}
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Planning $10k Weddings Versus $100k Weddings
What are the differences between planning a wedding with a $10k budget and planning a wedding with a $100k budget?
As a professional planner, I have planned many events with both types of budgets. Below are common differences we experience no matter what the client’s personality is or the number of guests expected.
Characteristics of weddings with budgets in the $10k range:
Characteristics of weddings with budgets in the $100k range:
Sometimes there are exceptions to these characteristics and weddings with budgets in the middle range such as $50k may have some of each set of characteristics or they may lean strongly in one direction or the other.
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Thanks Debbie for your feedback ☺
This is so true. Brides with budget 10k and under tend to want so many things listed under 100k.
Convincing them politely that they can’t have certain things is difficult. How do I manage that?
Is it okay for me to put my money in and how much? Because if I do this, I end up not making any profit.
Thanks for your comment Araba. I am not quite sure what you are asking. If you are asking if you should contribute part of your pay towards their wedding budget, the answer is absolutely not.
When being hired as a Day Of planner, should we care so much about the budget? Since the bride/groom will be hiring vendors and DIY crafty décor on their own?
Typically, day-of planners are not involved in the budget unless you have included that in your services or if the client has hired you for this as an added service.
brides with budgets 10k and under tend to be more demanding and are forever asking for discounts from vendors, which can really cause tension and damage your business, high end brides are more understanding, focused on quality rather than quantity and are very respectful.
Thank you for sharing your experience!
I have worked with one bride whose budget was about $8,000 for 130 people. While the couple was a pleasure to work with, the extra professional help would have been great. I also find that while family members can be great, you don’t have control over when they show up or leave nor do you have any control over the quality of the work. It was a good learning experience and one I won’t repeat ;-)! Awesome post!
So true about family members. Thanks for sharing Kim!
Good post Debbie! I soo many DIY brides that I am actually thinking about raising my rates because it so much more work. I have not decided yet. I don’t want to be harsh but it’s really a lot of work and my prices were based on clients hireing event professionals.
Debbie, I’m looking forward to hearing your feedback and others
I understand Lorna. I use to feel the same way. Then I started to include clauses in my contract requiring that my clients hire professional vendors for certain categories. You can always change and evolve your services which is a valuable lesson I have learned.
I agree debbie on the new terminology friendor is a great addition. The article as always is spot on! Thank you 🙂
Thanks Kelli! I always appreciate your comments and feedback.
I totally concur! I see the difference when couples hire a “friendor” instead of a true professional and it shows on the wedding day. I always tell my couples to leave their wedding day to professionals who are accredited and know what they are doing!!!
I love the term “friendor” Gina. I am going to start using that. Thanks for sharing!
This article is so very true. I may not have worked on the $100K budget wedding but within the $30K-$50K and the differences you have mentioned are so true.
Thank you for sharing:)
Thanks Tamiko! It’s interesting to see the differences, isn’t it?!
When I got married 13 years ago, our budget was less than 10k… We had LOTS of Aunt Sally’s helping cater and decorate, etc. but there was NO WAY we were going to let some Uncle Bob do our photographs! So HALF of our entire budget went to a photographer – best decision we made!! 🙂 PS. Uncle Bob DID do our video. Halfway through the ceremony the battery on the videocamera died. About 9 months after our wedding I took the tape that contained what footage we did have… and recorded over it with some football game. Very, very sad about that….
Haha, I love this Jared. Hiring a professional photographer is so important. I’ve seen many brides regret it when they hire a family member or friend who has never shot a wedding.
This is good stuff! My target is $20k-$75k and I want to work toward reaching those $100k brides. It’s great to see the difference and to understand it.
Thanks for sharing Samantha!