Kelly AllenOwner, ncwweddings.com

DIY Weddings:Should You Do It

Yourself?

Typical Millennial Bride• Jennifer

• 27 years old (spouse is 29)

• 5’5” to 5’10”

• Size 12-14

• Attended some college

• Close to her parents

• Couple will pay for 75% of wedding

• Will plan wedding on-line/smart phone

• Wants her special day to be unique and personalized.

Ask Yourself 3 Questions:

①What is my budget?

②How many people do I want to invite?

③How much time do I have?

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF!

Average Cost of a Wedding:

$29,858*national average (w/o honeymoon)

• Wenatchee: $17,000 to $25,000

• Chelan: $23,000 to $30,000

• Leavenworth: $25,000 - $33,000

*all-time high

But…

Most couples spend

$10,000 or less

Average Number of Guests

138

Trends to Consider

Couples are spending more than ever on their weddings.

Be careful about peer pressure and outrageous expectations.

This is YOUR wedding, not theirs.

Trends to Consider

Couples are focusing on creating an experience for

their guests.

Rehearsal dinners, after party, morning-after brunch,

photo booths, gift bags, favors

Trends to Consider

Couples are foregoing some traditions to modernize their nuptials.

74% live together before marriage

Casual weddings on the rise, fewer religious settings and officiants, fewer women take last

name of husband

Good Blog Entry:

“20 Things to Reconsider About Your Wedding”

• Bouquet Toss

• Number of attendants

• Cake smash

• Stay local

• Save paper

Trends to Consider

Wedding season is shifting.

Most popular months: June & September

October is moving up fast.

Summer weddings decreasing while fall, spring, and winter getting more popular.

Trends to Consider

Personalization is at a peak

Signature cocktail

Interactive food stations

Family member or friend

as the officiant

Another blog entry:

“It really IS all about You”

Don’t let your guests leave without knowing more about you.

What are your passions?

How did you meet?

Who are your attendants?

TELL YOUR STORY

NCW Is a Wedding Mecca

• Chelan County has twice the number of weddings per capita than the rest of the state.

• Second highest wedding rate in the state (Clark County is second)

• The wedding business brings $10 to $30 million into the NCW economy.

NCWWeddings.com

• 150 wedding vendors on our directory

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Pinterest

Before I show you the next slide…

• Remember “average” is not the median.

• Don’t compare yourself to other couples

• These figures will be used AGAINST you if you believe them

• Bottom Line: how much do YOU want to spend?

Wedding Budget

Breakdown

Venue

Almost 50% of this budget

BRIGHT SIDE: Everything is taken care of

DOWN SIDE: Expense $$$

NCW is paradise for outdoor/interesting settings

Blog Entry: “10 Things To Remember When You Take It Outside”

Catering

• Don’t just figure food. Consider linens, dishes, servers, glasses, ice buckets, cake displays, food warmers.

• DIY will include set-up, preparation, serving, take-down, clean-up, disposal

• Are you willing to rely on the kindness of your friends and family? Should you?

Music

• Doesn’t have to be a big deal.

• Consider alternatives: bluegrass, big band, jazz trio, classical quartet, or recorded music.

• Make sure people can DANCE. Kids, seniors, teens, everyone…

• Mix tape?

Are you ready to elope now?

How About a Wedding Planner?

• They have connections to good venues, vendors, suppliers, ideas, etc.

• Easier to have a neutral source than work with family or friends.

• Consider a limited contract. “DAY OF” only with a few day of consulting/planning.

Pinterest

• When you Google DIY Wedding Pinterest, you will get 154 million hits!

• A place to dream, plan, fantasize, and get organized (checklists, planners)

Other Sources

• StyleMePretty.com

• DIYWeddings.org (British)

• BrokeAssBride.com

• Offbeatbride.com

• Emmalinebride.com

• POPSugar.com

• Others?

My theory about Bridezillas…

• Is this your only time you get to be in the spotlight? If so, create more opportunities for that in your life. Community theater?

• You could buy a great used car instead!

• Remember what Buddha said: unhappiness is caused by comparisons.

• It is NEVER going to be perfect.

Big Points

• Tell Your Unique Couple Story

• Don’t compare your wedding to others

• Focus on AUTHENTICITY (being REAL)

• Do you HONESTLY have time to create all those centerpieces?

• How can you enjoy your day the most? (HANDS-FREE)

• Consider creative alternatives