All you need to know about the breakdown of wedding costs.
What factors contribute to the higher wedding costs? You have started thinking about planning your big day, and there are plenty of things to go through! You may find yourself with a long list of things you need to complete so you can have your perfect day. Of course, everything on that list will have a cost. We’ve put together the ultimate guide to help you with the financial aspect of planning. Let’s look at all wedding costs, breakdown them, and make the most of your budget. Wedding venue The first thing on your wedding cost breakdown list should be the venue! Make a guest list and see how big of a venue you need. Also, consider other parameters, such as the location of your venue, whether outdoor or indoor, etc. The wedding venue can cost up to 40% of your budget (less if catering isn’t involved). Catering wedding budget As you embark on the journey of planning your wedding, you will soon discover that a significant portion of your budget will be dedicated to customising your menu. The total expense is closely linked to the size of your guest list. A bigger list means increased costs. Another aspect to consider is the quality and the type of meals you wish to have served. The catering costs can increase significantly, potentially reaching up to 23%, based on your specific requirements. Photography The wedding cost breakdown guide would not be complete without photography and videography. Look into photographers, their style, portfolio, and the services they offer. This would consume about 15% of your funds. Wedding cake They say a wedding without a cake is just a party. So setting aside a small chunk of your budget for a spectacular cake is just a must! Currently, depending on how many guests you plan to have and how large you want the cake to be, the cost should be about 3%. wedding flowers The floral decor will compliment your wedding aesthetic, reflecting your personal style. It is an investment that is bound to amaze everyone and set the tone of your celebration. Besides the ceremony and reception decor, the bouquet and boutonnieres enter the overall equation. The wedding budget breakdown for florals can go as high as 10%. Music Entertainment Music is one of the most important factors in setting the mood for your big day. From ceremony to the afterparty, whether you fancy a show band or a DJ, working out the cost of wedding music is a top priority, and it will typically require about 10%. Wedding outfits Do not forget your attire! Everything from a wedding gown to shoes, make-up, hair, a suit, and a tie can cost from 5–7%, depending on your preferences. The funds that you spend on your wedding outfits don’t need to be reported to your wedding planner, but they’re still part of your wedding cost breakdown. The same goes for accessories. Wedding rings Essentials check! You can’t have a wedding without wedding bands! The price of the wedding rings will vary, so look into the styles you desire and see which style would fit you and your partner’s personalities the most. An average expense is about 3%. Wedding costs breakdown: miscellaneous Wrap up the ultimate wedding budget guide with everything else that forms part of your big day! From the stationery (3%) to the officiant fees, and from the transportation (3%) to favors and welcome baskets (2%), go through everything you need and set aside these extra funds. Before diving deep into the organization, make sure to prioritize what’s important to you two. See what to book first and which items are not essential. This can help you get a more realistic picture of what you would spend on your celebration. Keep this wedding costs breakdown guide to keep track of your budget and keep in mind that you don’t need to fully stick to it, but rather take it as advice that can assist you in managing your costs while organizing your wedding. Consider this invaluable advice on effectively spreading your budget, and start planning. Plan a sustainable yet luxurious wedding What does a Wedding Planner really do?
What does a wedding planner do?
What does a wedding planner do? Most answers talk about checklists. Ours starts somewhere else. For a wedding that runs over several days, in another country, with guests arriving from three continents, the answer is most of what nobody sees. It is Friday evening on a terrace above the lake. Your guests have flown in from Riyadh, New York, Mumbai and London. Each was met at arrivals. Nobody wondered which car was theirs. The welcome dinner starts on time, the musicians begin as the sun goes down, and the two of you are at the table, not at the door. That is the job. Everything that makes that evening possible, and every evening after it. What does a wedding planner do when the wedding is abroad? At home, a wedding is usually one day. Abroad, it becomes three or four: a welcome evening, the ceremony, the party, and a long lunch the morning after. Some of our couples celebrate in two countries, with one wedding in Italy and another in London. A destination wedding planner takes charge of all of it, so there is one person who knows every detail and one plan that everyone follows, from the first conversation to the last guest’s flight home. Finding the right venue Choosing the venue is one of the first things a wedding planner does, and one of the most important. Most of our couples marry in Italy, where we are from: on Lake Como, the Amalfi Coast or Capri, in Tuscany, Sicily or Puglia. Others choose Switzerland, Portugal, France, Austria or the Cotswolds. A planner’s job is not to show you the most photographed venue, but to find the one that fits your wedding. It needs to be big enough for both families, right for your traditions, and able to host a three-day celebration as easily as a single evening. We visit each place, ask the questions couples don’t think to ask, and tell you honestly when somewhere isn’t right. Planning the guest experience For many of our couples, how their guests are looked after matters as much as the wedding itself. So a large part of what a planner does happens around the celebrations, not only during them. That means arranging how everyone arrives, where they stay, and how they move between hotel, villa and venue, by car or by boat. It means planning the days in between, so guests who have flown in from Dubai or New York have something to look forward to: a day on the lake, a lunch in the Tuscan countryside, a morning at a vineyard on Etna. And it means thinking about each person, from older relatives who need an easier day to guests whose food or faith needs care. When it is done well, your guests are still talking about the celebration on the flight home. Bringing traditions together Many of our weddings join two families, two cultures, sometimes two faiths. A Gulf wedding may need a separate celebration for the women. An Indian wedding often runs over three days, from the haldi to the sangeet. A Chinese wedding may include a tea ceremony for the elders. Here, a planner’s role is to understand what matters to each family and build the celebration around it: the order of events, the menus, who stands where and when. Both traditions honoured, neither diluted. Design, and the party Design-led wedding planners and producers such as us, also bring the look of the wedding together. We work with florists, lighting teams, musicians and many more specialist supliers, so the welcome dinner, the ceremony and the party feel like one wedding, not the work of five different suppliers. That includes the moments in between: the outfit changes, the tables, the light as evening falls. And then the party itself: the band, the late-night food, the after-party nobody wants to leave. What does a wedding planner do on the day? On the wedding day, the planners team makes sure everything happens as planned, and handles anything that doesn’t. Roberta is there personally at every wedding, from the first arrival to the last car. She doesn’t hand you off: there is a team behind her, never in front of her. Suppliers know where to be. Timings move when the weather does. Problems are solved before you hear about them. And the two of you are guests at your own wedding. After the wedding For some couples, the planning doesn’t stop at the wedding. We also plan honeymoons, and private travel for family who want to stay on in Italy a little longer. What’s the investment? The cost of a wedding planner depends on the scope: the number of days, guests and locations. Every quote is written for one wedding. You pay suppliers directly, so you always see where your budget goes. There is no price list per se. Three days in Ravello asks for something quite different from an evening in the Cotswolds, so every proposal is written for one couple, after a first conversation. Suppliers are paid by you directly, which means the budget is always yours to see. What a wedding planner really gives you They give you back your own wedding. You spend it with the people you invited, not on the phone. And years later, your friends still call it “that wedding.” We take a small number of celebrations each year, by design. Tell us where you would like to marry.
Planning a wedding in 3 months without losing perspective
The time is now, and the clock is ticking! You have said the most wonderful and romantic “I do,” and now you are planning your big day. However, you and your partner have decided to schedule the wedding as soon as possible. So what do you do when you realize you have to plan a wedding in 3 months? First, take a deep breath and relax; everything is possible! To help you out, we have come up with these essentials below. Make sure to check out the tips—they will make your planning process way easier! Trust us! Basics: date, location, and wedding venue We start our 90-day wedding planning checklist by determining the essential details! Date, place, time, and venue—are you opting for a destination wedding or one in your hometown? Get that responsibility out of the way as soon as you can so you can start focusing on the rest. Since we are talking about wedding venues, if you are planning your big day in Sicily, you have to take a look at the breathtaking Dimora delle Balze—a historical Sicilian estate with a contemporary flair in the stunning baroque area of Noto Valley. Get some help—hiring a wedding planner Hiring a wedding planner is the best option when you are on a tight schedule and need an extra pair of very capable and incredible hands by your side! A fresh perspective is what you need when you are planning a wedding in 3 months. Additionally, the planner’s contacts will undoubtedly be beneficial! The professional will be able to gather the best vendors—from the decor and floral design to the catering—and realize your dreams perfectly! Get more specific—plan the bridal look When you want to plan a wedding in 3 months, you need to check out vendor availability and book them—from the catering to the music; handle this bit with care! Another thing to consider here is the outfits—once you are taking care of the visuals, take care of yourself too! Choosing the perfect dress and suit can be a pretty easy task, especially if you know what you are looking for. If not, make sure to visit several bridal studios and find the ONE. Don’t forget the accessories and shoes! Almost to the finish line—mail out your wedding invitations There is no celebration without guests, and this is a very important step you should not skip! Send out the wedding invitations at least 4 weeks before the day, and communicate with the people who are closest to you whether there would be any pre-wedding activities such as a bachelor and a bachelorette party, etc. It is necessary to let them know in advance so that they may plan their time. In this case, you can send Save the Dates as soon as you secure your date, location, and venue. Final confirmation—time to enjoy I can’t help but thank Roberta for making this day unforgettable. She managed to satisfy our requests with great professionalism and availability. A dream that becomes reality. Highly recommended! Emanuela & Mauro
Everything you need to know about planning your wedding during the holidays
Planning a wedding during the holidays can be an exciting and magical experience. However, it can also come with its fair share of challenges. With so many festivities and commitments during this time of year, it’s important to approach the planning process with a clear and organized mindset. From setting a budget to choosing a date that works for everyone, there are several key steps to consider when starting to plan your dream holiday wedding. You may feel that it can be a lot to navigate, but I’m going to help you figure out how to do it. Here’s a mini guide that breaks down into simple steps on how to start planning a wedding during the holidays. How to Start Planning a Wedding During the Holidays Start the fun part early, browsing social media for style inspo to find what you really want and feel. Put together a mood board or two and then narrow down the choice during the planning process. Use holiday get-togethers to celebrate your engagement and help with your planning. Who needs an extra reason for celebration during the holidays? Engaged couples, of course! Announce the good news, enjoy your engagement phase, and maybe throw a party too. December is a busy month with family and friend visits and lots of reasons to host a party, but one of the most fun is to celebrate an engagement! Don’t send save-the-date cards in the rush of the Christmas card season. Save the dates are more likely to be ignored during Christmas, so I advise my couples not to send them then. Also, so many packages and mail get lost during the holiday season; you don’t want your beautiful card to be one of them! If possible, I always recommend sending them either before December or right after the New Year. Bonus: You can start collecting your family and friends’ addresses! the ugly part of planning a wedding is setting a budget I know it’s not fun, but it needs to be done initially. The last thing you want to do is splurge on a venue or vendor and find out later that it’s completely out of range, with little left for everything else. If you decide to go with a wedding planner, they can help you set it up. Take advantage of the holiday sales. All good sales to use to your advantage while you are planning! You can buy wedding dresses and suits, accessories, invitation suites, decor, and some vendors have end-of-year specials! First and foremost, enjoy your engagement! Use the holiday get-togethers, share the news in person, and, if possible, celebrate by throwing an engagement party with your friends. Holiday parties are fun for many reasons, but celebrating an engagement is especially fun! If you recently accepted your partner’s proposal, get ready to share your beautiful story with eager family and friends. They will be excited to hear all about it and may even share their own wedding planning experiences. After that, put the champagne on ice and prepare for an amazing time! I hope this serves you well! If you feel you need help with wedding planning and design, be sure to contact us here Did you enjoy this article? You might be interested in City chic wedding in London Westminster