Elements you included vs skipping them

Dude so I always wanted a magician aha or I thought I did since I saw one at a wedding I was at! But then I ran into logistical problems where I needed a day of coordinator more so I ended up paying for that instead of a magician. Aha at the end of the day guests mingle and entertain amongst themselves

I will splurge and possibly go over budget if I really had to on 3 things I feel are really important, the cake, food and alcohol. I don't care how much it costs, I feel you need to have amazing food, amazing cake and good alcohol. I didn't want to have a wedding at a venue that supplied food because I wanted to make sure I can have food from where ever I wanted that way I can make sure we have the best possible food. Things I won't spend the money on will be a photo booth. I see so many weddings have them and I think they are awesome but i am using the money that would have gone into the photo booth for the food. I see it as why pay for a photo booth when I'm paying thousands of dollars for a photographer.

Things we splurged on: live band, full open bar, high quality food, tons of fresh flowers.

Things we skipped: videographer and photo booth (we had an excellent photographer so we didn't feel the need to have videography or photo booth)

We splurged on: food/venue, photographer, limo.

Found deals on: videographer, dress, DJ, flowers, invites.

Skipped: photo booth/trendy extras, favors.

Splurge: 6-piece band, lots of alcohol (full open bar) and big floral arrangements/decor generally


Skip: favors, bridal shower, guest book

We splurged on photography, DJ, food and alcohol. I didn’t splurge on a big fancy cake (small two tier cake and 100 cupcakes with assorted flavors), real flowers (I went with silk flowers), or favors.

We are splitting on food and photography and nixing a dj/band. We’re having a small dinner party with no dancing so we’re just making a playlist.

We didn’t really have any splurges. But our 3 biggest items were venue, food, and photographer. Well we did add a chandelier at the last minute that I just had to have. But it was only $200 so I don’t feel like that was a splurge.


We skipped videographer (setup a camera on a tripod instead), floral centerpieces (candles instead), trendy stuff like photo booths/cupcakes/signs everywhere, having Invites and signs made (I DIYd everything with a little help from my sister)

We splurged on photography and food/beverages/venue.


We skipped a videographer. The pricing that we were being quoted vs what would be received ($2000-$3000 for a 3-4 minute video) just didn't seem worth it to us.

Skipping a guest book, videographer and unity candle. We aren't gonna watch the video ever, we won't open the guest book ever again, and the unity candle is not part of Catholic tradition so we are not doing it. We are splurging on a live band and a good photographer.

We splurged on an event designer who will do all the decorations and flowers for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. We also splurged on hiring a media company that does photography, videography, DJ and Photo Booth. Although we actually saved by going with a one stop shop for media. Hiring separate vendors for each of these services would have definitely cost more. Things we are nixing because of the budget: saxophone player and wedding planner. Our venue comes with a day of coordinator who is amazing, but it would be nice to have a planner as well.

Splurged on photographer! Skipping wedding favors. Also serving sheet cakes. I can't bring myself to spend so much on a cake.