Flowers and other decor is one of those areas people agonize over the most.  They think about what linens and chairs to rent, what flowers to use, what lighting to use, and what candles to buy/rent that will bring out the look and feel that they are going for.

Couples with teeny tiny budgets have even a bigger job.  Realistically, most of your budget is going to be taken by the venue and caterer – maybe more than the 50% standard.   Everything else must come under that remaining 50% or $1,500.00-$2,500.00 that you have remaining.

Not easy.

Flowers are so beautiful, aren’t they?  To me, they just scream wedding.  You see all those elaborate arrangements in magazines that are “to die for”.

This is not to imply that you cannot have beautiful flowers, just that it will be minimal.  here is how the wedding we’re planning helps with the minimalistic decor…

1. We’ve chosen a venue that has intrinsic beauty and is visually interesting.  There is no need to hide ugly decor under chair covers, and a bunch of flowers.  We are simply enhancing the the look and feel that’s already there.   It’s very important to choose a venue that you can stand aesthetically.
2. We are planning for a cocktail style reception/meet and greet.  We are not seating everyone for a full meal.  Less tables, smaller tables, and less table decor are needed.  You could do a lot of things with this, depending on he feeling that you want to bring-out.

By planning this type of wedding, you are dealing with much less – and because of that, you can still have nicer linens, flowers and candles.

So, lets prioritize our floral order – assuming that you do not have a wedding party.

• Bouquet – the Bride must have a nice bouquet
• Grooms boutonniere
• 2 corsages for the Mothers’
• 2 boutonnieres for the fathers
• 4-6 simple centerpieces – depending upon the number of guests
• 8 floor length white linens
• 36 votive candles

We only have $500.00 “tops” to work with.

Since our venue is artsy and light filled, white would be an excellent choice as would yellow.  Bright – light colors would fill the room beautifully and also bring out the artistic feel already intrinsic in the space.  This would especially work if your event happened during the day.  If you wanted a more evening cocktail feel – cocktails after a movie, than muted colors would be appropriate.

Of course this is only a suggestion for the wedding that I’m planning.  You have to think about the look that you want – and choose the decor to reflect your wedding.  It’s only my intention to give ideas where you would still be able to utilize the services of a professional florist to create an elegant look for your wedding.

Happy planning!

Yesterday I wrote about Jonathan Thorpe, an awesome Freelance Photographer based in VA.  When my client’s budget is small, I have to go to my pool of awesome Freelance Photographers – in order for my client to have great photos that will treasure.  It really does make sense – and here’s why.

There are some fabulous wedding photographers out there (I have featured a number on this blog).  Their work is truly amazing and worth every penny that they charge.  However, when a couple has a $5,000.00 budget, and the starting photography packages are $4,500.00 – it doesn’t make sense.  After receiving the price shock, couple’s navigate through the pool of inexpensive wedding photographers.  In that pool, there is an unusually high percentage of questionable photographers and product (red eye problems, uninteresting shots, bad focus, poor quality in general) – and the price (in my opinion) is high for the quality that you receive.  To me, that really doesn’t make sense.

Freelance photographers have a fresh eye, are excited and motivated to do a great job for you – and can give a new and different prospective on things.

You have to be careful in choosing a photographer.  It’s not an easy.  In fact it takes more work – but in the end, will it be worth it?  I’m guessing it will.

You need to look for the right things in their portfolio.  Even if he/she is good, you don’t want to spend 2 hours of your reception taking pictures – because that will ruin a day.  You need to be clear about what you expect – and you may have to explain weddings to him/her.  A detailed timeline is a must so that he/she understands the day and the time allotment they have.  Finally, you will need to work with someone who is willing to work under a solid contract (which most likely you will need to create).  If they have references, that’s often a great place to start.

Everything needs to be given careful consideration

Did I say – not easy?

Also, there are Freelancers out there who have wedding experience but don’t have the client base.  Often, they want to get their name out, and will do weddings for little money.

Just food for thought.

Happy snapping!

Special shanks to Jonathan Thorpe for the moving photograph

There are some ways that you can cut costs – and it makes a huge difference.  I have gone over these ways – but I haven’t really explained how they work.  When you want a really nice wedding, and are on a tight budget in DC – you have to make some difficult choices.

My mantra – Less is more.  My 9 years of experience in the wedding industry has taught me one very tough but important lesson – you get what you pay for.  It rings true – probably in more than just DC.  It’s human nature to want a lot for very little money.  The urge is so strong – sometimes it’s overwhelming.  In all cases – in the end (more like in the middle), the client’s eyes are opened.  Not really the enlightening experience that I want my clients’ to have – or any couple.

One of my clients told me – well, Lisa, everyone has an idea of what they want their wedding to be.  True – and a little eye opening for me!  However, if you cannot pay for what you want – than that idea may have to change somewhat, no?  Alternatively, one can keep postponing – for years and years and years – with the idea that they will save to get what they want.   If you are in this category, please, let me know how that works out for you.  Maybe by “coming to terms” and making some decisions -you will be able to marry the person you cherish most in this world – and also have a memorable experience (both before and on the wedding day).

It’s simply my intention to give you the ideas and the reasoning – so that you have the tools to make the best decisions for you – and maybe dish up a little tough love.

So, here we go – just a few cost cutting ideas…

Solution 1

Decrease the guest list

Reasoning

200 guests at $100.00/person = $20,000

150 guests at $100.00/person =   $15,000

100 guests at $100.00/person = $10,000

Solution 2

Change the time of day

Reasoning

200 guests at $100.00/person = $20,000

150 guests at $100.00/person =   $15,000

100 guests at $100.00/person = $10,000

Alternatively

200 guests at  $40.00/person = $8,000

150 guests at $40.00/person = $6,000

100 guests at $40.00/person = $4,000

Solution 3

Cut out the Wedding Party

Reasoning

Rehearsal dinner – 30 guests (B&G, family, 6 BM, 6 GM, dates, Flower Girl, Ring Bearer) at $50.00/person = $1500.00

Gifts – 18 family/wedding party member at $25.00 = $450.00

Alternatively

Rehearsal dinner – 10 guests (2 moms, 2 dads, 2 grandparents, B&G, siblings) at $50.00/person = $500.00

Gifts – 10 family members at $25.00 per = $250.00

Solution 4

Get rid of the alcohol.  They will survive, I promise.

Reasoning

A lot depends upon whether you are getting married in a hotel or banquet hall, are hiring your own caterer or purchasing your own alcohol.  I will give two examples, and hopefully, one or the other will apply in your situation.

100 guests at $120.00/guest = $12,000.00

100 guests at $140.00/guest – $14,000.00

Alternatively

100 guests at $100.00/guest – $10,000.00

I hope this helps you see how much money can be saved in the different situations.  These same scenarios can be applied to your specific situation.

Happy saving!

Planning a wedding on a small budget is difficult – because “downsizing” is key.

My first bit of advice, is please – stop looking at those damn wedding magazines.  You see something – fall in love with it – and it’s frustrating not being able to obtain the same look and feel.  I know the story very well.   The couple tries to go for the look – and trust me – it’s not the same – whatever the solution.

I think many couples underestimate the time and skill needed to put beautiful arrangements together.  It’ an art – and just like any art – should be left to the professionals.  Likewise, many couples underestimate the price.  Generally in the Washington DC area – flowers will fall in the following ranges

Bridal bouquet $130.00-$250.00 per

Maid of Honor bouquet – $60.00-$90.00 per

Bridesmaid bouquet – $60.00-$90.00 per

Grooms boutonniere – $12.00-$15.00 per

Groomsmen and Father boutonniere – $10.00-$12.00 per

Corsages – $25.00-$50.00 per

Altar pieces – $150 – $600.00 per

Large buffet/table pieces – $150.00-$300.00 per

Low centerpieces – $100.00-$150.00 per

High centerpieces – $175.00-$400.00 per

Of course, a lot depends upon how full the arrangements are, what flowers are used, etc.  When your budgeting, use these ranges.  If you want very full  and elaborate high centerpieces, $400 + per might be the right amount.  Lower simple arrangements will fall on the other end.

When you are on a low budget, obviously, you are not going to pay $175.00 per centerpiece.  However, you can still have very nice/elegant flowers.  What I suggest is that you have nice bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages, and use candles/rose petals on the tables.

You can also opt for a nice bridal bouquet, a single stem for the Bridesmaids, or nothing for the Bridesmaids – a flower for the Groom and nothing for the Groomsmen.

For the cocktail reception I’m proposing – we would have a combination of small cafe tables and tall high-boys.  Everyone wouldn’t be seated – a more “come and go” type event.  If you wanted flowers, you could do, small glass vases containing a few colorful blooms, or small plants in planters (coordinating with your color/theme).   You wouldn’t necessarily have to have the exact same plant on every table – you could have a variety .  The tables would  only be 30-36″ round (2.5-3 feet) so they would take much smaller arrangements than a 5 or 6 foot round.  While it would be a more causal look and feel – you could achieve something very beautiful and memorable.

Happy planning!

Thanks to Rodney Bailey and Creation Waits for the lovely photographs.

You might be asking yourself why you would hire a coordinator/planner on such a small budget.

There are many reasons.  The main one being…

Connections.

A well connected planner will be able to put you in contact with vendors that you might not otherwise be able to find via Internet or friends.  This applies regardless of your wedding budget – but even more-so when your budget is tiny-tiny.  Planners have established working relationships with vendors and can point you to the perfect choices for your needs and budget.

With that said, you might be afraid of the prices.

Many planners offer consultation services, in which they will work with you on an hourly basis.  A few hours of advice might be all that you need.  You can seek advice on finding the perfect site, acquiring a vendor list, talking over a few things, and getting some ideas to put yourself on your way to a successful planning experience and wedding day.

I know there is a fascination with wanting to get the whole “kit and caboodle” for a very low price.  I would advise you to reject those feelings.  While you might be getting fewer services from a more established and connected planner, the quality of what you are getting (services, attention, and vendors you will be connected to) will be much better.

It’s a quality vs. quantity issue.

Happy planning!

Today, I want to probe the idea of “theme”.  I think your “theme” a very important party of your low cost wedding – especially the one I am proposing.  The time spent at the wedding will be significantly shorter than average, and a well developed and executed theme will provide something for your guests to “grasp onto”.  A theme will also provide visual and intellectual interest.

One potential theme, that could be carried out with 40-100 guests on a $5,000 budget is desserts.  You can’t just place a bunch of desserts on a banquet table and call it a wedding.  To pull it off, everything must be done with thought and class – from the save the dates to the favors and everything in-between.  A color coordinated, pretty display is a necessity.

If your colors are white, you should use white table clothes, white desserts, white flowers, etc.  If your accent color is celadon green, have green desserts.  What about a color scheme of cappuccino or chocolate.  Oh my, your guests will love it!

Next week, we are going to talk about “time” and having a non-dinner reception at a non-dinner time.

Happy planning!

Thanks to www.partydressed.net and Amy Atlas designs

No matter what you plan to do with food, theme, etc – you must understand fully where you money is going.  Of all the vendors that you will hire, I think the Catering proposal/contract is the most misunderstood contract.  This goes for weddings that cost more than $5,000.00 as well.  Much of the time, I think it’s because it’s not broken down sufficiently.  Also, another factor is that in the beginning – many times it’s not complete.  You don’t know what rentals you will need, how many people you will feed, how many servers you will need, what kind of service you will receive, etc.

Then, in the end, it’s like – OMG – where did all this cost come in?

So, I am going to take a few moments to go over two different contracts.  They won’t necessarily be geared towards a $5,000.00 wedding – but will give you an idea of what to look for where.

La Prima Catering

If you take a quick look at this contract, you see that it’s not broken down at all.  You do not see an overall price per person for food.  You don’t see a rental breakdown or staffing breakdown.  Because of this, you have to look at every aspect of this contract – first page to last – to understand what it’s really saying.

1. Front page – You see it’s a 3 hour reception for 100.  So, whatever you see on the subsequent pages – it’s for 100 guests.  It also states the wedding date, and who it’s for.
2. First page – tells you what you are going to have.  This wedding is a dessert reception.  If you add more food, it will go up.
3. Third page – tells you what equipment you will use and what your staffing will be.  Be careful here. Equipment is the stuff La Prima will be bringing.  This would include plates, glasses, silver and the like – as well as chafing dishes, serving plates, coffee servers ,etc.  If you are renting linens, tables, and chairs through them, this is where you would see linens, overlays, napkins, chair covers, tables ,and chairs.  If you modify your service, modify your guest count or change your menu, this portion will change – but we are not sure by how much.   It’s a really basic contract.  It would be nice to see kinds of chairs (cushion color if applicable) colors of linens, kinds of plates, silver and glass, colors of linens would be nice – just as a confirmation that you and the caterer are on the same page.  It eliminates mistakes.   Be careful here. This price might be for the standard item.  If you go in for the tasting and like other glasses on the table – this item might go up.  Make sure you determine what your standard choices are.
4. The staffing portion is how much staff you will have at your event that day.  At this wedding – they had 1 server.  This portion would definitely change if you had a more extensive set up or changed your menu or service choices.  If your guest list changes – you cannot just divide the final cost by 100 to get a price per person  (read below).  Call the caterer and request a new proposal to give you a more accurate quote.

One note about guests lists.  The food price is inversely proportional to your guest list.  As your guest list goes up – the cost per person (for the food portion) goes down – because the caterer spends less money to buy more food.  If you original quoted price was $100.00/guest for 100 guests – and you ended up with 150 guests, your new price might be $98.60/guest.  Likewise, if you originally estimated for 150 guests at $98.60 per guest – and ended up with only 100 guests – your new price per person might be $100.00/guest (it costs more for the caterer to buy food for less people).

Be careful…

Even though you are spending a bit less per person – you still are not really saving because you are adding more people.

With that said, an increase in guest count will make everything else increase proportionally -rentals (you need more plates, glasses, etc), linens (you might have more tables), chairs (you will need more seats), etc.

Absolutely Perfect

This one I like, because there are no ambiguities.  It’s laid out really really well.   You need to take this proposal and compare it to yours to see where you have questions.

1. Front page – tells you what is is, how many people, and the wedding date.
2. Page two gives all of your hors d’oeuvre options.  Be careful here – you only get to choose 6 within the pricing.  Choose more or make different choices, it will affect the pricing.  Beware that it’s not offering any stationary items – just butlered.  If you want something stationary, it’s going to be an add-on.
3. Page three is what you are getting for your first course, main course, and dessert course.  If you decide to change something here, it will add to the price.  If you opted for choices for your main course, you would see them laid out here.
4. Page four – offers your beverage choices – which include, you purchasing alcohol, you purchasing alcohol but caterer providing mixers, caterer purchasing alcohol, and coffee services.  Be careful here - the alcohol itself is not included – and will be priced based on what you choose.  These prices are the cost of the caterer bringing the ice, mixers, coordinating, etc.
5. Page five – your pricing breakdown.  It clearly shows your price per person for 200 guests.  It shows your beverage items in parentheses (not added into the contract, but nicely laid out so you can easily add and take away).  Your rentals which they break down on the next page.  It also includes staffing.  They clearly show what you will get and how much it will cost.  They also show overtime staffing charges – how much it will cost to extend your event.
6. Page six is your rental breakdown.  How much it will cost to rent tables, chairs, tents, etc.  Be careful here – these prices are for the standard stuff.  If you choose something different – it will change the cost – for example, if you want square goblets, or lead crystal champagne flutes.  At your tasting, make sure you see what’s standard.

I hope this helps you better understand your caterers contract.

Happy planning!

Thanks to Rachel Smith for the wonderful photograph

Planning a $5,000.00 wedding in DC is not easy.  In fact, I think it’s one of the most challenging projects I have undertaken.  Not only do you encounter all the normal stuff one encounters when planning a Washington DC wedding, you also have to deal with all the stuff one encounters when planning a Washington DC wedding inexpensively, and you have to deal with the unknown.  You can get over all the other stuff, but it’s the unknown that can get ya – if you let it.

It’s Murphy’s law.  You just have to plan for it.  During the planning process, your car is going to break down, or the computer that you need is going to get a indestructible virus (that destroys your computer), or your furnace will break in the middle of winter.  Something can – and will happen.  It’s inevitable – how could it not?  Especially if you take 6 months, a year – or more to plan your wedding.  It’s going to happen – and if you are not ready – it’s devastating.

I’ve seen it.

So, what do you do When you are planning for a wedding on a tight budget in DC?  You also have to plan for the unknown.

Some things that may help

1.  Have all the wedding money prior to planning.  Put it in a separate account.

2.  Plan to have more than the money for your wedding.  If you want to spend $5,000.00 on your wedding, have $7,500.00 in the account.

3.  Have a disaster fund (this is important at all times).  Just keep it going throughout life.

4.  Discipline

5.  Be proactive

Things you should not do

1.  Call Lisa and cancel your entire wedding.  Not good.  Not good at all.

2.  Become a nervous wreck.  Bad Bridal Karma

3.  Get crazy and squawk like a chicken.  Bad idea

4.  Take it out on your mechanic.  Maybe – they are always a good target.

kidding!

I hope this post gives you some ideas of ways you can become proactive – and to prepare.  Plan for the unexpected and you will plan for your budget DC wedding!

Happy planning!

I wouldn’t say that I’m an advocate of picking a huge “theme” for your wedding – doing and overdoing by sticking it in your guests faces for 10 months and a day. Kwim?

It’s more typical, when I plan a wedding, that I get a strong sense for what the Bride and Groom wants, and together, we mature those special “desires”. From that planning – a small “theme” emerges that we can play on -elegantly – without abrasion and overdoing.

However, with such a wedding I’m proposing – one that is very short, sweet and simple, I think an established “theme” would not only be important, but imperative. I think that everything must be cohesive – from the dress, to the venue, to everything . A well developed and executed theme will be fun to plan and create an added interest on the part of your guests. You must choose your theme wisely. Choose a theme that’s easy to pull off in the space that you have – without much of an extra added investment.

So, what would I propose for the $5,000.00 wedding we are planning in the Art Center?

An art infused cocktail party. This is what it would look like…

Use a monotone background and create interest with bright colors in your bridesmaids dresses, garnishes and ribbons.  For our 45 minute cocktail hour, 6-8 pieces/person will do.  Offer Perrier and still water, with fresh fruit garnishes as a beverage.

Finish the evening off with simple cake and mingling.

Happy planning

Thank you to Stephen Voss ,Hello Bella, and Jennifer Hughes for the awe inspired pictures

What can you feed 50-60 guests on a $5,000.00 budget?  Dessert or stationary hors d’oeuvres.  Because this is a wedding – and we want to present a nice picture – we are going to rent real china, flatware, dishware, and linen.  This is very important as we are holding the wedding in a nice location.  If it were a picnic, we would plan differently, but since it’s not – we have to plan accordingly.

Because we are not doing a full meal, we have to hold this shindig at a time other than a meal time.  Since the Bride and Groom want to marry at night, here is my general timeline.

We need to know how much time we will need at the site and with the caterers as we are paying both hourly.  Most sites and caterers have a 4 hour minimum – so we need to make sure we satisfy these requirements – which we do.  Based on our schedule we will need 5 hours of time including set up and clean up.

You can go back to the video tour of the site we are using.  We are going to use the main reception hall (the Pavilion room) for the ceremony and cake/dancing portion of the reception and we are going to use the outside hallway for the dessert/hors d’oeuvre portion.

For 5 hours of time, the rental fee will be $650.00.

The couple decided that they wanted to have an hors d’oeuvre display.  Therefore, we are working from this Menu from Entree Metropolitan.

Typically for a normal cocktail hour, I would recommend 6-8 pieces per person as a minimum.  Since the guests have (in theory) have already eaten (which we will tell them to do on the invitation), and we are working with 45 minutes, we are going to work with 6 pieces per person.  Two pieces are included in each item – so we need 3 different items.

I’m going to show you how it can work.

The only food item that’s not included in this breakdown is the cake.

The site only has black chairs, so we have allocated additional monies to rent white chairs.  Since the site has linen, we have have not included linen in our budget.  The site has all the tables that we need.

Happy planning!

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