Smart Spending for Your Big Day: What to Skip Without Regret
Photographer: @theonoratocollective
Weddings are full of traditions, trends, and, let’s be honest, expenses that add up faster than champagne bubbles. But plenty of those “must-haves” are more optional than you think. The good news? Skipping them won’t make your day any less special—in fact, it might make it more meaningful (and far more budget-friendly).
Here’s what the experts suggest leaving off your shopping list, and where to redirect that money for maximum impact:
1. Printed Save-the-Dates
Pretty? Absolutely. Necessary? Not really. Mailing dozens (or hundreds) of cards just to announce your date is an expense that adds up. A digital version gets the job done, links directly to your wedding website, and saves both time and trees.
2. Cocktail Hour Overload
A handful of standout appetizers will impress more than a dozen choices that overwhelm guests and drain your budget. Quality wins over quantity here—pick a few crowd-pleasers and serve them well.
3. Champagne Towers
Yes, they look fabulous on Instagram. But most guests aren’t actually sipping from them, and the cost rarely matches the impact. Skip the tower, pour the bubbly straight, and enjoy knowing you saved yourself both money and sticky cleanup.
4. Oversized Wedding Parties
Having 12 bridesmaids sounds romantic until you realize you’re multiplying costs for bouquets, makeup, transportation, and more. A smaller group feels just as special—and lets you focus on the people who matter most.
5. Guest Favors
Thoughtful in theory, often abandoned in practice. Many favors end up left behind or tossed. Instead, invest in something guests will actually remember, like a fun late-night snack or signature cocktail.
6. Welcome Bags
Unless you’re gifting something genuinely useful, most welcome bags get overlooked. A heartfelt note or a single well-chosen item in a guest’s hotel room will feel more personal—and costs much less.
7. High-End Wine Across the Board
Few guests will be able to distinguish between the premium bottle and the mid-tier pour. Choose a solid house option and maybe upgrade a table or two if you’re feeling generous.
8. Trendy Extras (Photo Booths, Food Walls, Etc.)
Trendy doesn’t always equal timeless. Photo booths, champagne walls, and other Instagram-friendly splurges can cost thousands without adding much meaning. Streamline and focus on what actually enhances your guests’ experience.
Where to Spend Instead
If you’re cutting back on the above, you might wonder: where should the money go? The experts recommend directing your budget toward the details that make a wedding memorable:
Efficiency & Ease – A polished wedding website and digital RSVPs cut down on stress (and postage).
Food & Drink That Delivers – A smaller menu done exceptionally well will leave a lasting impression.
Guest Comfort & Connection – Think good music, thoughtful touches, and smooth logistics. Guests remember how the day felt, not the calligraphy on a place card.
Personal Meaning – Spend on the details that matter to you. Whether it’s a live string quartet or a floral archway, choose what sparks joy, not what Instagram suggests.
At the end of the day, your wedding should reflect you & your partner, not someone else’s Pinterest board or a checklist of traditions. Stripping away the excess doesn’t make your celebration any less grand; it often makes it more authentic.
By focusing on what truly matters - good food, good company, and meaningful moments - you’ll create a day that’s memorable for all the right reasons, and start your marriage with both joy and financial sanity intact.