What typical "wedding aspects" did you skip to save money?

We are skipping STDs, favors, programs, menus, and flowers. Keeping the decorations simple, most of our decorations we are buying at flea markets so everything has been really cheap. FH really wanted a band though so we are paying way more for the wedding than I would like and not really saving any money.

Instead of favors, we got little goodie bags and ties so that people could take home extras from the dessert table. We skipped engagement photos, and did silk flowers.

We are skipping a traditional wedding cake because we both don't like cake. We both live and breathe coffee and adore coffee cake so it made sense to go that way.

We are doing a rented non-profit's clubhouse instead of a traditional ballroom.

Alcohol was important to us. We knew with our budget that a full out open bar would be impossible since we were stocking so we (after research and lots of discussion with all of our guests over 21) came up with 3 signature drinks that would capture everyone's favorites which we gave fun names, we will have three wine options, and two beer options. We would have loved to do a fully stocked bar but chose to cut down this way because we wanted quality beer wine and liqour instead of a large variety of absolute swill.

We went for cheap AF wedding invitations ($13 for 80) that we printed at home. Our mail carriers are the worst so I didn't want to be disappointed when they were lost in the mail (25 of 80 ended up lost). We also aren't doing a videographer due to budget but will have two photographers (were able to get a deal with them).

We are also doing a short sweet ceremony with an officiant instead of a full one Catholic ceremony (which is expected for our families). Our officiant is fantastic despite us living far away and has made all kinds of effort to get to know us as a couple. My old priest from when I was a child didn't even ask my FH's name when I met with him (per a compromise with my mother) and asked how we would be paying.

Most engagement photos are included in professional wedding packages.

I didn't skip much, but we did skip menus on the tables. I would have liked to have them, but ultimately it wasn't worth the extra cost.

Top priorities: Not to spend a lot of money, Bought dress on eBay, venue is a park, DIY invitations and StDs

Skipped: Church would have charged $1200

I made my own STDs and invites and will be making my own favors. I will be skipping the programs (and garter toss and bouquet toss -- but that's not really cost savings, i just think it's tacky). Getting our cake from publix and our flowers from whole foods.

Question - If your dad is taking all of the photos, who will take the photos of him walking you down the aisle, or of you and him together? My dad's a great photographer too, and he's welcome to take some shots if he's so inclined, but we definitely paid for a professional for this task!

Programs and favors

We're not doing programs, having a relative do engagement photos for free (this is a compromise because I don't want them at all, FH does!), no limo/transportation, and I'm also leaning towards no favors. I'm still early in the planning phase so I know there will be more things I cut.

Favors, limo/transportation, videographer

I love this thread, it's giving me a lot of ideas on how to save! We are skipping limo/transportation and possibly favors. I'm on the fence about a videographer.

Programs and save the dates!

@Spaghetti, I know it's a lot of money, but weddings go by in a heartbeat! If you don't capture it on film, it will be lost! There are different videography packages that can be easier to fit into budgets. But, I would strongly recommend you get some type of video. There will come a day when you forget family and friend's voices and mannerisms and would kill to have them captured on film!

Programs, Save the dates, videographer, pew decorations in the chapel.

I'm sure we've skipped other things, but this is just the biggest stuff.

@ariel Yikes! 1200 for the church makes me cringe!!!!

I didn't do programs or favors

No guest book, no limo, friends will do music for ceremony, not using real flowers for any decoration, no garter/toss bouquet, no signs, printing programs for our ceremony at home, diyed my card box out of two old shoe boxes, and no videographer.

We are skipping a photo booth and videographer.

I am designing all of my own stationary and will be printing it during Vistaprint sales.

My accessories (shoes/jewelry) for the wedding will be minimal and I will not be wearing a veil.

I am not upgrading linens or anything since the ones my venue comes with are very nice.

I am not doing wedding favors nor wedding programs. We are doing just cupcakes and a small cake for us which saved on a lot of money. I'm trying to do very simple flower arrangements to save money on as well and I am trying to do the flowers on my own (but we will see) .we are doing engagement pictures because it was part of our package and picture are important to us!

Skipping programs and the wedding party (just me and FH). Also skipping floral centerpieces in favor of the lanterns provided by our venue for free.

Programs, videographer, limo