Seven things that can blow your budget

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1) Heavy florals

Large flower arrangements are going to be one of the priciest line items in your floral budget. I might suggest transferring some of the florals from the ceremony to the reception (for a buffet or bar) to get the most bang for your buck.

2) Scaling up your rentals

You’ll want to limit significant furniture rentals and consider using disposable plates/ flatware for your wedding. While the cost of these single items isn’t great, they can add up quick.

3) Splurging on a videographer

If a wedding video is important to you, I recommend absolutely booking a videographer. But if this is a wedding item you can go without, skip the videographer and spend that money elsewhere. There are a handful of wonderful and affordable videographers to choose from as well!

4) Venues that aren’t inclusive

If your venue includes tables and chairs, that’s one less rental item for you to budget. Even better if they have table cloths that coordinate with your décor palette. You may want to consider

5) Tent rentals

These are an incredible option for an indoor/ outdoor event, but they don’t come cheap. You may want to ask your venue if you can share a tent with the event before or after yours.

6) A large guest list

The more the merrier when we’re celebrating you. But a bulging guest list is one of the quickest ways to make your event considerably more expensive. Catering will be one of your greatest costs, and when you’re paying for food per person, a larger guest list can push you over budget.

7) Paying for alcohol by the glass

Some venues require you to purchase your alcohol through an in-house caterer. If you have the option to buy your own alcohol (think Costco) it can significantly reduce that portion of your catering/ bartending cost.

Printable checklist for venue visits

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Hello and welcome! I’m resurrecting my previously neglected blog to bring you a series of helpful (and sometimes crucial) planning tidbits this year. First up- choosing your wedding venue! 

Visiting and comparing venues can be a daunting task. So many incredible places have a lot of different amenities (consider parking, space to get ready, indoor/ outdoor opportunities, grounds for great photos, etc.) and it can be hard to compare them all. That’s why I created this incredible tool to bring with you when you’re touring wedding venues. You shouldn’t feel any shame in getting all of your questions answered and a great wedding venue will be glad to walk through every last detail with you. 

After you tour multiple venues, I’d suggest compiling the information in a spreadsheet or document, so you can see it all side-by-side. 

This is something I so enjoy working through with clients. If you’d like some extra support or a bit more info on what to consider when looking at venues, I’d love to chat! We can do a quick (and affordable) consult as well. Happy planning, and remember to enjoy the process!

AJ + Hannah

When Hannah and I initially started working together, she told me she wanted an ‘English garden’ wedding and I believe that’s exactly what she experienced on her wedding day! We planned together long-distance, so communication was extra important in our process and thinking through Hannah’s vision was a top priority.

Hannah and AJ said ‘I do’ under the canopy of beautiful trees, enclosed in lush greenery at the Dixon. Their indoor/ outdoor reception was perfect for the lovely spring day and let me tell you- it was a party! The dance floor was full the whole night and it was easy to see that Hannah, AJ and all their guests were having a great time.

Cheers to you, Hannah and AJ!


A word from Hannah:

“[Amanda] gave me invaluable advice, helped me choose vendors, helped me prioritize what was most important, helped me work within my budget and overall vision, and came up with creative ways to solve whatever problem would arise. Having a timeline definitely kept me on track throughout my 11-month engagement and created so much peace as we got closer to the wedding.

Vendor List

Photography: Amy Hutchinson Photography
Venue: The Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Catering: Simply Delicious
Cake: Frost Bake Shop
Flowers: Southern Bloom

Travis + Alicia

Where do I even begin with this couple? Their joy and passion is just contagious! It was a blast working with Travis and Alicia, and a Colorado destination wedding was just the cherry on top!

Alicia and Travis wanted an outdoor, floral-focused, mountain view for their wedding. We were able to achieve just that with a wonderful space just outside the Denver area in Morrison, CO.

The bright florals were such an incredible focus for this event. Alicia works in landscaping, so I knew the florals and colors were a priority for her. More than anything, like always, the biggest priority is nailing exactly the vision my clients are hoping for and I certainly believe we achieved that on this event!

A word from Travis:

Amanda was always helpful and responsive without being pushy. She definitely decreased my wife’s stress throughout our entire engagement/planning period and was of invaluable help on our wedding day! She did a great job!

Alex + Rachel

Alex and Rachel had a very intimate wedding, with no wedding party and 30 guests in attendance. But make no mistake, they had a wonderful group of people surrounding them on their special day. Rachel and Alex are both very compassionate and caring people. And the chemistry! You can tell they're going to love one another forever. I have the honor of working with a variety of couples, but it's always a pleasure to work with people who have beautiful hearts, like these two.  

A word from Rachel:

Working with Amanda was incredibly special! I could not have asked for a better wedding planning experience. She brought great ideas and input while always keeping in mind our vision for the wedding. She coordinated our wedding day like a pro and handled all of the details - taking off so much extra stress. She helped make our wedding day perfect and I could not have done it without her!

Vendor List

Photography: Katie Barber Photography
Venue and catering: Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar
Cake: Muddy's Bake Shop
Flowers: Kacie Cooper Floral Design

Brian + Emily

Oh goodness...I don't even know where to start. I loved this wedding! These two just couldn't be surrounded with more people who adore them. When Emily approached me with their guest list and budget, I'll admit I had a hard time understanding how we could make it work. But everyone was behind them 100%. Friends and family prepped, cooked, cleaned, pitched in to setup, drop off, haul away, craft flowers and provide entertainment. I was amazed over and over again how far people were willing to go for these two. And it's because they LOVE them. And what's not to love? Emily and Brian radiate joy. They are both people of peace who are willing to love in ways I wouldn't even think to. They're going to have an incredible life together. 

A word from Emily:

We are so thankful for Amanda and her willingness to use her administrative gifts to help us plan and execute our wedding day! We knew it would be a little tricky to honor both of our families in the midst of wedding day dynamics, and Amanda helped to field everyone's expectations and demands so that we could be present. We couldn't be more grateful for the energy, joy and efficiency that she brought to this season. We really enjoyed every moment of our wedding and wouldn't have wanted anything to be different!

Vendor List

Photography: Emily Frazier Creative
Venue: Living Hope church
Music: Johny Pineda and Njeri  Camphor

Darri + Kibibi

This wedding was just so beautiful.  I had the pleasure of working with Kibibi and her mother for a few months leading up to her wedding and getting to know her was a joy! She's such a servant to those around her- even on her wedding day. It amazes me to see a bride who puts other before herself, even on the day of her wedding. And her groom, Darri, was so caring and fun! These two- they love one another deeply and you could absolutely feel it on their wedding day. I loved every minute of the fun and the joy. 

Vendor List

Photography: Kim Smith Photography
Venue: Noah's Event Venue
Wedding cake: Frost Bake Shop
Music: DJBlaq
Catering: Donelson Catering

Kacy + Kim-An

What a wonderful couple! These two were such a joy to plan alongside and I was thrilled to help them construct the most incredible day.  The weather was fantastic for their wedding- a sunny day and blue skies paired perfect with the romantic Hunt Phelan Mansion in the backdrop as they said, "I do." These two wanted to provide everything for their guests- babysitting for the children in the wedding, cocktail hour, a sprawling buffet and dessert bar, wonderful band, and a great time. Kacy and Kim-An are so very loved by their families and more than 200 friends who joined them to celebrate. Be sure to checkout their review of my wedding planning here!

Vendor List

Photography: Darling Juliet Photography
Venue: Hunt Phelan Events
Dessert Bar: Simply Delicious
Flowers: Garden District
Band: Bluff City Soul Collective 
Catering: Gus's Fried Chicken

 

Andrew + Devin

What a couple! It's not rare for me to cry at weddings, especially for people who I've seen grow together, but Andrew and Devin had an incredible wedding and reception. Within the ceremony they incorporated so many people who are important to them, and the reception ended all too soon. You know it's an amazing celebration when everyone leaves wishing they could stay longer. I truly felt so lucky to help this special couple plan such a beautiful day!

Vendor List

Photography: Emily Frazier Photography
Venue: The Atrium in Overton Square
Cake: Kipp Cakes
Flowers: The Flower Girl
DJ: Devin Ragland
Catering: CFY Catering

Mark + Kristie

Make and Kristie sure know how to celebrate! A fun time was had by all as the couple tied the knot at Christ Methodist. Kristie and her boys, the two ring bearers, were so sweet! The reception at Chimes and Occasions in Cooper Young was the perfect mix of vintage and trendy for the couple. A brass trio's music filled the dance floor and people flowed outside and in from the pretty patio out back. If their special day is any indication, Mark and Kristie have many fun times ahead!  

Vendor List

Photography: Shannon Charnes
Venue: Christ Methodist Church and Chimes and Occasions
Cake: Andrea Elliott
Flowers: Kristie, bride
Band: The Jeremy Shrader trio

Kevin + Stacy

What can I say about Kevin and Stacy's wedding? It was beautiful. It was intimate. It was them. I worked with Kevin and Stacy to help them incorporate some of their favorite things into their special day: metal working (at the rehearsal dinner), a bagpiper, a wedding parade with ribbon wands and even an Elvis impersonator. Their special day included Kevin's kids in so many special ways. Be it less conventional, their wedding day was filled everything they loved, which is what I believe a wedding is all about. 

Vendor List

Photography: Amurica Photography
Venue: First Congregational Church and Strano Sicilian Kitchen & Bar
Cake: Muddy's Bake Shop
Flowers: Lizy Heard

Logan + Laura

It was apparent to everyone that Logan and Laura had a blast on their wedding day. They're both such fun-loving people and they couldn't wait to tie the knot! They were surrounded by such wonderful family and friends the day they committed to one another forever. It was fun to not only plan their wedding, but be there for all of the awesome festivities that followed. 

Vendor List

Photography: Fernweh Photography
Venue: Colonial Country Club
Cake: The Shotgun Bakery
Flowers: Creations by Kacie
 

Logan and Laura pose for some gorgeous shots outside Colonial Country Club before their wedding ceremony. 

Logan and Laura pose for some gorgeous shots outside Colonial Country Club before their wedding ceremony. 

Jackson + Kendall

Jackson and Kendall truly had a fairytale wedding, held at the private and rustic Cedar Hall in Bartlett, TN. The wedding part and chairs were filled with people who just adore these two. The couple radiated joy and God's love as they said "I do" under the umbrella of a clear sky, and blooming Crepe Myrtle trees. It was such a joy to be a part of such a celebratory day.

Vendor list

Photography: Kelly Ginn Photography
Venue: Cedar Hall
Cake: The Shotgun Bakery
Flowers: Brittany Rhodes
Band: The Plan B Band

Jackson kisses his bride after they say, "i do."

Jackson kisses his bride after they say, "i do."