The costs that come with planning a wedding will add up quickly, especially if you feel the need to splurge on every little thing. Here are seven things you DON’T need to spring for.
INVITING EVERYONE FROM YOUR OFFICE—AND YOUR MOM’S OFFICE Your list has to end somewhere, and I suggest drawing the line at coworkers, unless you’re truly close friends.
BOOKING A SUPER-FANCY VENUE If you pick a posh venue, every price tag—from the corkage charge to the cake-cutting fee (SRSLY)—is going to be incrementally more expensive. Plus, fancy-pants venues might not have bargain options: Top-shelf booze might be all they serve, and they may work with only the most expensive florist in town.
UPGRADING THE CHAIRS OR LINENS Repeat after me: No one will notice if you stick with less-fancy chairs—NO ONE—and white linens work just fine.
HAVING A MONSTER WEDDING PARTY Every member of your wedding party will probably set you back around $300: Each gets a bouquet or boutonniere ($50), wedding-specific accessories, like jewelry or a tie ($50), and a gift ($100). Plus, it’s only fair to let the members of your wedding party bring a plus-one ($100). I think it’s smarter to stick with just a few of your very closest friends and spend the extra cash chipping in for their wedding day hair or bridesmaid dresses.
BUYING MULTIPLE WEDDING DRESSES You can get two looks for less than the price of a single gown. See: Exactly How to Wear 2 Wedding Dresses Without Spending a Fortune. (Or do it the old-fashioned way and stick with just one dress!)
PERSONALIZING *EVERYTHING* You don’t need your wedding logo on your cocktail napkins and your dinner menus and your chair slipcovers. On a similar note, you can probably skip the custom signage. (I’m looking at you, “Here Comes Your Bride, Uncle Joe!” flag.)
GIVING FAVORS FOR THE SAKE OF FAVORS If there’s something meaningful or on-theme that you want to give your guests as a send-off—and you can find it at a reasonable price—by all means, go for it. But don’t bother wrapping Jordan almonds in tulle just because you feel like you have to give something.
What’s the biggest waste of money you’ve seen at a wedding?
I have a dear friend (who will remain nameless) who sprung for the gold tablecloths. The were NOT cheap.