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Vendor Contributions Venue: The Allan House | Hotel: The Driskill | Wedding Planner: Ashley Nicole Affair | Photography: Jessica Chole Photography | Florist: Verbena Floral Design | Hair/MUA: Lauren Haese | Catering: Pueblo Viejo Truck | Cake/Desserts: Rayne Desserts | Bartending: Hill Country Events | Lighting: ILD Lighting | DJ: DJ DNA | Rentals: Uptown Rentals

Venue: The Addison Grove | Wedding Planner: Ashley Nicole Affair | Photography: Moodyography | Band: Love & Happiness | Florist: Native Bloom Floral Design | Catering: Crave Catering | Hair/Makeup: Adore Makeup Salon | Bridal Gown + Salon: Eve of Milady + Bridals by Lori | Photo Booth: Pixster Photo Booth | Drapery: Unique Design & Events | Bridesmaids Dresses: David's Bridal | Livestream: Premier Entertainment Group

​Wedding flowers are the main staple to completing your big day's vision. They provide elegance and glamour, a pop of color, a familiar fresh scent, and they can come with a little bit of sticker shock when shopping. So what can you do with all of the flowers after you’ve said: “I Do”? Here are 13 creative ways we recommend when it comes to getting the most out of those beauties! SEND THEM HOME WITH GUESTS At the end of your wedding reception, ask your coordinator to have the DJ make an announcement that guests can take centerpieces, floral arrangements, or a bouquet home with them. It’s one less thing you have to clean up at the end of the night, and you know those flowers are going to a good home to be enjoyed even longer! IN ADDITION TO GRATUITY Nothing says thank you like some flowers and offering them to the staff that helped bring your wedding to life! Besides the basic wedding gratuity, It is a beautiful gesture that shows you're thinking of another way to express your gratitude. PRESS 'EM Pressing your bouquet is simple and sentimental. There’s a variety of items to choose from to press in, and we recommend choosing one that’s most sentimental to you! You can use a journal, a book, your guest book, your vow book, a bible, a clear picture frame, or even a shadow box. Some local vendors will professionally press your flowers into beautiful pieces of art, like Annie Fentz Smith + her pressed gardens! PETALS FOR HOPE "Our non-profit organization repurposes donated flowers from weddings, events, florists, and retailers. We restyle these donated flowers into bedside bouquets and arrangements which are then delivered to those in need within the community. Our drop off locations include infusion centers, nursing homes, cancer treatment facilities, homeless shelters, schools and more. We currently offer services in most U.S States." PASS ON A GIFT Tis the season of giving, and a simple way to jazz up some gift wrap is to add a few flowers and greenery to the front of the packages. We recommend drying the flowers out first; so they are not as fragile. Have a friend having an upcoming surgery? Or birthday? Nothing says I am thinking about you more than passing on those beautiful arrangements; you can even personalize and purchase your own vase. MAKE YOUR OWN SCENTED ROOM SPRAY Looking for a way to freshen up your house as newlyweds? You can look up recipes to mix your flowers with essential oils & alcohol for your customized room spray. You can also turn these into a thank you gift post-wedding if you aren't sick of DIY projects by now! ADD THEM TO YOUR PHONE CASE If you are one of those sentimental people and want to keep a little bit of your wedding day with you at all times, press your bouquet flowers into the back of a clear phone case. We guarantee that people will notice the show stopper and you have constant memories of your happy wedding day. POTPOURRI GIFTS Potpourri is more than just for your grandma's bathroom decorations; it’s an easy way to savor those florals and showcase them around your entire house! Simply dry out the flowers, remove the stems, and select a vessel to display them in. You can get crafty with the design and add different elements to your home decor! DRAW YOURSELF A FLORAL BATH Wedding planning is stressful, and when it's all said and done, you're going to need a lot of hot baths and glasses of wine! Toss in some of those flowers and create a romantic experience. Whether it’s just for you or for the newlyweds, you deserve it! MAKE A CANDLE Truth be told - if you have leftover wedding flowers, you most likely have leftover wedding candles. Combine the two to recreate your own customized candle - keep it for yourself, or better yet, gift them for your closest friends and family. ​ ADD THEM TO A JAR OR DECANTER Find some clear vessels to place the flowers in - such as a mason jar, or decanter or hand soap dispensers. Add the flower petals to water or soap to add a pop of color and elegance to any room. DRY 'EM Gather up your favorite stems and wrap them in a string to dry upside down. Check them after a few days to make sure they are dry, and then turn them upright and place them in a vase; no need for water! These make for fabulous memories you can place around your home. TEAM BRIDE Are you sharing your wedding weekend with a bestie? Did you become close to a local bride you met on social media (Join us at Bride to Bride Austin + Surrounding Areas!) that has become your wedding weekend date buddy? Ask them if you can brighten their day by gifting them to the bride the next day! Featured: Blanton Floral, White's Floral Design, Wild Poppy, The Flower Girl, Flora Fetish LET'S HEAR IT! HOW DID YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR WEDDING DAY FLOWERS?! WE LOVE TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS!

Venue/Bar: Morgan Creek Barn (previously Saddle Creek) | Wedding Planner: Ashley Nicole Affair | Bridal Gown: Justin Alexander | Photographer: Moodyography | Videography: 1104 Photography | Balloons: Starr of Texas | Lighting/Special FX: ILD Lighting | Costume Make Up: Jen Hearts Art | Band: PDA Band | Catering: Root Cellar Catering Co.

Have you ever heard the phrase, a good DJ isn’t cheap and a cheap DJ isn’t good? If you haven’t heard it before, we are telling you the truth behind it! Planning your wedding may take months, even years; dress shopping may take a few weeks, your vows may take a few minutes, but your party, your music, your entertainment… that is the area where you want to focus your time on when it comes to planning the experience for your guests. The crowded dance floor, the dancing flower girl, the groomsman doing handstands, and the current trending songs are just a few things that your guests will remember for a lifetime. ​ Contrary to what most people believe, the DJ’s job is WAY MORE than just playing music. When your wedding has a different area for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception they provide MULTIPLE set ups for sound and microphones. They will emcee your reception, herd your guests from cocktail hour to the seating chart to the reception. They set the mood, read the crowd, make all of the important announcements, and run the timeline of all of your events planned. They arrive nearly three hours early just to set up every aspect of your wedding, offer sound checks, bring extra microphones - wireless, lapel, standing, and they maintain a level of professionalism that sets the standard for your event. Hiring a professional wedding DJ is one of the most important things you can do for the success of your wedding! Still not convinced on why you should hire a wedding DJ versus a friend who can throw an epic house party versus a Spotify playlist? We will convince you otherwise! They are the Master of Ceremonies with MULTIPLE setups. “You’re a DJ, but do you specialize in weddings?” Any DJ can play music, but what you should really focus on is their ability to be your host of the ceremony and reception, as the master of ceremonies. Your ceremony will most likely require a set up somewhere else than where the reception is, which will need a microphone for the officiant, couple, and even any possible readers or speakers. They will play pre-seating music, turn the volume of the microphone down to make any announcements, and transition each song; the song that the family walks down to, the groom walks down to, the wedding party, and the bride. They will amplify the volume during the recessional and also play your hype song after you’re pronounced Mr. + Mrs. If someone doesn’t specialize in weddings, this is a HUGE opportunity to not have enough equipment or know the proper timing and cues of when each song needs to be plated. What happens after the ceremony? Usually guests migrate to cocktail hour, which is in a completely different area than the ceremony and that speaker needs to be ready to go for the guests arrival. Have you ever been to a quiet cocktail hour with no music? *Crickets* You won’t forget how awkward that felt, right? Once cocktail hour is over you may have 100-200 people that have been drinking and now you need them to find the seating chart, find the reception area, and find their seat. What’s the best way to make this happen? Your DJ, of course! He can easily announce where every location is and herd your guests inside for dinner within a blink of an eye. Your DJ will be the one making ALL of the special announcements, such as introducing the wedding party AND the bride and groom for the first time into the reception. They will announce how dinner is going to work, whether guests need to stay seated or release tables through the buffet line. They will cue first dances and get everyone’s attention - they will even fade out the songs for all of the dances after a minute or two, if you’re just not into dancing. They will be introducing the people who are making toasts, calling up the fathers + mothers for the traditional dances, announcing cake cutting, as well as garter toss, bouquet toss, exit, etc. If you think just any DJ can grab the attention of 100 guests, after four hours of drinking, to line up for a sparkler exit - good luck. It takes a special breed of a professional and that is not something a Spotify playlist can conduct! They know what music to play.. and what NOT to play. Believe it or not, but the music at your wedding sets the reception’s tone, and it takes a pretty good amount of prep work. They let you select songs for the second your first guest walks through the door until the last guest exits at the end of the night. A talented wedding DJ has to be able to read the crowd - not only with what to play, but what not to play. Have you ever been on the dance floor and you hear your favorite song that gets you dancing only for it to be slowly transitioned into a slow dance? There is no quicker way to kill the vibes on the dance floor than with the inability to read the crowd. Of course, you’ll have selected your favorite must-play songs, the songs for your first dances and those special events, but a great DJ will be able to play the perfect combination of music to entertain (and not offend) the 7 year old ring bearer, the 90 year old grandma, and everyone in between. Spotify may be able to play music for six hours straight, but when it comes to a wedding, sometimes it is just not that easy. They have to coordinate with EVERY single vendor. The DJ is typically hired by the couple, but coming from our experience, it’s just as crucial for the DJ to maintain a strong relationship with the couple and their selected vendors. After all, we are all working together to make sure you two have the best experience and the wedding you’ve dreamed for. A great DJ should take it upon themselves to contact the venue beforehand to get the lay of the land, figure out load in/out directions, ask questions about power sources, outlets, noise restrictions, etc. The DJ will also want to work closely with the wedding planner day-of to make sure the timeline is still accurate and that people are actually ready for the events that are scheduled to take place. The DJ waits for the cue from the wedding planner who waits for the cues from the couple, photographer, videographer, catering team, etc. If you eliminate the planner (which we do not suggest;) then the DJ has to be able to communicate every event on a timely fashion with EVERY vendor. They can’t start the introductions, first dance, or sparkler exit if you’re both not prepped, in placement, and everyone is ready to go. If a venue or a planner has a DJ that checks all the boxes, you better believe that they are going to be HIGHLY recommending them. They’re professional. For those who have decided to have their friends DJ their wedding, we would think that they would get to also act as a guest at your wedding - drinking, hanging out with other guests, walking away from their DJ table, etc. Professional wedding DJs are the opposite- they are professional, they come with a change of clothes and sometimes even a sandwich so they don’t have to get up to eat dinner (although we recommend feeding them a hot meal for all of the hard work that they do!) They remain professional, relaxed and in control of any situation that may arise; you’ll never see a good DJ sweat even if they make an honest mistake and play the wrong song at the wrong time. They will take the job more serious than you could imagine and you can allow your talented DJ friends to sit back and relax - they got this! They’re ready + efficient. A professional wedding DJ has their own equipment, and doesn’t need to rely on the venue to provide. They know their equipment like the back of their hand and come ready to set up. They will test the sound with the microphones, adjust as needed, ensuring you get the best sound possible from all angles. Some provide lighting, backup equipment, and will have everything covered even when it comes to the “what ifs.” They’ll come with your timeline, have your list of songs loaded, the names of those who will be introduced (they even come with name pronunciations!), their own table and linen, and even lights (if included in their package) to create the ambiance of your dreams! Background music will be on before your guests arrive, reception speakers will be setup will be all set and they will just wait for the wedding planner’s cue for go time. They listen to make it stress free for you. After all, it is your wedding day, so a good DJ should listen to your wants and needs, as well as your wishes and expectations to help create your perfect reception. Not only should they listen and engage in providing the sound to your vision, but they will ask questions and even make recommendations if need be. Weddings are stressful enough and once you hire a professional DJ, a huge weight WILL be lifted off your shoulders. It’s your big day, one you’ve dreamed about for so long, and honestly, you shouldn’t have to worry about trying to fit in the first dance, father/daughter, mother/son, anniversary dance, and announcing cake cutting after the words I do. It’s your turn to hang out with your favorite people, enjoy your marriage, and let them take control of all of the important events in the evening. It’s time for you both to mingle with your guests and not worry about timing and who’s going to get everyone’s attention for what’s next. The venue, the dress, the flowers, the food, the cake, the decor - all of those things will be beautiful and will create your wedding ambiance. Those pictures will last forever. But your DJ and entertainment will bring your celebration to life and create the forever memories of your guests and their experience. Martha Stewart once said, “the music entertainment you select for your wedding or party is responsible for 80% of the events success and the memories you’ll have for the rest of your life.” Truer words could not have been spoken!

A beautifully crafted website should be a snapshot of what to expect from your upcoming wedding. Don’t worry about your experience level with website design, you got this because we got this! The most important thing is to cover your bases by adding key information and make it easy to follow. Now you can save yourself from repeating the same information to all your guests and politely direct them to your PERFECT website! The first step to choosing a website builder is doing your research on which hosting site will best suit your needs. Luckily, there’s plenty options on the market to choose from! If you are looking for free platforms that easily integrate with registries and guest lists, look at Zola, The Knot, or WeddingWire. If you want one consistent aesthetic adapted from your invitations to your website, Minted will be the place for you. If you’re looking for a wide range of creative freedom, Wix and Squarespace offer more customizable features. Pro-tip: Wix has the slight edge on being more user friendly and ALSO has a free option! Once you sign up on your desired platform of choice, you’ll be given a computer-generated URL. These are totally fine, but sometimes they can be a little long especially if you’re typing it out on your invitations. You can edit the URL and play around with a name that you like best, but beware of availability or confusion if you use your names. You can get the exact web address you want by purchasing your own domain to connect with your site - look at Squarespace or GoDaddy for affordable domain names. ​ Spill the details on your meet-cute story, your first date, when you knew they were the one, or the proposal. At the end of the day a wedding is really about your special love story, so don’t be shy! Your guests want to read about this. Get creative: write it as a poem, do it from alternating points of view like an interview, or get a “testimonial” from a friend or family member. If you have pictures from your proposal or the first picture you ever took together, be sure to include them!​ Create a checklist of things you’ll need confirmed before you can publish your website. For example, you will want:​ ALL of the information about your wedding from addresses, to directions, to timelines Transportation + lodging options; it's a good time to have your hotel blocks done! Any extra information involving travel like time from the airport or free shuttles available Crafting a local "to do" list for when wedding activities aren't taking place - We have AUSTIN guests covered, here! ​ Getting all your information organized beforehand will make the process of building your website a breeze. The more you can cut and paste, the less stress you will feel!​ THIS IS A MUST! Guests are going to have a LOT of questions regarding your wedding day; so this is a great way to save yourself the headache of repeating yourself in the future! ​ Dress code Weather Ceremony + reception information; it's important to tell them if it will be strictly indoors or outdoors! Post-ceremony plan; this is crucial if you have an early church wedding and there is a gap of time before the reception. Additional wedding activities - rehearsal, welcome parties, post-wedding brunch, etc. Extra safety precautions being taken, especially during a pandemic! How to notify you if they cant make it Parking - recommendations, valet, shuttles, etc. Meal options - how can they inform you of any dietary restrictions or allergies? Plus ones - are kids welcome, can they bring a date, etc. RSVP deadlines Registries Social media information; hashtags, picture sharing apps, etc. Now the fun part- time to jazz up your website with photos! From the header photo to your gallery page, have fun with your picture selection and showcase your personality as a couple. Pro tip: Make sure your pictures are high quality and don’t lose resolution while viewing the site on mobile phones. If you face any challenges cropping photos in some of the layouts, play around with photo editors to size down images the way you want them. Open your world to the creativity of Canva! When it comes to digital RSVP’s, you’ll be amazed at the organizational features through most hosting sites. It’s a great way to manage your guest list, meal options, and contact information all in one. And the ease of importing and exporting these spreadsheets will save you time creating seating charts and sending final headcount to your vendors. VistaPrint also has a great option for addresses! Adding cash funds, experiences, or honeymoon funds to your registry are all easily done through your website. Learn about the variety of gift giving options and what processing fees may be included before deciding which route to take.​ But truly, make the little things count! Put your hashtag on the info page, add individual photos and short bios to accompany the wedding party list, and if it’s a destination wedding, take the time to assemble a fun to-do list. If you’re using your website as a thoughtful way to communicate with guests, go the extra mile with special touches. They don't go unnoticed! Looking at the same thing over and over can seriously blur your ability to spot a grammatical error or even worse, you could accidentally write the wrong ceremony time - it happens! It’s a good idea to get a fresh set of eyes on the finished product before you publish it. Get your Maid of Honor or Best Man involved by having them proofread the website. Pay extra close attention to numbers; especially addresses and times! You should be proud of your finished product and show it off! Print the link somewhere in your invitation suite – a great place for this is on a separate details card. Share it on your social media accounts, email it to your guests and wedding party, and make sure it's on your save the dates, as well as invitations. Some couples enjoy making a Facebook group so the guests can also have a communication platform with each other! The easier the name of the link that you create, the easier it will be to share. Keep things updated as you move along in the process. This is a CRUCIAL step, especially in times of a pandemic. Guests enjoy knowing the updated precautions being taken or travel restrictions. It doesn't HAVE to be all about safety - be sure to add pictures from events leading up to the big day - bachelor/bachelorette parties, bridal showers, or any major life events like adopting a pet or buying a house! ​ ​ Google Forms are a great way to not only collect names and addresses, but they're a great way to let your guests know that you are happy to cater to their interests. You can always ask for their meal choice, favorite song that gets them on the dance floor, and if they prefer beer/wine/spirits. Letting your guests know that you are putting their presence at a priority will really entice them to not miss the wedding of a lifetime!

Venue: Canyonwood Ridge | Wedding Planner: Ashley Nicole Affair | Florist: The Flower Girl | Photography: Moodyography | Videography: Cloud Craft Studios | DJ: Brian Weber | Musicians: Terra Vista Strings | Catering: Olive Garden + Santisi Staff | Cake: Oh Yeah Cakes + Nothing Bundt Cakes | Caricatures: Party Arty | Grazing Table: Hill Country Grazing Co. | Rentals: Bee Lavish Vintage | Hair/MUA: Dolled Up Salon

Venue/Florist: Highpointe Estate | Wedding Planner: Ashley Nicole Affair | Photography: Moodyography | Catering: Austin Catering | Bartending: Sterling Events | Cake: Petite Lei Cakes | Bouquets: DIY | Photo Booth: Ashley Nicole Affair | DJ: Madley's Mobile DJ | Hair/MUA: Noemi Alvarado

It's the best and the worst; it's that bittersweet feeling that your night is over, the last song is coming to an end, and all of your guests are outside of your venue while your getaway car awaits. The night has ended, but that doesn't mean you need to dodge your drunk friends with four sparklers in each hand! We compiled a list of unique and unforgettable send-off items that your photographer won't want to miss capturing! Here's a way to get creative and step outside of the sparkler box!​ PHOTO BY ART & HEIRLOOM DRIED LAVENDER If you want to keep it natural and look for a whimsical feeling and beautiful smell with your exit, consider dried lavender or dried flowers. You can purchase pre-filled sachets, or buy the dried buds in bulk and allow your guests to scoop their own into whatever vessel you choose. These can be purchased on Etsy or Amazon starting at $20 for 18 pre-filled bags! RIBBON WANDS Playful, colorful, and a pretty simple exit item; ribbon wands are a great way to celebrate! You can customize the rods with your wedding date, hashtag, names, etc., and the ribbons can be the same color as your flowers! Add some wedding bells and make it chime! Pricing starts at $25 for 50 on Etsy & Amazon, or it could be a fun DIY project for the bridal party to do! But even better, here they are ON AMAZON! PHOTO BY CAITLIN ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY BUBBLES An accessible, crowd-pleasing exit item that’s great for all ages (and doesn’t require any clean-up afterward!) These personalized mini bottles can also double as party favors, so your guests can blow your night away! Customized bottles of bubbles start at $20 for 100 on Etsy & Amazon. They are cost-effective, and you can purchase a stationary bubble machine to place by the door you are exiting out of for extra bubbles in your photos!​ FOAM + GLOW STICKS If you're planning on having a dance party at your reception, bring on the glow sticks for your exit item (especially if the party bus is taking everyone to an after-party!) Glow sticks come in all sizes - necklaces, bracelets, glasses, foam sticks, you name it. Amazon offers a wide variety of options to end the night on a bright note, or Etsy has the option to personalize your items. WHITE BALLOONS Float away in style with white balloons - either with or without LED lights. These create a wow factor photo opportunity. Helium balloons start at $10 for 100 on Amazon or go with LED-lit balloons from Etsy for $18 for 50. Don’t forget the helium tank, or make it easy on yourself, and have a local party store fill these for you beforehand. PHOTOS BY MOODYOGRAPHY ROSE PETALS Plan ahead and ask your florist to leave some extra bags of petals before they go. As your guests exit the evening, they can grab a handful and throw them as you go! PAPER AIRPLANES Need an activity for your wedding party to do together? Creating fun-loving paper airplanes for your grand exit is one of the cutest & most playful items we’ve seen because let’s be honest, it’s been a few years since we’ve folded an airplane! It gives you another chance to personalize your wedding items and offer a variety of colors; don't forget to test them out so your guests can make sure they all send you off by flying high! WATER GUN FIGHT We've seen it all, and in Texas, IT IS HOT! Having a daytime wedding reception, like Shandee? Cool off with these awesome water guns and let your guests laugh their way out of the reception! PHOTOS BY BROOKE TAELOR CHEER POMS Everywhere we go, people want to know, who we are, so we tell them! Cheer poms are a cheerful exit item that’s quick and easy to buy, hand out, and let your guests start cheering for the newlyweds! Amazon prices start at $10 for 12 items, and there’s a variety of color options to choose from! FOG Add some fog to any of the exit items we are talking about to elevate your grand send off one more step that nobody will ever forget! FLAGS/PENNANTS An assortment of cheers, hooray & congratulations pennants are unique celebratory statements that your guests can wave around as you head to your happily ever after! They can also serve as a party favor, place setting, name card so you can get double the use out of them at your reception! Etsy prices start at $50 for 100 of them, or get creative with your bride tribe during your bachelorette party hangover! PHOTO BY KEIRA HAND BELLS + WHISTLES You may have had to pull out all the bells & whistles to plan your wedding these days, so it is just as appropriate to pass those out for your grand exit! A variety of silver or gold bells and colorful whistles are one way to let everyone know that you tied the knot! Ringing bells are also perfect for that enchanting winter wedding. Wedding bells start at $50 for 25, and whistles start at $15 for 35. If you want to tie on a ribbon to them and personalize it with your wedding date or hashtag, they make a great ornament as a wedding favor! LANTERNS Releasing sky lanterns is a unique and romantic way to end the night. Trust us, your photographer will want to savor the moment as all your guests look up in the sky and whisper well wishes for the new couple. 20 for $60 is what these magical floating lanterns will cost you, and they will be worth every dollar and every memory. ​SMOKE BOMBS Want to end your wedding with a bang? How about a real colored smoke bomb exit in which you two, hand in hand, dash off in a cloud of colorful smoke? Talk about a WOW factor and an exit everyone will talk about. Of course, you’ll want to double-check with your venue, as well as inform your planner and photographer of the plans beforehand. With a variety of colors to choose from, these start at 3 for $40, and they make the BEST photographs! These are perfect for an elopement! COLD SPARK FOUNTAINS Let your guests take the night off and hire a professional like Big Dog Pyro to take care of the exit! Cold spark fountains are a safe and surprisingly non-flammable option, but make sure you leave it up to the professionals and check with your venue before you drive off into the sparkling abyss! PHOTOS BY MOODYOGRAPHY

Venue/Bar/Catering: Mattie's | Wedding Planner: Ashley Nicole Affair | Photography: Britni Dean Photography | Florist: Earl Grey Floral | Hair/Makeup: Lola Beauty | DJ: Premier Entertainment - Brandon | Bridal Gown: Blush Bridal Lounge | Cake: Cakes ROCK!!!

One of the most asked questions we receive about planning a wedding is, "What is considered the average cost for a wedding in Austin?" We wish we could give you a straight answer, but it varies quite a bit since every wedding is a custom event. Some people might want to splurge, while others want to cut costs. The cost of a wedding can change drastically based on different factors. The guest count, the day, the place, the vendors, are all examples of factors that can make quite the difference. It's your big day and your budget, so we polled all the most successful vendors in the Austin wedding industry to compile the averages for you. To help you decide how to spend your money, we have included explanations behind each price to illustrate how much behind-the-scenes work is actually put into the creation of a beautiful wedding. If you were to have a fully staffed wedding, with every possible vendor, your Austin wedding could cost you close to $45K, and here's why. BAND ​AVERAGE COST: $7,500 FOR A 8-10 PERSON BAND Highly talented musicians and their team provide music for your special day, but some people might not know what all goes into running a professional band. Factors you might not consider include insurance, gas, tour bus or trailer storage and upkeep, marketing and advertising, website management, promotional photoshoots, performance videos, and more. CAKE ​AVERAGE COST: $1,500 OR STARTING AT $7 PER PERSON Bakers must plan, shop, prep, bake, design, decorate, deliver, set up, and clean up. When it comes to running their business, they must perform administrative duties like communication, emailing, overseeing contracts, bookkeeping, managing inventory, etc. CATERING ​AVERAGE COST: $75-100 PER PERSON FOR FULL-SERVICE CATERING ​ Catering sales managers and the talented culinary team spend a lot of time researching, strategizing, cooking, tasting, selecting ingredients, and writing menus. Besides making the food, they must transport plates, utensils, serving utensils, serving trays, linens, heaters, platters, hot boxes, glassware, coolers, ice, trash cans, and more. Hiring a trustworthy team of professionals will also alleviate the burden of having your closest friends and family setting up and taking down tables and chairs. DAY OF PLANNING + COORDINATION AVERAGE COST: $1,900-$3,000 A planner spends countless hours answering emails, taking and making phone calls, conducting meetings, site visits, tastings, connecting with your vendors, putting together paperwork, navigating timelines, floor plans, and acting as a liaison between your family, friends, and guests. They will coordinate your rehearsal, assist the officiant with their speech, bustle your dress, plate up your dinner, keep you on your timeline, conduct your grand exit, pack up your belongings, and ensure your gifts make it home safely. DESSERTS ​AVERAGE COST: $5 PER PERSON, OR PER PIECE Making individual gourmet desserts takes a whole lot of time and labor that is put into meticulously decorating your wedding cookies. Whether or not you want to choose between a dessert station, just a cake, or both is definitely something to think about. DJ ​AVERAGE COST: $1,500 ​ DJ's are the emcee at your reception, they set the mood for every special moment, they get people up on the dance floor, and keep the crowd entertained. They also set up, test, and tear down their equipment while maintaining a level of professionalism that allows you to ease your mind so you can actually enjoy your reception. DJ’s invest several hours into the months, weeks, and days leading up to your wedding, customizing playlists to your requests and creating fun mixes. FLORALS ​AVERAGE COST: $5,000 Florists spend hours designing looks, ordering flowers, processing flowers, assembling arrangements, transporting arrangements, and setting up and breaking down at each wedding. They make your vision a reality by creating the recipe for your dream design, calling wholesalers to check the availability of the flowers you are hoping for, and sourcing and securing additional decor. There are also various supplies and to-do’s needed that add to the business costs, which can include vases, refrigeration, advertising, marketing, responding to inquiries, and setting up design appointments. HAIR & MAKEUP ​AVERAGE COST: $250 FOR BRIDE, $175 FOR BRIDESMAID/MOTHER A professional makeup kit is around $3,000, and a hair kit is $1,000, and the costs don’t stop there. There are expenses like insurance, gas, travel, licensing, continued education, general business expenses, etc. Hours are spent blending the perfect colors, styling, applying lashes, clip-in hair extensions, veils, headpieces, all to create that picture-perfect wedding look for the bride and bridal party. ICE SCULPTURES ​AVERAGE COST: $500 There are a wide range of ice sculpture designs to choose from, including personalization and monograms. Not only are the sculpture artists dealing with and designing the ice, they are masters of their display equipment, packaging supplies, delivery, and setup. The ice must be set up and displayed in such a way that it lasts the entirety of your reception. ​ LIVE MUSICIANS ​AVERAGE COST: $1,000 FOR 2 HOURS INCLUDING CEREMONY AND/OR COCKTAIL HOUR Whether it be for the ceremony, cocktail hour, or both, live musicians know how to set a mood. They have equipment considered the best of the best, take time to travel, time to set up, time to tear tear down, and put a lot of time and effort into honing their skill and personalizing the songs that are most important to the couple. ​ OFFICIANTS ​AVERAGE COST: $500 Besides time spent doing administrative tasks, officiants spend hours investing entirely into the couple. They learn about the couple, their story, their love, dreams of the future, traditions, vows, and any other extra customs specific to their ceremony. Officiants typically participate in the ceremony rehearsal the day before the wedding and act as the ringleader on the actual wedding day. PHOTOGRAPHER ​AVERAGE COST: $5,000 FOR 8 HOURS Photographers are tasked with taking photos of every special moment during your wedding day. Not only do they have to purchase the newest gear and editing software, but after the wedding is over, they still have to edit every single picture. It can often take a photographer over 40 hours to edit the photos from your wedding. PHOTO BOOTH ​AVERAGE COST: $1,000 A photo booth is a place where guests come together to create fun and lasting memories. There is a lot of high-end equipment that has to be purchased, taken care of, transported to and from reception venues, and let’s not forget the backup equipment just in case an accident strikes. They also can either set up your customized background in real life or as a backdrop on the camera. VENUE AVERAGE COST: $7,500 FOR A PRIME SATURDAY EVENING To run a venue, there are property taxes, rent, utilities, internet, landscaping, maintenance, insurance premiums, and administrative duties which must be paid regardless of if there are weddings or events booked. When there are events, there are additional costs such as venue cleaning, staff to set up and tear down tables, chairs, linens, and an on-site venue manager for the duration of the wedding. VIDEOGRAPHY ​AVERAGE COST: $4,000 Some costs a videographer has is insurance, music licensing, gear, computer systems, payment processors, software updates, data storage, travel costs, editing assistants, web designers, graphic designers, and shipping and packaging. There are also many hours spent after creating the film where videographers add the perfect soundtrack. Gear, cameras, tripods, lights, audio gear, microphones, audio recorders, even a drone are items your videographer has purchased to make your wedding video so magical. WITH MUCH LOVE, ​A PART OF YOUR LOCAL WEDDING COMMUNITY Vendor Credits: 2Tarts Bakery | Andie + Carrie Photography | Ashley Nicole Affair | Bambu Entertainment DJ | Carhart Photography | Christie Turner Floral Design | Film and Frame | Foxglove and Grace | Full Spectrum Ice | Huckleberry Wedding Films | Lone Star Oaks | Lyndsay Lyon Photography | Oh Happy Day Booth | PhotoHouse Films | Plush Party Band | Simply Delicious Custom Cakes | The Pictures Band | Two Souls Desire Featured Photographers: Captivating Weddings | Dani Quiroz Photography | Moodyography | Neva Michelle | The Crakes

​Photography: Moodyography | Venue, Catering + Bar: Hotel Ella | Planning + Rentals: Ashley Nicole Affair | Florals: Romantic Florals | Baker/Cake: Abby Jane Bakes | Hair & Makeup: Brittany Bell Makeup & Beauty by Faith