Things you should never skimp on for a wedding

For us? Food, music, and photographer. My fiance does photography, so it is REALLY a big part for us. And as for the food? I believe David Tutera said this; "People may not remember the food you had, unless it was terrible or not enough of it!" And a good DJ is really important for us. We want our guests to have a great time!

In General, I think people should prioritize:

1) Guests comfort (enough seating, shade/AC/heat, sanitary restrooms, no long gaps)

2) Food (dinner and plenty of appetizers/cocktails)

3) Photography or videography (the day goes fast)

For me personally we prioritized the above plus:

4) Nice venue (our DW restaurant is on the beach with a great view)

5) Florals/decor: I can't help myself and I am detail oriented, I notice these things at other weddings (and the food)

6) Really good MUA and hair person

For us, our priority is our guest experience, therefore we splurged on a nice venue with great food, premium open bar and chose a great DJ/MC. We've been to a couple weddings where the DJ was just awful, no one danced, including the bride and groom, and people left early.

We did hire a good photographer and cinematographer but they are mid-ranged and their work is above average.

Flowers and decor are not high on our priority list. We will have them, but that will probably be more DIY or very minimal since the venue doesn't really require much.

I went to an outside wedding yesterday in a barn (in WI), at an active farm. It was terrible. 90+ degrees (with soaring humidity), and by 8:30 they had run out of bottled water and we were encouraged to drink from a water source on the side of the barn. Proper food and drink for your guests, plus a plan b incase of terrible weather. Also, chairs. Hay bails are only cute on Pinterest and in pictures.

We didn't skimp on food/open bar and we literally broke the budget with our band and photographer. I was able to make up the difference by shaving off a small amount from other categories like flowers, invitations, dress, etc. All said and done, we have everything we need booked and we are right on budget. But, we have no money left for details like hanging/ceiling decorations and things like that.

Other than the obvious food and booze, we do not skimp on entertainment! To us it is so important to have a great catalyst for dancing and partying. Pics are pics, a flower is a flower.

Photographer. I've never had wedding food I thought was more than 'meh', so it's hard to see pouring money into that-- unless a lot of money gets you 'meh' and less gets you 'blech'.

Food and venue. I went to a wedding yesterday with a 3.5 hour gap with no food and then our table was the last to be dismissed for the buffet making it a total of 6 hours after the ceremony started till we had anything to eat. And the toilets didn't flush at the venue!

Food, music, and booze. If the food or music suck, no other details will matter.

Food, booze. Photography.

Definitely don't skimp on food or alcohol, the officiant, photographer, and DJ are also highly important though. Everything else beyond that is pure aesthetic and if you don't have the budget for it there is no need to break the bank for it.

Photographer! And we had a girl from our hair and makeup team stay with us for the day- I think she was the best wedding expense!

Photographer was the most important for us above all. I researched dozens of photographers and stressed myself out to no end over finding someone. Besides your memories, how else will you be able to look back at such an amazing day? By the pics of course!

My Top 3:

(1) Food

(2) Drinks

(3) Photographer

Food and beverage, and photography. The food and beverage are all people are likely to remember (and if they had a good time!) and the photos will be your one reminder of the day.

Ok, it looks everyone else has food and drinks covered. But I think in addition to this I would say pay to have someone do your make up. Unless you or one of your BMs is a cosmotoloy pro. I obviously do my make up myself on the day to day, but didn't want to look like I did my own make up on one of most photographed days of my life! Plus is was nice and relaxing to have that time before the wedding getting pampered. I felt special, she did a great job and it was worth it! Also hair. My hair came out ok, I wish in hindsight I had gone with a different style but whatever. The hairdresser I used couldn't get my long but thin hair to do what the model's did in the pics I showed her. I kinda wish I had gone with the $100 for bridal hair stylist my BM tried to get me to use. At the time it seemed like a lot of money but someone a bit more talented may have been able to achieve the look I really wanted. Now I just try to ignore my hair in the wedding photos whenever I look at them and remind myself that my updo probably looked more flattering from the side than it did straight on. But something I'll always wish was different. And shoes! You need good comfy but appropriate shoes! You will be on your feet all day and chances are your dress is going to drag on the floor should you need to remove them. Plan ahead! Buy a comfy pair of wedge flip flops if need be! Other than that I can say that the things not worth splurging on are !. invites- no one but your parents and grandparents are gonna save them., and 2. Wedding peripherals like the cake stand and unity candle holders and such. Get them second hand if possible and save money on the things that you won't care about as much after the fact- whatever those things may be.

Food, photography, alcohol (in that order)