Save vs Splurge: Where to Keep Cost Down & Indulge on Your Wedding Budget

One of the toughest things about planning a wedding is realizing how expensive everything can be. While you may want to have a huge party with all your family and friends, your wedding budget may say otherwise.

But don’t worry! There are definitely places where you can cut costs in your wedding planning without sacrificing that beautiful day you’ve been imagining. In the end, how much you spend on each item is entirely up to you and your partner, but once you figure out what matters most to you, you can more easily decide where you want to focus your budget.

Items to Save On

The Veil

Veils can actually be almost as expensive as the wedding dress itself! If you have a family veil that you want to wear on your big day, that’s a perfect way to save cash, or you can opt for a different headpiece, like a tiara or jewel-studded headband. If you really want a veil, consider going with a more basic design to cut costs.

Wedding Accessories

There’s no reason to spend a ton on the jewelry or other accessories you will wear on your wedding day. Instead, ask a family member or close friend for any pieces that you can borrow. Get it? Something borrowed! Bonus points if the piece is also blue.

The Open Bar - Save on Alcohol

Save: Wedding Reception Desserts

Wedding cakes are often considered a big deal, but they don’t have to be! Instead of a towering cake big enough for all your guests, purchase a small one to share with your new spouse and opt for cupcakes, cookies, pies or other desserts to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.

Save: Wedding Invitations

Saving money on your wedding invitation is simple: ditch the traditional wedding invite in favor of a more modern approach. You can save money by eliminating the need for a physical invitation and instead sending digital invitations or even creating a website for your guests to RSVP. If you're planning your wedding on a tight budget, every little bit counts!

Save: Bridal Party Attire

Cutting costs by eliminating bridal party attire is a great way to save on your wedding budget. Your bridesmaids will be happy to scrimp on their gowns and you can save on the cost of gifts for them.

Save: Photo Booth

If you're looking to cut costs on your wedding day, one way to do so is by eliminating the need for a photo booth. You can save money by hiring a wedding photographer who can capture all the incredible moments throughout the day - from the ceremony to the first dance and everything in between. This will not only save you money, but it will also provide you with beautiful, high-quality photos that you can cherish for a lifetime.

Save: Flowers Arrangements

To save on wedding flowers, consider using fewer flowers in your arrangements and opting for more greenery. You can also choose seasonal flowers that are less expensive. Another way to save is to use a family member's or friend's backyard or garden for your ceremony or reception.

If you are looking for a more natural look for your wedding, you may want to consider using wooden flower bouquets and floral arrangements. This can give your wedding a rustic feel and can be a great way to save money. And lastly, artificial flowers are a great way to have beautiful arrangements without the expense of real flowers.

Save On: Wedding Cake

If you're looking to cut costs on your wedding cake, one way to do so is to get naked with your cake. This means having a naked cake with no frosting or decorations. You can also cut your wedding cake in thinner slices, which will serve more people and cost less overall. Also choosing a popular wedding cake design or flavor may help lower costs for your wedding

Some popular wedding cake designs include:

-Tiered cakes

-Naked cakes

-Rustic cakes

-Vintage cakes

-Lace cakes

Some popular wedding cake flavors include:

-Vanilla

-Chocolate

-Strawberry

-Lemon

Items to Indulge In

Splurge: Wedding Dress

There are ways to save on your wedding gown, like opting for a used or vintage dress or shopping sales, but this is one item where you should definitely spend the money to get exactly what you want. Sure, you will only wear your wedding dress once, but you will remember it forever in your photos of the day, so you should absolutely like the way you look.

Splurge On - Bridal Make Up

There are many reasons to splurge on bridal makeup. For one, it is a once in a lifetime event. You want to look your best for your wedding day.

Second, you will be photographed extensively on your wedding day. You want to make sure that your makeup looks great in photos.

Third, you want to feel confident and beautiful on your wedding day. fourth, having your makeup done by a professional can help to reduce stress on your wedding day. fifth, you may not have time to do your own makeup on your wedding day if you have a lot of other things going on.

Sixth, you want to look back at your wedding photos and be happy with how you looked. seventh, it is a nice way to treat yourself before your big day. Eighth, you may not have time to do your own makeup if you are getting married abroad. Ninth, it can be a fun activity to do with your bridesmaids or mother before the big day. Tenth, it is something that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Splurge: Videography

Videography can be a great way to capture all of the memories from your wedding day. If you are looking for a way to splurge on your wedding, then hiring a professional videographer may be the perfect option for you. Your wedding video will be a cherished memento that you can watch for years to come.

Splurge: Wedding Shoes

The shoes you wear on your wedding day are actually one of the few pieces you can wear again in your everyday life. While personalized heels can be a fun addition to your outfit, consider going for a neutral color, like nude or gold, that will come in handy later.

Splurge: Bridal Bouquet

Like your dress, your flowers will appear in many of your wedding photos, and if you have a specific color, flower or arrangement in mind, you should definitely spring for it. Bonus: you can save by using something other than flowers for your centerpieces.

Splurge: Wedding Ceremony Music And DJ

The wrong music can totally ruin the mood of your wedding day, so it’s worthwhile to invest in a professional DJ or live band. After all, music is part of your ceremony and first dance, and it gets everyone out on the dance floor, so good music is essential.

Splurge: Wedding Photography

Your wedding photos will be a part of the rest of your lives together, and you’ll look back on them for decades to come. That’s why it’s definitely worthwhile to invest in a professional wedding photographer who can create gorgeous images that you will be thrilled to share with your family and friends.

Splurge: Wedding Venue

When it comes to weddings, many couples prioritize their spending on the venue. After all, it's one of the most important aspects of the wedding and it's worth splurging on. Spend money on a wedding venue that will mark the aesthetics of your big day and make it according to your style.

Splurge On: The Honeymoon

A couple on their honeymoon is often seen as the embodiment of romance. What could be more perfect than spending days and nights in a beautiful destination, without a care in the world? While weddings are expensive enough, a honeymoon can easily cost an entire budget. But for many couples, splurging on their honeymoon is worth it. After all, it's a once in a lifetime experience. And what's more romantic than that?

Splurge: Decor You Can Reuse

For example, if you're looking for ways to cut costs, opting for reusable wedding decorations is a great idea. This way, you can use them again for future celebrations or even sell them after your big day.

Splurge On A Wedding Planner

A wedding planner can be a big help during the wedding planning process. A wedding coordinator can help with all the details of the wedding reception, and the bride can focus on enjoying her special day. This often is viewed as luxury but good wedding coordinators are worth their weight in gold. This is because they know the ins and outs of planning a wedding. They will be able to save you time and money by making sure everything goes smoothly and set the tone for the entire day.

If you are happy with your photographer, ask for their recommendations on your band. If he knows anyone in that business, they already know how you can contact them and what they’re like, so you can pick them with confidence this way.

Mistake #8: Forgetting what your day is truly about

During the chaos of your wedding day, it can be easy to forget about what brought you here: the love that you and your partner share and your hopes for your future together. Take time to celebrate this special milestone in your lives!