Sure some couples have visions of grandeur and go all out on their wedding day!  A different bar or buffet for every dessert, meal and cocktail pairings, confetti cannons and their new monogram lit up in enough neon to compete with the Las Vegas strip… and we are here for all of it!!!  We love unique wedding extras as much as the next person, but we also know that each enhancement brings a couple closer to their maximum budget. 

Let’s set  aside the unique and extraordinary for now,  and chat about some of the most common wedding day add ons. Some of our couples wouldn’t think twice about these, while others may question whether or not these are really as important as people say.  We’ve broken down the pros and cons of some of the most common wedding day additions to help you decide. 

Wedding Day Videography 

Some may feel that having both wedding photos and a video is overkill, while others will watch their video over and over again for years to come…just to relive the magical moments. First let’s break  down the benefits of why we think having a videographer is an important addition to your day.   

The Pros 

Your wedding day will be one of the most significant days of your life.  And no matter how hard you try to focus and memorize every single detail, the day is going to fly by and moments will be missed or forgotten.  Having a videographer ensures that someone will be there capturing every poignant moment of your day so you can relive it over and over again.  Another reason we suggest videographers to our couples is that in the course of the day you are not going to be able to see your guest reactions at every significant moment and getting to see your grandmother’s face as you walk down the aisle is something you will cherish forever. We love wedding photography, but a photo isn’t able to capture every emotion in the same way as video.  Through your wedding video you will be just that much closer to being able to get back to that feeling of being in those special moments again. 

The Cons

In reality, about half of the couples that get married every year go over their carefully planned budget, so  sometimes we have no choice but to pick and choose what is important.  Hiring a videographer brings with it many added costs…another vendor, another meal,  and another room (if you are traveling). Some couples feel that paying a lot of money for something that will sit and collect dust isn’t worth it. Watching it once or twice a year just cannot justify the cost.  Wedding photos can be displayed in your home, given as gifts to parents and grandparents and used as thank you’s, while a video often sits around unappreciated after an initial watch or two.

Ceremony Musicians 

Does hiring live musicians make for a more intimate event, or will a playlist of music you love provide the same experience? First let’s discuss some of the pros of hiring live musicians for your ceremony. 

The Pros

Hiring a string quartet to play while you walk down the aisle will certainly set the tone for your wedding ceremony. This type of extra will create a specific ambience for your magical moment.  Hiring live musicians or a vocalist to serenade you is definitely a unique and special addition to your wedding day. 

The Cons 

Hiring live musicians for the ceremony will add another component to your budget. Live musicians will also take up quite a bit of space so if you are limited in capacity this may become a concern. If you are planning on getting married outdoors, weather will also become a factor when planning for live musicians as their instruments are very sensitive to high temperatures, low temperatures, and moisture. 

Wedding Favors

When it comes to wedding favors, it seems there are two teams; those who love the tradition and those who hate it! Let’s break down the pros and cons of wedding favors. 

The Pros 

Favors are meant to thank your guests for coming from near and far to celebrate in your love, a tradition that has been around for many years and although the gift itself may have changed over the last few decades, the reason behind it is still the same.  Favors are a special way to share some of your favorite treats and trinkets with your closest family and friends.  If you are asking your guests to travel a distance, favors are also a great way to provide your guests with some practical items that they will appreciate over the wedding weekend. 

The Cons

Wedding favors have been a wedding staple for many years, but recently, couples are moving away from the conventional wedding favor and either opting out of the traditional thank you altogether or going for a more unique and unconventional gift.  Favors are an added expense and some couples cannot justify spending the money on something small and disposable that will eventually get thrown away. Couples are also making the move against favors because all too often, guests will forget them and then they are stuck with 50 personalized champagne flutes…or worse!! Favors take a lot of time and planning, so they should represent you and your love story, or be useful to your guests if you do opt for these. Also… guests never complain about edible shows of gratitude! In our experience, these are the types of favors that less often get “forgotten”. 

Guest Transportation 

Offering transportation to your guests may seem like a no-brainer…but with it comes extra planning and sometimes an added cost.  Let’s break down the pros and cons of offering your guests a lift to the party of the year!

The Pros 

Aside from the fact that guest transportation is fun for your guests, the safety factor is a huge benefit. Knowing that your guests will have a built in “designated driver” after your wedding will help alleviate any worries that you have about your guests getting back to their accommodations safely. Guest transportation will eliminate the stress and hassle of planning and parking and no one will be late to the festivities. Lastly, letting your guests feel like they are being taken care of, is definitely an added bonus and a wonderful way to welcome them to your celebration. 

The Cons

Although we think that the benefits of providing guest transportation far exceeds any con, it is an added expense for your overall wedding budget. It is also extra planning on your part, and yet another component to work into your wedding day. (Unless you have a team of Planning Angels on your side to take care of this for you! :)). 

Planning a wedding can be a long journey filled with so many choices and hard decisions, but it should also be fun and exciting.  Maybe you are not there yet, but we can already envision the  flowing champagne, the new shiny piece of jewelry on your finger and the love of your life twirling you around the dance floor. We promise before you know it you will be saying “I do” in front of all your family and friends….and perhaps a videographer!! Happy Planning!!