We hope these tips help you in planning your big day. 

Just click on the links at the left.  If you have planning questions, please enter our Ask the Expert section and we will have an appropriate wedding coordinator or vendor answer you as soon as possible. 

photo taken at The Village Event Center www.village-eventcenter.org

HAPPY PLANNING!

Wedding Day Emergency Kit

An Ounce of Prevention Goes a Long Way.

You can spend an entire year planning your wedding day, however there is no guarantee that the day will be perfect. A little extra preparation goes a long way toward ensuring that wedding day mishaps don’t get out of hand. If you organize and “emergency kit,” and keep it stashed nearby at the ceremony and the reception, coping with last minute dilemmas will be a breeze. Keep these 'emergency' items handy:

Needle, thread, buttons, and safety pins, extra stockings, spot remover, nail polish (match nails and clear for runners), hard candy or cough drops, tampons/pads, aspirin, bobbypins, kleenex, chapstick, hair dryer (for spills), q-tips, razor

Checklist For Your Stationary Needs

• Invitations
• Response Cards/Envelopes
• Reception only invitations
• Ceremony Programs
• Maps
• Seating Place Cards
• Napkins
• Marriage Announcement Cards
• Thank-You Cards
• New Address Announcements
• Stamps
• Calligraphy

 Percentage of Budget Estimations

Whether you are on a tight budget or no budget at all. Here are some estimated cost percentages you may use as a guide. Please remember these figures are estimations, but you might find them useful as you budget for your wedding.

Reception(included catering)- 45% of the total cost
Photography-15% of the total cost
Flowers-10% of the total cost
Gown-8% of the total cost
Videography-5% of the total cost
Music-5% of the total cost
Wedding Bands-4% of the total cost
Invitations-2% of the total cost
Transportation-2% of the total cost
Grooms attire-1% of the total cost
Other miscellaneous-6% of the total cost

As you can see the first item on the list, reception, is the biggie! Be sure to book your reception site and caterer as soon as possible.

There are several decisions you can make to reduce the cost of your wedding. Remember, if you can cut costs in one category it may allow you to spend extra in another.

Make sure you create the budget with your fiancé, and other family members to ensure fewer headaches down the road.