The first rule of event planning is to know your budget. Unless money is no option, which is true for some fortunate brides and grooms, this golden rule is the most important part of the wedding planning process. With that being said and even if you have a somewhat limitless budget, creating a one anyway is the best way to ensure you get what you pay for.
When considering your budget it is important to allocate which funds will cover what specific expenses. For instance, if you have grand total budget of $15,000, you need to determine what portion of that will be spent on your wedding fashions, flowers, photographer, caterer, cake, event center, decor, transportation and accommodations. Of course these are usually just the bare minimal expenses, so whatever you have in mind, be sure your idea of the perfect wedding matches up with your financial plan. After you have written out a budget, yes I mean like as in an excel spreadsheet, it’s time to start contacting vendors. When it comes to getting quotes from catering companies your budget constraints, event location and the number of guests should one of the first things out of your mouth. This is because these are the three most significant factors a catering company will use to put together a proposal.
Also, don’t think just because you have a small budget that you cannot have a nice catered event, but likewise you must understand that catering any event requires more than just dropping off a meal. The next main components of an event are always preparation, setup, cleanup and breakdown, which is why service is key to success and reduced stress. Every well put together event has people behind the scenes who are doing things like planning, cooking, transporting, ordering, setting up, maintaining, cleaning up, and breaking down every aspect of your event’s decor and menu. If you consider the countless hours most brides spend imagining their dream wedding, the task of pulling that off usually takes a team of professionals several days before the event and about 14 hours the day of.
Backyard weddings have always been popular because they are fun, convenient, affordable, and flexible. With that being said, many soon-to-be husband and wives, especially those in the industry, think trying to cater their own wedding sounds like a good idea. Although the truth is that it can be done, there is definitely a right and wrong way to do it. The wrong way, is to rely on your friends and family to work the event. The right way, is to hire a full-service catering company who will work with your budget. Although there are some corners you can cut to get your budget down, service, quality and a solid reputation should never be one of them!