Sonoma Wine Country Wedding: What are you willing to spend?

To quote from the Weddings Edition from REAL SIMPLE, “there's a reason traditional wedding vows include the phrase”for richer or poorer”...couples doesn't always see eye to eye on finances. If you're thinking of blowing your nest egg on your wedding, but your groom wants to use his savings for a down payment on a home, you'll need to compromise. Use these guidelines.

• Sit down together, then each write your own wish list of every single thing you would like to include in the wedding.

• Next, implement the three-strikes rule. In this highly scientific process, you get to strike three of his ideas without giving a reason; he gets to do the same with three of yours. For the rest, you must negotiate until you agree. With only three “Because I said so” rejections, you will use them wisely.

• Keep in mind that your ball park estimate will probably be a lot less than what you end up spending (unforeseen expenses add up). In 2010 the average cost of a wedding was about $22,000, according to the “The Wedding Report”. But the Bridal Association of America says that most couples shell out 10 to 12 % more than originally planned.”

So as a Sonoma wedding photographer, my advice to you is to follow the lesson learned from above:

“Set the budget 10 to 15% below what you really want to spend.”

Next blog: How are you paying for all of this?