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5 Places you Shouldn't Cut Costs

Every wedding has a budget, and that means sacrificing a little here and there. But skimping in these 5 areas could spell disaster on your big day. (expert advice)

photo by Ann Hamilton

When it comes to cutting wedding costs, it is important to learn the difference between fleeting moments of fun and cherished memories that last a lifetime. Do you think it matters more if the hottest DJ in town spins records at your reception or if you have a dazzling photo album to show your grandkids? If you need to adhere to a certain budget or wish to save money on your nuptials, I suggest you avoid cutting wedding costs in the following categories:

1) Wedding Rings

While the thought of expensive centerpieces and imported red roses sound perfect for your wedding, they cannot compare to the significance of your wedding rings. When a bride and groom slip this symbol of everlasting love and commitment on their fingers – it should be a choice that overshadows any other details of the wedding. Your wedding ring will last a lifetime and if you're cutting wedding costs, this should be the last item on your list to consider.

2) Wedding Dress

A happy bride that beams with beauty is one who feels comfortable in her wedding dress. If that means going the extra mile with a custom-made ballroom gown, then so be it. When cutting wedding costs, try to eliminate the fancy invitations and ice sculptures before downsizing your wedding dress. Remember – ice melts and invitations collect dust, but the memory of slipping into your wedding gown will last forever.

3) Reception Food

A great deal of your budget will be spent on catering your wedding reception. However, cutting wedding costs for reception food can leave your guests hungry, thirsty, tired, and less likely to feel energized for an event focused on non-stop celebration, laughs, and hearty toasts.

4) Capturing Wedding Memories

When it's all said and done, vows exchanged, wedding cake devoured, and first dances complete, how will you remember the intricate details of your wedding? When cutting wedding costs, leave room for your memories to breathe. If you can help it, don't settle for an amateur photographer or enlist the help of your cousin with his digital camera. Capture your wedding memories professionally.

What about a videographer? If you must choose between having a video of your special day and investing in a decent wedding photographer, consider the pros and cons of each method, but in the end – a classic black and white photo usually trumps a recording of your special day.

5) Honeymoon

Where will you spend your first moments as husband and wife? Cutting wedding costs may mean enjoying a better honeymoon destination and/or package. It's OK to forego gilded embossed invitations, arrange your own flowers, or eliminate the limousine ride to and from the reception for the entire wedding party. Some people wind up not being able to honeymoon after the wedding because they've spent all of their money on the frills of an elaborate reception.

Cutting wedding costs doesn’t mean cutting off a limb – with careful discussion, you'll find that not everything is a 'must-have' when it comes to planning your nuptials.

Photos by Ann Hamilton

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BradyMikesell

12/09/2011 at 09:47 am

I want to comment on this quote from the article, "cutting wedding costs for reception food can leave your guests hungry, thirsty, tired, and less likely to feel energized for an event focused on non-stop celebration, laughs, and hearty toasts." They do not mention a DJ, or entertainment of any sort. If you want a non-stop celebration, laughs, and so forth, but cut costs on a DJ, you will not get those. I generally recommend to brides and grooms, to either pay a decent price for a well qualified DJ, or don't get one, and don't attempt to have a DIY dance. If you get a cheap DJ, he will ruin you wedding reception, if you pay for a good one, he/she can really make it a great celebration. If a good DJ is simply not in your budget, then it's better to not get a DJ and to not have a dance, than it is to get a cheap DJ who will ruin it. If you are going to get a DJ, or other form of entertainment for that matter, make sure you take the time to get to know you DJ/entertainer, and make sure he/she is the kind of DJ that wants to spend time helping you out, and really cares about how your reception will turn out. Make sure the DJ you get is a professional, if you are going to get one. Whatever you do, don't try to do an Ipod for your reception dance... just do a Youtube search on that topic, and you will see why.

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EssentialSou..

12/09/2011 at 05:58 am

I have to respectfully disagree with this theme. To try to suggest that you have an amazing photographer to capture the moments when you don't get yourself top notch entertainment, it's like saying you will be so excited to see the pictures at a wedding where everyone is staple gunned to their seats, not moving, excited and having fun. Smiles will not be as prominent and people will not be very candid to even take shots of. Providing a wedding with great entertainment is "make or break" for many events. If you don't select the right entertainment, the one that represents YOU, who you are, what you are looking for, you are setting your event up for failure. To disrespect the DJ's job at a wedding by saying it's something you can cut into your budget with, is saying it's not important and I'm sorry but if you feel wedding rings or a dress is more important than the memories your guests will have at the reception, your mind isn't on the right things. It's a celebration. It should be a lasting memory for all... not a disaster for most.

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kellybean

07/25/2011 at 06:21 pm

I agree with everything on the list. These are definitely things to not skimp on, unless you happy to get lucky!

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ameslink

07/15/2011 at 06:23 pm

I would disagree with the wedding dress point. Obviously each bride will have their own tastes and some are more expensive than others, but no one will know or care if you got your dress online, on sale or off the rack. It will still be the same dress and can be altered to look amazing on you. I got my dress for $200 and it's perfect!

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