Expo Blog

by Jaime Luckey

Getting married is one of the most exciting, significant events of your life.  Planning your wedding should be equally fun and memorable. After all, you get to try on beautiful dresses and pick out lovely flowers, engaging invitations, delectable edibles and much more. You’ll soon find, however, that as your choices add up, so does the cost, and unless you are one of the lucky few who has access to unlimited funds, you will need to create a wedding day budget.

Don’t panic! Budgeting does not have to mean skimping or sacrificing your dream wedding. By preparing a budget, you can prevent yourself from becoming financially overextended and keep your wedding plans organized. Regional wedding planner Emma Corrie recommends planning your budget and, depending on your financial situation, beginning the money-saving process at least one year before your wedding. This will allow you ample time to choose vendors and negotiate rates that fall within your budget.

Generally speaking, your wedding reception will account for the majority of your budget as it includes costs for the reception site, decorations, food and beverages, rental items (tables, tableware, linens, etc), music, favours and more. Your reception cost will fluctuate according to the size and design of your wedding. For example, the more guests you expect, the larger your venue must be, which means more decorations, more food and beverages, more rentals. Corrie says “The wedding venue will determine the infrastructural requirements such as tenting, flooring, lighting, rentals, the style of décor, security, parking, etc.” Rentals, security, parking and vendor tipping are among the many incidental expenses that should be included in your budget.

Make sure you do plenty of research before you choose a reception site. “Time of year is important,” Corrie says “Booking during the non-peak seasons would be one of the money-saving strategies.” Another is to book the site early. “It’s more likely the later you start looking that you will have to settle for a more expensive venue,” Corrie says. Do your research and ask questions. Find out if tables, tableware and linens are provided, or if they require an extra charge. If you plan to serve alcohol, ask if you can provide some or all of the beverages. Ask if there are ways to cut the food and beverage costs—compare a plated dinner to a buffet or cocktail reception. Don’t be fooled by locations that advertise no rental fee. Often, they require a high food and beverage minimum, which may not coincide with the size and budget of your wedding.

Once you compile your research findings, evaluate your options according to your budget before making your final decisions. Experts suggest using funds that are available to you rather than racking up large credit card bills. “Everyone should try to avoid embarking on a new life together with a heavy debt burden,” Corrie says.

Don’t let the stress of finances cloud one of the happiest times of your life! By setting realistic expectations and keeping your budget in check, you can have the wedding you have always dreamed about. All you have to do is start early, budget efficiently and plan accordingly.

Emma’s Top 5 Tips

1. Budget: First, determine how much you are prepared to spend. Think carefully about the number of wedding attendants you want as this will affect your budget. Do not request an over-the-top design if it will not suit your budget.
2. Communication: Make sure that all of the service providers working on the event are kept on schedule and within your budget. When using a wedding planner, ensure he or she understands your vision and is able to handle all of the details.
3. Location: Consider style—garden, church or beach? Destination or home? Indoor or outdoor? Formulate a contingency plan in the event of inclement weather.
4. Shopping: Choose a wedding gown that suits both you and the style of your wedding. A heavy satin dress, for instance, would not be an ideal choice for a beach wedding.
5. Groom’s Role: It is unlikely that your other half will be as interested in the design details as you are. Rather than creating an argument or tension, accept this as the norm and allow him to take care of the aspects that he is comfortable with (e.g. music, honeymoon details).