My New Adventure!

After planning my own wedding and pretty much doing about 95% of everything that goes in to a wedding I realized that I loved it. So many brides and grooms are so ready for the planning, the fighting, over spending and going way over budget that they are crying tears of joy that it is over and they are finally Mr. and Mrs.

Well I was just the opposite, I was so sad when all the planning and diy's (do it yourself) was over with. I had so much fun brainstorming and creating our table centerpieces, decorating the cake, gift, guestbook and memorial tables and anything else that I could think of incorporating into our wedding.

I have decided to take the plunge and become a business owner. I have taken the first steps of getting started which included getting business cards made, getting my Trade Name registered with the Secretary of State, getting a web host that will eventually host my website! Oh and most important of all I decided on a name for my company- It's Your Day! Weddings and Events. I enjoyed putting our wedding together but also love the whole realm of what goes in to having a successful wedding or event of any sorts.

Probably the thing that I am most proud about from my own wedding is staying within the budget that Derek and I set. It is so easy to go way over budget, and believe me just from talking with other brides they blew their budget by at least 15% and many of them went at least 40% over budget. Of course the first thing to do is to set a realistic budget because there are always last minute things that come up that you never even thought about having to include the long list of items to pay for.

One of the things that always get forgotten when factoring in all the cost for your big day is the amount of money that you will need to set aside for tips. Unfortunately, even though you pay the vendors good amounts of money to do their job isn't enough. I feel if you think that any of the vendors did a great job and made your day easier than they at least get 15% of what you paid them. Now obviously if you was your venue and it ended up costing you say $10,000 to have your event there I would not tip $1500 but at my own wedding I made sure to tip the servers, our captain and any other additional help that made the day run smoothly.

A great way to cut your costs for the whole day, and this includes special events not just weddings is to have your event on an off day and off month. Usually in the wedding world anytime October-February (specially if you live somewhere cold during these months) you can save money. Also if you have your event during the week or any other day than Saturday you might be able to save some money.

We had our wedding on a Friday afternoon in October and by doing that we saved about $5,000. I was not liking the whole Friday thing at first but then I realized that there is a reason they say TGIF, who doesn't like doing something fun on a Friday? I mean you have two whole days to recuperate from a night of craziness if you choose to have one.

I will be posting tips and budget savings advice in the blogs to come so make sure if you are planning a wedding or event check back often.

Also if you need any help with your BIG DAY then make sure to give me a call or shoot me an email because I am here to help make that one day a whole lot easier and more enjoyable.