Budgeting 101: With CM Promotions

​​Wedding Planning! So exciting, fun, and..... Stressful?
No matter how much you love the planning process most couples have never fully planned a
wedding before. Even if you have, odds are it hasn’t been many and as we all know every
wedding is as unique and as amazing as each individual couple.
SO where to start?

The first thing you need to get set before planning is your budget.
Yes, we are prepping to plan guys! Trust us though, this will help give you an outline to work with and to narrow your search for those professionals to bring your vision to life.

Why do I need a budget?

Well.... Everyone’s budget is unique and what is reasonable or expensive to you could be
completely different to those brides in your Facebook group that are giving you suggestions of
photographers that are “reasonable”. In addition, having a budget can help you stay on target
and in control of your wedding spending. The two problems we hear from couples in the
beginning of planning is that
1) “We have no idea how much a [planner] should cost! Is this a deal? Is it expensive?”
2) “How much of our budget should we spend on [floral]?

Questions and Answers!

​So, we can give you our tips all day long, but we thought hearing directly from a planner who
helps consult and set budgets would be way more helpful. Cindy is a local planner we love
working with and is always so professional with couples.
We’ve asked her for her two sense on budgets - take a peak.

Q: I can’t afford to pay an arm and a leg for floral that’s just crazy! I am looking for an
affordable DJ - who can help?”
“We as vendors see this question all the time, I need a planner who doesn’t cost an arm and a
leg, I need a low budget DJ, can’t spend an arm and a leg. Wedding budgets will look different
for each couple but just to set the record straight.
The price of a new prosthetic leg can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 and an arm that is
fully functioning and can bend at several locations can range from $20,000 to $100,00.
Is anyone’s budget here $150K? OK perfect so none of you will spend an arm and a leg.”
- Cindy, CM Promotions

Know your ideal budget and ask or look for it! Vendors cannot help or have any idea what is
“reasonable” to you if you don’t give a range or max amount. We do recommend that you look at
vendors that are slightly above that range to compare what is provided at that price level.
Our venue for example includes some services like tablecloths where others do not. That
service saves you $200+ easily from your budget so may first look like we are above your ideal
venue budget when in reality we save you more in the long run.

Q: How should I start figuring out where to spend my budget?
“Make a list of your wedding priorities: Start with the top three things that are most important to you on your wedding day. For example Food, Live Band and Photo are mine, and yours may be
different and that is ok. Whatever is most important put it at the top and book those vendors
first. Anything leftover you distribute to everything else you need but at least you’ll have your
main priorities taken care of.” - Cindy, CM Promotions

Q: Are there ways I can stretch my budget or make the most of it?
“Be resourceful! There are a lot of items/decor for weddings that can be used for both the
ceremony and reception. Example: Bridesmaid bouquets can double as centerpieces for the
reception, lanterns used to decorate the aisle can be brought inside and put on tables/stairs for
extra decor. Adding a colored napkin to a white or ivory table cloth can add so much to the
room for only a little expense.” - Cindy, CM Promotions

Q: Should I go for the best deal I can find?
“Do your research: As important as budget is to your wedding day, you can’t get a redo - if you
think your vendor has a deal that is too good to be true, dive in a little deeper, read the reviews,
post to one of the Facebook groups and see what other brides have said. Having an
experienced and knowledgeable vendor team is crucial to the success of your day, the planner,
DJ, and Photographer all have to work hand in hand to ensure your day is a success.”
- Cindy, CM Promotions

Q: How much of my budget should go to each area?
“I feel like the wedding budget is different for everyone so this Budget 101 breakdown is like a
middle ground and it works for those who have a budget of $20,000 or $60,000.”
- Cindy, CM Promotions

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FREE RESOURCES

Check it out guys!
This FREE wedding planning resource is for you, from our very own North Texas professional Cindy.

CLICK HERE to download the budget infographic

If you need something more detailed and designed for you then give the CM Promotions team a call (they offer a consult call at no charge!).
They also can help with vendor recommendations, questions, timeline review to a full planning service.

CLICK HERE cmpromotions.co/to set up that free consult call with CM Promotions.

CM Promotions
https://cmpromotions.co/
(972) 677-8841

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Like what you see? 
Photos on this page (top to bottom) by:

Brandon Jones Photography (photos 1 and 2)
Enchanted Luna Photography (photos 3, 4 and 5)
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