Budgeting Your Wedding

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!

I recently did an interview with one of the business magazines in Quebec about how not to go broke getting married!  We're well into February and as you begin to plan your wedding for this year, keep in mind your budget and how much you can afford to spend on this one day.  Here's a general breakdown of the budget you can use as a guide to get started.

Reception	45%
Flowers & Decor	10%
Photographer/Videographer	10%
Attire	8%
Miscellaneous	6%
Music/Entertainment	5%
Ceremony	4%
Wedding Rings	4%
Stationery	3%
Gifts & Favours	2%
Transportation	2%
Cake	1%

Here's more detail on each category:
Reception - Venue Rental, Caterer, Beverage & Alcohol, Tables & Chairs, Linens (if not included with the venue)
Flowers & Decor - Bride & Bridesmaids' bouquets, Boutonnieres, Reception Decor, Centerpieces
Photographer & Videographer - Prints & Albums, Video Copies
Attire & Beauty - Bride & Groom's Attire, Bride's Hair, Bride's Makeup, Accessories
Miscellaneous - Accommodations, Rehearsal Dinner, Unpreventable Crisis
Music & Entertainment - Ceremony & Reception Music, DJ, Entertainers
Ceremony - Location, Officiant, Marriage License
Wedding Rings - Bride's Band, Groom's Band
Stationery - Invitations, Postage, Ceremony Programs, Placecards, Menus, Thank You Cards, Calligrapher
Gifts & Favours - Attendant & Parents' Gifts, Favours for Guests
Transportation - Limo, Family Transportation
Cake - Cake, Cupcakes, Groom's Cake

Discuss with your fiance/fiancee how much you want to spend for the entire wedding.  If your budget is $30,000, here's what each item should cost:

Reception	45%	13,500
Flowers & Decor	10%	3,000
Photographer & Videographer	10%	3,000
Attire & Beauty	8%	2,400
Miscellaneous	6%	1,800
Music & Entertainment	5%	1,500
Ceremony	4%	1,200
Wedding Rings	4%	1,200
Stationery	3%	900
Gifts & Favours	2%	600
Transportation	2%	600
Cake	1%	300

Of course, this is just a general guideline so you know roughly how much to spend for each item.  I suggest you make two more columns and rate each item from 1 to 5, 1 being the most important, a MUST HAVE and 5 being, not so important so things you can DO WITHOUT.  I put together a worksheet in Excel so you can get started right away.   You can download it here.  As you know, a photographer can range from $700 to $5000 and same with a videographer.  If you don't think having your wedding videotaped is as important as having great photos of your wedding, you might want to do without a videographer.  If you think a limo is a waste of money, you can allocate that money towards something else such as the wedding gown that's more important to you.

There's so much more to say regarding budgeting your wedding and it's impossible to say it all in just one post.  Just remember one thing: it's not worth it to go into debt just for this ONE day as you have your whole life after that to spend with your husband/wife!

Happy Wedding Planning!

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2009 Wedding Shows

I've just added a huge list of wedding shows across Canada that will take place in 2009. Most likely, there are more than one show in your area that will take place during the first three months of 2009. So you should take a look at the schedule and plan ahead!

Here are some tips for you when you attend one or all of these shows:

- Visit booths like The Bay first so you can grab the huge bags they give you to keep all your flyers and printed information you collect.

- When you arrive, take a look at the list of vendors at the show and plan your route. Go to the vendors you want to speak with first. You can also do this in advance if the show has a website that offers a list of vendors who will be exhibiting.

- If you have swatches of materials that you have chosen to use for your wedding, bring those with you so that when you ask vendors questions, you can refer to those if need be.

- Ask lots and lots of questions! Even if you're not planning to use that particular vendor, don't be afraid to ask questions, they are professionals and they're there to help you at the show.

- If you're planning on entering all the draws and contests at the show, print some labels with your name, phone number, email address and wedding date so that you can stick a label on the ballots without having to spend 5 minutes filling out the information at every booth. This will save you a lot of time so that you can spend more time at the booths you really want to check out.

- You'll be doing a lot of walking and standing, so remember to wear comfortable shoes.

- Try to leave your winter jackets in the car (if you're not parked too far away) so you've one less thing to carry.

- Bring some cheques in case you want to book a vendor who's only offering a discount at the show. But don't rush to reserve the vendor if you're not too sure you want to hire them. Chances are you will end up regretting.

- You're probably not allowed to take any pictures of the booths and ideas you find helpful, so bring a notepad and try your best to jot down notes that will help you with your planning.

That's it! Now, ENJOY the show, no rush, stay as long as you like and have FUN! Especially with all the food sampling they have !

By the way, if you know of a wedding show that I have not listed or the information is incorrect, please drop me an email and let me know so other brides and grooms can be informed.

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Thursday Tip

I have been reading an excellent book on bridal secrets with very helpful tips and suggestions to help throw a fantastic wedding on a realistic budget. The authors give loads of hints and tips on how to save money, dirty secrets of the wedding industry, website to find the best deals, vendors comparison and SO much more! The book is called Bridal Bargains by Denise & Alan Fields. This is the first book (and perhaps the only “must have” book) I would recommend to any bride and groom. Get your hands on a copy now and you will not regret! For our upcoming Thursday Tips, I will be pulling out some important tips from this book to help you save money and still have a great wedding. Stay tuned!

www.bridalbargainsbook.com
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2007 Wedding Stats

I thought you might be interested in reading about some of these stats of last year's weddings, some are fun and some just make you wonder! Results are taken from Weddingbells.ca.


WEDDING TRENDS IN CANADA

Weddingbells’ annual Reader Survey reveals the most recent wedding-day facts and trends from those who know best—Canadian brides prepping to walk down the aisle.

Be it balmy, breezy or on the beach, summer is still the most popular time of year to tie the knot in Canada. And according to our second annual Weddingbells’ Reader Survey, you’re all breaking into a bit of a planning sweat while getting ready for your big day.

Over 1,500 of you, from Vancouver to St. John’s, took the time to respond to the survey, offering a peek at the major trends and wedding worries of Canadian brides.

Are you wary of a prenup, concerned about your age, or stressing about sex? Is the pressure to make choices—lilies or orchids, empire-waist or A-line dress, DJ or live band—causing you more worry than joy? If you can’t decide on a wedding budget, or where you want to honeymoon, take some comfort in knowing you’re not alone.

Who is She?

• Average age is 29 among engaged women in Canada
• 71% already live with their fiancé/significant other
• Average household income after marriage is $70,036

The Big Day

• Average expected cost is $17,300
• Average wedding size is 143 guests
• 20% have 200+ guests
• 56% of weddings occur between July and September: July (18%), August (20%), September (18%)
• 44% of engagements occur between December and February: December (25%), January (7%), February (12%)

A Year of Planning

• The average reader is engaged and planning her wedding for more than 10 months
• Decisions related to key purchases are confirmed several months prior to the wedding:

• 10-12 months Ceremony Location, Bridal Gown, Photographer
• 7-9 months Wedding Cake, Florist, Bridesmaid Dresses, Bridal Shoes, DJ
• 3-6 months Gift Registry, Groom’s Formalwear, Limo Service, Hair Salon, Honeymoon Location

Show Me the Money

• Funding for wedding: bride/groom savings (47%), bride/groom loans (15%), family (34%)
• Budget breakdown based on anticipated costs:
• Reception venue = $6,015 (will pay up to $7,200)
• Bridal gown = $975 (will pay up to $1,335)
• Wedding bands = $1,450 (will pay up to $1,900)
• Stationery = $300 (will pay up to $400)
• Wedding cake = $340 (will pay up to $440)
• Florist = $805 (will pay up to $1,000)
• Guest favours = $330 (will pay up to $420)
• Honeymoon = $3,735 (will pay up to $4,710)
• 46% of engaged women plan to move to a new residence within the next 12 months
• Almost one quarter expect to buy a new vehicle within the next 12 months

The Honeymoon

• The average honeymoon lasts 8.8 nights away from home
• 67% plan to spend their honeymoon outside of Canada
• 56% plan to stay at an all-inclusive resort

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm…

• 32% find wedding planning to be more stressful than enjoyable
• 23% agree a prenuptial agreement is a good idea (34% between 18-24 year olds)
• 42% anticipate having disagreements with their in-laws
• 19% are having more disagreements with their fiancé since becoming engaged
• 37% say their sex life has improved since getting engaged
• 24% claim not to be completely over past relationships

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Mailing Suqare Envelopes

There's always so much confusion about mailing square invitations and whether or not they cost more to mail. Square envelopes do cost more to mail because Canada Post go by what it's called the aspect ratio. If your invitation is not 1.3 - 2.6 : 1, then you will have to pay for non-standard shipping, which is now $1.15.

Many people look at the sizing chart of Canada Post and think that as long as the measurements fall between 140mm-245mm in length and 90mm-156mm in width and the thickness is between 0.18mm and 5mm, it takes regular postage. However, that is not the case. The chart is just to say that they will mail it, anything outside of it will be refused. It doesn't say anything about the pricing being the same or different.

Some brides would take their invitations to the post office to ask them how much it would cost to mail them. Some clerks would tell them they only have to pay regular postage. But be very careful, the clerk is wrong and chances are the invitations will be returned to you. No matter how sure the clerk is, do not take the risk! I've heard this happen to a bride before. So to avoid the invitations not getting to your guests, pay more for square envelopes.
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Envelope Sizes

I was just ordering envelopes for my own wedding invitations. I thought this sizing chart might be helpful for those of you searching envelopes for your DIY Invitations.

Commercial	Size		Specialty	Size
#6 1/4	3 1/2 x 6		A-2	4 3/8 x 5 3/4
#6 3/4	3 5/8 x 6 1/2		A-6	4 3/4 x 6 1/2
#7 3/4	3 7/8 x 7 1/2		A-7	5 1/4 x 7 1/4
Monarch	3 7/8 x 7 1/2		A-8	5 1/2 x 8 1/8
#8 5/8	3 5/8 x 8 5/8		A-10	6 x 9 1/2
#9	3 7/8 x 8 7/8		Slimline	3 7/8 x 8 7/8
#10	4 1/8 x 9 1/2		10	4 1/8 x 9 1/2
#11	4 1/2 x 10 3/8		9 1/2	9 x 12

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Flower Power

Flowers can be one of the most expensive element for your wedding or events. Do you have a color theme you'd like to work with? Do you know the flowers that are available in your color? Perhaps you haven't chosen your color theme because you don't know what's available in the season your event takes place? No worries! While searching for blue flowers for my own wedding in June, 2008, I came across this very useful website, Bliss Weddings. There are a number of different ways you can search for the perfect flowers for your event: by color, season, region and even by the color of your bridesmaids' dresses.

The Flower and Plants Association also has a list of flowers by colors so you can easily coordinate your flowers with the rest of the elements for your event.

Another way to pick your flowers is to choose according to the meaning of the flowers. The Gardner provides a list of meanings for flowers. It can add a nice touch to your events. Here are some definitions taken from their extensive list:
• Baby's Breath - Everlasting love; happiness; pure in heart
• Calla - Magnificent beauty
• Carnation (yellow) - You have disappointed me; Rejection; disdain
• Daisy - Innocence; loyal love; purity; faith; cheer; simplicity
• Fig - Argument
• Ivy - Fidelity; friendship; affection; marriage
• Lemon Balm - Brings love
• Oak leaves - Bravery
• Sunflower - Loyalty; haughtiness; you are splendid