As the day of fiscal benefits…or perhaps fiscal detriments nears, we can’t help but be inspired to discuss all the fun things we can splurge on if a tax “return” is in our future.  For some…a family vacation, a spring shopping spree, a bathroom remodel or an enhancement to their yard…it’s fun to dream about what you are going to spend that little (or big) boost of cash on! 

If you are planning a wedding, those “tax day winnings” may definitely come into play if you are thinking about splurging on something extra special at your reception.  Regardless of what your financial future holds, we do think that all couples can use a professional’s opinion on where to spend and where to save on their wedding day. We are all about savings where they are to be had, but you may want to think twice about cutting corners on some important wedding details, and saving on some of the things you think you can’t live without.  Read on for some of our tips on spending versus saving…the wedding edition.

Where to Save

Stationery

Although we love beautiful pictures of wedding flat lays more than most, stationery is one of the easiest ways to cut wedding costs.  We are by no means telling you to give up your picturesque paper, but it’s easy to opt out of having eight invitation inserts to save a little bit of cash.  Keep it simple! Your invitation, RSVP card, and return envelope will still photograph beautifully next to your wedding rings and serve the ultimate purpose of wedding stationery. Couples are also opting for a QR code when it comes to responding, making it easier for guests and cheaper for couples…less paper means less money and you will also save on response card postage!  We love a wedding invitation and go crazy for the artistic imagery but we also love a little savings without sacrificing beauty and detail when it comes to our clients.

Wedding Favors

From what we have seen throughout our tenure as wedding planners, these are rightfully the first thing to go.  We are of the opinion that if your wedding favors are not extremely personal, then they are easy to forego. Too often we see that at least 60% of the guests head home at the end of the evening without grabbing their wedding favors which ends in a complete waste of dollars signs for our couples.  Choosing favors that are personal and sentimental is special and we stand behind our couples who feel compelled to share that moment with their guests, but if you are on the fence and can’t nail down the perfect gift to share with your guests, we think skipping  it is the best option.

Where to Splurge

Guest Experiences

You will never be sorry for treating your guests like rock stars.  These are the things that will have friends and family talking for years to come.  We are seeing more and more people opt to have unique guest experiences present at their celebrations.  Caricaturists, live painters, aura specialists, interactive champagne servers and even “welcome butlers” are trending these days!  Anything that is going to give your guests (and yourself) the ultimate experience is definitely worth a little splurge in our eyes.  And bonus, some of the offerings that come with these experiences can also be the wedding favor…so your splurge may actually help you save!

The Entertainment

Wedding celebrations are just that….celebrations!!! I don’t know about you, but the celebration is synonymous with “great party” to me.  The DJ and band can make or break your party, so please choose wisely here. They can determine the entire mood and atmosphere of your wedding day, so do your due diligence…research and do not cut corners here.

The Food/Catering

Food is front and center at a lot of wedding celebrations. Not only is food quality (and quantity) important on your wedding day, but so is the catering team that will be servicing your guests.  Make sure that you are hiring a reputable catering company with a proven track record to have your back on the big day. When comparing catering services and inclusions, be sure that the contract includes full service from start to finish so that you and your guests are not on cleaning duty at the end of the evening. 

We love having the opportunity to splurge whenever we can…who doesn’t?  But we also know that cutting corners on some of the most traditional wedding elements is okay to make some room for the extra special touches that everyone (including you) will remember for many years to come. While preparing your wedding budget, remember that it is okay to save on some areas in order to splurge on others. 

If you need some help preparing your wedding budget, take a look at our blog, What Goes Into a Budget, for a little help on what should be included as you embark on this journey.  Weddings are a big deal and knowing exactly how much you need for what you want to do is a great way to begin your married life!  Happy Planning!