If you’ve started your wedding planning, the topic of wedding photography has likely come up. And if you’re like most couples, you’ll be looking for an incredible photographer to document one of the most important days of your life. One of the most common questions that couples ask during a photography consultation is: “How many photographers will we need for our wedding?” This is a question that will get you many different answers, but the short(ish) answer is: it depends on the size of your wedding, and how concerned you are about capturing certain moments. If your wedding is of […]
5 Wedding Tax Deductions. Tips, Plus One To Avoid
One way many people overlook when thinking of ways to save on their wedding is through tax deductions. Here are the rules along with corresponding IRS resources. I’ve followed these with some ideas for getting the deductions. (Disclaimer: I’ve taken the H&R Block tax preparer’s course, but I am not a tax professional. So, please double check your deductions through a tax software or professional.) The Tax Deduction Rules If you use Schedule A to itemize deductions on a Federal 1040 tax return you can reduce your taxes. IRS Publication 526, found here, lays out the rules for what can […]
Your Free (and complete) Wedding Planning Checklist. Details & Timeline
Woohoo! You’re engaged. Now you may be wondering how long it should take you to plan your wedding. And what about a checklist? First of all, it will take you as long as you have. Anywhere from 90 days to 12+ months. The checklists for a quick, simple wedding and for a long engagement are similar. The difference is your focus and time spent on decisions. And options. (Sidenote: If you are looking for the interactive “cheat sheet” checklist, I moved it here.) How to Find Your Way Around this Article This post is long. It contains everything you will […]
What Does a Wedding Planner Do? 80+ Point Checklist.
When you think of a wedding planner, you may imagine someone putting on the whole event. Planning and coordinating from beginning to end. And you may overlook the possibility of hiring one. But hold on. She can actually play a less-inclusive role. Even if you are wedding planning on a budget. So what, exactly, does a wedding planner do if she isn’t taking the responsibility for the entire event? She can play any, all, or a combination of parts. Different Wedding Planner Duties We often think of a “wedding planner” and the responsibility of “wedding planning” as interchangeable. But your […]
23 Wedding Food Ideas on a Budget. Chop Costs!
Whether you have a caterer do all, only part, or none of the food preparation, there are ways to save on wedding food costs. When you take this “you, me, or us?” approach to the reception food you can discover cost-saving solutions you may not have thought about otherwise. Here–whether you completely outsource, totally DIY, or are somewhere in between–are some wedding food ideas on a budget. 1. Make sure you know how the caterer determines the final cost you pay. When by the number of people at the event, keep a careful count. Follow up on RSVPs ahead of time […]
36 Non-traditional Wedding Ideas You May Not Have Thought About
One of the most overwhelming aspects of making wedding decisions is the judgment that comes from others. A common line of reasoning is “do it this way because that’s the way it’s done.” Well, times change and different types of weddings flourish in this age of individuality. Plus, you are unique and should have a wedding that reflects who you are and what you care about! For those reasons, you do not have to follow tradition unless you want to. In fact, you could even do something else instead of a wedding. Here are 25 36 non-traditional wedding ideas to […]
How to Effectively Manage Your Wedding Budget. 5 Must-Do Tips.
Make no mistake, a wedding can cost a lot of money. And even more if you don’t put a proper plan in place to manage your finances and stick to a budget. According to a recent survey by The Knot, the average wedding in the U.S. costs over $30,000. Much of this is accounted for and many couples do, indeed, start out with a spending limit in mind. The problem is that many don’t adhere to it. In fact, as many as one in three couples go over budget! It can be easy to let fancy venues and decor get […]
The Ultimate Cold-Weather Comfort Food Wedding Menu
It’s your cold-weather wedding (or pre-party)! Guests are arriving chilled. And you want to warm them with a comfort food menu. Sprinkle your offerings with ingredients that feed the soul and raise spirits. They will have fond memories of your event for years to come. The beauty of all these recipes is you can make them ahead. Plus, they are scalable. Appropriate for a large reception, intimate holiday party, or rehearsal dinner. Concerned about the carb factor? I’ve offered ideas under each recipe for adjusting ingredients or offering alternatives. Give yourself plenty of time to tinker and adjust! Now let’s […]
12 Affordable Wedding Party Gift Jewelry Ideas They’ll Flip Out About
Jewelry gifts for the wedding party are a much-loved tradition. And there are inexpensive options. Earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are typical. And I’ve included some. But what, exactly, is jewelry? For purposes of this discussion, it’s pretty much any piece of bling you keep nearby throughout the day. So, keep that definition in mind here as you discover these 12 affordable wedding party gift jewelry wedding ideas for the gang who is helping you get hitched. Inexpensive “Jewelry” for the Groomsmen and Dads Watches, keychains, tie bars, and cufflinks all qualify as jewelry in my book. The guys’ version of […]
Top 7 Limited Budget Wedding Planning Tips
One of the first realities when planning a wedding on a budget is discovering IT’S EXPENSIVE! But can a bride- or groom-to-be still have the wedding of their dreams? Absolutely. The secrets to budget wedding planning are two-fold. Rank what’s important to you and be conscientious about what you spend. Here are seven ways you can do this. 1. Prioritize Wedding Expenses When dreaming of the perfect wedding, there are likely two or three elements you imagine. What are they? The gown? Decor? Location? The people? Whatever the aspects, these are where you should put your priorities. First, take a […]
5 Wedding Shopping Ideas. Tips to Save Money.
We sometimes think a small budget means doing everything ourselves and giving up on the dream wedding. Not necessarily. The good news is the dream can survive the pinch! It will, however, require more thoughtful spending. The key when buying wedding items is to combine DIY projects with discount suppliers, sales or coupon codes, and used items. In a way that not only gets the most value for your money but also keeps your stress levels down. The dream wedding, after all, does not include Bridezilla raising her harried head and ruining your big day. There are various tactics to help you save money on […]
