But what's not so obvious is what to splurge on and what areas you can save money. We're here to help! While each wedding is unique to the couple, here's some general advice on where your money should go!
Alcohol is expensive, and while your guests would be thrilled to have open access to drinks all night long, your pocketbook sure wonât be. Instead of offering an open bar, serve wine and beer instead, plus a cocktail created just for your wedding that goes with the theme or captures the personality of you and your spouse. Plus, with limited access to alcohol, you wonât have to worry about any embarrassing incidents from anyone.
Instead, you can serve a feast to be remembered. The money you save on alcohol can go towards putting together either a large, elaborate meal, or you can get creative and serve small platters with a wide variety of different foods, such as sliders, sushi, kabobs, and so much more. Well-fed guests are happy guests.
Diamond earrings, necklaces full of gems, cascading tulle from an intricately woven veil...all of these wedding accessories will quickly add up. The veil in particular can get expensive, and the average youâll pay is between $200 and $300. Thatâs a lot, particularly for a bride on a budget! Instead of going all-out for accessories that youâll likely take off before the night is over, spend more on what youâll remember for years to comeâthe dress.
Opportunities to wear a beautiful gown are unfortunately few in todayâs day and age, so take full advantage of your wedding day and buy a dress that youâll look back on fondly. After all, when you look at your wedding pictures for the next several decades, what do you think youâll notice first? Your earrings, or how good you look in your dress?
Rings: Â The Scarlett , The Zoey
Think back on all the weddings youâve been to and see if you can remember the favors that were offered. Do you have any of them anymore? Wedding favors are a nice touch if youâre not on a tight budget, but they certainly donât make the wedding. Instead of spending time and money putting together favors that some guests wonât take and others will forget they own within a month, splurge on something that will help create lasting memories.
Photos of your wedding day will be treasured for the rest of your life. The candid photos of you and your spouse celebrating, the organized shots with your bridesmaids and groomsmen, and bits and pieces of the evening that you didnât get to see on the night are so much more important than favors, so redirect that money to a talented photographer. Find someone who specializes in weddings, since theyâll understand the logistics and types of shots newlyweds want. You can even turn the photos into favors by sending guests pictures of themselves!
Rings: Â The Olivia , The Forever
Just like favors are easily forgettable, so too are decorations. Creating an atmosphere is important, but that can be achieved with simple but elegant centerpieces and the right lighting. Whatâs more important for both the atmosphere and general enjoyment is the music. A great band or DJ can take your wedding from nice to sensational in a few short beats. After all, your guests donât want to spend the evening staring at the decorations. They want to be on the dance floor! Give them something to groove to, and no one will even notice that the decor is minimalist. If you choose a venue that has its own natural charm or beauty, itâll be even easier to go light on the decorations.
Which would you rather have: expensive wedding rings, or your dream honeymoon? Vacations arenât cheap, and your honeymoon is arguably the most important vacation youâll ever take. It marks the start of your new life and gives you and your spouse time to revel in your new titles and the fact that you get to be with each other for the rest of your lives. The rings might be the symbols of that commitment, but that doesnât mean they have to blow your entire budget. Overpriced wedding rings are being tossed aside in favor of the lasting memories created by the once-in-a-lifetime experience that is the honeymoon.
But donât think that opting for affordable bands means you canât get something beautiful! By choosing a wedding ring thatâs made from less expensive materials and gems, you can find a ring thatâs perfect for you, and perfect for your budget. Shop the full collection at Modern Gents here !
Rings: Â The Evermore , The Titan
Which is going to matter more at the end of the day: the things you have, or the things you remember? The possessions, or the people? The answer should be clear!