Wedding Wednesday: Budget Basics

Photo from Jennifer Chase Photography.

You’re newly engaged. The excitement of your impending nuptials is contagious. Visions of flowers, tulle and taffeta dance in your head. Then you comprehend how much those flowers, tulle and taffeta are going to cost and you begin freaking out.

Stop freaking and start budgeting, stat! Sticking to a wedding budget is difficult, but not impossible. You have to start with a few basics:

  1. How much money do you have? Before you pin even one single picture to Pinterest, take a good, hard, honest look at your total savings and current salaries. Do NOT blow your entire savings on a wedding, even if you’ve dreamed of nothing but Vera and the Ritz.
  2. Who are you expecting money from? Figure out who is going to help foot the bill. Every family is different, so don’t assume anything when it comes to money. All brides would like to think mom and dad have been saving every penny since she was born for their daughter’s eventual walk down the aisle, but this is completely unrealistic. If you are expected money from your parents, ask them if they are able to contribute and, if so, how much. It will be awkward, weird and potentially uncomfortable but it must be done. If your betrothed thinks his parents would like to assist with the wedding funds, let him have a conversation with his parents. This is not your place and you should not expect it.
  3. How much do you really want to spend on a wedding? Once you know how much you can spend and how much your family is able to contribute, it is time to decide what you want to spend. Look at your money as a lump sum. What can this lump sum buy? A honeymoon to Tahiti? A down payment on a dream home? An Amsale gown? Make a decision about what is most important for YOUR wedding experience and prioritize accordingly.

These three questions will help any bride better understand what she wants and how it compares to what she can actually afford. Once a budget is in place, it is much easier to make responsible and realistic decisions, making the entire wedding planning process less stressful.

After the budget is settled, there are tons of ways to prioritize, cut costs, stretch investments and DIY your way to wedding perfection!

 
 

Remembering.

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I like to keep this blog light. This is a place for commentary on fashion, beauty, weddings, events and other things that inspire me. I steer clear of political commentary, despite my geographical location and the fact this is an election year. There is more than enough heavy stuff out there in this world that it is far too easy to get weighed down in the muck and forget all the beauty that surrounds us.

However, on a day like today, September 11th, it is impossible to write about pencil skirts, polka dots or other pretty, but trivial things. I remember, 11 years ago, sitting in Mr. Peterson’s history class, ironically enough, learning about past events that defined our country. The teacher next door rushed into the room, frantically yelling that the World Trade Center had been bombed. Thinking this teacher must be misinformed, Mr. Peterson flipped on the classroom’s television only to find out that this teacher was in fact, misinformed. The World Trade Center had been hit by a plane. About 30 seconds later, we watched as a plane careened into the second tower.

We will never forget the events of September 11, 2001. A date defined by pain, hurt and loss. It was a day that changed the city of New York, and America, forever. More than a decade later, there are still no words to heal the pain, lessen the hurt or explain the loss.

There are no words, but there are actions. We returned acts of terror with acts of bravery, courage and faith. We came together, united as one nation founded on the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We cried, mourned and endured together.

On September 11, 2001, we experienced evil, but Americans retaliated with good. We were reminded of the fragility and importance of life. We can take no moment, no day and no life for granted. We must live with conviction and love and without prejudice. We must never forget so that such a tragedy never happens again.

 
 

Pretty in pink & navy

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Fall is officially here, but that doesn’t mean you need to put away your brights and neon just yet! One of my absolute favorite color combos for Fall, or any season for that matter, is pink and navy. It’s not surprising that pink, the color equivalent of femininity, is the perfect companion to navy, a hue with characteristically manly origins.

Navy is a neutral, so you can pair just about anything with it. Pink pairs perfectly with navy and adds a pretty punch to what can be a bland color.

I chose bright, bold pinks for all of these looks, but any shade of pink looks great with navy, from the palest of pinks to the craziest of 80’s pink neon. If you’re going for a pink top and navy bottom, or vice versa, keep your accessories neutral to keep the focus on the clothing. This color combo works with accessorizes, too. Take a basic navy shift dress from country club to down town with the addition of a neon pink belt, jewelry or pumps.

Whatever your choice, pink and navy are clearly a match made in heaven!

Pink and Navy Color Combo