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

We skipped engagement photos. Neither of us cared about that.

For the wedding itself, we are having everything in one venue, so no limos or transport for anyone. We're having it on a Friday, which is saving us a few thousand dollars. We're doing very minimal decor - just the centerpieces the venue provides, some bows on the center aisle chairs, and an arbor we plan to decorate with draping. Our wedding party is just a MOH and BM, so bouquets and stuff will be minimal. Skipping the bouquet and garter tosses, so not buying a separate toss bouquet. We're not exchanging gifts with each other. We're not getting a photobooth even though I know people love them. I plan to skip programs and favors as I don't feel they're necessary.

I haven't done much planning yet, but I think I'm gonna skip programs, menus, and favors! I also am planning on having my stepmom make my invites and doing online RSVPs!

Top priorities: amazing food, full open bar, flowers, and entertainment for our guests (selfie station, DJ, etc.).

No programs, no menus or table numbers or escort cards (because there's no seating chart lol), no wedding koozies or cups that'll just be thrown away, and no videographer.

We are just having a small cake for "cake cutting" for the two of us. Donuts and cookies instead of a full cake. No wedding favors or transportation since the venue is 5 minutes from the hotel. Engagement shoot was included in our photography package.

No Save The Dates, programs, bouquet or garter toss, limited photography (on site, no pre-wedding), no ceremony décor (on the deck over the river and already had large pots of flowers), small bridal party (just BM and MOH), low cost wedding attire (my dress <$300, DH already owns tux so just bought new bowtie; wedding party wore their own attire they already owned).

Top priority was food and booze!

I am skipping programs, fancy invites, and real flowers (made beautiful bouquets myself with dried flowers and sola flowers).

NO - STD, engagement photo(included in package but went toward other perks), program, transportation(since I will be using the same place for ceremony and reception).

No favors, no programs, little to no decor (one of our venue needs was to not need decor - botanical garden, done.) We will probably do a Sam's or Costco wedding bouquet/corsage/ bout package just to have something to carry/ wear. No wedding party (1 attendant each), no gifts for each other. No engagement pics unless we run across a decent Groupon. No videographer. Will likely uber to venue, so no limo.

Hosting only 40 ppl, no programs, menu via WhatsApp, invitation via WhatsApp, serving wines n champagne instead of having a bar, BMs using fake bouquets, and still cutting a few I don't want to be a rich bride and a broke wife after

We went way overboard on the invites. I had so much fun designing them with our stationer, and I wanted them to look and feel exactly as I had envisioned (also, I am kind of a priss), so we spent way more than anticipated. Our reception venue, dinner, booze, etc., will also be pretty snazzy.

But we're not doing programs. We didn't so STDs. We likely will not do favors, other than sweets for people to take with them as they're leaving the reception. We're not doing a full-blown engagement shoot (really just a get-to-know-each-other session with our photographer that will cost like $200). We're not going big on flowers because our reception venue provides a lot already, and our chapel doesn't need much either, so it will mostly just be bouquets and such.

The giant dance party. Ours is a quick justice-of-the-peace-style ceremony with basically a brunch afterward, 22 guests. I also don't have a bridal party, a big dress, or flowers.

No videographer. Went with an etsy shop for fake flowers rather than real (even though im on team real flowers). We are toying with the idea of online RSVPs but with our chosen invites, response cards would still be needed. Its a beach wedding so no programs needed. its a plated dinner so i see no reason for a menu. No FG or RB. Smallish wedding party. only invited ~80 people total. Hoping for about 60 to show. We are adding the cost of the Photobooth but will not be doing favors as they can take the printed photos home (and its a DW and I dont want to bog them down with more stuff).

We are going with a cake from Publix, unsure if that will eventually be cost cutting but I am not going with a local bakery.

We created save the dates through Staples. Spent about $50 total on them.

A bridal party! Save money and drama. Wedding planning has been so easy because it's just my fiance and me making decisions.

No programs, no e-pics, used potted flowers for some of our decor that doubled as favours, ubers instead of limos, no reserved hotel rooms (this worked for us because of location and timing but might not for everyone), getting ready at home, bought a non-wedding dress...

We are not doing STD's, favors, programs, videography or limo transportation

Programs, favors, we only had one BM and GM, so that helped with gifts. I didn't do a hair or makeup trial - which worked out for me. We also didn't do the bouquet or garter toss. No welcome bags! My mom drove us to the reception - no limo. We were actually going to uber if we had to. No hotel room the night of. We just went home! Ha

If you are on the fence about a videographer, get one. I LOVE our video. Love, love, love it. Our vows our on it and I love watching it and getting us in motion on the day. My family loved watching it and I honestly can't wait to show our kids one day, even though that's far off. No regrets here and I'm glad we spent the money.

I'm still very early in the process (but still trying to get as much done as early as I can) so I'm sure I'll cut more. I noticed that a lot of vendors raise prices each year, so I am saving money with some by booking early. We aren't doing programs and the only flowers I plan on using are for the boquet and that was offered to be bought by a family friend. I look through clearance, especially at Michael's for decorations, as well as online. The wedding and reception will all be at the same place so no worrying about transportation. My mother offered to do calligraphy for the invitations and I'll probably use coupons for STD.

You only think half of this stuff is 'typical' because the blogs, media, websites tell you it is. All you need is an officiant, food, booze, music and seats for everyone. Literally everything beyond that is a bonus....

Do away with;

STDs

Engagement photos

Boudoir photos

Menus, programs, cute signs

Bridal party (flowers, gifts, RD...it's an honor just to be a guest....)

Giant lists of guests

Lawn games

limos

video (sorry)

Rehearsals and rehearsal dinners

Second dresses

Cute robes for photos that no one wants to wear or will ever wear again

After parties

Brunches the day after

Hotel blocks and shuttles

Open bars (no, no; at least wine, beer and a sig drink, okay?)

aisle runners

ceremony decor

expensive shoes that will be off in a half hour

favors

custom anything; napkins, champagne flutes, cake cutting sets, matches, koozies

dj enhancements; plasma tvs, fog, smoke....uplighting unless your venue is hideous

It's really all about the guest experience and most of what people worry about makes zero impact on the day.

We did not do std's, we will have no limo, having only simple decor thanks to our theme and venue, not having a full open bar (beer and wine only), no champagne toast (toasting with wine instead), no after party, we are not using real flowers and the only flowers we are using are for the ceremony, DIY centerpieces, ordering from places like oriental trading, Etsy, and wish. We are also doing online RSVP's so that also saved us money.

I don't feel that we gave up anything, but got everything I want in a 10K budget. I never even thought of doing programs or menus TBH. I've always wanted a morning wedding with brunch reception, so that saved money. Decor is mostly DIY, so are favors. My father and FFIL, but they are both retired and have picked up woodworking as a hobby and it looks store bought. All the wood is either cut down from my FIL backyard or from scraps in my father garage. We have a cake, but my aunt just quit her job and started a bakery so she is making the cake.

ETA: no WP either, that is probably saving a lot of money, but a WP was not cut to save money. We just don't want one.