Your wedding may be the largest, the most complex, and the most expensive event that you have...or might ever orchestrate.

In this day and age of unlimited possibilities and equally unlimited choices, it is increasingly important for brides and grooms to strategize and prioritize their needs, wishes and desires even before a site is searched-out or a wedding vendor is hired.

Laying the groundwork.
I work with my couples for two to three weeks before anything is done. I use a myriad of resources so that my brides and grooms have tangible and realistic ideas of the industry in which they are about to partake. These simple tools will provide you with tangible and realistic estimates. I want to stress how important it is to take the time to lay a strong foundation before anything else is done. The time that you spend laying a strong foundation will pay dividends in the end. A solid start and in-depth research will save you a lot of stress and anxiety in the later stages of the planning process.

Financials.
Next, I sit down with the couple and anyone contributing financially to the wedding and decide on a reasonable dollar amount. After obtaining a number that everyone is comfortable with, begin...

Prioritizing.
I cannot stress how important having defined priorities when setting a wedding budget.

Think about the following...

1. What is important to you (an exceptional site, great food, fabulous fashions, a honeymoon, top notch photography with an album, act.). Make a list...with 1 being the most important and 20 being the least important?

2. What type of event do you want (black tie, garden, formal morning, etc.)?

3. How many guests can you reasonably afford with the type of event you choose?

4. where do you want to get married?

5. When do you want to marry? If you have done the pre-work, you will find that they answers to these questions comes easily.

After you make your list, you will clearly see what needs to be done and where money should be allocated.

For example, maybe it is important to you that you have a black tie gala with a sit down dinner and a live band for 200 of your closest friends and family but do not have a budget that would allow you to have a Saturday nigh gala in June. Perhaps you could think about a Saturday night in the off-season when costs are less.

The following are items also to consider...

1. Perhaps you have heard it before, but I will rehash...the number on your guest list is proportionate to the dollar amount on your wedding budget. If you are having problems staying within your budget, then you need to revise your list or adjust the budget. Being able to do this effectively can save you a lot of anguish and money down-the-road.

2. Hiring a wedding planner. The initial investment in a planner can save you A LOT of time and stress, which will add up to A LOT of money. A good person will know exactly how to address your needs, respond to any concerns and limit the bumps along the way . A great investment that will pay dividends in the long run. Planners are really helpful with assisting couples in playing the groundwork?. They have experience and knowledge and will make the first steps easy for you.

3. Items which are included and excluded from a wedding budget. Everything wedding related should be included in the budget...including the dress, veil and accessories, wedding party attire (if the couple/family is paying), photography (services and albums), videography (extra DVD's), favors, flowers, stationary items (invitations, menu cards, programs, place cards, etc), the couples hotel expenses, related postage, music and other entertainment, food, site rental fees, officiant costs, other rental fees (linens, chairs, etc), tips, planners or coordinators, other wedding weekend events (brunch, wine and cheese, rehearsal dinner, etc.), decor items (candles, lighting, props, etc.), catering, alcohol and other bar costs, wedding party or family gifts, Hair/make-up and trials, gift baskets or out of town bags, and cake costs. Some items to be excluded are the honeymoon and the rings.

4. Have the ability to think "outside the box". This is especially true if your wedding budget is busting at its seams. The traditional sit-down or buffet dinner at 6 is a wonderful idea, but perhaps a different time and/or a different food service would give your wedding a more unique flair. Do not be afraid to do something different. "Out of the ordinary" can be extraordinary! Sometimes these are ways to stretch your budget and get a bit more for your money.

5. Be realistic about what you can or cannot attain. Follow these simple steps.

a) Decide what you want.
b) Work hard to get it.
c) Once you have it...do everything you can to make it exceptional!

Lisa R. Nelson, President Elegant Event Planning and Design
(p) 240.498.2889
(e) lisa@eleganteventdesign.com
(w) www.eleganteventdesign.com