Wedding Wallet Wisdom: Where to Splurge and Where to Save on Your Big Day!

Weddings. Arguably the most special day of many people’s lives – and arguably the most expensive!

But this doesn’t need to be the case. There are some corners that you can cut to save costs – and some that you shouldn’t. So, where should you splurge, and where should you save?

Splurge

Let’s start with the obvious. The dress! Your wedding day is your one time to shine, to be the centre of attention. With all eyes on you it’s important that you feel comfortable, and wearing a dress or outfit that accentuates your finest features (and hides the bits you don’t love!) is crucial.

Getting the right gown, however, does not have to mean big bucks. As long as your wedding dress makes you feel amazing, the price tag is irrelevant. For some brides, the dream dress will be high couture and cost thousands, but we all know a bride who picked up a pre-loved piece at the local Vinnies or adjusted their Mum’s wedding dress to their style and looked drop dead gorgeous!

Save

Flowers. Often shipped in from overseas, floral arrangements can be horrendously expensive! Savvy brides can save a fortune by choosing local flowers that are in season, asking for simpler designs like a dozen long stemmed sunflowers or considering alternatives to flowers such as feathers or even artificial flowers!

Splurge

Never skimp on catering. Memories of the most gorgeous wedding will be spoilt if guests are underfed or underwatered. Who wouldn’t love to engage a celebrity chef to cook lobster and wagyu beef for their guests, but for the average Joe it just isn’t in their budget! Perhaps the bride on a budget can take a leaf out of the book of celebrities Jay-Z and Beyonce and ask relatives to cook plentiful home cooking. Another option is dishes that won’t break the budget – think soups, pastas, grazing boards and curries beautifully displayed on a buffet table so that guests can have their fill and fuel their bodies to dance the night away. And the extra you save – consider putting it towards some fabulous wine!

Save

Couples can look at a number of options to minimise their spend on wedding transport. Horse and carriage and stretch limos are impressive but most people own a nice car themselves (or know someone willing to lend one for the day) and there is hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to be saved.

Splurge

Do not, under any circumstances, wear cheap shoes. You are going to be on your feet for hours. Both bride and groom need to be comfortable. A couple of hundred dollars can make the difference between dancing the night away and wanting to ditch the reception before the cake is cut!

And break those babies in! Make sure you wear your shoes around the house for a couple of hours before the big day so that you last the distance.

Save

Shop around for your honeymoon. There are a lot of deals in the marketplace and, particularly if you start researching well in advance, you can nab yourself an amazing deal to a fabulous location. Full stop.

Splurge

Finally, this is a once in a lifetime event. Hire yourself the best photographer and videographer that you can afford. Not only will they produce exceptional quality memories of your wedding, but they will capture all the special moments of your day AND create some stunning shots that an average photographer won’t see. Trust me – you won’t regret it!