No Budge in the Budget

Rule of thumb is that you should always go with your instinct. That initial feeling always turns out to be right in the end, but it's even more important when it comes to something like a budget...especially a wedding budget. When planning for an event there are so many aspects and (not to make you blood pressure rise) planning for a wedding might be the biggest thing you ever do plan. From the venue to your dress, you can make everything you need for a perfect wedding fit into your budget, so the key is knowing what is necessary to making it happen and what can be tossed. Here are a few pointers to help you stay right at {or under} your planned budget...

1. Have a Plan: Before you start purchasing anything dealing with your wedding you must plan a budget. How will you do this? You will get in touch with anyone who is helping pay for anything and politely, yet bluntly, ask them for their price points. Once you've got their budgets, you can figure out yours. Next, look at how long your engagement is and your monthly income. How much can you {reasonable} save each month to put towards everything? Do not lie to yourself and overshoot, because nothing is more depressing than interest rates on a credit card.

2. Sample Sale Season: You're in luck if your shopping for dresses right now, because this is when many boutiques {like Finery}want to make room for their favorite designer's new Fall collections. You can find amazing deals on some fabulous gowns.

3. Fresh Faces: There are always up and coming musicians, photographers, videographers, bakers, caterers, etc. that have much lower price points than the established and extremely experienced veterans of their trades. If you find someone with a strong portfolio/resume/recommendation and who is very talented and passionate about what he/she does, it could save you {literally} hundreds in your budget.

4. Know Where to Cut: Do you remember the favor from the last wedding you went to? What even happened to it? Sometimes it's okay to not give your guests favors. Sometimes it's okay to order the cheaper under fabric on your dress, because you couldn't even tell the difference. It's certainly okay to only serve wine or beer...or neither if your friends and family aren't big drinkers. The point is, there are things that you can cut, and whatever you choose, it will be totally okay.

5. Stick to the Plan: Can we put an emphasis on this "plan" thing? Yes, while you are doing all your shopping and meeting and swiping of your credit card you're thinking, "Well, I'm only going to do this once! Go big or go home!"; however if you have to take a second mortgage out on that "home" to pay for an extravagant wedding, you might want to reconsider. Stick to your plan, because after the honeymoon you are starting a new life together, which should be a happy time and not the time to worry about debt.

Photo Credits:
Cake
Table
Bride Pin It

Heidi Elnora Sample Sale

Get excited...the time has come to make room for the new Heidi Elnora collection! 

Our sample sale is on now through September 27th, the beginning of our Heidi Elnora Trunk Show. 

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Appointments can be made by calling 256.429.3429 or emailing info@fineryboutique.com.

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Know Your {Timeline}

Congrats, you’re engaged!

...Now what?

Figuring out the timeline leading up to your wedding is the key to a successful and seamless event. There is so much to plan and numerous small details to figure out to make your big day perfect, but where do you even start? (This is of course where we recommend working with an experienced Wedding Planner and/or studio like Finery.) Just to give you an idea of what needs to happen, here is a typical timeline after the proposal...

10 to 12 Months Before the Wedding

- Decide on your budget

- Start your guest list

- Reserve your date, venues, and officiate

- Start meeting with bands/DJs, florists, caterers, and photographers

- If you plan to have an Engagement Party it should be held within 2 to 4 months of the proposal

- Hire your wedding planner

8 to 9 Months Before the Wedding

- Hire your band/DJ, florist, caterer, and photographer

- Purchase your dress and start looking at bridesmaid’s dresses

- Register for gifts

- Set the dates for the rest of your parties (teas, showers, bachelorette, etc.)

- Order Save-the-Dates

6 to 7 Months Before the Wedding

- Block off hotel rooms for out of town guests

- Select bridesmaid’s dresses

- Send out Save-the-Dates

- Order wedding invitations and wedding cake

- Send a guest list to the host(s) of your bridal shower, tea, and/or bachelorette 

4 to 5 Months Before the Wedding

- Schedule your hair and make-up artist

- Your Bridal Shower should happen around this time

- Start writing up your timeline for the wedding weekend

- Get together with your band or DJ with song selections

2 to 3 Months Before the Wedding

- Have the bachelorette party

- Finalize all orders (flowers, favors, programs, etc.)

- Send out invitations

4 to 6 Weeks Before the Wedding

- Send the newspaper your wedding announcement

- Review all orders with vendors

- Touch base with band/DJ and the photographer

- Send out rehearsal dinner invitations

- Begin the list of RSVPs

Week of the Wedding

- Have a list of tasks that can be given out to those wishing to help

- Double check with all the vendors on pick up/drop off/arrival times

- Send your final head count or guest list to the caterer

- Have your Bridal Luncheon
- Oh and...get married!

Photo Credits:
Aisle with Ribbon
Floral Arrangement
Pen & Planner

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The {Wedding} Planner

Remember that cheesy movie with Jennifer Lopez and her huge Mary Poppins purse with everything you could ever need? Now think about all of the events leading up to your big day, not to mention the wedding itself... You have to admit, things will go so much smoother if you hire a wedding planner.

Here are the {Top 5} reasons we believe hiring a wedding planner is a must.

1. Your wedding planner is not related to you. Bringing someone onto your team who is not your mother, sister, or even your best friend from 6^th grade can keep the waters calm.

2. She has done this before. How many events has your planner coordinated? Plenty. She will know what typically works and what doesn’t, how to stay within budget, and various other important things.

3. She has the timeline down to a T. She knows when each party should be, when to send out the Save-the-Dates, when every toast, dance, and cake cutting should take place….the list goes on and on.

4. You’re hiring someone to do the large AND small stuff. The time leading up to your wedding is already foreign enough without including the myriad of customs that take place. By having a wedding planner, you know that everything is taken care of and no stone will go unturned.

5. You have a professional opinion. Remember a few years back when that hot pink bridesmaid’s dress craze happened. You’re hiring someone to guide you away from…that. A professional can help you see past the fad and guide you back to your dream wedding.

Links

All Photos from Finery 

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The {Considerate} Bride

The {Considerate} Bride:

This is your big day, however a huge part of your wedding is your guests. Here are five things you might want to consider while planning your fairytale wedding…

1. Food Allergies: Whether it is by choice or genetics, chances are a few of your guests will have some sort of food allergy. We recommend you have at least one vegetarian option and have the caterer/chef provide a list with the ingredients for each dish.

2. Rain Plan: When picking your date, you cannot predict the weather. Having an outdoor wedding can be beautiful; however nothing is worse than a mid-afternoon rainstorm rolling through. Have a legitimate back-up plan.

3. Seating: Have enough seats! Making your guests stand, especially your elders, is not ideal.

4. Know Your Timeline: Who likes to be rushed? Give guests plenty of time to save the date. Also, this will give your wedding party ample time to plan all of the appropriate events.

5. Be Honest About Your Budget: Chances are that your parents are helping pay for most or all of your wedding. Be honest with your wedding planner about your budget, so that you don’t go over the intended amount.

Links:

Photo: Glitter Weddings

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