In today's challenging world those of you planning an event need to understand first of all where your priorities fall. So you'll need to evaluate what services are the MOST IMPORTANT to you. Sight & Sound Events recently met with a bride from the Bridal Spectacular show whose most important priority was the entertainment. It was important enough for her to invest more money in GOOD, QUALITY and FUN entertainment than any of her other services. When asked about a budget for entertainment she didn't have one yet because she wanted to meet the best in the business and build a budget from that.
The top 4 ingredients to a successful reception according to recent newlyweds were the location, the entertainment, the photography and the videography. When its all said in done the photos and video are truly the ONLY way to remember the party. The entertainment was the driving force behind those great photos and video.
The solution to whether your budget is realistic is to research the best in the 4 categories (location, entertainment, photos and video) take time to meet these professionals survey the funds you set aside in the budget and get a realistic budget based on your meetings with these professionals.
This strategy is a sure fire success strategy in selecting the vendors for your wedding. Your comments are always welcome.
Since I published this blog, I had an inquiry from a bride at an open house Saturday afternoon who was looking for a DJ for six hours. She didn't care about credentials or quality. She didn't research the cost of professional wedding DJs. Her only question was I got a quote from another DJ (who she didn't book, perhaps there was a reason she just didn't fork over the money yet) who would DJ six hours for $550.00. Will you match that? Wow. That's just under $100 per hour. I don't know any professional, successful and business minded DJs who do this as a full time business that would take on that!
When I asked her where she came up with the budget...she couldn't answer because she didn't do her homework. She just called one guy got the price and based everything around that. BAD MOVE. You seriously need to get not only quotes from at least 3 other vendors but be open to see how they differ! There is a reason why one DJ would charge $550 for six hours and another would charge $1200. RESEARCH the DIFFERENCE. Don't base prices of any wedding vendor by calling only one. Meet with each of them. Read and research reviews on them. Visit their place of business.
Remember you can't re-do the day again.
Posted by: Jodi Harris | February 01, 2009 at 08:40 AM