10 WEDDING SPLURGES YOU WON’T REGRET

10 WEDDING SPLURGES YOU WON’T REGRET
GUEST BLOGGER | WEDDING & EVENTS BY RAINA

The key to managing a successful wedding budget — no matter how much money you have to work with — is knowing the difference between wedding expenses that are worth the splurge, and ones that you’re better off skipping. With wedding costs on the rise, it gets more and more difficult to keep your wedding budget on the right track. Don’t stress over every little detail. Simply focus on the aspects your guests will really notice and improve their experience at your wedding.

Wedding Dress Alterations and Shoes

Even a couture gown will look cheap if it fits poorly. Ensure a proper fit especially in the bodice. If there is wiggle room with the hem, remember you only need the dress raised an inch or two if you will be wearing higher heels. As for your wedding shoes, you might not need Manolos, but comfortable shoes are a must. Go with a pair in a neutral shade that you can wear again (for example, on your honeymoon).

The Venue

Unless you have a family or friend owned space that is absolutely breathtaking that you can use for free, you’ll probably have to hunt for a wedding venue. This does not mean that you have to spend huge amounts on your venue. Just be smart about the way you’re choosing it. If you see a venue that you LOVE and it’s ever so slightly out of budget, go for it. If you settle for your second choice, there’s a good chance you’ll regret that you didn’t select the first one. The venue is the hub around which everything else revolves. It is imperative that you trust the people you are dealing with and know that they understand your expectations. The higher-end, more experienced venues will come with better service. Better service, no matter what, will create a better event. This will make your guests more comfortable. It will also make things easier for your vendors to do their jobs, and most importantly, it will keep you from getting stressed.

Floral Decor

Now, this does not mean splurging on all your flowers, just certain ones that get the most notice. Your bridal bouquet, for starters…You shouldn’t settle for flowers you don’t love. If you have your heart set on a soft bouquet of pricey peonies, have your bridesmaids carry more affordable bouquets of fringed tulips or garden roses to get a similar romantic feel with a much more workable price tag.

The centerpieces are an integral part of your overall reception look. Therefore,  if your venue has high ceilings and calls for tall arrangements, don’t downsize. Talk to your florist about sourcing locally grown flowers to cut down the cost. When coupled with statuesque cylindrical vases, branches and even feathers to add some height they create a very dramatic and memorable effect.

And of course, your alter arrangements are very important. The altar is the focal point where you and your fiance will exchange your vows. This is the entire reason everyone is there, so be sure to dress things up with two eye catching arrangements.

Photography

When all is said and done, your photos are the only tangible memories that you have. You will always regret it if you choose to cut costs here. You don’t want to be disappointed by not having decent photos of the most important day of your life. You will be glad you splurged. Professionals, such as Ivory Door Studio, know exactly how to pose you so you look your most beautiful, and will always make sure the lighting is flattering. Photos from Ivory Door Studio are guaranteed to be cherished by you and your family for a very long time, probably even after you’ve left this world. Make sure you get quality photographers and videographers to capture all the love and happiness shared throughout your wedding day. Your wedding day will be both the best day of your life and a whirlwind and Ivory Door Studio will not miss a single moment. If your dream photographer is above your budget, see if you can customize the package. They might be able to provide a disk with high resolution images where you can order an album and prints at a later date when you have a little more money.

Alcohol

Not only is a cash bar poor etiquette but an open bar will keep the party going. Asking your guests to pay is the fastest way to end your reception early. If a full open bar is beyond your budget, consider at least offering unlimited wine, beer, as well as his and hers signature drinks. Getting a quality bartender will also go a long way, not only by ensuring your guests are  happy but also in keeping the party going.

Entertainment

Nothing kills a party quite like a terrible DJ or band. If you pick the wrong band or DJ you might as well just send your guests home after dinner. Music dictates the mood of your reception, so you need someone who can read the crowd. An experienced DJ or band leader will notice that no one is dancing to the ‘90s party jams and will switch it up to something more contemporary to see if that gets the crowd moving. If you can afford it, a live band is really the best way to go. They creates an incredible party atmosphere elevating the reception to the next level. Leave your guests always wanting more! After all, you want people, years later still talking about how much fun they had at your wedding and how much they danced. Great entertainment adds to the celebration making it memorable.

Late Night Snacks

Even though you have already put in plenty of thought into your cocktail hour, dinner, and desserts, but after dancing all night, your guest will probably get hungry again before your reception ends. This is the perfect opportunity to go for something fun like a food truck or late night ice cream truck!

Bridal Party Gifts

Your bridesmaids and groomsmen have sacrificed their time and money to make your day as special as possible. Even though you are feeding them and providing them with cake, an open bar and dancing, it’s nice to show them how much you appreciate them. After all, these are the people who matter most to you.

Wedding Planner

You have three options when it comes to wedding planning assistance. Weddings & Events by Raina offers every package for every type of couple. With our full planning package we will be with you every step of the way. With our or you can get a month-of or day-of wedding coordinating we make sure everything goes as planned while tying up any loose ends so you can enjoy being engaged just before the wedding. Of course, you can try to do it yourself, but do yourself, your fiancee, and your nerves, a major favor and opt for one of our planning packages. We will do everything from go to the tasting with you (so we can be familiar with the pacing of the menu) to finding you great deals on linens and chairs and coordinating your wedding rehearsal and ceremony and making sure every vendor is there and on time. Hiring a professional wedding planner from Weddings & Events by Raina can be a LIFESAVER. If you don’t want to think about anything but the guest list and your wedding dress and showing up for the big day, and if saying “Yes” or “No” to items (vs. spending hours trying to figure out what to say “Yes” and “No” to), then hiring Weddings & Events by Raina from day one would be your best bet. Many people think that if they have a friend or family member fill this role it will be just as good, however, your friend or family member will want to enjoy the party as a guest leaving details overlooked. Also, a friend or family member cannot save you money through carefully cultivated relationships with vendors or have backup plans for any and every eventuality ensuring a perfectly smooth wedding day for you. While you may not need a wedding planner to do everything, you can still having someone designated to keep everything from falling apart on your wedding day. This is absolutely crucial. We also offer two types day-of wedding packages we well, and they are so, so worth it. As the bride, you will not have time to field last-minute calls from vendors while making sure everything is seamless. You simply cannot act and direct the show all at the same time, so to ensure your sanity on your big day, set aside some money for a wedding planner. You will be glad you did.