Planning a Wedding with Tens of Thousands ($10,000) of Dollars

Lucky you! You have tens of thousands of dollars to spend on the Seattle wedding of your dreams! With this abundance of resources, you have what it takes to throw the kind of celebration that your guests will remember for years and you will treasure forever. Seattle brides who are throwing Special wedding celebrations are blessed with some advantages that no other budget group receives. Unlike the majority of Seattle brides, when you glean ideas from bridal magazines, you actually have a high enough budget to do them yourself – but because you aren't looking to win any awards at the Glee Club or get a write-up in People Magazine, you aren't under any pressure to create a totally unique, out-of-the-box experience for your guests.

However, there is one pressure that many Seattle brides in this budget category face more than any other category: PARENTAL PRESSURE. Do your parents insist on okaying each element of wedding-day planning as you go or assume they will be attending every meeting with your wedding coordinator? Or worse, do they make entire bride-and-groom decisions without telling you? If any of these are true for you, please listen to this one helpful bit of advice: Funnel the love.

Let us explain. Weddings are a huge deal to everyone who is close to the bride or groom – especially your parents! Often, when parents or loved ones try to control the elements of the wedding celebration, they are just confused about expressing their intense feelings about your upcoming wedding. They NEED to be involved in order to show how very much they love you. Fighting with them about it doesn't help because it doesn't meet their need to express their love. This is where your ingenuity can play a key role! You need to help them funnel their love for you into specific parts of the wedding that you are willing to put entirely in their hands. Do you shreak at the thought of your mother-in-law designing your invitations? Then, by all means, keep her away! But be ready to tell her you would be forever indebted if she would research honeymoon locations and airfare for you. Is your mother dragging you down with her vision of you in an antique, ivory dress (when you want bright white tulle!)? Then respectfully insist on your vision while simultaneously insisting that you cannot survive without her taking on the entire guest book project. This tactic will help soothe stressed relationships while helping you get everything done!

Special Seattle Wedding Planning Tips:

While you to have quite a bit of money to spend on your occasion, it is also quite a bit of money to keep track of. And, believe it or not, even a budget of tens of thousands of dollars cannot cover your every frill and fancy. You will have to choose where to save and where to splurge to come out on top of the wedding budget game. Here are some tips to help you do that.

Venue:

Spendy venues almost always require on-site catering and require specific food and drink tab minimums. Keep this in mind if you have a bunch of other expensive plans in mind.

Food:

Contrary to popular belief, buffet meals are often MORE expensive than seated ones (even when considering added server costs). This is great news if a more formal affair was in your plan.

Drinks:

If you have a cocktail hour, serve only one signature drink and start the open bar once the meal is served.

Flowers:

Always use flowers that are local and in-season. This ensures freshness and lowest price. And, there is no need to waste: Use the same bouquets that line the ceremony aisle as centerpieces for reception tables.

Decorations:

Often, items are marked up excessively as soon as it is labeled "Bridal" or "Wedding". But there is good news! Wedding decorations do not need to be purchased at bridal specialty shops. Moderately priced wedding staples can be purchased at Michael's or Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts, but keep your eyes peeled for decorations everywhere you go. You never know when you'll stumble upon the centerpiece of your dreams!

Entertainment:

Can't decide whether to go with live music or a DJ? Why not do BOTH? Ask family and friends if they know of any talented instrumentalists at your local high school. Often, these fantastic musicians will play for pittance compared to the published rates of professionals.

Invitations & Papers:

Capitalize on technology by having your guests RSVP via email, or at a personal wedding website (offered free through some large wedding websites, like TheKnot.com [link]). Also, order your invitations from an outlet or do-it-yourself website service. See our Sweet wedding information list for vendors.

Your Special Seattle Wedding Information

If you are a Seattle bride planning a Special wedding, we invite you to click through the vendor lists we have created just for you! Remember that, when planning your Special Seattle wedding, you can pick and choose from any of our wedding budget categories as long as you balance your spendy items with your more subtle ones. Enjoy!

Local Vendors

Bridal Fashion

Coming Soon
Cakes - Desserts
Caterers
Entertainters
Flowers - Decorations
Invitations - Papers
Marriage License Locations
Photographers
Reception Sites
Salons - Spas
Videographers
Wedding Coordinators