Re: After reading the, 'I did some posting on the BHB board today' board, I would like to know ...

I'm not sure that we spent too many $$$ on anything. We really tried to budget as much as possible. I loved some of the table cameras, but I did a scavenger hunt so we got a lot of different pics. My dress was pretty cheap so I can't complain about that. We had a dj, so that wasn't crazy either.

Re: After reading the, 'I did some posting on the BHB board today' board, I would like to know ...

Stef I saw your wrap in the bridal salon

Instead of putting the disposable cameras on the table I gave them to the kids that I invited. They enjoy taking the photos and got a few good shots.

Re: After reading the, 'I did some posting on the BHB board today' board, I would like to know ...

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Posted by Teri

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Posted by ChristineC68

For me it was my gown. I loved it and it was beautiful. But I now have a gown I spent $$$$ on that will probaly never see the light of day again. I could have cut the cost in half and hired a band or a second photographer or something.

I would sell it but DH is too sentimental about it still

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that's so funny - I'm the complete opposite! We spent a 'typical' amount of money on each vendor - we did not go overboard but not cheap out on anything. But I did have second thoughts about my dress....girls spend easily three times the amount I paid, and I wondered - if we went all out on everything else, why not the dress too?!

But then again, I kept telling myself you only wear it for 1 day - and I still loved how it all turned out

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I thought the same thing about my dress...and had second thoughts 2 months before...I am so not sentimental about my dress...but I don' know if I would have if I spent double...???



I sometimes wish I spent more on photography...while I am very happy with my pictures...I sometimes wish I went a different way...


I WASTED money on our wedding night hotel room...AND my parents hosted a brunch there the next mornign (otherwise I wouldn't have stayed there - it was just easier to wake up and go there) and the brunch was COLD!!!

Re: After reading the, 'I did some posting on the BHB board today' board, I would like to know ...

I don't think we did anything that was a waste of our money. We didn't go over the top, but didn't cheap out on anything either. We had everything we pretty much wanted.

Re: After reading the, 'I did some posting on the BHB board today' board, I would like to know ...

I think I am different than most brides here in that many of our decisions were based on money (saving it!)....

We didnt do the rolls royce (couple car) instead we used 2 stretch limos - it was cheaper that way and we used that extra money to buy some furniture. Yeh, you get a few nice pics but IMO, its not worth it.

Invites, programs, save the dates. This is an area I think you can totally cut back on - I didnt do save the dates as I personally think they are a waste, my invites only cost about 400 for 150 and I made my own church programs for 100 bucks. I also did not use professional calligraphy....instead used the computer. Everyone loved my invites and programs....and to be honest most people throw them away.

My dress- it cost 1500 plus alterations - and I went in to Bridal Reflections with a budget and stuck to it. I was not emotionally attached to my dress and perhaps would have chosen a diff one but not spent more $$ - I think you can get a beautiful dress w.o spending a fortune. In a few yrs you may look back on your pics and think your dress is outdated anyway. I know someone who does and spent 3k.

Flowers- I spent 2200 and wouldnt spend a penny more. Here again, I think you can save money and still have nice flowers.

I wouldve spent more money on my video - I loved it but wouldve opted for the bigger package and also hired a diff photog. - not necessarily more $$ tho.

Favors- I think this is another area you can save money - I spent about 300 and got nice ones. I didnt do matches or napkins or disposable cameras - I think those are pretty much a waste too.

Oh and we had our wedding on a sat night- I wouldve possibly considered a sunday night now....as most people who are close to you wouldve taken off - my sister in law is doing a sunday night and no problems with family/friends. When we were looking everyone was like you have to do sat. because there are many out of towners on my DH side- they gave us a guilt trip.

Again this is just my opinion - best of luck to you!

Re: After reading the, 'I did some posting on the BHB board today' board, I would like to know ...

I think what is a waste to one is going to be money well spent to others. Like I have no doubts that will my dress will be outdated at some point but that doesnt bother me or make me wish I spent less...i bought it knowing it was for that day only.

If you look at it broadly, ALL WEDDING EXPENSES are a waste from the strictly financial pratical sense. Even if your wedding cost $5K, that money is better invested, right?

Ive said this before but i think it depends on where you are in your life financially. If I had been saving for a house or was in a tight financial spot, I would have never even had a big wedding b/c I would be focused on that (just the way I am). But since I was ready to put the money in realizing that the whole concept of a wedding is probably not the best financial decision, I dont look back at the expense as a waste or a bad decision.

Am I making any sense at all? Anyway - thats just my perogative on it.

Re: After reading the, 'I did some posting on the BHB board today' board, I would like to know ...

I just want to add that I definitely didnt cheap out - our wedding cost 40 grand but we had 175 people there and I think for the money we put on a good wedding and it was money well spent as it was one of the best days of my life.

However, I have a hard time spending money on things that 'to me' are frivolous. . I would just rather spend them on other things like furniture and vacations - and I completely understand that to some brides, those things are very important, I just think if you have a budget - those are some of the areas you can cut back on.. Hey- if you can have it all - more power to ya!

Re: After reading the, 'I did some posting on the BHB board today' board, I would like to know ...

Verdila - Im not disagreeing with you at all! I was just saying that if spend the money with a certain concept that the whole thing is a waste as I did, you tend to feel differently about it.

Re: After reading the, 'I did some posting on the BHB board today' board, I would like to know ...

sonicstef- I know you are not disagreeing - and no offense taken!

I was just offering more insight as to why I approached it that way, as well as offering advice in areas that I think were a waste, as the post asked...

Sometimes, I wish I could spend money on things like that!! Its just in my nature to be too practical, I always feel guilty about certain purchases even when I dont have to be!

Re: After reading the, 'I did some posting on the BHB board today' board, I would like to know ...

Since it is so fresh in my mind, I don't regret spending what we spent or doing what we did. I had a vision from when we first started planning and it all flourished on our day so for me that is what it was all about. However, if I had known before hand my DJ/MC couldn't balance my wedding timeline with the Band and all the meal courses we had, I wouldn't have booked him. He did our engagement party as well and that was perfect. He was amazing as a DJ and MC but coordinating and balancing numerous things for our reception, he wasn't.

Re: After reading the, 'I did some posting on the BHB board today' board, I would like to know ...

I think I could have done without the placecard frames, they were cute, but such a waste.