Djs & Caterers

When it comes to catering it is likely going to depend on what all you are wanting. I know we found it was cheaper to have a buffet rather than a plated meal. Another way to cut cost is to serve only beer and wine rather than a full open bar. The number of guests you have is also going to determine how much you pay because typically caterers charge per person so the more people you have the more expensive your overall total with come to. Other things I'd ask if you plan on having children is their meal the same price. Ours offered on meal for anyone 0-10 I believe and another meal for anyone 11-20. The 0-10 was one price and the 11-20 was another, but both were a lot cheaper than the adult meals since they didn't include alcohol. Vendors were also given a different meal at a lower cost as well.

For us a good DJ was a high priority so we were willing to pay whatever it was going to cost. My brother paid for an inexpensive DJ and they had multiple problems. The DJ couldn't get the song to play that was requested for the mom and son dance so my mom was in tears thinking she wouldn't get to dance with her only son at his wedding. The DJ was also asked to play appropriate music as a lot of the guests were older and extremely religious. He ended up playing multiple songs with cursing and even paid Katy Perry's I Kissed A Girl which obviously isn't the most appropriate sone for religious people.

I really can feel the struggle! One thing that helped me was reaching out to vendors who are just starting—they’re often more affordable but still great. Also, sometimes smaller, family-owned caterers are much more budget-friendly than big companies.