What did you "splurge" on?

So far we have splurged on our venue. It's a vineyard in the hills and is absolutely gorgeous. Plus it includes day-before access so we don't have to stress on decorating day-of and I can actually be involved in the decorating. Photog was kind of a splurge but it was still less than I'd expected. I used to be a wedding photog so who we chose was a big deal for me. But we made up for those because my dress was literally $130 and was custom made, so there's that.

We're still early in the planning process but I can already tell our all inclusive venue with the food and all night open bar is definitely our biggest splurge. But the food and drink were one of the most important things to both FH and myself as well as my parents (who are contributing to the venue)

For right now our food and drink is the biggest splurge. Plus the extra hour for the bar.

I think you can't go wrong with upscaling your food, drink. And music.

We splurged on one of the top packages our caterer offered which included tray passed apps, carving station & all you can eat buffet, as well as a dessert bar.

My dress, jewelry, hair and engagement rings!

Cake! I wanted the cake to be from a specific baker, although our venue included the cake (we ask for a switch to an app), i decided to spend $575 for a 9in, 6in 2tier cake that will feet 50-55 guest

So far I splurged on bistro lights. Totally unnecessary but those dang twinkly lights got me good. I adore them though so I'm pretty pumped.

Booze, booze, and booze.

We're terrified of running out, so we (WE HOPE) overbought.

Of course now we may need to splurge on a flaming donut bar. Because FLAMING DONUT BAR

DJ, hands down. It can seriously make or break a wedding more than anything else! Gotta go for the best.

Pretty much the entire wedding...

The things that immediately come to mind:

Our cakes. I REALLY wanted H to have a Star Trek Enterprise-shaped groom's cake.

Our cake topper. I paid $100 to an Etsy seller to have custom Arabic calligraphy of our names.

A $160 bottle of special-order liquor for H at the reception. Arak--it's from Lebanon.

Our decor. I thought I was going to spend $500...I spent over $2000.

But it was a perfect day.

I don't think I've splurged on anything.

So far I've been pretty on budget with everything aside from the florist, flowers cost a lot more than I anticipated! Our honeymoon is by far the biggest splurge though, 9 days in the Maldives is not cheap but I'm so excited.

We have most of the "big" things booked so far. As of now, the big splurge was my dress, going over my initial budget by ~$400. It was tough to justify doing because I can't show it to FH for him to be like "was totally worth it!"

Ps, totally with you on the laser cut invites, they are stunning!! For me I couldn't justify spending more on something most people would eventually toss out tho.

The only thing I would say is our honeymoon- we're going to London and Paris instead of going to Mexico/Carribean which would've been significantly cheaper. But its fine since we both love travelling to explore culture

My dress and we just got a quote for our must have whiskey and cigar bar. Fucking $10 a person in addition to the already top shelf open bar. We're looking into a way to make it cheaper but it's a nod to both our fathers and something we def want.

We are going all out for the honeymoon! I can't wait to just be pampered in HI!!

For the venue, photographer, HMUA, florist and DJ, they all actually came in under where we wanted to be. I didn't have a budget with my dress but ended up spending $1300 for the gown and alterations (was looking at dresses over $2500 at one point).

Don't get me wrong we are still spending a chunk of change, but it wasn't until we put the trip on the Cc that was like oh S***!! Cars is paid off but the initial shock this month when I saw it.

I'd say our Honeymoon- we've committed to 2 weeks in the Bahamas.....I think we're both more excited about that haha. Wedding wise, probably my veil which was wayyy more than I thought it would be but I won my dress so I guess it evens out?

I spent extra for the fancy cheeses during the cocktail hour. But now that I think about it we'll be doing pictures at that time, I hope someone can save some cheese for me haha

Was planning to do a DJ for 1k or less but then decided to go with live band for 3k..... includes string quartet during cocktails/dinner, 9 pc band for reception, and DJ for the last hour or two while the band breaks down. I am so, so, so excited about this! I have only told a few people because I want it to be a surprise and totally wow our guests! I hope they love it!