NEWLY ENGAGED, "Budget Wedding HELP!" Wedding Planner?

Trinired

We got engaged Valentine's Day 2011! I am beyond the moon excited, to the point, some days I feel I can't wait and want to elope (but that is just not MY style)...just to cut down in costs etc...but, i WANT a wedding! We have chosen a wedding date of June 29, 2013 and hoping we can squirrel away some money in that time. I am trying to do all the research myself, but, it's so much work with other busy bee life stuff going on simultaneously. I really prefer to hire a wedding planner to help us stay on budget and do the leg work. I don't have any idea on a theme..or if I even want one. I go off of shows like My Fair Wedding with David Tutera..and it's just so unrealistic for MY BUDGET. I want someone to help guide me and keep me sane and focused and more or less stress free. My fiancé and I will be budgeting for the wedding and my father has also offered to help (amount unknown). Initial budget was 10K. I haven't decided on an outdoor or indoor wedding yet. I just want HELP! Friends of mine suggested I just "glow" in the engagement until at least May before even thinking of plans, but time does move SO fast...and I feel I need to book a venue NOW especially for the date of my wedding. Lots of summer weddings and I want something nice! I am not nearly NEATLY creative to make my own decorations etc...basically, I want help with it all....also, I am looking for a photographer to take our engagement pictures....*sigh* WOOOSAH!

Trinired

Hahaha....I am still writing 2011?!...SMH...we got engaged Valentine's Day 2012!!!!

lodonnell616

If it helps, I'm not getting married until June 1, 2013 and I only have my venue booked.  I'm not really dealing with the rest until June 2012 or later.

The Knot has some fantastic tools to help you figure out what you can do with your budget.

I'd suggest starting there, and also be realistic with your guest list.  That's where the majority of the cost comes from, providing food and drinks for the people who you want to spend the happiest day of your life with you.

Molly&Andy

I agree, the budget and guest list (at least approx. numbers) are the best place to start.  Some venues require minimums (people and/or food/beverage).  We are having a smal wedding (about 50 people) so that eliminated numerous venues quickly. 

I think a wedding planner would probably take up too much of your budget.  There are plenty of websites available these days to help you.  (Definitely use the checklists and budget guidelines.)  You won't find every vendor on one website as some pages require vendors to pay to be on them.  Just remember that most vendors only do one wedding per day, so if you know someone that you want book them early.  (Another bonus of that could be getting 2012 prices instead of increased 2013 prices.)

For your dress, I wasn't too sure about going to a sample sale, but I found my dress for $185/80% off.  (Madeleine's Daughter Thanksgiving Sale) Of course the alterations are going to cost more than the dress, but in the end the cost savings win out.

If you have any flexibility with your date, you could save money by going to a Friday or Sunday.

Definitely take some time to enjoy the engagement, but some research online doesn't hurt as well.  Good Luck!

kellyeliz

I am also getting married on June 29, 2013! Because its one of the most popular months and a Saturday night I ran into a lot of venues giving me a minimum dollar amount that I had to spend. My venue actually gives you a wedding planner included in the cost so I would find a venue before deciding on a wedding planner. I only wanted 150 people at my wedding so we found other ways to meet the minimum like open bar and late night snacks at the end of the reception. Where are you looking to get married?

SusieSunshine2

I got engaged on V-day too and am planning a June 29th wedding as well.  I would definately start looking for a venue now, places are going to book up fast.  We've already looked at a couple places and there weren't too many Saturdays in June left open.  Like others have said, I'm making sure I have a venue now and planning the rest this summer.  Happy planning!

tanyamary627

I'm also getting married in June 2013 and we have our venue, DJ, photographer, and day of coordinator booked.  I did a lot of researching online before taking the time to visit vendors, so we booked the third venue we looked at, and booked the first DJ, DOC, and photographer that we met with. Wedding planners can be a good chunk of money, but something you might consider is a DOC (if your venue does't offer one, or if they offer one but she does not seem very good).  I'm paying under $500 for my DOC and she will be at the rehearsal, ceremony, and reception to make sure things run smoothly.  She will also coordinate times w/ the other vendors and be the go-to person for minor issues so that I won't have to deal with any more stress than I already will be under on my wedding day.

jerseychic24

Def use this site...if you have questions people are more than happy to give you suggestions...
I agree with PP that a wedding planner will probably use a good portion of your budget.  Some venues have packages that include a lot of things in the price such as DJ florist ect which could help easy your stress.

If you do want any recommendation or have any questions feel free to PM me.  My FI and I are planning a oct 2013 and are on a tight budget.  So I am more than happy to give you any tips you need

jerseychic24

also for photographers...im using newengland portrait who is also doing my engagement session...if you tell them your budget they will work with you on a package just as a suggestion as I know you had mentioned something about engagement pictures

anastassiiat

I agree with everything said by PPs! We are getting married on June 9th, 2013 (a Sunday) and we've just booked our venue a couple weeks ago, but it seemed like some of the 2013 dates were already unavailable. We've decided to have our ceremony/reception at one place, and we've also decided to have it in Southern NH since NH seemed a bit cheaper then Boston area (just my opinion, I'm sure there are reasonably priced places in the Boston area as well!). Good luck and have fun planning!!!

jennerk123

Hi,

My name is Jenner and I am a makeup artist in the Boston area and was wondering if you have had time to think about the makeiup for you and your bridal party?.  I offer reasonable rates and can show you a portfolio of my work if you are interested in speaking further.

I can be emailed at info@makeupasylum.com if you want any additional information

Jenner

Mikd00

I would say go with Planned Perfectly.  www.plannedperfectly.net they were great at a friends wedding (she really needed help organizing the event and making it a night she would always remember)

bjhubble

My fiance and I got engaged in December and we booked out venue 3 weeks later even though the wedding isn't until Sept 14, 2013.

I don't know where abouts you are by Boston, but if you're anywhere near Billerica check out the website for the Country Club of Billerica (www.countryclubofbillerica.com). Their package includes pretty much everything but favors and fashion and it's around $80 per person.  It's almost like one stop shopping because once you book them as your venue you also have your photographer, your florist, your limo company, your dj, your bakery for the cake, etc.  ALSO, the photographer included in the package throws in a free engagement session so you can get comfortable with them before the big day.  Their website has links to all the vendors they work with so you can get an idea if you like them or not.  It may not be the most extravagant place on earth, but the grounds are pretty, the reception hall is nice, and if your worried about budget and going nuts trying to find vendors you can't beat this place.