Some of you may be under the impression that money buys you happiness. I don’t know how true that it, but it sure as heck beats being poor! I for one would love the opportunity to explore how limitless funds could change my life or even the world, but the reality is that for most people there is a ceiling on how much we have to spend. This includes your wedding day budget which generally bears no relationship to the grandeur your imagination can conjure up or the fun you could have!
Having unlimited funds does not equal a better wedding.
For many of you who have no idea what things cost (more on that in another blog post), how on earth do you go about setting a realistic budget and sticking to it? Frankly it’s not much different than buying a house. Sure your own gorgeous villa on Necker Island would be fantastic, but it’s no secret that Richard Branson didn’t START there. You need to decide what you can afford to spend, prioritize the most important things on your wish list and then look for options that fit the bill.
So many couples fail to sit down and really discuss the things that are most important to each of them BEFORE getting caught up in the excitement of, eek, getting married! I get that this is one of the most amazing, fantastic things ever and you should be jumping up and down with joy! I agree. Just remember to take into consideration the very things that will make your wedding day a unique reflection of you as a couple. In my experience, the most joyful, successful and memorable weddings are those that truly mirror the couple; who you are individually as well as together.
Who are you? What brought you together? What do you absolutely love to do in your free time? What common interests do you share? How do you choose to spend your money? What quirky things do you each bring to the equation? What excites you? Who has inspired you in your life and why? What’s your favourite colour? His favourite meal? What are you passionate about? Do you share time with your friends by holding boisterous casual barbecues or do you prefer fantastic meals in trendy high end restaurants with a few of your closest friends? Do you like quiet times together or spend your weekends out on the town? How close are you to your families (for some of you, it’s not always a bed of roses). What traditions have been passed down? Does your culture play an important role in your lives?
I encourage you not to make any decisions at all right now. None. Not even a teensy weensy one. Not until you have had “The Talk”. You must sit down and really talk about who you are as people. Forget the wedding during this discussion. Don’t even relate any of this to the wedding. Just write notes. Really consider what’s important to you every day of your lives. The things that won’t change even five years down the road. I’m going to tell you that you have chosen each other because of the answers to the questions I’ve asked above (and so many more). I promise you, that if you start here, your decisons from this point forward will be so much easier. And most importantly, your wedding day will be a one-of-a-kind event that will have everyone talking, and you reflecting on your day with wonder, for years to come. And that my friends, is truly priceless!
See “Shoes or Schmooze? Prioritizing Your Budget Part II
TTFN!