5 Ways Working With Pinch Me Planning Will Save You Money
As we dive into the topic of how working with us will actually save you money during the planning process — there’s one major misconception. That’s the thought that we, as your wedding planner, offer discounts with our local vendors simply because of our connection. This is not true of Pinch Me Planning. Rather, we work with the best local vendors that we know personally, love to work with, and trust in their abilities to execute with full confidence. We believe in the value of what our vendors offer. And because of that, we don’t ask them to discount their services for working with us. We’re the lucky ones who get to entrust our couples to their stellar services.
So, as we move into the valuable ways that working with us will actually save you money, the overarching fact is that for our couples… well, they do this once. But as planners we do “this” (plan weddings, that is) year-round, and pull off multiple weddings on most weekends. We know how to do this best, simply because we do it all. the. time. We’ve seen it all. Which enables us to plan for everything. And we are able to translate that hard-earned experience into processes for our couples to ensure their wedding aligns with their vision to a T.
5 Ways Pinch Me Planning Will Save You Money
We Project All Budgetary Needs for the Wedding Day
First, we’ve found in working with many couples, that some move too quickly in the planning process without properly considering their projected guest count. This projected guest count will affect the pricing on everything from transportation, to the venue, food, bar, and beyond. It makes perfect sense, but the smaller the wedding, the more money to spend since the guest count is minimal. The higher that guest count ticks up, the more consideration it takes as the budget is put into place.
We work closely with our couples to determine the projected guest count first — and build a budget based on that figure. We always recommend over-projecting the guest count, since it’s easier (& a much better situation!) to have excess in the budget freed up, then more eaten up if the guest list grows unexpectedly. Do not use the number you “think” will attend. Always work with the actual number you are inviting. We often tell our couples to play a game that can be viewed as harsh to some, but it works. Take your budget. Then divide by your invite count. So, let’s say $60k by 150 = $400. Go name by name and determine, “is this person worth $400 out of say, our future house fund?” If the answer is anything but yes, nix them from the invite list.
BUT we don’t stop there. As we work through each aspect of the budget thereafter, every detail is covered. Especially the small amounts that can sneak up at the end of the process such as vendor tips and more. Setting a realistic budget, based on projected guest count, and distilled down to every last detail, is the first way we help you save money. Because when you know how much you can spend — not overspending is actually more achievable for the very beginning.
We Work Diligently to Keep You on Budget
Of course, just putting the budget in place is not enough. It has to be implemented as more than a guide and instead treated as more of an absolute. And as wedding planners, we understand that the best way to keep our clients on the course is to further equip them with vendors that can deliver their vision — and here’s the kicker — in their price point.
Through our tailored-for-you vendor recommendations we set our couples up for budgetary success as they plan their dream wedding. What you will not find in working with us: us upselling in any way to spend more money based on our vendor recommendations. That’s not us. Instead, with our couples in mind, their vision at heart, and our vendor list in sight we match our couples accordingly. Doing anything else would only lead to unmet expectations or exasperated budgets. Neither feeling should be felt in the wedding planning process at any point. So, we diligently work to keep our couples on budget AND provide them with the vendors who can make it happen for them, whatever that may be.
We Manage Expectation vs. Reality
At this point you may be like, “that all sounds great but HOW do you make THAT happen especially when it comes to the distance between my Pinterest-board vision for the day and what’s actually in my budget to make it all happen?”
We’ve all seen the Instagram vs. reality memes on Instagram, right? Well, in the wedding world it’s 100% the Pinterest Board Weddings vs. reality. But we manage expectations and reality in one way: through honesty and innovation with our couples. If they want a band, but don’t have the budget for it we won’t sugar coat it. Rather, we are quick to be honest and offer a reserve of other options to come to a realistic compromise when those expectations aren’t aligning with the amount available to spend. And in working with us, there is no dead end on ideas. In fact, we’ve done so many creative, unique, and edgy weddings that we are basically an idea arsenal ready to fire away a set of alternatives at any turn that requires them. We want your day to be better than what you imagine it even can be (& more you than your Pinterest board could ever be, too). Expertly managing expectations by delivering a reality that is something our couples “didn’t even think of,” is our thing.
We Equip You to Avoid Costly Mistakes (that are expensive to fix!)
Let’s paint a quick picture, shall we? Say you underestimate your guest count, invite way too many people and then get more RSVPs with, “yes,” ticked than expected (because, post-2020, people are ready to partyyy… Kristen Wig in Bridesmaids on the plane style!). Rather than tell anyone they’re now unwelcome to attend, you end up paying for the extra heads in more ways than one.
And just to really take it home, say you unknowingly book a venue that provides only that — the space. Not the tables, chairs, linens, place settings, glassware or anything necessary to actually host an event. Rentals can add up quickly, especially if the right questions aren’t asked upon signing that venue contract.
In each scenario it’s a, “you don’t know what you don’t know” situation. Couples that work with us though, DO know. Because we know. Costly mistakes can derail a wedding day, deplete a budget entirely, and call for changed plans that aid to wedding-related stress.
Avoiding such mistakes altogether is the most underrated aspect of working directly with a wedding planner. The money that a couple invests in working with experts will actually save them from paying more to correct mistakes that never would’ve happened if they only had the right guidance. Don’t get stuck in those examples derived from very real-life horror stories above. Instead be proactive and push those costly unknowns aside.
We Save You Invaluable Time From Engagement to {Sparkler} Exit
From the moment our couples get engaged — time is factored in. Not only through decisions like, when to set the date and how many months does that leave to plan? But more importantly in the investment of time our couples will make in the planning and the decision-making process along the way. Wedding planning, while amazing and a once-in-a lifetime experience, is an undertaking no matter how large or small.
Take it on alone, and run the risk of missing small details that leave you, your family or friends rushing around last minute the week before the wedding. Alternatively, be empowered with a sense of calm that comes from a meticulous planning timeline, provided to you and your partner broken down by month into very doable tasks that compound and amount in your wedding day.
Without direction, time is wasted. And time is precious and invaluable always — but especially when it comes to planning your wedding. In working with us, we save our couples time (and you know they say, “time is money,” right?) through deliberate, delegated deliverables that make the collaborative planning experience enjoyable.
Can you see it? A take any guess-work out of it timeline, provided to you and specifically for you? Well, that’s what our couples get when they invest in our services. And there is nothing more invaluable than peace of mind, personal time, and assurance that your day is going to be delivered — just as you hope it will be.
So, do you see why vendor discounts are moot? Value does not live in discounts. It lives in the details, diligence, and delivering of your day.
Every wedding is different, every couple has a varying vision, and every event portrays those it’s celebrating — so they actually shouldn't look the same. And just like a lot of juxtapositions that seemingly produce contrasting effects — investing in a wedding planner will save you money. But don’t take it from us:
Ready to start planning your wedding day with Pinch Me Planning? We can’t wait to meet you! Pull up a chair at our table, and let's talk about what’s important to you for your wedding day. Contact us to schedule your consultation! Until then, we’re celebrating your engagement from here!