We’ve already told you what wedding traditions you don’t have to follow. We’ve told you about the five people you don’t have to invite. And today, we’d like to tell you about things you definitely maybe don’t need for the wedding. You may find a few of these surprising – but we promise we didn’t make any of this up. It’s first-hand real-life advice from newlyweds who have been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt that said ‘if only we were wiser with our budget’. So, read on and decide what you can and can’t do without.
Kids party bags
Image from Anne & Chris’s real wedding by Emma Russell
Of course, we already told you what to put in the kids’ goodie bags – heck, we even created a free checklist to make your shopping easier! But… you may find it’s one of those things you don’t need for the wedding, and here’s why. First, if you’ve invited kids of all ages, there’s no way they’ll all be interested in the same things. Colouring books and tiaras for 11 year olds? Not likely to entertain them these days. You know many pre-teens today prefer a smartphone or a tablet to any other entertainment, and if they don’t already have their own, their parents probably will. Second, many parents don’t assume there will be something to keep their precious ones occupied, so they’ll likely bring their own toys and snacks. The best thing to do is simply ask. If just a few families are coming, call them yourself. If a lot, delegate the calls to someone else. If the parents say not to worry, they’ll bring something, that’s problem solved – and you can cross those goodie bags off the to-do list! However, if you really feel you should do something for the parents, look into a professional child minder or entertainer – it could make literally all the difference.
DIY save-the-dates or invitations
Image from epizzod.com
Surprised? So are we, because you know DIY is our middle name. But, real couples have said something different. Basically, unless you actually tell the guests the invites were lovingly made from scratch, most won’t realise just how much work went into every single card. Very few will save them as souvenirs. So, looking at it this way, is it worth spending money, effort, time and even sleepless nights on putting them together? Only you know best.
Multiple ways to leave congratulatory messages
Image from Julie & Seán’s real wedding by Michelle Prunty Photography
Hey, you know we love a gorgeous guestbook or a fun photo booth as much as the next person… but do you really need to spend money on multiple ways to receive congratulations? Let’s see, how many are there… a traditional guestbook, a fingerprint poster, large photo of the couple to sign, messages on bunting, jenga pieces, puzzle pieces, photo booths, memory boxes with cards, message in a bottle… and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll end up with half-filled things, and some guests won’t sign anything at all. Save your money by picking just one of these – every euro you save could be better spent elsewhere.
Many gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen
Image from Amy and Shane’s real wedding by Insight Photography
When you’re a bride treating your bridesmaids, there are plenty of occasions for gift-giving – but can you truly afford it? When you ask the girls to be your bridesmaids, you might buy them a small token so they remember this honour. Then, you buy them the dresses, shoes, jewellery, flowers and hair accessories they’ll be wearing at the wedding. Then, you buy them a little something to give on the morning of the wedding day. And then, you buy them thank-you gifts to show your appreciation when it’s all over. If you have two, three, four bridesmaids, it all adds up – and we haven’t even started on the guys yet! Do yourself a favour and pick one (or two if you include a cute card when popping the question) of all these opportunities, and that’s it.
Too much food
Image from royaldine.co.uk
Why feed your guests multiple courses, when they can only manage so much? If you have waiters walking around with plates of hors d’oeuvres, skip the appetisers. If you have an ice cream van, you don’t need dessert. If you have a sweet table, there’s no need to buy a wedding cake big enough to feed everyone. And if you’re having a buffet, well… conventional wisdom says you should cater to only about 85% of the guests, or too much will be wasted. However, food is one of the things guests really remember, so it’s definitely worth a smart investment. By smart we don’t mean adding extra courses – we mean spending less on things you don’t need for the wedding feast and applying that money to better options instead. For example – ask about the chef’s specialty. Chances are it’s his or her best dish, and therefore guaranteed to impress the guests. There isn’t a wedding package out there that can’t be customised to your wishes – so feel free to apply the ‘quality over quantity’ rule to your menu.
Real champagne for the toast
Image from Merrill and Garrett’s real wedding by Tanya Colclough of Eden Photography
Many venues will include real champagne for toasting for an extra fee. How small depends exactly on the number of guests. 40 guests – sure, that’s small. 140 guests – not so small anymore! Here’s the truth – while champagne is fantastic and fab if you can afford it, it’s not a necessary additional option when you’re counting every penny. Believe us when we say your guests won’t judge you on the contents of their glasses – they’ll simply be super happy when raising them to the newlyweds. If you have an option of bubbly this or bubbly that, just get the one you like that won’t break the budget – because there’s really no need. It’s one of those details that goes virtually unnoticed (unless you’re marrying a duke, or into a frightfully posh family). Or if you want to forgo it all together, chances are guests will already have their fave tipple in hand to toast with anyway and people don’t necessarily expect it any more after enjoying the drinks reception.
Main image from louandelle.com
