budgeting your wedding
Welcome back on the blog!
Today we’ve got an important topic on the blog and I am sure that everyone can take something home on this.
We’re talking about BUDGETING YOUR WEDDING. Life is expensive these days, rent, mortgage, groceries,… we’re all struggling on different ends. So how are you supposed to pay for an entire wedding? It sounds like an impossible thing to do but there are some tips and tricks which might help you budgeting your expenses. (Please note these are only tips and tricks, I am no financial advisor or accountant, so please don’t come after me haha).
SET YOUR PRIORITIES
What’s most important to you and your fiancé?
Try to imagine your wedding day, what would you be most excited about? Is it important to have all your family and friends around? Do you have your dream wedding venue? Do you love details like flowers, decorations, wedding favours, photo booths…? Will you dance all night and party or do you like it quite and relaxed?
Ask yourself all these questions, you don’t have to have an exact plan yet but a general idea will help you focusing on the important parts of your wedding day and that’s where your money should go to.
ADJUST YOUR BUDGET
Now that your priorities are set you can start adjusting your budget to your wishes and needs. So what does that mean? It helps you eventually cutting off costs at other ends and putting more money into the important parts. For example:
Beautiful Bouquets and flowers are your priority but you like it intimate and chill, so why not cut down the guest list? Result: Less people to pay for and a smaller venue.
You are absolute party people but don’t care about the fancy table decorations? Keep it simple with the decorations and wedding favours Result: more budget for good entertainment.
You LOVE beautiful photos but you don’t need a fancy dinner? Food trucks are your best friends. Result: less costs on expensive catering.
Or maybe all of this is just too much? what about you ELOPE? Result: saving money on all ends and keeping it simple
You see I could continue this list forever, each wedding is individual, these are just examples.
DO IT YOURSELF
If you are a creative person (and even if you’re not), there are many things that you could yourself. It’s not only a lot cheaper to create things for your wedding day yourself, it can also be super fun, especially when you do it together with your future husband, friends, family,…
Ideas for DIYs:
Make your own table decoration
Decorate your wedding arch
Make/ Build your own seating plan
create your own photo wall
…
SECOND HAND
Not everything has to be brand new, a great way to save money is to look for second hand items. This could be anything from table decoration, flowers, neon signs over to wedding dresses (there is a great second hand bridal boutique in Christchurch), suits and jewellery. Most of the time a wedding item is only used once so it is usually in great condition and a lot more affordable.
Where do I find second hand wedding items?
Facebook marketplace and Facebook groups
Bridal boutiques
OP-shops, second hand stores
Or what if you just HIRE it for one day?
You don’t have to purchase everything at once!
Planning a wedding is pricey, so don’t try to pay everything at once. A little tip if you have money now but your wedding is still a while away, buy vouchers in the value you’d like to purchase your item. Example: You’d like to buy drinks now for your wedding in a few years, but not all drinks last that long. Simply buy vouchers in a bottle store now, so in a few years time you can use your vouchers to purchase the drinks! This little hack doesn’t work for everything but it’s worth giving it a try.
and lastly… SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE
We get so overwhelmed by all the inspiration we see and with a world of social media we all dream about a “perfect instagram wedding”. But at the end of the day do what makes YOU happy, it doesn’t have to be bling bling and you don’t need EVERYTHING. Sometimes less is more, and maybe save your money for a honeymoon after? :D
I hope I could help you a little budgeting your wedding, and remember money is not everything, it’s the memories you make that count!
Until next time
Aliena X
the old stone house
Hello everyone!
Finally a new blog post, wohoo!
We’ve had this amazing styled shoot a few weeks ago right in the heart of Christchurch in such a special location! The results are way too pretty to stay forgotten on my hard drive so I thought I’d post them on my blog for all of you to see! Maybe you’ll find some inspiration for your own wedding? I’ve linked all the beautiful vendors at the bottom of the page, don’t forget to check them out too.
Okay I’ve talked enough, enjoy the photos!
Models: Lauren, Mia and Chris
Venue: the old stone house https://www.theoldstonehouse.co.nz
Arch flowers: Flowers by Lynette https://www.christchurchweddingflowers.co.nz
Bouquet flowers: Sefton flowers https://seftonflowers.co.nz
Cake: Twisted flour and sugar https://twistedflour.kiwi
Dresses: Jerahmie Tricia Atelier https://www.jerahmietricia.com
Hair and Makeup: proud beauty makeup, made by Lauren https://proudbeauty.co.nz
Other photographers: Kathryn and Charmayne
Organised by Kathryn https://www.kathrynlouiseweddings.co.nz
Best photo locations in Queenstown
Christchurch & Canterbury Wedding & Elopement Photographer Aliena Seitz Wedding & Elopement Photographer serving Canterbury, Christchurch, Timaru, Ashburton and Banks Peninsula | Christchurch Wedding Photographer Canterbury Wedding Photographer Couples Photography Christchurch Christchurch & Canterbury Engagement Photographer New Zealand, NZ
Hello you!
Thanks for checking out my blog! I am a little nervous to be honest, this is my first blog post ever and I am not really sure how this works! So I thought I am going to share some of the best photo locations in and around Queenstown, that’s an easy topic, right? I am not wasting your time any longer, I know you didn’t click on this post to read about my boring life. Have fun reading!
Queenstown Gardens
A five-minute walk from Queenstown CBD will bring you to the beauty of Queenstown gardens. You will see people walking their dogs, sport lovers going for a run and locals playing disc golf. This well-maintained garden is a real gem and looks beautiful all year round.
2. Coronet peak
Stunning Remarkables and Queenstown backdrops makes coronet peak one of the most popular locations in the area. It’s about a 20 minute drive from the CBD to the viewpoint, the road is easy to access (no 4wd required) and the views are just amazing. Definitely the Queenstown photos of your dreams.
3. Jack’s Point
The suburb is not only popular for its golf course, Jack’s point also has amazing photo locations. Remarkables, Queenstown and the Lakefront can all be found as beautiful background locations. As all the other locations, this one is free and easily accessible, golden grass invites for dreamy photos during golden hour. If you’re not taking photos, the golf club house is worth a visit for a coffee and a little snack with great views.
4. Kelvin Heights
The sunny peninsula offers many opportunities and great photo spots. The Hilton Hotel at the begin of the peninsula offers views of Ben Lomond as well as the Frankton Arm, the peninsula end opens up to Walter Peak, the Remarkables and Kingston. If you’re staying in Queenstown Central, simply catch the water taxi over to Kelvin heights, it’s quicker and way more fun than driving!
5. Kingston
Kingston is a tiny village at the end of Lake Wakatipu, you will pass it on the way to Milford sound. The drive over devil’s staircase is already worth it, the small road offers epic views. In Kingston you can drive down to the wharf where you can find an old train station, it’s a great hidden gem for photos.
Thank you so much for reading through, it can be hard choosing a good photo location, I hope I could help!
Follow me on my socials to stay updated about everything and if you’re keen for a shoot in one of these epic locations simply enquire here: https://alienaseitzphotography.com/contact
Talk to you soon
Aliena X
