Spin-off - where to skimp, where to splurge

Thanks, all! You've been very helpful!

Splurge:

1. Photography

2. Honeymoon

3. Food/ drinks

4. DJ

5. Permits/ things the venue requires us to have

Save:

1. Flowers- Doing silk

2. Dress

3. Very cheap yet gorgeous venue

4. Decor- DIY Wedding

5. Makeup/ Hair Stylist- I know plenty of cosmetology students

Places I splurged:

Flowers (they were important to me)

Cake (my husband and I wanted something we loved)

Invitations (because it took me forever to find something I liked)

Rings (my husband and I wanted something we loved)

Places to cut back:

Centerpieces and decorations. Sure people will look at them, but for something that will be used once save some money and find a cheaper option.

Cake cutting knives/toasting flutes. These were extra things that I didn't want and didn't want to use again.

Card Box. Again this is something that will only be used once so go with a cheap option or DIY.

Entertainment. No photobooth, or band, or any sort of games or activities or entertainment for the guests during the cocktail hour/reception. I had a slide show playing and a photo scavenger hut, both of which were free for me to have.

We are having a Thursday wedding, so we have received some sweet ass deals. And so what if it's a Thursday, it's doable. My fiance is an attorney and I am a paralegal, so no excuses.

1. Venue. We secured our dream venue. Pretty expensive, but we are getting almost half off of everything. Our event coordinator also worked some sweet ass deals. Plus, our venue has a huge reputation so I know that everything will be perfect on their end. Food is amazing. We have unlimited alcohol.

2. Dress.

3. Photography. Our photographer is about $3-5K a weekend, but a Thursday wedding that is rarely done...got it almost half price. So boo ya. Plus, he has a great reputation and high quality photos.

4. DJ...but we are receiving some good deals. We are not going with out venue's preferred vendor, instead I am searching high and low for a DJ with a great reputation but does not do huge marketing. We found a few, almost half off a preferred vendor.

SKIP:

1. Guest list does not need to 100+. No need to invite everyone and their mama.

2. MR/MRS decor unless I find good deals.

3. Wedding Coordinator.

I decided to not do floral center pieces, and do sea themed (wedding on the beach) turned out much cheaper and because of this I was able to use fake flowers. The only flowers will be on the arbor and my bouquet since no one will be seeing up close I was okay with those being silk. I know real flowers are beautiful but the past two weddings I was in the flowers died or started to severely wilt before the wedding started...

Splurge:

1. Food

2. Venue

3. DJ

4. Photographer

5. Invites (we wanted something custom and we are loving them!)

Save:

1. Dress (I did a dress rental, super cheap!)

2. Flowers - we are only doing my bouquet and flowers for BP

3. Photobooth - no thanks!

4. Favors - luckily these are not the norm in our area

5. Shoes - we ordered custom vans/keds for $60 each!