Budgeting Suggestions for your next event
Budgets are complicated and can be a real stressor for any event. I start with the total, and then break down a list of all of the things you’ll need to purchase: catering, venue, decorations, photographer, entertainment, bar services, invitations, marketing, baker, florist, rentals, tents, tables, chairs, etc., etc., etc.
Then depending on your priorities, you can divide up the budget. For example: you have found a venue that you’re in love with for your wedding. It’s in a great location, they provide the tables and chairs in the rental price, and they give a discount if you use their bar service. Knowing that, you are then able to check off a couple of items from the list all at once. This will be a larger sum because of that but it’s enormously helpful to have one vendor cover more than one service.
If you’re planning a fundraiser, you have to decide how much you’re going to be willing to front before you can book anything. You can then reimburse yourself with some of the funds raised but that won’t come until the event. Using the same strategy as the wedding, think about what things you’ll have to purchase to make the event successful, and then brainstorm ways to use your network and/or vendors to pull it off.
Obviously, these are my two cents but here are some places I think you can save some money:
Flowers are a big deal but you can use them for more than just one thing. For example, use the bridesmaids bouquets as centerpieces. Use the arch and arch flowers to make a photo booth backdrop. Use the bridal bouquet as the centerpiece on your sweetheart table. (Side note- don’t throw fake petals at an outside ceremony. Please!)
You can easily get carried away with decorations but think about purchasing items you could use for another event. Or sell the decorations on Facebook Marketplace to make some of that money back. Or even better, rent the stuff!
Save the dates. Don’t send them. I just think you could spend that money on something else. I am sure that when you got engaged you told everyone that is important to you, and they replied "Congratulations! When’s the big day?" You either told them then and there, or you said not sure yet. Either way, they know to be on the lookout for an invitation. Once you have a date, just send a text or email to your crew, call Grandma and Grandpa, and they will save the date.
Buffets aren’t always cheaper than plated meals. I mentioned this in another blog post but buffets require more of each food. It assumes everyone will eat some of every option, and often with a buffet, people grab more than they actually eat causing a lot of waste. With a plated meal, you pay for the service of course, but they only make one serving per plate and per person. Plated also accommodates dietary restrictions more simply.
