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Little Overwhelmed

elisa21elisa21 member
First Comment
in Florida-West Coast
Hi everybody! New bride here. I have only been engaged for a week and am already feeling so crazy! Is that normal?? I live in Ft LAuderdale but want a wedding on the west coast, preferably Sanibel. I have a budget of 20,000 and everywhere seems so expensive. I really have no idea what I am doing and am in need of some advice. Am I rushing into planning? I would like a Dec wedding. Sorry if this is so choppy but my head is going in a million different directions. lol

Thanks!
Elisa
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Re: Little Overwhelmed

  • ChrislovesBarryChrislovesBarry member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    First...BREATH!!!

    Then let's talk about the ceremony:
    Do you want it on the beach or just near the beach?
    HAve you made a list of people you would like to invite?  This will give you some ideas as to how large of a wedding you will have.

    Then once you have that...let us know and we can help.

    Start looking and getting some ideas together as to want you like.  Then you can go through and discover what sort of look and feel you want for the ceremony/reception.
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  • jc04100657jc04100657 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I think everyone feels a little overwhelmed when they start to think about planning. First, enjoy your engagement :) You have plenty of time to plan. Its really good that you set a budget, thats a HUGE step. I really like using The Knot checklist, it really keeps you organized.  I really focused on venues for my first step. Good luck!!
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  • elisa21elisa21 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thank you ladies! I am trying to get an on the beach ceremony and would rather have an outdoor reception.  I have emailed a few places and are going to see them in 2 weeks. I was just told to get a round about number, so we are working on that. Just trying to not freak out fiance. lol 

     I think that alot of my issue is, is that I am not very organized and I know that I have to be, so that kinda scares me. I got a book and I am going to go and check out the knots checklist and see what can help. Again thank you so much for the advice!
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  • M1ssJM1ssJ member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011

    Congrats!!!!
    Before you meet with these ppl here are some helpful tips:

    1)Make an approximate guest list, this will drive  your budget and ultimately what you can afford in terms of venues

    2) Decide if you're willing to do things to cut costs such as getting married on a Sunday or Friday

    3) Prioritize what's most important on your big day ; for example ~ do you really want a formal occasion? do you want everyone to have access to an open bar?

    4) use the knot budget breakdown tool and see how much you can spend on a venue/ reception

    5) dont faint at the surcharge (20% and 7% state tax)

    6) NEGOTIATE!!!!!!

    Hope that helps :)

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  • bananafanafofashleybananafanafofashley
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If you have $20k you can afford to hire a planner to do the freaking out for you.

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  • KrystalsKitschKrystalsKitsch member
    Third Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_florida-west-coast_little-overwhelmed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:62Discussion:ee371541-8e15-410f-af37-2bbaa7d99dbePost:6a8056b7-ad2c-40e4-8807-59ac92dd72d9">Re: Little Overwhelmed</a>:
    [QUOTE]If you have $20k you can afford to hire a planner to do the freaking out for you.
    Posted by TheMrsCabral[/QUOTE]


    Seriously. =) I had way, way less and was able to have a planner to help me out!
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  • elisa21elisa21 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Really?? Honestly, such a relief to know that I can actually afford a planner. I think that will help to take the edge off. lol Again thank so much for the advice!!

    Anyone have a suggestion for planners in the Sanibel area??
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  • mpgatormpgator member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Yes, you can do a lot with 20K! We are using a really nice venue and are doing ours for only slightly more than 20K. I'm using the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay which is beautiful and includes a lot in the price. Its not in Sanibel,  but the location is pretty convenient to those traveling from out of town.

    Once you pick the location, everything else will fall into place much easier! ps-- Congrats!
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  • ellentravisellentravis
    500 Comments Second Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    Congrats!

    I gott say, I felt insane too. That's why I gave myself 1.5 year to plan. And after we got the venue down, everything came together. But I think it's normal to feel overwhelmed. So much to consider. So definitely get down what's most important and build the rest around that. 

    ****We live in Chicago and have had great luck just relying on the awesome people on this board and weddingwire.com***

    Btw, we also have a $20k budget. There's no way we could afford a planner, but we haven't needed one either.With 1.5 years, we have plenty of time to get it all done right ourselves and spend that potential wedding planner money on us!

    Good luck!
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