Supportive Mom, or not?

I'd go one of two ways here.

1 - Talk to your mom. Tell her your reasoning for buying "cheaper" items. Budget, you can't justify spending $100 on a lantern to use for 8 hours, decorations aren't your priority, you'd rather spend more money on the food, etc.

2 - Just do it yourself. Call, email, research online the best you can.

If you have a good relationship with your mom it may be helpful to tell her how you feel. Something like. “Mom, thanks for helping with my wedding. I know you want to be helpful but your criticism is hurting my feelings! Can you please not make the judgemental comments?”

Can you email vendors/shops about prices if calling isn’t an option and at some point you take over?

Depending on your relationship with your mom you could always try talking to her about how you feel. My mom, I love her dearly, has been the same way. She is trying to be helpful and I am not even sure she realizes how her comments come across sometimes but it is hard. I always get slightly discouraged when I tell her an idea that I love or show her something I love and she discredits it because she doesn't like it or she has a different image in her mind. So I definitely get the struggle.

My mom and I have not seen eye to eye on a lot of things. Since she found out my wedding is super small, she got upset she cant invite who she wants. My fiance and I are paying for the whole thing. When she offered to help with food, I told her how much the cost would be and she said it's her way or nothing. Its to the point that i dont even mention anything to her so we wont argue. It does sadden, but this way I wont be so stressed out about my day.