(Closed) Is my wedding planner insane?

• jenilynevette
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: October 2014

Yeah, it honestly seems like there’s something strange going on there. That seems like ALOT of money for just flowers & a band!

• YogaFaerie
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: August 2014

@MissMeowMeow:  Dang! Maybe I’ll have to talk to my planner… she said that $600 was a generous estimate for my reception flowers.

No, but really, I think your planner if wayyyyy over-estimating. I’m sure your flowers will cost more that $600 if you’re having a bigger wedding than I am (I’m having ~60 guests), but I can’t see flowers and decorations costing thousands upon thousands of dollars. That wouldn’t even be worth it!! At least not to me…

I can’t believe she isn’t bringing up other options either. Or well, even suggesting things within budget in the first place. With my planner, she sent me things within my budget, but if I specifically ask about something which is out of budget she will send me the info and let me know that it might be more costly than I was looking for. I just wouldn’t like the feeling of having a planner that I couldn’t trust, which I’m sure you’re feeling right now. =(

• ArtDecoLisa
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: October 2013

@MissMeowMeow:  Whether those numbers are insane depends on what your overall budget looks like.  I personally think those numbers are too high for your overall budget.  My fiance and I splurged on flowers (orchids galore) and got an amazing band and both cost less than what you were quoted & I’m in NY.  

You need to have a serious talk with your planner and get an overall budget breakdown.

• YogaFaerie
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: August 2014

@MissMeowMeow:  Oh, it includes that? Wow… our budget is around $10,000-15,000 (for the day-of things) but that isn’t including our photographer, dress, or travel (able to pay for the photographer way ahead of time and we’re separating pre-wedding expenses that we can pay for ahead of time). So really, our budgets probably come close to being the same amount. Our planner, if anything, is trying to keep us below budget… not make us go $10K over!

Did you pay a deposit for the planner? I just don’t like the sound of her business… either she’s trying to get you to pay more for things because she gets something out of it, or she’s a snob that doesn’t understand people trying to budget!

@ArtDecoLisa:  I was going to say – for that kind of money OP better be getting orchids and some AWESOME flowers! But even that wouldn’t be that much.

I wonder what your actual cost for flowers will end up being, OP. Just because it completely depends on the flowers that you want… so unless you’ve told your planner what you want, she’s giving you an estimate (and a ridiculous one!)

• cynthern
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: August 2013 - Anaheim Hills Golf Course

@MissMeowMeow:  wow that’s a lot!!!! We are paying $1800 for flowers (venue, bridal party, church flowers too) and $1800 for a live salsa band. her prices are ridiculous! Our wedding budget is $25k

• missashley884
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: June 2013

WTF??????? no seriously wtf? My wedding is for 85 ppl and for table decor and room decor (not centerpieces only tulle and lighting) i’m paying about 1200. As for dj he charges 150 an hour so for 5 hours that is 750$

• Kimy
• 7 years ago

Is the band someone famous? Flowers sound feasible if you have a big flower displays…

• sharky
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: September 2013

if you go on planning websites most show about 10 % of budget should go for music/entertainment, and another 10 % for ambiance such as flowers,lighting etc.

found the info on projectwedding.com

i think your planner maybe a novice it doesnt make sense for her to blow 15 grand on music and flowers alone…i’d check into a new planner

• lolo0403
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: April 2013

I have a similar wedding budget (total) similarity toy bigger size (120-130). We are spending about $1200 on a DJ (really good DJ, so a bit higher priced), and about $1100 on flowers–bouquet for 4 bridesmaids, bridal bouquet, and a small amt of reception decoration. 

• lolo0403
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: April 2013

Ummm, sorry about the weird autocorrect.  I meant somewhat bigger size….not similarity toy bigger 🙂

• asianyoushi
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: June 2012

i spent less then 1k on flowers– ceremony flowers, 5 bridesmaid bouquets my bouqt 8 boutiners,3 coursages toss bouquet…. 6000 is insane…

my dj was 650….didnt do a band

• BooRadley
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: November 2012

Ha!  That’s crazy.  My budget is almost double yours and I would never consider spending 9k on a band.  You definitely need to say something.

• NAvery
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: April 2013

Time for a come to Jesus meeting. YOU are the boss here. She works for you, she isn’t the boss who gets to allocate money however she wants.

I would be having a very frank conversation with her about expectations (not a PENNY over $28,000), revisiting the contract and possibly doing an addendum to put some consequences in place for her for over-spending, and getting a bit more hands on in guiding her recommendations.

I’d be ticked. But I also understand there isn’t always another option for a vendor, so you sometimes have to play nice with someone who isn’t the easiest to work with.

Put your foot down. She’s crazy.