For you not-yet-married Brides from us Already married Brides: What was the biggest waste of money involved in your wedding?

So far, the biggest waste....buying things without thinking or doing it blindly. Because of this I have 3 tiaras, 3 veils, 3 sets of jewelry, 2 pairs of shoes, 2 sets of favor boxes, you get the idea.

Granted, I can sell all of this on Ebay now, but had I done the proper research, I could have avoided half of the extra crap I have now.

Bigger waste - $35 for a money bag. I don't know what the hell I was thinking buying this when I hate the entire idea behind the money bag. It's almost as if you are saying to your guests 'You better give me something I can put in here!!'

Ask me again in 3 weeks if anything else was a waste.....

I love this post!!! So much good information.

Thanks for sharing

This is a great post!

great advice!

my purse, that stayed in the bridal suite all night and I never used......

all the hair accessories I bought prior to the wedding...I have a ton of unused ones, that I should never have bought without deciding on my hairstyle first....

I've read through everything, and I really appreciate a lot of the advice! I guess I'm allowed to add something even though I haven't been married YET:

I keep reading how some girls are upset that they didn't get certain pictures (such as the rose petal shot and the ribbon wands, etc.). To me, that directly contradicts the statements that a DOC is a waste of $$. I never thought I'd get one, but I feel SO confident now knowing I have a DOC that will MAKE SURE my 'dream picture' of the black and white shot with the red rose petals will be taken since she said she will MAKE SURE everyone has rose petals, the bridal party is properly lined up, the photographer is ready to shoot and my FH and I look perfect before we exit the church. Plus, my DOC will have a list of my 'must take' shots so I don't regret 'forgetting' to take a special shot when it's too late. PLUS... I really don't want to have to assign any 'guests' to doing anything on my wedding... I want them all to enjoy, and having a DOC will let me do that. PLUS (lol) I am saving money by not having to hire anyone to come in and do my candy buffet, which is part of the favor, since my DOC said she will set it up for me. That's about a $200 savings right there! I don't think i've heard that a DOC was a waste from anyone who has had one (at least anyone who has had Rosalie!) .

Also, I appreciate the table camera advice! I think after reading all this, I'll skip doing one for every table, but I like the idea of just giving a few cameras to a few friends to take shots from their perspective. Great idea!

I also appreciate the Isotoner slipper advice... I'm going to skip buying those, and just stick with the flip flops for the beach, which I can put on during the reception if I'm desperate. Plus, whenever I go to weddings, I just take my shoes off and dance barefoot, anyway... so why should my wedding be any different?

As for the invitations, this thread has inspired me to do a REALLY GOOD search for a special, yet inexpensive, invitation before I make my final decision. I was originally quoted abut $900 for 100 invites... NO WAY will I now spend that $$... I'm aiming for half (at most). Any suggestions?

As for the 'local florist' suggestion, I can't disagree with this more. I've heard that the local florist I originally booked had flowers that died almost immediately (think of the flowers you buy for special occasions from local florists... they barely last!). I heard that one bride was in tears when her flowers showed up because her flowers were already wilting! I'm glad I switched to a specifically wedding florist, like Flower Michele, whose flowers are BEAUTIFUL and last almost two weeks (from what I've heard from a lot of people who used them). AND, I only spent about $1600 for them! So, they're not that much more $$.

I am doing away with the placecard holders, and doing what Bridget&Jimmy did by attaching the table cards on the special, monogrammed cardstock to our favors. I LOVE how the favors look lined up on a table!

I love the advice of spending $$ on what will last longer than the day, like the photographer. When we booked Patken, my mom told me we should just go for it since we're going to have these pictures forever. She was right... good advice!

Thanks for all the tips, ladies! Helpful, as usual!

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Posted by BKtoLI

So far, the biggest waste....buying things without thinking or doing it blindly. Because of this I have 3 tiaras, 3 veils, 3 sets of jewelry, 2 pairs of shoes, 2 sets of favor boxes, you get the idea.

Granted, I can sell all of this on Ebay now, but had I done the proper research, I could have avoided half of the extra crap I have now.

Bigger waste - $35 for a money bag. I don't know what the hell I was thinking buying this when I hate the entire idea behind the money bag. It's almost as if you are saying to your guests 'You better give me something I can put in here!!'

Ask me again in 3 weeks if anything else was a waste.....

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you left off extra champagne flutes that you can sell at bridentology GTGs!!!

I'm happy to say also that there is nothing that I wasted money on for my wedding. I'm a 'less is more' type of girl so I didn't go overboard with a lot of extras. My wedding day was AMAZING. Everyone had a great time, I wouldn't change a thing.

I spent the most money (besides RH) on my band. Totally worth it, wouldn't change a thing.

Flowers I got from a local florist. They were simple and elegant and not over the top with the pricing.

I used Patken Photographer, another splurge but also worth it. I had an awesome photographer and videographer and the pics and video both came out wonderful.

The centerpieces/cake was included in the price of my RH.

I split the cost of the church flowers with the girl getting married after me. Cost me $50.

I put disposable cameras at the tables and I'm actually happy I did. We got some great shots from people. I like the idea of giving the cameras to some friends too though!

For my hair and makeup, I went to my usual hair dresser and a girl in the salon did make up. Very reasonable. Loved the way both came out.

My dad made my beautiful, elegant invitations. I don't think you should spend a lot on invites, people look at them once, then in the garbage.

Don't go overboard on favors, I never keep favors from weddings, most times I leave them there or in the garbage they go. We donated to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, a great charity. A lot of my guests commented on what a great idea that was.

My advice to you girls is to think before you make an addition, or purchase. Ask yourself if people are really going to notice this. Is it worth the extra $$$?

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Posted by JessicaM.

What about spending on flowers and centerpieces, etc...any advice there- splurge vs. save?

this post is great!

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I am not spurging on my centerpieces. My cousin got great big vases, put a pillar candle in the middle and some potpourri around it. It was so elegant and everything matched. I think she spent less than $10 on each.

Honestly, I don't think anything was a waste of money. I think we spent the right amounts on the right things. We didn't go overboard on anything. I have yet to see my proofs or video, but I am confident both will be amazing and totally worth the money.
For the bride who asked about the flowers- we had simple, low centerpeices and they were beautiful. I wouldn't have spent any more to have more elaborate ones.

I had read this thread a while ago and tried to keep it in mind when we made our own plans.

As a result, we did not go 'all out' or extravagant on anything. We had enough funds and personal creativity invested in each part to ensure it was more than enough but not overboard.

The one thing we may have splurged on was our photographers. And I can honestly say, after getting our proofs, CD's and DVD with the original files, it was worth every penny.

Bump!

Any of us recently married ladies have more 'how not to waste money' advice!

I'm orginal, I'm the one regretting not spending MORE money.

Should have:

Opted for a hotel the night before instead of my parent's house. My emotions were running too high and I had one of those fights with my dad where I acted like an ungrateful bridezilla and he wasn't too nice either and I spent a few hours the night before my wedding crying. Avoiding humans the night before is a good idea. Chamomile tea and an Ambien CR works too, I went to bed at 10pm, but fell asleep after 1am. I had to be ready to get ready by 6:30am. Ouch! More sleep the night before is my advice.

Second, should have video'd the reception. I did unedited video of the ceremony, but I keep kicking myself for not doing the reception. I had the best speeches by my sister and step-son. Today DH and I heard our first dance song on the radio and instantly all I could think of was 'why didn't I get that on video?' For only a stupid $800 or so more, I could have had a full day unedited. Glad I didn't make that mistake with the ceremony.

Otherwise, I spent my time and money well, if I had to do it again there is nothing I would remove from the purchase list.

Ok I will add to this!!

1) I would def rethink about who I chose as my MOH and my bridal party. I had 2 maid of honors which I havebeen friends with forever, and I ended up demoting 1 of them to BM, and they did nothing for me. Having 6 BM is a big headache. ITs very hard to get them together for anything!! YOu really find out who your friends are in the end!!

2) All the things you think about in the beginning of doing like your name on m&ms or napkins with names, are all not necessary. Stick with the basics when you decorate.

3) Whatever you can DIY go for it! I didnt know how crafty I can be until I went to Michaels craft store!!

4) In the beginning make sure you know who is paying for what. We thought we would be way over budget and we were freaking out thinking that we wouldnt be able to pull the wedding off, but in the end everything worked out.

5)I wanted a martini bar and viennese hour, and ice sculptures, i was upset we couldnt get it at first but spending all that extra money would have been worthless. Everything was perfect the way it was. I also was going to get a viennese hour but thank god I didnt. I heard that a lot of food gets wasted because everyone is full after cake!

6) I totally did not get along with the GM of my hall. We had it out a couple times but I loved the place too much to give it up. Make sure you get EVERYTHING in writing. Dont trust anyone to verbally tell you something.

7) SHOP AROUND! THERE ARE DEALS EVERYWHERE!!!

Otherwise, on your wedding day you will be on cloud 9 and none of the details you have been stressing over for a year will matter. You can look back and say I cant believe the stress I went through for such a perfect day!! SPEND the money on a good photographer becuase even if you dont drink anything, you will be in lala land and will miss a lot!! ENJOY!!

GOOD LUCK HOPE THIS HELPS!!!

string quartet at the church ceremony..

it was way too much money and i don't even remember them playing at all

Just found this thread & thought I'd bump it for all the new brides!!!