You won’t have to pay for everything straight up, so you have some time to get your finances in order. There are a few rules you will have to set yourself from the get-go.

1. When you know the final amount, stick to it and don’t try to add more – alter your choices instead.
2. If, once you have set your budget using our Budget Calculator, you decide you simply must allocate more on a particular part of the wedding, know that amount then has to come off somewhere else. Figure that out, reconciling your overall budget, before you sign on for anything outside the original plan.
3. Set yourself and your partner an amount to save each pay. Don’t deviate from that amount. Make sure it is realistic for you in the first place.

Drawing up a Timeline

First, start at the end and work your way back. Work out when final balances need to be paid, and when deposits need to be paid.

If you are working to a really strict budget, simply start by paying only the minimum deposit up front, and bank as much savings as you can. Let it sit there earning interest and leave paying the balance until the very day it is due.

Keep a strict diary, and set yourself reminders in your phone or email system if you know these work better for you. Some vendors and suppliers have a waiting list and will let your booking go the very next day if you miss your final payment, so don’t miss out simply because of forgetfulness!

Try to organise your balances to be due at different times so you are not overloaded with all of your final payments at once. If you communicate with your vendors and suppliers, they may be willing to allow a little extra time (within reason) if need be, or arrange for smaller instalments to be made along the way if that is going to work better with your savings timeline.

Know how much you’re going to need when, and up your savings any way you can if you need to in order to make your payments.

Thumbnail image by Emma Nayler Photographer. 

Check out our Savings Timeline and Budget Calculator printable planning tools.

More helpful wedding planning articles can be found in our categorised Resource Guide.

The post Wedding Savings Timeline appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

Woohoo! It’s time to PARTAY! Or maybe it’s time to croon to your fave jazz tunes, or waltz to a string quartet? No matter your taste in music for your wedding day, the hiring process is the same.

Make sure you and your partner are on the same page with the kind of music you want to take your first dance as a married couple to, and party the night away with all of your guests. This can be a really fun way to involve your groom in the planning of your wedding reception. In the lead up to the big day, why not pinpoint a date night each week and make it your business to get around and see all of your potential bands’ gigs? You will know which band is right for you by how much fun you both have!

First, start browsing our Supplier Directory for bands and booking agents, then visit their websites to find out where their upcoming gigs are at. Once you have a few bands in mind (we always recommend you call three), give them a call to find out if they are available and ask them a bunch of questions.

Depending on the band, you may be better off booking them through their booking agent. If the person you get on the other end of the line is not able to answer the following questions to your satisfaction, fear not. They can still be a great band without being great at the business side. It might be a good idea to ask if you can deal with their booking agent, who will ensure they are organised and so you can feel confident everything is in order for your wedding reception

QUESTIONS TO ASK

Are you available on our wedding date?

How long have you been playing at weddings?

How long has the band been together?

How many weddings have you performed at?

Can we contact some of your previous clients for references?

Can we see you perform at another event before we book you?

Do you have a demo cd we can listen to?

Will you take on the role of MC as well?

Do you perform for more than one wedding in a day?

Have you played at our reception venue before?

What will you wear on our wedding day?

What kind of equipment do you use?

Will you bring a wireless microphone and are we able to use it for our speeches?

Will you bring lighting equipment?

Do you set up promotional material with your equipment?

What are your fees?

What do your fees include?

How much do you charge if our wedding goes overtime?

Will you take any breaks during our event?

Do you require a meal?

Do you have public liability insurance?

What time will you arrive at our venue to set up your equipment?

What type of music will you play?

What do you do to motivate the crowd if no one is dancing?

Will you take song requests from our guests?

How long before our wedding is our final song request list and wedding day timeline required?

Can we supply you with a banned or do-not-play song list?

If for any unforeseeable reason one of the band members are unable to attend our wedding, do you have a back up plan?

Are we expected to pay upfront or put down a deposit to secure our booking?

When is final payment required?

These questions are conveniently laid out for you with space to record your answers and any additional comments in our Planning Tools section here.

ASSUME NOTHING

Don’t assume your fave band has the same set list or line up for weddings as they do for Friday night at your local. Sometimes bands will lower their number of players for wedding gigs, and have a list of love songs only for weddings. If that is not what you want, you need to be clear. Make sure they know your preferences. 

Find this and many more helpful articles on how to plan your wedding in our Resource Guide. 

Photo by Julian Beattie Photography. 

The post How To Choose Your Band or Musician appeared first on The Bride's Tree.