This week I gives tips on how to ward off the wedding day blues.
Dear Tia,
I’ve had my wedding planned in detail for the past 5 years—all I was missing was a fiancé. Now that I got engaged earlier this year, I have received so much input. How do I combine meeting the needs of myself, my fiancé, and family and friends in what should be one of the most spectacular events in my life? - Engaged at the right age in Georgia
Dear Engaged,
Now that you have the final—and biggest—component of your dream life, don’t let your wedding turn everything into a nightmare. So what’s the key? Budget, budget, budget! Budget your time, ideas and most of all moolah. I suggest that you set up a time to meet with your fiancé to discuss both of your visions for the big day and how you will finance the event. After you have a good idea of what you want then you can seek the opinions of other people (such as parents).
While it is important to be open to some suggestions—particularly when it comes to traditions or important people who you don’t want to leave out—this day belongs to the bride and groom. You may want to implement a, “you say, you pay”, policy for parents, or close elders, with grandiose ideas. That means your well-respected loved ones must pay for any suggestions outside of what you and your groom have sketched out— but that’s only if you want those ideas to be included.
You have the right to say NO. I also suggest you consider getting a wedding planner to help facilitate the process. Ideally, you want someone with taste, comportment and an attitude that you find admirable since it is his or her job to bring your vision to life. The average amount the typical American couple spends on their wedding is $20,000, but your personal circumstance should dictate the final cost.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to scale down your wedding to something simple and chic. You don’t have to spend major bank to have fun. Plus, the money you save can be used as a down payment for your dream home, car or first joint account as Mr. & Mrs. Happily Ever After.
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July 9th, 2009 at 12:31 am
Good advice, Tia. Budget is indeed, the key. If budget would allow it, I would advise her to give her fiance a de Grisogono for that perfect gift and he will love her more for it. Cheers!