More budget tips from wedding planner Donnie Brown
Donnie Brown, a wedding planner in Dallas, said draperies and lighting are two of the easiest and least expensive ways to add to drama and sophistication to a wedding or reception.
I wrote about Brown’s budget-saving ideas in today’s Life section. He also said linens can make a big difference in the feel of a room. If a venue doesn’t provide linens, he urges brides to rent them. Many rental companies offer them for $25 to $37 each; if there are 10 tables, it can cost as little as $250 for a lot of look.
“You can’t beat that to totally transofrm the room. Celebrities have theirs made, but who is going to know the difference?”
Brown’s clients include singer LeAnn Rimes. Brown is also on Style Network’s “Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?”
While even most celebrites have a budget in mind (it’s just much bigger than most brides), the easiest way for brides to get the wedding of their dreams and save money is to hire a wedding planner.
“Don’t ever consider a wedding planner expensive,” he said. “Consider them an expense you can’t live without.”
Wedding planners can save money on flowers because they use florists regularly and can buy at wholesale. They know the trends, the different ways to cut expenses, the small things you can do to make your wedding different.
“You want your wedding to have an edge to it,” he said. ” Hire a wedding planner so they can help you make your wedding fresh. Girls want all their girlfriends to say this is the nicest wedding I’ve been to … they want that response.”
Other budget-cutting ideas to think about:
* Buffets can be more expensive than seated dinners because buffets must be constantly replenished so guests can eat to their heart’s content.
* Consider European dining service, one of Brown’s signatures. Have wait staff bring mutliple entrees and courses on a platter to the table. Guests can select fish, chicken or beef, but when the food is gone, it’s gone.
* Or opt for dual entrees — instead of 8 oz. of fish, give them 4 oz. of beef and 4 oz. of fish.
* Forget national averages for the cost of a wedding. You don’t have to spend $15,000 on a gown. Consider one of last year’s styles at a fraction of the cost. They’re still beautiful gowns, and who really is going to know that it was in last year’s collection. What’s the point of spending all your money on a gown if you can’t afford flowers or food, he said.
* Use a credit card (one that’s different from the one you use on a regular basis) to pay for your wedding. Pay it off each month, and make sure it has a bonus program (air miles, hotels, etc.) so you get a benefit from all the money you’re spending on your wedding.
* Whether you use a wedding planner or not, determine what percentage of budget should go into each category — food, flowers, lighting, etc. Meet with each vendor with a dollar figure in mind.
* A simple wedding can be just as beautiful as an elaborate one.
* Remember, the reception is where 80 percent of the money goes.
* Eliminate problems. Think smarter, not harder.
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Comments
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I have a niece who would like to get into Wedding Planning and Decorating.
She has been asking with NO avail…..How are the jobs charged? Is is set per an hourly rate with a minimum of i.e 4 hours for decorating? or is it by cost of each item used with a grand total….plus 60%…?
What is your recommendations as to how to charge per jobs. She is also wanting to put together a collage of pictures as examples….. is this a good idea to put together albums and put them at flower shops?
What about getting a list of items for pricing….. should this be displayed for customers to view pricing or should this be kept for her pricing only?
Thanks for your help,
Melinda LeBlue-Nolan (Shawana Vincent ~ Niece)
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A lovely photo there of a well laid out room. I agree that have the right linens and accessories can make the reception room look ten times it would if you were to use something else.
There is the misconception that couples need to spend thousands upon thousands on their special day, on little things to make it perfect. The fact is though, that thinking smarter can help you save raiding your bank, but also help you make the room look beautiful and the day fantastic.
Also, I think that paying a little extra for lighting in the room can help immensely and will help you create an ambience in the room that no one will forget.