IDENTIFYING NEEDS VS. WANTS IN WEDDING PLANNING

Are you planning your dream wedding and have a budget you are trying to stick to? Does it feel like everything costs more than what you expected? Maybe you've already gone over your budget and are only half way through the planning with more expenses coming up.

Believe me, I can relate! If it gives you any comfort, you're not alone. I have spoken to many couples who are facing the same dilemas.

One reason for this is that most couples set a budget but don't have any idea how much weddings actually cost. The costs of weddings also varies based on the city or location where the wedding is taking place. You might have a basic idea of what a wedding costs in your local area but a highly sought after destination area may be more expensive. You may be surprised when you start seeing how quickly things add up. 

The second reason couples tend to go over their budget is they are not identifying their needs vs. their wants. The first thing you should do when you start planning your wedding is to discuss what is important to you and think about the parts of the wedding that you want to spend the most time and money on.

In a nutshell, needs are essential for a wedding to function properly. Wants are things that would be nice to have, but not necessary.

For example, you need a partner, a marriage license, an Officiant and a location for the ceremony to take place. Anything beyond that could be considered a want. To simply get married, those are the components you need.

To have a wedding means you want a celebration of the marriage and to include people to celebrate with. Things like a venue, food, tables, and chairs are considered needs. You need a place to celebrate and provide food and a place for people to sit and eat and gather.

Needs and wants are going to vary person to person. Someone may decide they need an arch for their ceremony backdrop but someone else might consider that a want. Wants are also things like programs, guest books, gifts or favors, printed menus, welcome signs, and late night snacks.

In some cases hair and makeup could be considered a want. It’s nice to have your makeup and hair done by a professional, but not necessary if you can do your own. Anything excessive could also be considered a want such as extra lighting (when the venue already provides adequate lighting) or dance floor lights, disco balls or glow sticks. Those are all fun elements and things you would enjoy having, but not a need.

​Adding flowers to the overall aesthetic isn't always necessary either depending on your venue. Personal flowers for the wedding party should be included in your budget, however, centerpieces can be optional. If your venue is already surrounded by a beautiful landscape you may not need them and there are other ways to save money by using non-floral options for your table decor.

Sometimes there are also wants within needs. An example of this would be you need a venue and you also need a specific size venue big enough for all your guests. On top of that, you want a venue with an ocean view. The last part is not necessary but finding the right size venue is.

Needs vs. wants can be tricky. It's important for you and your partner to discuss what the most important aspects are to making your wedding day truly special and unique to you.

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