By Nicky Malcolm @ Décor-atif

HELP !!

Many couples do not know where to start when planning the decorations for their wedding. There are lots of decisions to make, personal dreams to be created and then, of course, finally, the budget! Most of us have never had to do this before and we have no idea of the costs involved. Help!  

In order to answer many questions I am regularly asked, I have provided a rough ball park estimate of what you could expect to pay for different decorative items either by hiring or purchasing services. This is just to help you look at a realistic budget and expectations of what is achievable within it. All couples will have a marvelous day no matter how large or small the budget. It is very important to keep this in mind! Special moments are really about people and not things.

However, having said this, decorations always create a unique and wonderful enhancement of your special day and provide absolutely stunning backdrops to celebrate and capture the special moments you will always want to treasure.  

Beautiful moments deserve to be reflected in beautiful ways and there are people around who want to and are able to make your venue and day, visually, absolutely stunning.

Firstly, here are some points you will need to consider.  

Do you want to do your own DIY wedding decorations?

This will mean that you are a hands on couple with available time and planning skills and lots of relatives and friends who want to give you their time and personal skills to keep your costs down.

Do you want to have a mixture of DIY and some input from wedding design /decorator /hire services?

This is probably the most common combination. This will mean that you have time and energy to organize and co-ordinate the decorating of your ceremony and reception, using the skills of relatives and friends where possible, and making some use of decorative hire or service providers.  

Do you want a full Wedding Decorating Service or Package?

Many people today are incredibly short of time and do not want to burden their relatives or friends with wedding decoration responsibilities. There is already enough complexity ‘on the day’ without having to think about coordinating and checking decorative preparations at several different locations. Many people also want a full set up and dismantling service with trusted professional service and attention to detail. Wedding packages are often a simple option and good value for money. They make decision making easy. There is also the other wonderful possibility of having a Designer Wedding or Themed Wedding styled and especially created for you.

My Suggested Planning Process

• Decide which option above you wish to follow.

• Decide on and book your venues for your ceremony and reception. The venue facility will affect most of your decorative planning priorities and decisions.

• Get as much information as you can from your venues: plans, photos, size of tables, decoration policies. Most venues have a strict policy for use of candles. (Some do not allow them at all)

• Sit down together and decide which are the most essential decorations you need and place them in order of priority. This will vary from person to person and will also be determined by the strengths and weaknesses of your particular venue.

• Now write down those other decorations and accessories you would like if you can afford them within your budget.

• Decide on a realistic budget ! I always recommend that you add up the total estimated spend of your entire wedding and decide on a total decoration budget as a percentage of the whole. This will often be done with family members who are helping you. You decide what priority of budget you give the overall decorating of your special day. It is good to compare this allocated budget against your prepared spend on other items so that you can also adjust other area costs in order of priority as well. Which areas will give the most value overall? For example : How much are you spending on a limousine? a wedding cake? the cost of bridal shoes? the cost of the food and drink? Your bridal bouquets and lapels?.

• How does your decoration budget compare with these areas? Have you got the mix right for you?

• Now that you have a realistic potential budget you are ready to look at your essential decorations list and seek helpful advice as to how far it will go.

• Have a clear idea of what is a need or a want. Chair covers look lovely, but 100 chairs are expensive to cover. If the venue already has very good chairs, you can use this part of the budget for other areas of decoration. I have provided below, some figures to help you with ball park costs for certain hire items. Many other items, like centerpieces and full floral displays, can range from ‘budget’ to ‘the sky’s the limit’. Remember you choose the budget. You set your own limits. Your budget is potential to a skilled decorator and they will show you how you can get the most from it, whether you are just wanting hires for a DIY wedding, or the full works. You may want to consider a wedding package to get good value and to keep things simple. See the enquiry link on my website for wedding package details. www.decor-atif.co.nz