Archive for the ‘budget’ Category

New Engagement Congrats!

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
ring

BIG congratulations to the couples who just got engaged! Here are your top to-do’s (after you call every person you know to spread the good news):

1. Hire your wedding planner - this should be you first step. An experienced wedding planner is a huge asset while you are looking at venues. Decor ideas, logistics and price crunching by an experienced professional will help you find the venue that best fits your style, budget and your vision. At Save the Date Events, we have visited or worked at over 200 venues in Colorado. We tour venues every month to keep the most current venue database for our clients.

2. Decide on the date or month of your wedding - If you are set on a particular date and it is a Saturday in May-September, you will have a more difficult time finding the perfect venue that isn’t already booked. If you have some flexibility with the date, you will have more options available to you.

3. Budget - If you will be working within a certain budget, determine the overall estimate before looking at venues.

4. Get your venue booked - Unfortunately, you aren’t the only couple looking for a wedding venue right now. Over 5000 couples who just got engaged last month will be looking at venues in Colorado in the next few months.

We would love the opportunity to meet with you, hear about your wedding ideas and see how we might be able to assist in creating your dream wedding day. Give us a call today!

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Posted in budget, planning, wedding planner | No Comments »

Hidden Costs in Your Wedding Budget

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

wedding-budget

There are so many details that go into your wedding budget. Here are a few details that often get missed by brides and grooms:

Music Related - Aside from the cost of booking your band, they often require hot meals and a changing room. If you have a ten piece band with a few sound technicians, you could be providing hot meals for up to 12 band members plus a hotel room or two. You many need to add on travel charges and possible overnight accommodations if you are getting married in the mountains. Your band or string quartet will also require shade if your event is outside. This could be a simple pop-up shade tent or a more elaborate set up, depending on your band and venue.

Gown Alterations - This can be as simple as a $100 hem or up to $500+, depending on what you need. Ask what the store charges for every alteration before you purchase the gown. Consider a less expensive seamstress instead of using the bridal store for alterations. If you use a private seamstress, ask if they steam the gown after alterations and if they store it for you until the wedding.

Welcome Bag Delivery - Many hotels don’t mention this when you block rooms. Be sure to ask what they charge. Some hotels charge $7 or more per bag to deliver to each guest room. Other hotels will simply pass them out to your guests at check-in.

Debbie Orwat
Colorado Wedding Planner

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Posted in budget, music, planning | No Comments »

Top Ten Wedding Faux Pas by the Bride and Groom {Part One}

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

1. Cash Bars - We realize this is sometimes unavoidable due to budget contraints however, skipping the limo or live band is much better than having your guests pay for their own drinks at your party.

2. Long Wait Time Between Ceremony and Reception - Long pauses between the ceremony and reception are generally very hard on guests.  If you cannot book the reception venue immediately following the ceremony, arrange for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at another location.

3. Registry Information On Your Invitations - Do we have to elaborate?  It is completely unacceptable to mention anything about gifts or registries in your wedding invitation or enclosures.

4. Money Dance - Your wedding night is not the opportunity to ask your guests to spend more money on you. They have already traveled, bought a new outfit, and gave you a wedding gift.

5. Thank You Notes - You must send handwritten thank-you notes

On Friday, we’ll post the last five! 

Debbie Orwat & Gabby Cavalli
Colorado Wedding Planners, Save the Date Events

Posted in Gabby, bridal party, budget, etiquette, planning | 1 Comment »

Bridesmaid Expenses

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

What are ALL the expenses that a bridesmaid incurs?

  • Bachelorette Party Expenses (dinner, drinks, props, hotel, limo, possibly airfare/travel)
  • Bridal Shower Expenses and Shower Gift (and possibly travel expenses)
  • Bridesmaid Dress, Jewelry, and Shoes
  • Bridesmaid Dress Alterations
  • Hair and Make-up for Wedding Day (plus tips)
  • Airfare, Hotel and Rental Car if traveling
  • Manicure and Pedicure (plus tips)
  • Outfit for Rehearsal Dinner
  • Wedding Gift for the Couple

Stats from The Wedding Report indicate that there are 4-5 bridesmaids per wedding on average.  Bridesmaids generally spend ~$1000 on all their expenses.

Debbie Orwat, Colorado Wedding Planner
Save the Date Events

Posted in bridal party, budget | No Comments »

Brunch Wedding

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009
Why not have a brunch wedding?  A 10am sunny, outside wedding ceremony, a cocktail half-hour with mimosas on the deck followed by an over-the-top brunch.  What’s not to love?   With beautiful mountain surroundings, you don’t need much decor or lighting, brunch is typically the least expensive meal to serve, entertainment can be a strolling violinist and you will have your choice of venues, even on a Saturday in the summer.
Your guests can enjoy the afternoon with their friends and family then everyone can head out for an evening of drinks and dancing.  Wouldn’t you like to be a guest at this kind of wedding?

Debbie Orwat, Colorado Wedding Planner
Save the Date Events

Posted in budget, food/drink, planning | No Comments »

Wedding Budget Communication

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
We just read a great article about how brides and grooms deal with personal finances and the wedding budget.    Why not have a financial counselor help you during your engagement and marriage?  You can read the article here.

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