One of the hardest things to work on is your budget for your wedding!

 There are so many hidden expenses for Weddings today that a realistic budget needs to be done.  We all hate this part but if done correctly and early on you will benefit greatly.If you do not have one please consider making one before you start contacting vendors such as:

1. The site for your wedding will have a cost based on your needs. Are you having any celebrations after the wedding at the same site (dancing – buffet – cake cutting ceremony). If so each event adds to the time and personnel required to meet those needs.
2. Your Wedding dress needs to go into your budget even if you are fortunate enough to wear your mothers wedding dress as alterations and dry cleaning will need to be done.
3. Your flowers and bridal bouquet needs should be added to your budget and here time is important as not all flowers are readily available year around and your florist will need plenty of notice time before your wedding to get everything shipped in and ready on time.
4. If you want a caterer to handle all of the food preparation they also will need to meet with you early and schedule the time and location of your wedding. Many factor play here like is there a usable commercial kitchen and if not then all food must be handled in a portable fashion. Also many professional caterers provide the necessary utensils for all food and beverages. Here again also check on the legality of service any alcoholic beverages on the site of your choice as this is not always an option.
5. Are you going to be responsible for the Brides maids and the grooms men cloths for this event and if so time is not your friend here so plan ahead here to save confusion later.
6. The decorator, is it going to be a professional company or your friends. If you use (I Recommend this) a professional decorator consider using a coordinator from that business to smooth out many of the bumps in your road that will happen. Here I believe you can actually save money if you get a good one as things will be on schedule and your hourly costs will be minimal.
7. Another area worth serious consideration is are you using live music or a Professional DJ service like Mr. Lobbo DJ services or maybe live music in your church and the DJ services for the reception and dancing. But a word of caution here is in order as a good DJ service is usually booked way out in advance so it is in your best interest to consider booking your choice early on.
8. All vendors from the Pastor/or person officiating at your wedding will need phone and contact numbers with names for any site you choose to use. For example a wedding at a small quaint chapel and the reception at a larger hall or restaurant will require addresses and contact names and numbers for all even those just attending your wedding.
9. The wedding Photography company like ours Prophotos365 will need to talk to your person performing the wedding ceremony so there are no misunderstandings on the use of flash during your wedding and to secure a good area for pre- wedding photos and post wedding  photos. Most Photography companies have packages that can fit most budgets but if you wait too long you may have to take a higher charging company and not get what you want or deserve.
10. Then there are the little things like the map to your wedding and banquet site and getting it to those that are from out of town. The room and facilities for those that need a Hotel and even car rentals can be prearranged with your help (you are local they are not).

We have five (5) wedding package prices that will cover most weddings and we will on meeting you to see what your needs are. Some times things go on and the photographer is there longer than the package price covers so we also have a add on labor charge for his time. If your site is out in the country we will discuss travel time and all costs so there are no surprises. In my forty plus years in sales I have found getting to the needs and expectations early on and deciding which plan fits your needs will be in your best interest it is your wedding and money so please do not be afraid to ask about costs right away. On our web page you will find the email address to contact me and I can send you our pre meeting forms so we have most of your needs on paper already. From there we will build your quote and settle on the final price. Most important of all is to get started early and get your vendors lined up and committed, in all cases you will need to make a deposit to hold the trades people and the date/s you want and need. Our area of coverage is from South Seattle to and through Lewis County Which includes University Place, Tacoma, Federal Way, Kent, Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater Chehalis and Centralia to name a few. 

We will be adding to this post with more information regularly so check in and feel free to use the reply form below if you have questions for us.