Let’s Talk Money
That’s right. Time to tackle the hard stuff. Don’t worry, we’re here to guide you through.
For many couples and families your financial state may have changed or be changing. If you want to have a wedding, the time to act is now. Here are some special circumstances to factor in when planning a wedding in today's environment. This is your inside scoop on the industry so you can make sure you get the best out of it.
For many couples and families your financial state may have changed or be changing. If you want to have a wedding, the time to act is now. Here are some special circumstances to factor in when planning a wedding in today's environment. This is your inside scoop on the industry so you can make sure you get the best out of it.
Venue.
Your venue is typically the biggest financial commitment for your wedding celebration. Often the venue decision decides many things for you - date, location, time of day/ night, catering, drink package. One of the big questions couples have right now is ‘what if there is a second wave’ (or other unforeseen circumstances). Every vendor and venue has their own policies around these things, and it is important for you to know your options. I see the attitudes towards the big day falling into two main categories
With this information select your venue accordingly. It is a big chunk of your budget and you should know that the money is going to a good cause or coming back to you if there are unforeseen circumstances.
For this important of a decision, we recommend professional and personal guidance as each couple's wish list usually goes beyond force majuere policies. Feel free to reach out to us at asknehanow@gmail.com so we can help you find that perfect match for you.
- ‘In it to win it’ when you will have an event, whether it is now or later your big event is going to happen. In this scenario, almost all venues are playing nice. Big, small, medium, conglomerates, independent, religious organizations welcome you. Many offer complimentary rescheduling for Coronavirus complications, some may charge a small fee to cover change fees.
- 'Go big or go home’ is another approach. If your wedding is time sensitive, you may prefer to keep the date and skip the big party should the rules prohibit socializing. Chains like big hotels have been giving couples more freedom to be able to cancel with a full or partial refund.
With this information select your venue accordingly. It is a big chunk of your budget and you should know that the money is going to a good cause or coming back to you if there are unforeseen circumstances.
For this important of a decision, we recommend professional and personal guidance as each couple's wish list usually goes beyond force majuere policies. Feel free to reach out to us at asknehanow@gmail.com so we can help you find that perfect match for you.
Negotiation.
If you're someone who is always pushing to get the very best, very best deal, there is something important to keep in mind. Weddings from this summer have been pushed to later this year and next year. This means there is an unusually high demand for a limited number of dates.
When you are negotiating, be aware of what the other side is going through so you can play your cards right. Be aware that vendors are receiving a lot of inquiries. If you are looking to haggle over every penny, it is far more likely the vendor will get another inquiry and sign a more eager client. Ask yourself - are you a person who wants to do business together, or a person who wants to review over and over again why they should do business together and at what cost. I recommend focusing on the professional experience (the rewards that come from finding the right fit) and not focusing on the haggling experience (the reward of saving every dollar, often at the expense of the other party).
If you are looking for extra special deals, here is a trick I can share special for these times - book and pay now, right now. Many wedding vendors are facing a financial low point right now. Some vendors are offering discounts to clients who pay upfront. This helps you by giving you a better rate, and helps them by allowing ease of cash flow during these unusual times.
When you are negotiating, be aware of what the other side is going through so you can play your cards right. Be aware that vendors are receiving a lot of inquiries. If you are looking to haggle over every penny, it is far more likely the vendor will get another inquiry and sign a more eager client. Ask yourself - are you a person who wants to do business together, or a person who wants to review over and over again why they should do business together and at what cost. I recommend focusing on the professional experience (the rewards that come from finding the right fit) and not focusing on the haggling experience (the reward of saving every dollar, often at the expense of the other party).
If you are looking for extra special deals, here is a trick I can share special for these times - book and pay now, right now. Many wedding vendors are facing a financial low point right now. Some vendors are offering discounts to clients who pay upfront. This helps you by giving you a better rate, and helps them by allowing ease of cash flow during these unusual times.
Special Circumstances in this Industry.
As people are laid off or out of work, many will look to start businesses or self-employment options to earn much needed income. Be aware of who you are hiring. There is a difference between a ‘person with a camera’, a photographer, a professional photographer, a professional wedding photographer, and a professional Indian wedding photographer. They each have their own price points and expected level of deliverables.
With a wedding being a once in a lifetime event, and usually an action packed day, there is zero margin of error. Wedding professionals work at that level and deliver every time. Established vendors are also able to guarantee service a year out from when they are booked. Many new businesses do not know if they will last that long.
Everyone has been there where we got a great deal only to find out that there was an essential element missing - delivery, customer service, quality of materials was not quality. You don't want to find that out on your wedding day... Look at when a business was established, their past experience, past weddings. You are putting your effort and investment into this celebration, take good care of yourself and your vendors so it can be a true celebration before, during, and after instead of an 'I wish I knew that before' story and financial losses.
Be aware of the this very special situation created by the corona virus epidemic, and choose your vendors with added caution. And as wedding planners we are happy to guide you so you can skip the concerns and questions and get straight to the right answers!
With a wedding being a once in a lifetime event, and usually an action packed day, there is zero margin of error. Wedding professionals work at that level and deliver every time. Established vendors are also able to guarantee service a year out from when they are booked. Many new businesses do not know if they will last that long.
Everyone has been there where we got a great deal only to find out that there was an essential element missing - delivery, customer service, quality of materials was not quality. You don't want to find that out on your wedding day... Look at when a business was established, their past experience, past weddings. You are putting your effort and investment into this celebration, take good care of yourself and your vendors so it can be a true celebration before, during, and after instead of an 'I wish I knew that before' story and financial losses.
Be aware of the this very special situation created by the corona virus epidemic, and choose your vendors with added caution. And as wedding planners we are happy to guide you so you can skip the concerns and questions and get straight to the right answers!
For personal navigation through these questions, professional guidance is a click away at asknehanow@gmail.com
For the answer to the million dollar question - how much will my wedding cost - we offer a personalized wedding planning budget blueprint in our Monthly Movin' and Shakin' package (wedding planning light) and in our Full Service wedding package, and sometimes I can be convinced to do it as a standard alone option as well. Let me know which one sounds good to you and we can get started.
For the answer to the million dollar question - how much will my wedding cost - we offer a personalized wedding planning budget blueprint in our Monthly Movin' and Shakin' package (wedding planning light) and in our Full Service wedding package, and sometimes I can be convinced to do it as a standard alone option as well. Let me know which one sounds good to you and we can get started.
More Corona Virus Related Topics
Wedding Tasks while At HomeA few weddings tasks you can tackle now, from the comfort of your couch.
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Corona Virus, Real TalkA realistic phased look at when we will go back to 'normal'
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Wedding Planning ServicesHaving a professional on your side is more important than ever in the current environment.
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For personal navigation through these questions, professional guidance is a click away at asknehanow@gmail.com
