What you shouldn’t cut costs on

Wedding budget | What you shouldn't cut costs on | Jeanette Maree

The reality of weddings is, it’s a one-off event, so plan these items in your Wedding budget and it won’t hurt too much when you have to pay for them. You don’t get that day again, so let’s get it right. This will be the most panned celebration of your life and is why it’s specia

The Rings

While the thought of expensive centrepieces 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.

Food

A great deal of your wedding budget will be spent on catering your wedding reception. However, cutting the Wedding budget 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. Gone are the days of beef or chicken at a wedding. there are so many options for food and weddings. Discuss all the options with your venue and attend tasting nights. You’ll be surprised what’s included at professional wedding venues. Keep in mind what you would pay at a good restaurant, if your paying cheap pub food prices, that may be the kind of food you’ll get.

The Dress

A happy bride that beams on her big day is one who feels comfortable in her wedding dress. If that means going the extra mile with a custom-made 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. Keep in mind couture dresses have come down in price over the last 10 years and now easily compare in price to an imported dress. I don’t believe it matters the cost of the dress, just that you really love it.

Jewellery & Accessories

Often an afterthought and clearly a decision made later in the planning phase, but we know how long brides take to choose an earrings so I’m guessing they consider it pretty important. Let’s stop and think how many photos are snapped of you at various angles so let’s get it all covered. Hairpieces, earring and bracelets can add so much to the bridal look and in reality bring the whole together, adding the perfect finishing touches.

Photography

I don’t care about my wedding photos… Said no bride ever. Good photographers aren’t cheap, you are also paying for their experience and knowledge. They will get the ‘money shots’ quicker allowing more time for you with guests. I can still remember my brother’s wedding and the jerk who took the pictures. Nonstop talk about how good he was, and wouldn’t let anyone else take pictures while he was. I think I know why now, our pictures would have been better. So no regrets people, choose the right suppliers.

Shoes

Bad or uncomfortable shoes are directly linked to a strained expression . I hear some brides say they don’t want to spend a lot on shoes they won’t wear again but that’s the same for the dress, hair etc. Adversely if you want designer shoes it’s going to cost. I’d far recommend style and comfort over label, but if you need that pic showing your Louis Vuitton, then be prepared to get a back up pr so you can dance into the wee hrs with your friends, not sitting down showing off your red soles.

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

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