10 Things You Can Cut From Your Wedding That Aren’t Really Necessary

Congratulations – you’re engaged! Now the work begins – planning your dream wedding. First of all, nail down a budget – no matter who is paying for the wedding. If your dream is to have a big wedding, you can do it on a budget. Here are a few things that I think are unnecessary:

1. Wedding Planner: Unless you’re Chelsea Clinton, you can plan your own wedding. If your job or family commitments keep you busy, just plan a longer engagement.
2. Videographer: Even though the idea sounds great, I have yet to meet a single couple that has watched their video more than twice. Trust me, you don’t need it.
3. Open bar: When people drink, they get obnoxious. Also, people drink more when they aren’t paying for it.
4. Arranged seating: It looks pretty but people will sit where they want – and you won’t notice. That will save you on place cards, table numbers and the worry of where to put Aunt Gertrude.
5. Flowers that are out of season: If you love mums and tiger lilies, don’t get married in April because they will be too expensive. If you must have an expensive/out of season flower just have one or two in your bouquet. I wanted stefanola flowers because it was what my mom carried in her bouquet. They are really small and expensive so I just put a few in my bouquet and my mom’s corsage. No one knew they were there but us – and that was the point.
6. Fancy wedding invitations: These days you can buy kits to print beautiful invitations from Michael’s or AC Moore. They also usually come with printable thank you notes.
7. Expensive reception location: Inns and wineries are beautiful places to hold weddings but can be costly. Consider renting a rescue squad or Elks lodge. They are usually inexpensive, and sometimes have an auxiliary that does catering. I held my wedding in a rescue squad that fit my 300 attendees comfortably, for $500 for the whole day. Plus, the auxiliary catered a great meal for $14 per person.
8. Expensive shoes: Unless you’re wearing a non-traditional wedding dress, no one will see your feet. Wear something comfortable.
9. Hotel rooms: One advantage to a big wedding is quantity has its perks. I had a block of 60 rooms at the local Best Western. They gave me 3 for free, which I shared with some members of my wedding party.
10. Gifts for the wedding party: I made cross stitch pictures and framed them for each of my bridesmaids, except my sister (I bought her something different). I picked different designs based on our relationships (church, crazy college memories, etc.). It cost me very little money but lasted longer than a bath set. I also gave each girl a pair of fuzzy purple socks.
    
    You can achieve your dream wedding on a budget – just remember the important thing is to have the wedding you want. My wedding had 300 people in a rescue squad in small town Virginia. My sister had 100 people at a beautiful inn in Connecticut. We both had days that were perfect for us.
    
    © 2012 Erica Tevis, Little Things Favors.
    
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