Fun Problem: More Money!

See how expensive it is to book my favorite band 😂 Or pocket the extra money if they will let you.

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We already have a band and a DJ (long story there). I think there's a chance they will let us keep the money, but I think they want us to come up with ways to make a splash first.

Is there anything you wanted to include originally, but couldn't fit it in the budget (photo booth, caricature artist, upgraded food/bar menus, transportation for guests, etc)? You could always add those things! Or maybe towards activities/upgraded room/first class flights/etc for your honeymoon? Otherwise, you could always put it towards a down payment on a house, or put it in your savings, or plan a post-wedding vacation with your parents?

Another option too could be adding more hours for your photographer/videographer/DJ/open bar contracts! More photos/video, and/or a longer party time. Or adding a late night snack to your reception?

Upgrade the photo/video or food/drinks/dj. Another option is to put the money in savings for a rainy day when you need it.

Thanks! This is all great advice. My parents are really pushing for us to spend it on the wedding though they said we could just save it if we wanted. (My fiance and I already own two homes between the two of us, so we don't need it for a home purchase).

We think we are going to add an after party! There's a really cool bar next to our hotel so we are going to see if we can rent out a portion and get some food and have a bar tab for folks.

We also really loved the idea of using a portion of it to take our parents on a vacation. We're thinking of surprising them with an Oregon wine country tour!

I like the after party idea

Have you already planned your honeymoon? You could use it to go somewhere absolutely epic!

No. Save for a house

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A good idea, but we already own two homes and aren't looking to purchase another.

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We already have and most of it is already planned/paid for. But we were thinking we'd do a trip with my parents after the wedding. They live out of state so we don't get to see them as often as we would like.

View Quoted Comment Instead of wasting it if you plan on having children put it in an account for them, start an IRA, get life insurance,etc.

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Thanks for your input!

Fireworks! It would be a fun way to end the night and give the whole town a show.

View Quoted Comment I love the idea of doing an after party! Great way to keep the celebration going. The Oregon wine tour also sounds like it would be a great vacation for you to take with your parents!

It is always good to put away money

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Yup, totally agree. We're thankfully in a position where are able to save 30% of our salaries, we max out our 401(k)s and have healthy savings for home repairs and other projects. We are frugal in our day-to-day life and our parents are giving us this money to do something fun knowing that we are set up well financially.

Ok so I guess get a vacation

If the trip is not taking the entire $10k, you could upgrade your champagne if venue allows. Another option is specialty lighting. If you have a simpler ceiling, you can tent the ceiling with drapery which is an experience. Best wishes!