What Is Your Financial Comfort Zone?

In meeting with higher end clients, I have learned quite a few things about money management and financial responsibility. Everyone is aware of the growth and spending in the wedding industry: close to $80 billion last year! As a planner, I am also very aware of the pressure for couples to plan their wedding celebration bigger, better, more extravagant and more lavish than all of their counterparts. This pressure can easily drive couples into the poor house even before they say, “I do.”

However, in meeting and getting to know some of these clients, a few ideas about money and spending have been confirmed in my mind. It’s about how different people deal with money. With some clients, it’s not about having enough money to spend. What it is about is what they’re willing to spend their money on. Just because you have access to $100,000 doesn’t mean that you are willing to spend it on a weekend wedding blow-out. I met with a young lady a few weeks ago who was a successful business owner. Upon meeting her (first impressions!), I could tell we had the same style and aesthetic, so I knew she liked nice things. During our consultation, I also found that she was very committed to keeping her costs less than $20,000. She didn’t see the sense in blowing a lot of cash on a one-day wedding reception.

And I totally get it.

At K Sherrie+Company, it’s what we call keeping our clients in their “financial comfort zone” (such a great catch phrase taught to us by our friend, Liene, of Blue Orchid Designs, who in turn, learned of the phrase from Scott Corridan). We want you to stay on track, stay on budget and spend your money on what you feel is most important—not anything more or anything less. I’ll use myself as an example. I will happily pay $1500 for a Gucci or LV purse. What I will not spend my hard earned money on, for instance, is a Cross pen or a piece of Riedel crystal. I don’t see the point. Again—it’s not about having the money available, but about what I’m willing to spend my cash on. . .what I value. . .my very own “financial comfort zone.” And we understand many clients feel the exact same way about weddings and celebrations.

K Sherrie+Company prides itself on being a collaborator and co-conspirator in helping people stay within their financial comfort zone. Our flat rate consultation fees are a testament to this. We will never encourage you to spend more so we can make more. This can sometimes happen with unscrupulous planners who charge on a percentage basis. This does not mean that you will not go over budget. What it does mean is that we will help you make informed decisions and you’ll be satisfied when you choose to spend your dollars on what means the most to you.