Wedding money ~ I’m supposed to spend a lot or it’s no good, right??
The number 2 question I get (OK, maybe number 3 after “What do we do if it rains?” and “Is it really this easy?”) is “Why are you less expensive than the other wedding people?”. Well, I can answer that in a few quick and simple statements:
First of all, we’re wedding planners, not wedding designers. Good designers are worth their weight in gold... and we know how expensive gold is, right? I help you create YOUR vision. If you want someone to do that for you, there are a TON of great designers out there, and they’ll most likely do an amazing job. But if you want your wedding to be YOUR wedding, then that’s where I step in. You tell me your ideas, I help make them happen or point you to the people who can.
Second, my husband and I work together. So we don’t have to hire outside sources to set up our chairs, officiate our weddings, do our planning. We keep it inhouse. Literally. We have a home business. So, we’re also not hiring someone outside and then marking up so we can make a few bucks.
Thirdly, we’re loyal to our vendors. And we treat them GOOD. We use them a lot, we ‘buffer’ between them and the brides (sorry, but the insiders of wedding vending have a motto: “No bride saves time”) and we make it easy for them. “Hi, I want this food, at this time, for this many people” - “OK”. They don’t have to do sit downs, meetings, tastings, phone calls, deal with moms, consultations - I do that for them, so they show me their gratitude by not charging me an arm and a leg. What do I do in return? I pass that gratitude on to you, because I am truly happy you’ve chosen us to help you on your special day. And I do a lot of weddings, very small to fairly big. Again, we can do as many weddings as we do because my husband and I work together. I set ‘em up, he knocks ‘em out.
Fourthly, we are a home based business. Why is that great, and how can I sound so smug about that? Well, basically, it means no storefront rent, no storefront electricity. No employees. No merchandise. OK, still not getting it? We’re not passing those expenses on to you. We’re paying our home bills, and not additional expenses. My favorite flower lady does the same thing ~ she works from home, which means she gets your flowers *for you*. She’s not going to try to sell you the left over flowers from someone else’s wedding. You’re not paying her cooler bill. You’re not paying for her employees or accountants or security. You’re not paying for the flowers the bride the weekend before didn’t use. You’re paying for the flowers you want for your wedding on your weekend. AND someone professional to put them together, to boot. Not a bad deal? You’re right. We’re kind of the same. You’re paying for us and not for someone else’s wedding. How nice is that???
So, why are we cheaper? You get an experienced team who works hard but doesn’t outsource and cost you more money. It’s not that we’re not better, it’s just that we’re not going to turn you away because you can’t afford a $20,000 wedding. Why should you? I live 3 blocks from the beach. I’ll meet you there!
Why are we cheaper than others?
Monday, March 10, 2008
