Planning a wedding and need to stick to a budget? Here are some common wedding details and extras that you can live without, and neither you nor your wedding guests will be the wiser.
As you plan your wedding, you will find that around every corner lies another opportunity for a costly add-on or upgrade. Many brides quickly nod yes to every seemingly fabulous idea and little extra presented to them. Hey – when you’re spending upwards of $30,000 – what’s another $300? It’s an easy conclusion to make when swept up in the chaotic sea of wedding planning.
But if you’re on a budget, the easiest way to stick to it is to say no. What seems now like an idea you absolutely cannot forego will eventually end up as just another unnoticed wedding detail that buried you further into wedding-induced debt.
Here are some popular wedding details and extras that you can live without, and neither you nor your guests will be the wiser:
The Champagne Toast
Almost every reception site offers to pass a champagne toast to all of your guests for a $200-$400 fee. Don’t do it – it’s a waste. Many of your guests will take a sip and set the glass down – or not take a sip at all. It’s best to allow your guests to toast with the drink they choose when the toasts are made.
The Champagne/Chocolate Fountain
Fountains, especially chocolate fountains, have been the rage for the last few years. If you have your heart set on one – fine. But if not – this is another extraneous wedding extra. Your guests aren’t going to search your reception site for the chocolate fountain. Really, they won’t.
The Groom’s Cake
The groom’s cake is a southern tradition recently spotted at wedding receptions throughout the country (we all remember the armadillo cake from Steel Magnolias). No one ever runs out of wedding cake at a reception, so why have two cakes? If you’re on a tight budget, lose the groom’s cake.
The Tossing Bouquet
Having your florist create an additional bridal bouquet for the bouquet toss has become the norm, but this can tack on an additional $50-$100 to your floral bill. Instead, have a friend or family member pick up some flowers from your local grocery store for a mere $5-$10.
The Extra Hour
Almost every reception site has an upfront overtime fee, and the venue’s event coordinator will casually mention that your reception can go an extra hour for, say, $200. Wedding guests are usually ready to call it a night after 4 hours – let them.
