Hello. I am starting on planning my wedding recently planning on having it around Nov 15. I have started looking at checklist and what to do and venues to look at which is pretttttyyy overwhelming. I was wondering what someone who planned it themselves or had a planned would recommend. I was thinking of having a wedding budget of $7-8000 for the whole wedding. Around West Covina area. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Re: Get a wedding planner for the whole wedding, a day of coordinator, or something else.
Anyone who is reasonably organized can plan a wedding and reception. When the budget is 30,000 or more, it is easy to let go of the percentage or fee.
Well,easier.
But for me and most of my friends and relations with 5000 to 25,000 budgets, spending 500 to 2500 for someone else to gather info I would then go over and make decisions about would have meant doing without things I really wanted, for something easily done by me - NO WAY.
Nothing is hard. It is just a pricy costume party for planning purposes. You may also be surprised at how you enjoy the process of seeing things come together.
This is likely the first time you and FI have laid out this kind of money for something with lots of little choices, rather than a residence or single big thing. Working out priorities and each taking responsibility for some things, facing numerous obstacles and working things out with no fighting, is the best marriage prep for real life. Preview of in-law relationships included free of charge. Future household budgeting too.
I found that in planning for myself and numerous family and friends, at least half of what is on those intimidating planning checklists can be crossed out for any particular bride. Spend a month pricing etc. after an initial list making session to determine the number of people to plan for.
We did it with a five month engagement period and that included a Maggie dress with some custom changes made at the factory. Don't let dress shops pressure you with how soon you must make up your mind.
Do yourself a real favor and buy an actual etiquette book. The principles of good manners in entertaining from 5 to 7 years ago are the same as now, and lots of people sell etiquette books after all wedding and maybe early couples entertaining and first baby issues are past. Or check out one from the library. The book will increase your level of confidence with every step of planning.
Enjoy it. Planning is all anticipation and is exciting.
I dont think you will be able to find a wedding planner that will fit your budget, or a quality one that would worth the money. And most day of coordinators I know range from $500- $1500, which is a huge chunk of your budget. So I would try to stay really organized and plan it yourself.
*West Covina is in the Inland Empire, so east of LA and Pasadena.
@lilbreeezy stop spamming the broads trying to push a wedding planning books. these ladies are looking for an actual person
@knotriley
I was debating on getting a planner or a DOC for our wedding next September. I didn't want my family to be responsible for getting all of these little details together. I want everyone there to enjoy our day.
Try to sit down and chat with a couple different people. That's what I did. I ended up hiring our DOC to help me partially plan the rest of my wedding for only a little bit more money. It's been such a blessing to have her so far!!
Don't rush into anything. Really do your research on planners as well as different venues. Depending on the type of venue you want you might not really need to worry about hiring too many extra people if you have a venue that includes a ton.
Good luck!