Can You LOSE Control to GAIN?

One of the fascinating things about working within the hospitality arena is the various personality types you encounter when planning an event. Planning a wedding can bring out behavioral traits in people you never knew existed!  Whether you are a type A, B, or DEF, it’s difficult to let go of control when it comes to planning a wedding. But to save some money, it might be worth it. 

The wedding budget is as important to create AND maintain as the wedding itself. Without it, CHAOS will commence!  A skilled wedding planner can provide a practical, “realistic” budget for you. Even still, some large expenses like the wedding reception/dinner are necessary and unavoidable. So, how can we get it done without breaking the bank? Lose control!

To keep within your budget, hand over the menu selection to your catering manager. Yes, your dream wedding might also include a dream reception menu. But, most don’t realize food/beverage needs can “eat up” a large portion of any wedding budget.

If you are concerned about keeping the cost down, LET GO of any preconceived menu and ask your catering manager to put together a menu based on your desired fiscal outcome. For example; to keep your reception affordable, you determine you need to “realistically” spend $5,000 for the cocktail reception and $10,000 on dinner. Request your catering manager put together the best menu options, using those parameters. You might be surprised at what a good, creative catering manager can come up with for you.

I’ve used this method for corporate functions on more than one occasion, and many times the catering manager comes up with a BETTER menu than I would have selected. Again, a GOOD, CREATIVE catering manager knows what’s possible to maximize your money because they have the inside track on things like: what’s in season, a chef’s specialty, or items that are plentiful and cost effective. They can also tell you what brands of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages fit within budget. 

Of course, you need to vet their suggestions AND make sure you and your planner come in for a tasting. I’m not suggesting “blind faith” when it comes to your reception! Hey, this type-A (me) isn’t that reformed, LOL. However if you’re willing to relinquish control of your menu, you might be able to gain a better outcome than you anticipated!  

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Tech Savvy Bride

You never really realize how MUCH work goes into the planning of a wedding until you’re in the “thick” of it. From the first day you start the journey to the altar to meet your groom until the last song is played at your reception, there are hundreds of details to manage. Most brides know, one of the best ways CENTRALIZE all the information leading up to the big day is a Wedding Website.

Wedding websites can be more than just a “cute” embellishment or a trendy thing to do. Many know they can actually simplify how you relay information to your family and other guest. More than just telling your love story or posting dates and times, wedding websites can be an extension of the planning process by layering information for them relevant to airline/hotel, special activities planned, and gift registry links.

If you’ve researched this, you know several are free, easy to use and update, as well as FUN. Many also allow you to keep the “branding” for your wedding by uploading the same design you use for your invitations or images that correlate with the theme of your wedding. Sites like those you find on WeddingWire.com also have elevated the product to include a free mobile app. You can make your wedding a “virtual”success before the big day even arrives!

I love the concept, but I also want you to keep a few things in mind:

The Bridal Show Maneuver

Brides are always excited to see and hear the latest trends in weddings. Whether it’s through a popular bridal magazine, wedding industry website, or even bridal reality show, brides are in search for great ideas and experts to help make their wedding reality a dream come true.  Aside from these resources, bridal tradeshows also can be a valuable outlet, IF you know how to make the most of the experience.

Often, I hear that bridal tradeshows can be “overwhelming” to brides. Trying to process all the information thrown at you from perspective vendors, might be daunting.  Neverthless, I believe, if you carefully craft your time and who you give attention to while at a tradeshow, you can find “vendor gems.”   

Here are a few things to consider:

Map out a plan of attack.  It would be great if you could spend hours visiting with all the vendors at a bridal tradeshow, but the reality is you can’t.  Avoid getting overwhelmed by the temptation to “see it all” by deciding well in advance the particular services you KNOW you NEED.  Research which vendors related to your need will be at the tradeshow by visiting the shows website, then the vendor’s website, and weed out the list to determine your top three.  From the tradeshow vendor map, locate the both numbers for those vendors and mark them on the map.  Determine you will not get sidetracked by the “lure of crowd” and spend the time you have at the tradeshow investigating their ability to provide the services you need.