Wedding planners help their clients make the best use of their budgets, and that involves creating luxury experiences with a sense of savviness.  

 

For Lauren Purcell, owner and lead planner of Swoon Soiree Creative Events and Design, making the most of a couple’s wedding budget begins with having them establish their priorities. She said some couples want to prioritize the guest experience while some want a private, intimate celebration. There are also couples who want to create an event designed for sharing on social media. 

 

“We figure out what (the couple’s) intention is, what their event goals are, and from there we pare things down to…design, aesthetics, budget and personality of vendors,” Purcell said. 

 

Priscilla Locke, a master certified wedding planner and owner of Priscilla Rose Events, takes the same approach and asks couples to choose what they want most from their special day. 

 

Priscilla Locke

 

“The first thing we do to maximize the budget is to talk about expectations, what their idea is, and the reality of pricing,” Locke said. 

 

 

 

 

Determining the guest count is key when a couple is establishing their priorities as the number of guests plays a large role in how a couple can create a luxury experience with a sense of savviness. Locke said the fastest way to reduce costs is to cut the guest count, and she shares with couples what experiences look like in a more intimate setting. Those settings could include places like a backyard, a favorite restaurant, a family cabin or a scenic outdoor location. 

 

She also said a more intimate setting also allows couples to carefully plan every part of the day to reflect their personalities. 

 

“There’s more room to create a timeline that feels natural, rather than driven by formalities,” Locke said. “Whether it’s a cozy dinner party or an extended weekend experience with loved ones, (couples) can shape it around (their) story.” 

 

Additionally, having status or points with a hotel, resort or airline is another way to achieve savings. In addition to using earned points, these businesses might be open to negotiating or offering extra perks to a couple with established status. 

 

Here are four other budget-savvy topics planners discuss with their clients. 

 


Weighing the pros and cons of an all-inclusive resort.  

All Inclusive Resort

On the positive side, the cost of a wedding at an all-inclusive resort is set and couples will have relatively few budget surprises at these venues. Locke said an all-inclusive resort is often ideal for a destination wedding given their services and packages.   

 

Yet both Locke and Purcell said weddings at a boutique hotel, estate or residence are much more easily customized. Purcell said while these locations require more work on the part of the planner, cost savings could result from being able to more freely choose vendors. Additionally, these venues make it easier for the couple to spend more on the priorities they establish for their day and less on what isn’t as important to them.  

 

Jennifer Hardiman

 

Jennifer Hardiman, chief event officer of Fabuluxe Events, said planners help couples analyze the offerings of all-inclusive resorts to see if such a venue will be the best choice for their priorities. She said it is important for a couple to consider if their guests can afford the room rate at the resort or will need to stay at another nearby location. Additionally, not all resorts are kid-friendly, presenting a challenge for couples wanting to invite families with children. 

 

 

 

 

Considering a date in the off-season.  

Off-Season Wedding

It might be possible to book a beachside venue for less during the height of summer, but the heat and chances of rain and storms are also high. While it might still make sense for a couple to book during the off-season to maximize their budget, it’s important to consider exactly what the experience will be like at that time of year.  

 

Regardless of the season, weekday weddings are always a way to stretch the budget further, particularly if everyone is traveling for a destination wedding. 

 

Lauren Purcell

"I really like the idea of weekday weddings,” Purcell said. “Getting people to the location during the week is going to help save on cost, and your vendors will be less expensive.” 

 

 

 

 

 

Thinking of outside-the-box venues. 

Museum Wedding

Museums, libraries and botanical gardens can be beautifully unique venues for weddings with the potential for savings, but couples also need to consider the restrictions at these locations. Hardiman said set-up time is often limited, and there might be infrastructure needs and other hidden costs. 

 

 

Establish what does and doesn’t add to the luxury experience.  

Destination Wedding

Hardiman said significant spending on decor and design in many destination locations is generally not necessary as the location itself creates the ideal ambiance, and guests will remember the location more than the decor. 

 

“Sometimes the destination itself should be the star,” Hardiman said. 

 

She also believes highly personalized and elaborate welcome bags are unnecessary and recommends sticking with items guests need and will use again. Additionally, Hardiman said couples can forgo elaborate favors, signage, and printed materials in favor of more simplified versions. 

 

While a luxury experience can be achieved without spending heavily in certain areas, Hardiman always encourages couples to prioritize photography as an area well worth the investment. Couples will treasure the images for years to come and only have one chance to get them right. She also recommends couples pay for travel and wedding insurance for some security in the event of a crisis.  

 

With some savvy moves, luxury experiences can be created for couples looking to maximize their wedding budget. Planners help their clients look at their priorities, guest count, venue, date and design to determine the best way to offer the most luxury possible.  

 

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