Sticky Situation: Can We Ask Guests to Help Pay For Our Wedding?

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• Engagement Ring

  Estimated cost = $4,200

• Honeymoon

  Estimated cost = $4,700

• Venue (Including Catering)

  Estimated cost = $9,430

• Stationery

  Estimated cost = $425

• Photographer

  Estimated cost = $2,300

• Flowers/Decor

  Estimated cost = $1,478

• Band And/Or DJ

  Estimated cost = $1,250

• Wedding Dress

  Estimated cost = $1,975

• Shoes

  Estimated cost = $255

• Bridesmaids’ Dresses

  Estimated cost = $425

• Guest Favours

  Estimated cost = $510

• Hairstylist

  Estimated cost = $485

• Jewelry

  Estimated cost = $525

• Wedding Bands

  Estimated cost = $2,585

• Lingerie

  Estimated cost = $140

• Cake

  Estimated cost = $615

• Makeup

  Estimated cost = $185

• NEXT: The Biggest Wedding Planning Mistakes

• Picking A Not-So-Perfect Dress

  Pick a dress that fits your wedding theme and venue. For example, a full ball gown is not appropriate for a beach wedding.

• Waiting For ‘The One’ Dress

  Keep dress shopping simple by inviting a small group of people, rather than multiple loved ones. Too many opinions can cause confusion. Also, be realistic while picking out the dress. Kent warns against “waiting for ‘that moment’ to dictate once you’ve found your dress.” Not all brides get emotional like the shows.

• Buying A Dress Without Researching

  Keep your options and your imagination open; dresses can be altered for personalization. Look around in vintage stores and one-off bridal boutiques for unique options.

• Trying To Do It All Yourself

  Kent says hiring a planner with knowledge of how to save money and industry discounts can do wonders for keeping your budget in check.

• Taking The Budget Lightly

  Watch out for the budget creep. Sticking to the budget is hard. Sometimes adding even a few more guests can creep into your chequebook a big way. For example, adding even 10 more guests means one more table at the venue, one more centerpiece and 10 more meals.

• Too Many Expectations On Limited Resources

  Don’t let Pinterest, wedding blogs and reality shows pressure you to make every little detail of your wedding personalized. It can be tiresome and hard on the budget. “A few meaningful personal touches stand out stronger than an overdone wedding,” says Kent.

• Impractical Destination Weddings

  With lower currencies in most destination wedding locations, they are often perceived as the easy way out. This isn’t the case, says Kent. Decisions about venues and catering often have to be made blindly and don’t provide your money’s worth. It also puts pressure on loved ones who cannot afford to pay travel expenses.

• Choosing A Venue That Doesn’t Fit Your Needs

  The venue may be beautiful and budget-friendly, but will it be convenient? Will the dance floor have to be created by removing tables? Is there a place for elderly family members to sit? Lynzie Kent, a Toronto-based wedding planner, warns that when these questions aren’t addressed, couples are often stuck, “trying to manipulate a space that was not the best design for their vision”.

• Overlooking The Table Shape And Layout

  Kent recommends square tables over the typical round tables that only allow conversation between two people. Square tables still offer a traditional setting, but also ease of conversation among all the table-mates.

• Forgetful Vendors

  Remind your vendor of your wedding and your specific requirements a week before your wedding. It may be the most important day of the bride and groom’s life, vendors do this all the time, warns Kent.

• Not Having Enough Seating

  Another major layout flaw is not having enough seating, even if it is a cocktail style event, says Kent. Always keep older guests and women in heels in mind.

• Not Following Up With Vendors

  Remember the contract you signed with each vendor and hold them accountable. Many vendors require full payment on or before the day of the wedding, but their services to you don’t necessarily end on the day of your wedding. If they’re not held accountable, and they’ve gotten their money’s worth, vendors like photographers can take months to hand over their products.

• Not Letting The Pros Do Their Jobs

  At the end of the day, you chose the vendors you did for a reason. They are professionals – trust them. They know what’s in style and what will look good.

• Ignoring The Needs Of Guests

  Your wedding day is about you, but your guests have expectations too. Pamper your guests through small gestures. Kent recommends things like pre-arranged cab pick-ups, bathroom caddies, children’s fun kits at tables. Also, make sure to spend a few minutes of quality time at each table.

• Not Leaving Room For Additional Costs

  Always factor in gratuity and taxes on your budget. Kent recommends working with a budget lower than your actual budget, the extra charges will add up to your real budget.

• Not Enough Encouragement To Get The Party Started

  If you’re the type of couple that wants a big party atmosphere at the reception, Kent says it’s important to layout the venue to encourage this. The dance floor and the bar should be close so guests don’t just congregate near the bar. A good band or DJ are also key.

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