And trying to lie about it may cost you in the end!

You've gotten engaged and are busily planning your wedding. You think you have a good idea what everything will cost. You start shopping around and discover almost everything seems to cost more that you expected!!!

The Myth

You do a little research and think you've discovered the reason - everyone out there (i.e. all the "experts" on the internet) claim that you're paying more because you're using the word "wedding". That there is this huge conspiracy of professionals that are part of the "wedding industry complex" just waiting to take advantage of you.

The Reality

Wedding professionals do typically charge more for a wedding. Now, I know what you are thinking - "I told you I was getting taken advantage of by saying it was for a wedding. I'm just gonna say it's for a party and save some $$$$!"

You may save some money, but you will lose many, many things.

The Losses

You'll lose your professionals trust. It's not a great way to start a relationship by lying to your vendors/professionals. They won't trust you for the rest of the night and trust is a hard thing to work without.
You may void your contract by lying. Big deal right? Once they show up what are they going to do, leave? No way! They'll still do the work, so you win a discounted fee for the same service, right? Wrong!!! They can chose to leave, to refuse to work unless their fee (probably at a higher cost then if you had just told them the truth) is paid or hold your end product hostage until you pay up.
They won't be properly prepared for your wedding. Dressed in shorts and a t-shirt because you lied and said it was a casual party versus dress clothes - a real possibility! Show up a little late because timing isn't critical to a birthday party - sure thing! Bring the incorrect items or amount of items because you didn't give an accurate head count or portray the importance of no substitutions - count on it! Reduce the amount of staffing because it is just a party and has no critical moments or needs any extra care - yep! And the list can go on and on...
You'll lose the time and extra care that goes into a wedding. I know, I know, every event should have the same amount of time and care, but reality is a wedding is a one time, one shot deal. Every pro that I know takes a little more time, a little more care, puts little more work in when they know that they have one chance to capture/work/create that once in a life moment.

Truth

Do you want to know why products and services cost more for a wedding?

Because there is a level of expectation with a wedding that doesn't exist with most other events.

Photographers capture more images, have more people to pose, have a vested interest in making sure that every single image is flawless. And to do this it takes TIME and TALENT, both of which cost money.

Florists hunt up the most perfect blooms they can find, spend extra time arranging and rearranging those blooms, spend extra time ensuring each and every flower will withstand the rigors of posing, moving and handling that occurs during a wedding. This takes TIME and TALENT.

Bakers spend more time ensuring that every decoration, every angle of a wedding cake is perfect. Typically a head baker handles the wedding cakes and an apprentice or new team member handles low key event cakes to "practice" on.

Do you see the recurring theme here - TIME and TALENT.

Weddings take more time and talent to execute. To get that Pinterest/IG worthy wedding takes time and talent.

Time and talent rightfully cost more money. You wouldn't be happy if someone came into your place of employment, had half the skills and education you did and worked half the time you do, but made the same salary as you. Why would you expect your wedding professionals to work for less and produce more?

I know this seems preachy, and it is. This lie that we charge you more just because has got to die. We charge more because we do more. If you don't see how or understand why, please just ask. We'll be happy to explain all the more that you get when we are working a wedding versus any other event.