5 Common Misconceptions About Wedding Planning
The longer we work in this industry, the more we find that couples have the same misconceptions about wedding planning. And often, they’re budgeting “hacks” that won’t actually save them much money at all! As New Jersey wedding planners, we want our couples to be well-informed about the realities of planning a wedding so that they can make the best decisions possible for their special day—and their wallets. That’s why we want to set the record straight on these five common misconceptions about wedding planning.
A Wedding at a Private Residence is Less Expensive than a Wedding at a Traditional Venue
If you and your partner want a very bare-bones wedding day, then this could be true for you. Often, however, it’s not the case. What many couples don’t understand is that planning a wedding at a private residence is like creating a wedding venue from scratch. Your grandparents’ property may be beautiful, but it probably doesn’t have a tent on-site with wedding-worthy decor and sufficient restroom facilities for your guests (not to mention a chef’s kitchen for your caterer!). Everything, and we mean everything, has to be brought in—and it’s going to cost a pretty penny.
A wedding at a private residence also requires much more time to plan and good old-fashioned elbow grease to put together. If you’re a DIY king or queen who wants complete control over the design and layout of your big day, then that may sound ideal! Everyone else, though, just trust us: you’re better off finding a traditional wedding venue that suits your needs.
Just Using Baby’s Breath in My Floral Design Will Save $
We understand why many couples think this is true. Baby’s breath is delicate, subtle, and pretty commonly used in wedding floral design. However, *because* baby’s breath is so small and delicate, it needs to be cut down quite a bit in order to create the dense arrangements you see on Pinterest. This leads to substantial waste, so in the end, more florals are needed than you’d expect.
We’re guessing that you don’t want your bouquet and other floral arrangements to look dinky, but baby’s breath on its own doesn’t take up much space. So, you’ll either need much more than you originally bargained for, or you’ll need to compensate with alternative filler florals. Either way, you’ll end up spending the same amount of money.
I Have a Large Group for Hair and Makeup, So I’ll Receive a Group Discount
Actually, the reverse is true. More services mean more labor, which means more artists for you to compensate. This can add up quickly, especially if your beauty team needs to be reimbursed for travel as well. The bottom line: don’t ask a professional to do more work for less money. Expect that more beauty services will equal a higher tab, and plan accordingly.
A Buffet Will Be Less Expensive than a Sit-Down Meal
Typically, a buffet will cost you about the same, or just slightly less. And there are cons to choosing a buffet over a sit-down dinner. With a buffet-style meal, your guests will be invited up table by table, which means that the rest will be sitting (with hungry stomachs) while a small portion serves themselves. This has the potential to take a longggg time too. For this reason, buffets are best suited to weddings with 80 guests or less. Truth be told, we always prefer plated dinners anyway. They’re much more personalized and elegant, and everyone is served a fresh plate of hot food in a timely manner.
My Venue Has an On-Site Coordinator, So I Don’t Need a Wedding Planner
Sure, we may be a bit biased, but a wedding planner is a must! Your venue coordinator and your planner should work together as a team, but their job descriptions are different. Whereas your planner always has your best interest in mind, your coordinator works for the venue—not you. They’ll ensure that your plans are in accord with venue policy and communicate your menu and linen selections, but the buck stops there.
Conversely, your wedding planner will work with you from the moment you hire them to meticulously plan every aspect of your day. What’s more, they’ll communicate with vendors on your behalf to ensure your exact vision is executed. Take it from a team of pros: wedding planning can be a WILD ride, and having someone to guide you to the best possible version of your special day is indispensable.
If you’re a New Jersey to-be-wed, we would love the opportunity to tell you more about what we do. You can hit us with all of your questions here! And, be sure to share this post with an engaged friend so that they can avoid these common misconceptions about wedding planning too.
Vendors:
