“Okay, so what does this actually cost?” It’s the question every family wants to ask, and most planners dance around it. I’m not going to.
For the mitzvahs I plan, the average family spends approximately $200,000. That’s the range most of my events land in.
Obviously, it moves. Some families care most about lighting and put more there. Some want a floral moment people will talk about for years. Some want the best DJ and entertainment in the city. Everyone has something that matters most to them, and that’s where the money goes. But more or less, that’s the range.
And each family needs to do what they can afford. I will never tell you to spend money you don’t have. My job is to take your number and get the most out of every dollar of it.
Every family has one thing that matters most to them. That’s where the budget should go.
So where does it go? The venue is usually the biggest number. Most LA venues that can host a big mitzvah have a food and beverage minimum, which means you commit to spending a certain amount on catering no matter your final guest count. Then there’s catering itself, entertainment, design and décor, lighting, photo and video, and the planning and production team that holds all of it together on the day.
The best thing you can do is be honest about your number from the start. When I know the real budget, I can tell you right away where it will make a difference and where it won’t. That conversation saves families more money than any discount ever will.
BTW, WHO’S PLANNING YOUR EVENT? #THEVENTBAR
