There’s no getting around it—a wedding can cost a lot of money. Between florals, feeding all your guests, venue fees, and fashion, your wedding budget can quickly be stretched thin with all the small factors that make the celebration special. Of course, not every possible addition to your party has to be included. Even industry pros like wedding planners—who can profit off a bigger overall spend—think that certain costs can be cut from your nuptials to make it a better event that’s run more efficiently and feels more reflective of you.
“Your wedding should reflect what matters most to you and your partner. It’s about celebrating your love and the things you hold dear,” says wedding planner Jove Meyer. “If something isn’t truly important, don’t waste money on it. Spend where it counts! At the end of the day, your wedding is about the love in the room, don’t lose sight of that as you plan.”
“I advise my clients to identify their ‘non-negotiables’ and their ‘compromise categories.’ Everyone participating in the wedding planning can write down their top three non-negotiable items and then know that everything else is up for compromise,” shares Jolene Peterson, owner of full-service event company Laurel & Rose. “I encourage couples to figure out what truly matters to them, and don’t splurge on something if it isn’t a priority to you. Hate cake? Opt for bite-sized desserts, an ice cream bar, cheese platter, or whatever you like instead.”
While your wedding choices ultimately come down to what you choose to spend your money on, there are a few things wedding planners wouldn’t mind you cut from your budget. See a few top planners’ not-so-favorite line items ahead.
Large Wedding Parties
While you might want to have every close friend by your side as a wedding party member, Meyers says he always tells clients, “The bigger the party, the bigger the price tag. More people means more logistics from glam, flowers, food while they’re getting ready, gifts, transportation… you get the picture.”
Peterson agrees. “While a large wedding party can seem like a really fun way to include friends from many chapters of your life and those closest to you, it is an easy way to spend (and stress) more,” she says. “Trimming (or cutting) your wedding party will save you more than just money—it can make your entire planning process smoother, less stressful, and more enjoyable. Worry less about paying for three extra hair and makeup stylists at 9 a.m. for your dozen bridesmaids, and focus those funds on making all of your guests feel extra special.”
Welcome Bags
While welcome bags are a nice gesture to your guests coming in for a destination wedding, oftentimes, a tote filled with 10 different items can create excess waste and drain your budget. “Of course it is nice to be greeted in your hotel room or rental home with a lovely welcome, but cutting down on welcome bags and gifts for guests is an easy way to save,” says Peterson. “Most luxury resorts now offer some sort of water refill or reusable water stations, so filling guest rooms with plastic water bottles feels wasteful and unnecessary. If you really want to welcome guests in a meaningful way, consider leaving a personalized note, a hotel amenity, or one practical gift instead.”
Favors
In a similar vein, Meyers advises not investing in wedding favors for the sake of just giving something. “Favors can feel like a ‘must-have,’ but if they’re not something meaningful, they can just end up being stuff guests don’t really need or want,” he shares. “Instead of spending on favors that’ll likely get left behind, invest in an experience that guests will enjoy during the wedding. Or, skip them entirely. Your guests don’t need a parting gift—you just hosted a whole celebration. That’s more than enough!”
Upgraded Wine Selections
As you are working out your contracts with the caterer, there’s often a choice to step up your bar package. When selecting wine, don’t feel obligated to splurge. “Alright, hear me out: upgrading the wine is often a waste of money,” says Meyer. “Unless your guest list is full of wine aficionados, most people won’t notice the difference between a $25 bottle and a $75 bottle. They’re happy with the house wine and probably won’t even realize they’re drinking something more expensive.” He adds, “If you want to splurge on a nicer wine, maybe offer it to a table that will truly appreciate it, but don’t feel like you have to upgrade for everyone.”
Cocktail Hour
A hot take from wedding planner Michelle Norwood? Cut out the cocktail hour. “It is honestly the biggest waste of money,” she says. “While I admit there are times when cocktail hour is much needed for flips and photos, if your event doesn’t call for the need of a cocktail hour, skip it.” She notes that “only three couples to date have taken my advice.”
