Budgets: Prioritize the ‘must-haves,’ let go of the rest

By Macie Capote
Contributing writer

It’s wedding season again, and couples everywhere are probably scrambling to make final decisions regarding their big day. The last few months before the “I do’s” are often the most hectic, and it might feel like everything has to be decided and finalized all at once.

The most crucial decisions couples make are almost always due to their wedding’s budget. Should we cancel this vendor? Is it really $25,000 for flowers? Is this reception venue cheaper? Do we actually need a photo booth?

These were the questions that my husband and I asked during our wedding planning process. We wrestled with where to make cuts and where to prioritize our money. The task of choosing sounded daunting, but once we stepped back and really thought about what we cared about and would remember forever about our special day, decisions became easier.

My husband and I were just married in December, and we had the wedding of our dreams. Nothing could have made it more perfect than it already was. We stand by our selections and are very pleased with how the day turned out. The stress of the engagement season had finally paid off.

‘Non-negotiables’
With any wedding (unless you’re a multi-millionaire), there will be sacrifices to make and things you might want that just won’t fit the budget. There will be non-negotiables that will cause you to leave other things behind.

I’ve put together a list of some simple strategies to save money without compromising the wedding of your dreams, as well as a list of my must-haves that you shouldn’t skimp on.

DIY-ing could be your best friend
Our florals and wedding decor were perhaps our most successful money-saving efforts. The bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres were made of real flowers, while the arrangements were made with artificial flowers. Our guests couldn’t believe they were fake, to which I give credit to my incredibly talented mother-in-law, who decorated our entire venue. Not only that, but amidst all the celebrating, no one was going to examine every single flower to confirm whether they were synthetic or not. By doing this, we saved ourselves the cost of an entire car being spent on flowers.

DIY-ing your wedding decorations is a great way to save money, but if you’re short on time or don’t have a crafty mother-in-law, there are lots of other options. I would recommend choosing a naturally beautiful venue that won’t require too much decoration or using lighting such as candles and votives instead of several floral arrangements and centerpieces. We had a blend of the two, which I believe enhanced the already romantic atmosphere of our wedding venue.

Guest interaction doesn’t have to cost thousands
From timeless classics like the bouquet toss and the money dance to interactive games and quizzes about the couple, the options are endless for creating unforgettable moments that won’t strain your budget.

It is no secret that wedding guests love having proof that they were invited to the celebration. Many couples opt for photo booths for this purpose, but even more so because the fun props keep your guests entertained for hours.

Photo booths can cost up to $300 per hour, so instead, we chose to have a disposable camera on every table, which cost us around $150 total. Not only did our guests have a blast snapping their own pics around the venue, but we now have meaningful photos to look back on taken by our friends and family.

Invest in good music
Initially, I had planned to cut costs by opting for a small jazz quartet over a DJ, seeing it as the more budget-friendly choice. Everything changed when my husband and I attended a wedding six months before our own. The live band there was phenomenal, getting almost everyone up and dancing.

That experience convinced us that splurging on high-quality live music would be worth it. And it absolutely was. Nola Dukes Band lived up to their strong reputation, and the atmosphere was perfect. Our wedding night was a blast, with even our grandparents hitting the dance floor. There was so much joy and laughter, and I’ll never forget seeing my dad busting out moves I never knew he had.

Photo and video last forever
I knew from the jump that I would not be cheaping out on a photographer. I wanted my photos to be timeless, and I made sure to go with someone I knew wouldn’t let me down. September Company captured my day perfectly, and I still cannot get over how beautiful the photos turned out.

Whether you care more about the video or the photos of your big day, make sure to budget for someone you know is going to do their job and do it well. After all, it’s all you have to look back on once the day is over. And if your family is anything like mine, your wedding photos will be framed all over everyone’s house, so they’d better look fantastic.

Food and drink and watching your guest count
Going with a catering company that is affiliated with your venue might save you money and the headache of searching for your own. Black Pearl Catering Co. knocked it out of the park with our vegan accommodations, and we appreciated not having to search for another vendor.

Food and beverage rates can have a big influence on your budget, especially if you have a large number of guests.  Providing meals for each guest can cost $75 to $100 per person, so if it’s possible for you, limiting the number of guests will help you save money.

Furthermore, planning a wedding with 100 guests or less not only reduces your venue costs but also creates a charming and intimate experience. Despite having around 60 guests at our wedding, we still found it challenging to converse with everyone.

It’s your day
Your big day is going to be over in the blink of an eye. Months of planning flash by in what feels like an instant. My biggest focus that day was to be present and focus on the fact that I was being married to the love of my life. Everything else seemed to just fall into place.

Weddings are never perfect, but saving money and stressing less definitely makes it feel perfect. I was excited about my menu but barely ate because of the excitement. I was so meticulous about my floral arrangements, yet rarely got to look at them. I was worried about my guests being bored, but there was never a dull moment.

The biggest takeaway is that it is your and your spouse’s day. Prioritize what matters to you, and save on things that don’t. Don’t feel pressured to have a wedding that looks like everyone else’s and that matches your Pinterest board to a T. Try to concentrate on what the day is truly about and what memories will last a lifetime.