JUST SAVE IT! Savvy Spending For Your Wedding

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Every day I receive questions from couples about items they think they need for their wedding day. A lot of them are really great and creative ideas…some not so much. I am dedicating this blog to you good folks who might be overthinking these things a bit. I want you to know that all of these things aren’t necessary to make your wedding day beautiful. Savvy spending is super important to planning, and knowing the correct items to spend your hard-earned dollars on could keep you out of the red.

Let’s go over what NOT to buy for your wedding day.

Super Large Wedding Cakes

Photo Credit: Pintrest.com

Cake…my arch-nemesis. I have a love/super hate relationship for over the top wedding cake. I guess you can say it makes me biased, but I would not be doing my due diligence as a planner if I didn’t talk about cake. Don’t get me wrong, I love cake, but huge wedding cakes are a wasteful option for a couple to spend money on, especially if you have a smaller guest count. Think about it folks, we have cocktail hour with appetizers, then a reception with at least 3 courses, then regular beverages. Trust me, half of your guests won’t want to eat dessert after all that. So, you have this big ol’ cake that looks amazing during the reception, and whatever isn't eaten has to be tossed out. Don’t get me started on saving the top layer for your one year anniversary, it never comes out tasting as good. LOL. If you’re not leaving for your honeymoon right away Save the top layer for after dinner the next night because I can assure you you won’t even have a chance to eat it during the reception!. I recommend having a 6-8 inch cake to cut for the reception, and then do an assortment of cupcakes for your guests to take home. I personally love the idea of getting some small boxes from the baker or from Amazon.com for your guests to transport their dessert in. That’s less cake you have to worry about getting trashed and your guests will love it.

Expensive Save the Dates

Photo Credit: Brides.com

Save the Dates are a great way to let your guests know to do just that, SAVE THE DATE! With that being said, don’t believe that you have to take super dramatic engagement photos to have displayed on an informal invite. If you have the time and cash to do it, rock on! A super cute and simple Save the Date is also just fine to use to alert people of the incoming wedding invite. I always recommend that you send the save the dates out after you book your venue. I would spend the extra on making that Save the Date magnetized. That way, people can take them out of the envelope and BAM right on the fridge so they don’t get lost. I don't know where anyone else places their Save the Dates, LOL, but all of mine go right to the one place that I and the hubs go to equally…the kitchen!

Invitations With Multiple Inserts

Photo Credit: Wedding Invitation

With the growing popularity of the wedding website, long gone are the days for the need of an RSVP card, the meal selection card, and so forth. Save the extra stamp and money on the extra paper inserts, and send the invite with info on how to get to your wedding website online. Apps like Zola, and Wedding Wire are free and easy to use. You can easily track your RSVPs, add your registry, post info about hotel stays, and any other information you need to get to your guests with ease. You can even send web links o your family and friends in case they lose their invite. It’s just a more efficient way to get everyone together.

Guest Personalized Favors

Photo Credit: personalizationmall.com

I love a cute wedding favor, but Thomas, Angela, William, and any of your other guests don’t need a wedding favor with their name on it. You can keep favors low cost and personalized with you and your fiancé’s name and wedding date. Popular favors gifted at weddings are stemless glassware, candles, or candy tins. I think it’s totally appropriate for you to have something personalized as a gift for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to say thanks for being there for you, but beyond that, it’s not necessary for everyone to have them.

Programs

Photo Credit: Ann's Bridal Bargains

One of the biggest waste of paper EVER! I can not begin to tell you how many programs I have picked up off the reception floor. Let’s just say if I had a dollar for each one I collected, I’d have a couple thousand dollars. Although programs are nice, people honestly don’t read them or care as much about them to carry them around. Remember, info like this can always be posted on the wedding website you’ll create to share info with your guests. The best thing about the site is you’re not limited on space, and you can create as many pages as you want to make sure your guests know all the details for your nuptials. 

I hope I was able to set your mind at ease about items you don’t need for your wedding day. Now, as I usually say, these tips aren’t for everyone. Your wedding may require a program or invitation suite and that’s totally fine. As a planner, I am here to reassure you should you be a budget-conscious bride or groom its ok to cut corners in these areas to save cash. It’s your day, personalize it to the way you want it. If you like what you’ve read, give us a like, and share this blog on your socials. If you’re getting married or have an event to be planned, be sure to contact us today for a free consultation.

Until next time!

Keep it Chic,

XOXO

Amaris T.

Where’s The Beef? Plated/Seated vs. Buffet Battle

If you read the last installment of The Weekly Chic, it was all about reception seating arrangements. Part of the discussion was explaining how seating guests properly would help inform the caterer to know who has what meal. As a response, I received a few questions from readers asking “Well, what if I don't have a plated/seated meal?” and “What’s better, buffet or plated, and why?” So, I got on the phone and called my new friend Chef Lola Daniels, owner of The Colour of Love. Chef Lola’s slogan, “Unpretentious Food. Unique Perspective!” definitely shines through when she talks with me about how to end the age-old debate and determine what might be the best option for you when it comes to your reception service. 

The Chef’s Preference

We started off the conversation with the most asked question from the readers. As a Chef, what does Lola prefer when it comes to reception catering? She prefers the seated/plated option hands down. “It gives me a chance as a chef to be creative, and put art in front of a guest.” It’s also much easier logistically to serve guests because there is much less commotion and movement. Another plus is a much more recent concern due to CoVid. You don’t have to worry about dinnerware being touched by others, or being in a line close behind 10 other people.  

When it comes to wedding planning, Chef Lola wants brides and grooms to consider their budget timeline, and understand why placing catering at the top is so important when considering costs. “Brides and grooms always place food at the bottom of the planning list. It’s going to be a long day and people gotta eat, you know!” This was super odd for me to hear, however, I imagine that she gets a ton of clients that come to her on their own without a planner. So, my wonderful readers, I want you to picture a triangle. On each corner see these words: Venue, Catering, Entertainment. This is what I call the “Holy Trinity of Events”, and these options should definitely be locked down first. Remember them for every style event, and even if I am not with you, you’ve got the main 3 things people remember about amazing events and weddings out of the way.

Photo Credit: Lola Daniels/The Colour of Love

Budgeting Matters

Although Chef Lola prefers seated/plated, she sees absolutely nothing wrong with doing a beautiful buffet. It is definitely a budget conscientious option to consider, and it gives your guests several selections to choose from. “Everything doesn’t have to be Filet Mignon. Don’t be afraid to downscale, because even simple foods can have an elegant touch.”  Some examples she presented were what she calls her “Backyard BBQ favorites, stepped up a notch”. Serve meatballs at cocktail hour, but instead of plain old ground beef, substitute the protein for succulent ground lamb. Mac and Cheese is always a hit but instead of using cheddar, opt to make it with gruyere or even add lobster. “These can be made at large quantities, and everyone loves them!”

Photo Credit: Lola Daniels/The Colour of Love

The Pros and Cons of Each Style

There are a few other points Chef Lola wants you to think about when deciding how you will feed your guest at your wedding reception. 

Pros of Seated/Plated Dining:

• Specialty requests like Vegan/Vegetarian options for a small select group of people can be made for less because items for these meals won’t need to be bought in bulk. 

• Seated/Plated gives a more luxurious look and feel for your reception. It’s a VIBE!

Cons of Seated/Plated Dining:

• It is more costly due to the staff needed to handle the higher guest counts.

• Creating some plates can be taxing, as some catering choices may not look the same or as nice as others.

Pros of Buffet Dining:

• It’s easier to budget because catering will buy in bulk, and that results in lower costs. It also cuts prep time.

• The display table can also be designed to match the theme/decor.

Cons of Buffet Dining:

• Food temps can vary due to the steam in chafing dishes. Food can become overcooked or become cold faster because of the consistent lifting of lids.

• Waste becomes much more likely because of the amount of food left over. If your guest count drops because of no-shows, then that food is not going to be consumed.

The Heavy Hors d'oeuvres Debacle

Photo Credit: Lola Daniels/The Colour of Love

It is a common misconception that serving heavy hors d’oeuvres rather than a full meal at your wedding reception is cheaper in cost. A lot of people think that if you have smaller/tiny food options, you’ll have a lower price. This could not be farther from the truth and could cost you more money than serving a typical dinner in the long run. Nobody I know only gets a few chicken wings and mini bruschetta, and only decides to make one trip to the buffet table…NOBODY! Chef Lola couldn’t agree more! “These are typically stackable, one bite options designed to be easy to eat while moving. The more you move [dance] and drink, the more you will want, and that could become costly. Her rule of thumb is this: “If your wedding/event has over 50 guests, is longer than 2 hours, and has a dance floor, just don’t do it!” 

What to Avoid

I asked Chef Lola what should our readers watch out for when searching for the right caterer. The first thing she says is “Watch out for the ‘name-dropping’ catering companies. Just because they may know and worked with a celebrity or two, doesn’t mean they know food. I don’t care if the Dalai Lama had it, it’s still nasty!”. Make sure you have a tasting and know what that particular chef specializes in. They should work with your palette, and play with the flavors you love. It’s your day!

The next thing she says to watch out for is the decor up-sale tactics. “I don’t do table decor, I leave it to the planner or decor team to design the tablescapes. Caterers should only focus on the tableware and the food.” Chef Lola typically outsources design with planner partnerships she’s developed over time. The less she has to think about how the table looks, the more time she has to concentrate on amazing flavors for her clients.  

Photo Credit: Lola Daniels/The Colour of Love

To wrap up, I am so excited to share that Chef Lola has just launched a Featured Chef Series! Each week, 12 guests will be invited to take part in a delicious, curated event hosted by a private chef. The featured chef of the evening will select a piece of art, and present 6 stellar courses inspired by that specific piece. Each guest can bid on the art, and all proceeds go toward the LGBT Marriage Club, a nonprofit dedicated to support LGBTQIA+ marriages. 

I would like to thank Chef Lola Daniels for joining me on this blog topic because I want all of you to make the best decisions for the best event experiences. I definitely learned a lot about catering, and I got rather hungry talking about all the amazing food! To learn more about Chef Lola and The Colour of Love, follow them on IG @thecolouroflove_atl and on Facebook @TheColourOfLoveATL. If you like what you’ve read, give us a like, and share this blog on your socials. If you’re getting married or have an event to be planned, be sure to contact us today for a free consultation.

Until next time!

Keep it Chic,

XOXO

Amaris T.

Wedding Prep Tips For Stress Free Planning

Hey there my Chic readers! I’ve gathered some super helpful tips to get you started and keep you on the right path during your wedding planning process. Even the simplest of ideas can slip your mind when planning, and these easy tips can really save you time and money.

Let’s take a look at my 5 top wedding prep tips!

Create A Wedding Email

You’re calling around to different venues, catering companies, and other vendors for your wedding. The perfect quote was sent to you from a vendor you love via email, and you can’t find it because you haven’t cleaned out your email since 2017 ( I’m guilty too! LOL). Keep yourself from having to search around insurance emails and furniture club spam by creating an email specifically for your wedding. It’s a great way for you and your fiance to keep a paper trail to track all the vendor quotes, appointments, and correspondence organized.

More Time Is Fine

Giving yourselves a good 8-12 months to plan this perfect day is essential to budgeting. The more time you have to plan, the more time you have to space out payments and catch errors that can be easily solved without causing a big mess on the wedding day. You also prevent yourself from having an incredibly long list of things to handle the last few months before your wedding. More time also gives you the opportunity for more options, and that could also give you leverage when selecting vendors for your wedding.

Scope Out The Local Hotels

Once you’ve locked down the venue, it’s time to secure the hotel you and your guests will stay at for the big day! Make sure you know how many rooms you can get in a block before attrition. Hotels typically grant you between 10-15 guest rooms before you are charged a percentage for unbooked rooms. The sales team at each hotel should be able to inform you about their specific policy before you secure your room block. A few things I also look for are:

• Proximity to the venue, because you don’t need folks to get lost on the way to the wedding.

• Ratings. Nobody wants to be uncomfortable, especially when visiting a new city.

• Amenities. Free WIFI, breakfast, pools, the more the better ( I personally love a swank and sociable lobby bar ).

• Points! If you can get points from every room booked that is a BIG PLUS!

Don’t Plan To DIY Everything

When I tell you that I completely understand the need to save money when planning a wedding, I hear you. However, I need you to understand that the second most important currency during the wedding planning process is time! If you spend all your time making your invites, favors, and centerpieces you may not have time to make sure something more important is handled. Although DIY projects can be fun they can sometimes overwhelm you, and may not even turn out how you wanted which can result in needless spending. Creating a realistic budget at the beginning will help you decide how and when you can put those DIY skills to use. So, as I always say, save time and spend the money to save yourself the frustration. The aggravation just isn’t worth all the rogue glitter. The glitter stays FOREVER!

Check For Popular Blackout Dates

Ready for a true story? Last year in August, some friends and I made plans to go out to a popular restaurant here in Atlanta called Trader Vic’s located at the Hilton downtown for a birthday celebration. Well, the night we planned to go just happened to also be the first night of Dragon-Con. For those of you who don’t know what Dragon-Con is, just know it’s the largest convention in the world focusing on science fiction & fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film. To our surprise, the opening night party was held right at Trader Vic’s! After a few hours, we got to eat and really enjoyed ourselves looking at the people dressed in amazing costumes. We even got a ton of pics with some of the convention-goers too. Now, even though this wasn’t one of my client’s wedding weekends, this could have been a disaster for any wedding scheduled. So be sure to check dates in your city, and verify those big conventions, popular concerts, or any event that may draw a large crowd doesn’t have the potential to land on the day of your wedding. To keep costs and time delays down due to high traffic volume, save yourself the headache and select a new date.

Sidenote: If you want an amazing Mai Tai head to Trader Vics!

Yes, this is actually me (well…my forehead) at the Hilton last year!

There’s so much more I’d like to share with you, but I have to stop at 5…I don’t want you to get bored. Wait! Who am I kidding? If you read The Weekly Chic then I know you’re here to learn, and hopefully are gaining the most knowledge for your wedding or event. So if you want to know more, contact me and let me help you with all of your wedding and event planning needs.

Until next time,

Keep it Chic

XOXO

Amaris T.

Not to worry...It's not rude! 5 Common Wedding Etiquette Questions Answered

To request, or not to request—that is the question. Over the years, these types of questions come up from time to time as my clients and I are preparing for their wedding day. Depending on your lifestyle, there may be things that you and your Spouse-to-Be specifically want (or don’t want) that may be outside traditional norms. Well, not to fear, because I am here to set your mind at ease. If no one else tells you, here it is: IT’S NOT RUDE! It’s all in how you say it, and not necessarily what you say that will make the best impact for your request.

So exhale, and relax. Here are the 5 most common questions I get about wedding requests and etiquette.

How Do We Request Cash Instead Of Gifts?

Money, Money, Money! Who doesn’t need more of it, especially while planning a wedding? If you don’t mind, I will use my own personal wedding experience to explain how to request this properly.

My Hubs and I had lived together for quite some time before getting engaged. We already had a lot of furnishings and necessities when we bought our first home during our engagement. We didn’t need the typical gifts like bath towels, dishes, or items you find on a registry. So, on our wedding website, we explained to our guests that we would like a monetary gift to help pay for our honeymoon. IT WORKED! People totally understood because most of our guests had known both of us for years, and knew we were planning our honeymoon to take place the following summer. Giving people a good explanation as to why you don’t want traditional gifts helps them make the best decision on how much to give. Keep in mind, good wedding etiquette says you should never indicate you want money (or any particular gifts for that matter) on your invitation. Leave that info and similar for your wedding website.

Other ways you can express that you would like cash:

• Use and online wedding registry like Honeyfund on your wedding website to easily have cash deposited into your account.

• Have your family and wedding party help spread the word.

• Make sure you have a card box that can be easily located at the wedding.

Do I Have To Invite All My Co-workers?

Unless you work in a small office, or with a small team, I am usually not a fan of inviting co-workers. Any additional drama that can be avoided when wedding planning, should be! This group is called the “C list” for a reason. The A list is Family (and friends you consider as such), the B list consists of close friends, and the C list is for Co-workers…aptly named. This group should be saved for last to be sure all the family you want to invite can make it. I would definitely say if you are looking to invite co-workers, only invite those that you hang out with outside of work, and keep the invitation hand-off on the low! I would invite your work BFFs out for drinks, and hand the invite to them with the knowledge that only those few were invited. Politely remind them not to share your big day news around the water cooler to contain awkwardness in the office.

How Do We Say “No Children Allowed” For Our Wedding?

If you or your Fiancé don’t have children, then having them attend your wedding may be a bit much for you to handle. Kids, although adorable, can also be a budget buster! Adding them increases the guest count greatly, resulting in needing a larger venue. It may also mean adding a whole other menu to your reception. I mean, I love a good chicken finger, but not so much to add $20 more per head! Here are some ways to say leave the kids at home:

• '“Please note this is an adult-only celebration.”

• “We respectfully request no children under the age of 16 at the reception.”

• “Due to the limited space, adults only please.”

I do tell clients to add any of these phrases tastefully at the bottom of the invitation, or on a physical R.S.V.P. card.

How Do We Ask Guests Not To Take Pics During The Ceremony?

You’ve hired a photographer because you want your wedding day to be reflected in the best way possible. All your good angles will be caught with an amazing HD lens, you will see how your dress glows at sunset, and the way your Fiancé smiles at you when saying your vows. Sometimes the candid shots from guests workout, and they can catch some wonderful moments between you and your new spouse. The last thing you need is someone snapping a shot of you in pre-sneeze mode, or awkwardly adjusting your dress pants. Some great ideas to stop the sideline snaps are:

• Add it to your wedding website! This gives people time to absorb your request not to take or post photos on social media.

• Post a sign near the ceremony saying “Welcome to Our UNPLUGGED Wedding!”.

• Ask the Officiant to remind your guests before the ceremony starts not to take photos.

We Don’t Drink, Should We Still Have A Bar?

It’s totally possible to have an amazing wedding without having a bar. If you don’t drink, there should never be a problem with your guests understanding that you are intending on having a “dry wedding” because the celebration is in the nuptials. There are many other reasons why couples may be questioning if they should have a bar at their wedding. One reason can be that the cost of alcohol can be a bit much for their budget when considering the guest count. Another reason could be that the venue requires you to have additional security if anything other than beer and wine is served. While I don’t believe there is a right or wrong answer to this question, I am just a bit more in favor of having a bar, because I am simply a sucker for a great party. Here are some options to try if you want a bar and the budget may be getting thin:

• Limit the bar selections to beer and wine only.

• Serve a specialty cocktail that’s popular with everyone, like Margaritas, but offer different flavors.

• (And my fave) Have a Stock the Bar Party! This is great for couples who want the full bar, but want to conserve funds. I love doing this as an engagement party because instead of getting standard gifts, each guest brings a bottle of their favorite wine or alcoholic beverage to serve at the wedding. If you don’t want to keep the alcohol, make cute tags to put on the neck of the bottles and the guests can take their bottles home. If bottles are opened, please remember to put them safely away in the trunk of your car!

Bonus: Should We Make Our Guests Wear Masks?

Due to CoVid, this is a new concern for not only the couple but for invited guests as well. Venues and vendors alike have all adopted new safety measures to ensure that all involved are as safe as possible. It’s important to remember that there is a lot of movement at weddings. Guests head to the venue for the ceremony, then to cocktail hour, then to the reception, and it’s hard to eat and drink with a mask on for obvious reasons. I have said to all my clients, I would not make masks a priority, but an option to anyone who may be uncomfortable. My last two wedding clients gave cute masks and sanitizers as small gifts at the entryway to their ceremony. Those who wanted it could grab one at their convenience. This way, no one feels obligated or shunned for their comfort level choices.

Top: Coleman Wedding ‘20

Bottom: Joseph/Jackson Wedding ‘20

I hope I was able to help you decide the best ways to communicate some of your wants and needs to your wedding guests. At its core, clarity is key for a successful wedding (and marriage). For information on how we can help you plan your wedding or any upcoming event, feel free to contact us to get started.

Keep it Chic!

XOXO,

Amaris

Average Cost of Weddings and Events In Atlanta or Austell

*Insert dramatic music* Dun-Dun-DUUUUUUN!!! Yep, let’s talk pricing folks. This is a subject that many people are afraid to discuss when looking for someone to plan their wedding, anniversary, or corporate celebration.

When I do get asked, I always try to find the best way to answer this question because the response isn’t so basic. In its simplest form, the best way to price an event is all about the hired professional’s specialty, their time in the industry, venue style and location. Also we need to know what your budget is and the type of event you're throwing. Honestly there are very different details from one event to another, and piecing the parts together is no simple task.

Essentially, you are looking to hire someone to pull off an event that expresses your feelings about a specific occasion in celebration form. Talk about complex! There’s so much more to this answer, so for the sake of this blog I will try to break down these 4 points to give you a better perspective on why a planner sets their pricing the way they do. Also we will attempt to explain why pricing may be different from planner to planner. 

Photo Credit: Asad Photo Maldives from Pexels

Venue Style and Location - $10,000

We have all heard the expression “There are three things that matter in real estate, location, location, location!”  This can most definitely be applied when looking for that perfect event venue. Depending on location and amenities the venue offers, the national average for wedding venues are around $10,000. 

Selecting the wrong venue or the wrong location can impact the look and style of your wedding or event, your budget, vendor availability, guest count, you name it! I always ask clients during our consultation if they are dead set on an area they first mention to me.  There is always a strong possibility that if I look 15 to 20 minutes in any direction I can get them a lower price, because venue pricing can fluctuate from zip code to zip code.

The venue style is very important when planning out the event you're having. Although most people do think about a particular area where they want to get married, sometimes the venue style isn't available in the part of town you like. The venue literally sets the stage for the show, and allows you to design the wedding or event look you’ve been dreaming of. As an example, if you love a classic look you wouldn’t have your wedding or event in a barn. If you’re boho chic, your first choice wouldn’t be a modern hotel. It also prevents more work from your design team, and more savings for you because a lot of elements that they would use for the design should already be in place if you pick the right venue. So if you like a modern industrial, the venue will more than likely have exposed beams and edison lights, and will add to the theme you’re going for.

I live in the Metro-Atlanta area and the city is super popular for events with the skyline and nightlife. It's this reason why pricing will be higher in the city limits, and 90% of the time planners are aware of venues close to the area you want to be in for less.

Knowing your estimated guest count will also help you determine the size of the venue needed for your celebration. A good question to ask the venue is what size/type of tables and chairs are provided for the space so you know how many can be seated. Knowing that ahead of time will help you see how the space will be laid out for seating charts. Most venues will have a floor plan available to see how they would arrange the room to accommodate the number of guests you intend on inviting. Also, ask about pricing on days like Fridays or Sundays because even though those days are considered weekends, they are less popular than the forever coveted Saturday. You may get a better deal for those days if you're willing to bend a bit on the date.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Wong from Pexels

Event Type and Budget - $10,000

No two events are the same, and that goes without saying about weddings. Anniversaries, corporate events, birthdays, and other general celebrations (as I like to call them), unless they are cultural (Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceaneras), don’t typically deal in the intricate details like a wedding. For the most part the initial formula is the same...venue, entertainment, catering. However, the devil...or should I say the stress level, is in the details. Needing a Day-of Coordinator alone to help manage a wedding day is a clear give away that planning for your big day won't be like your average event.

The national average cost for a wedding runs around $35,000 and in my area in GA, the average cost is about $32,000. I won’t say everyone will spend that money for their wedding but it’s not an average for nothing. General events can run anywhere from $3,000, $10,000 and can fluctuate lower or higher depending on how extravagant you want to be. To plan a wedding  you need an average of 8-12 months. Even with that amount of time it's a possibility you still will have issues (Think Murphy’s Law), but the more time you have to prevent them the better. With your general events, 2-3 months is sufficient time depending on how extravagant you go.

Other factors you’ll need to consider is other vendors. For example:

• Florists, who can charge $1,000 to $10,000 depending on your event.

• Decorators who bring your table linens and other decor can start around $2,000.

• DJ’s Can start their pricing at $1000.00 for wedding s because they do a lot song changes and announcements during the ceremony and reception.

• Catering’s cost average can begin at $25.00 per head , and this is also depending on the type of event you’re having, and the menu selected.

Outdoor weddings and events can be beautiful, but the additional factors like landscape and weather can create a visual nightmare when planning your special day. Your planner will make sure you have a “plan B” at the ready just in case inclement weather occurs. You may be thinking “Well that’s just common sense!” I’d like to let you know that common sense ain't always common, but we planners understand that you get swept away in the possibility of forever *insert romantic music* and can’t think of everything that we think about on a daily basis.

An outdoor event may require special permits to run generators and other equipment in order to pull off an event successfully. Depending on the city you reside in, that can start at $50.00 to $500.00 or more depending on the venue and the equipment needed. There’s also liquor licenses that may need to be in hand for special events if the venue you’ve rented doesn’t have one. Please make sure you or your planner knows the county law, and has proof that the venue has a liquor license, or if they are a “B.Y.O.B.” style location. These additional factors need to be considered when creating your budget.

Photo Credit: Agung Pandit Wiguna from Pexels

Conclusion

Each planner in the industry specializes in a particular event realm, and although we may dabble in different types from time to time, we all have our faves. Some planners really enjoy general celebrations like Baby/Bridal Showers because they are smaller and more intimate.

Some planners specialize in the super luxe weddings with the large guest counts, upgraded linens, and 7 course meals. The national average cost for a wedding planner is around $1,500, and general event planners charge around $1,000 depending on their time in the industry.  I really want to emphasize that there is a distinction between specialties, and no one event planner in the same specialty is the same.

So when you look at pricing, make sure you are getting what you need out of the hired pro, and what you want for your event. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what their pricing entails, and how hands on they will be. There’s a lot of scheduling involved, appointments to make, and contracts to review. For a wedding they will, more than likely, also be handling the Day-of Coordination as well and that will be inclusive of cost. Knowing that there are many more details when planning a wedding, it's expected that you’ll pay your planner more than you would for other events. 

Should you need more info please feel free to contact us. More than likely we planners already have pricing calculated for the style and celebration you want, but rest assured, whatever your event, a good planner will be worth every cent!

Until next time!

Keep It Chic

XOXO,
Amaris