How to Stretch Your Wedding Budget
When planning an event, there are always things to splurge on and things you can save on. These tips will help stretch your budget a little further and best allocate the funds you have to work with.
SPLURGE: PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography is the one thing to always splurge on. Your pictures are forever. They are the precious, tangible memories you will always have to remember your special day. After all the weddings I’ve done, brides always agree that the money they allocated to photography was money well spent. With photographers, you definitely get what you pay for. Do your research, ask for recommendations, and interview several photographers. Make sure to ask to see their portfolio and read their client reviews. Take your time to find the right photographer and be prepared to pay for their services accordingly. Even though it may seem expensive, when the wedding is over and you have incredible pictures to help you relive your day over and over again, you will be glad you splurged.
If you live in South Texas and want a quality photographer, Jarrah Marie Photography is my recommendation! She took my wedding photos and did a phenomenal job!
www.jarrahmariephotography.com
SAVE: WEDDING FAVORS
While giving your guests a token of appreciation is a thoughtful gesture, the reality is most wedding favors are left at the venue or sadly even get thrown away. Save yourself some time and hard-earned money and keep the wedding favors simple and practical, if you choose to do favors at all. It really is okay to completely forgo wedding favors. Some great ideas I’ve seen for favors are small candles, vases, or succulents that add to the table decor and double as wedding favors. Anytime you can double-up the use of an item can save you big in the long run.
SPLURGE: FRESH FLORAL BRIDAL BOUQUET
Your bridal bouquet will be front and center for quite a few of your wedding photos. Make sure it stands out! Fresh flowers make a huge difference and can really add elegance to your wedding. You can always save money on fresh flowers by picking ones that are in season, but still gorgeous. Work with a local florist to help you get the biggest bang for your buck. You can use silk flowers for centerpieces and decorations if your budget doesn’t allow for fresh, but always splurge for a fresh bridal bouquet!
SAVE: FULL-SERVICE DINNER
While you want to show your guests a good time and express your appreciation for their attendance, a full-service dinner is not always necessary, especially if you are on a tight budget. A more cost-effective solution is a dinner buffet. You can serve the same delicious meal for a fraction of the cost by simply offering dinner buffet style, rather than your guests being served at their tables. Work with your caterer to ensure a stunning presentation and savory food and your guests will be delighted. They won’t even know what they are missing, and your pocketbook will thank you!
