months-1 year? If not, be cutthroat and nix them! If you haven’t seen them in a while, are that they important to you to celebrate with, and let’s face it, spend money on?
• When deciding on how much to spend on your wedding, instead of just arbitrarily picking what you might think is a large, or reasonable, number, spend time researching your area and city to determine what the normal budgetary ranges are for wedding vendors. Ask your friends and co-workers how much they spent on their weddings if they were held in your area, as this sometimes gives you an idea of what to expect. While $10,000 might seem like a ton of money (and truthfully it is), when it comes to a wedding, it doesn’t go very far. You will quickly see that allotted sum of money disappearing fast.
• When creating your wedding budget, decide on your priorities. Which areas of your wedding are most important to you? Is it having a fabulous photographer? Do you want over-the-top decor, drapery, and lighting? Do you and your fiance have to have a band over a DJ? Is it wining and dining your guests on delicious food and great drinks? Is it imperative that you have an open bar? Be sure to budget a bit on the high side for what’s most important to you and you can always cut back in other areas. There may be sacrifices you make for other decisions in your wedding, but having what’s most important to you may require that. Let’s face it, does anyone REALLY have an infinite budget?! Don’t we all wish we did?
• Create a “Miscellaneous” or “Extras” category. A lot of planners will suggest to add about $500-$1,500+ additional “play” money for those pop-ups. There will always be expenses that you didn’t plan on or consider early in the planning process so be sure to leave some wiggle room in your budget. This goes for your entire budget; plan ahead on the possibility of making choices on vendors that might possibly be out of your budgeted range, as there always are and preparing for that. The last amount of surprises that there are in your budget, the better. Also, your planner can help you foresee the possibility of extra expenses or fees that aren’t clearly outlined.
• Be realistic! Always make sure that your budget and expectations are in line with each other. If you know you have a very nice vision in your head of what your wedding looks like, but you budget on the low end for each vendor category, you are only setting yourself up for disappointment. Be honest about what you are expecting and what you can afford from the beginning. When you’re meeting with vendors, be honest about your budget. Wedding vendors don’t discount, therefore make sure that you’re going into that meeting with the realistic view of your budget and not hoping for a reduced price.

Watch for Part Two next week!

Visit StudioWed Nashville by making an appointment at 739.5477 and we can give you realistic planning advice and easy access to some of the best vendors in Nashville!

Congratulations to the beautiful StudioWed bride Stefani… you won the gorgeous Ban.do headpiece giveaway!

Aren’t she and her fiance Chip just precious?!

Stefani came in to utilize StudioWed’s complimentary planning services and found vendors for her big day! You can be next month’s winner; if you’re looking for some wedding help, just call to set up an appointment at 615-739-5477, email us at leigh@studiowed.net, or attend our Open House! This month’s will be held Tuesday, March 8th from 6-8! Register here.

…Not that I ever thought ballgown-style wedding dresses were completely gone. However, perusing bridal blogs and attending weddings in recent years has shown me that the traditional princess-y style of a full-skirted wedding gown has been a bit absentee. I am happy to report that this timeless trend is resurfacing more and more often.

Credits:  100 Layer Cake, Southern Weddings’ Katharine, (bottom far left and far right) White by Vera Wang, and Amsale via The Bride Room.

I’m a big proponent of frothy, tulle numbers that billow out like a puff of smoke. What do you like? Are you a fan of the full skirt or is a saucy mermaid cut more your style? Comment below!
PS:  Don’t miss March’s trunk shows at The Bride Room in Green Hills!  Monique Lhullier will be March 4-5 and Melissa Sweet/Vineyard/Reverie will be March 25-26.

PPS: Oooh, and keep the 31st clear for their 10th Anniversary Celebration!
~ Kelly