The 10 Biggest Wastes of Money at Your Wedding

 Planning a wedding can be an exciting yet daunting experience, especially when it comes to budgeting. While some expenses are essential, others can be trimmed without compromising the magic of your big day. Here are the top 10 biggest wastes of money at weddings, by our way of thinking. 

1. **Dumb Venues**

   Opting for a venue will always be a large portion of your budget. We suggest hiring your planner BEFORE choosing a venue. We can help you consider all the facts. Will your venue allow the catering option that you want? Will they allow the decor you want? We also suggest bringing your planner on board to help with venue selection so that the service elements of your big day may be strategically thought through. We don't want any housekeeping or floral installations occurring after the cake is placed. Believe us, it happens.  If you already have your venue contracted, this may be limiting and can impact your budget unnecessarily if the servers have exponentially more work at said venue for instance.  Your planner may have exclusive venue relationships or they can suggest more affordable locations like public parks, or even something more abstract you may not have thought about.

2. **Formal Floral Installations & Arrangements**

   While flowers add beauty, going overboard with elaborate installations and arrangements can be a huge expense. Simple, elegant arrangements or some statement foliage can achieve a similar effect at a fraction of the cost. At PTC, we often propose what we call foraged installations and tablescapes. These are typically about 1/3 the price of traditional floral arrangements. They bring a living element into the dynamic and generate an authenticity that continues time, and again to be well received. 

3. **Expensive Invitations**

   Custom, hand-crafted invitations can be pricey. They just are. And we do love them, but…Invitations set the tone for the event there is no doubt however, it is a fact that people, especially millennials and younger will struggle to formally RSVP. There is something to putting the power of RSVP at people's fingertips. Digital invitations like Paperless Post are easy for your events team to manage and the designs are budget-friendly alternatives that still look stylish.

4. **Designer Wedding Dresses**

   A designer gown can cost thousands. Many brides find stunning, affordable dresses from less-known designers, second-hand shops, or even rental services.

5. ** Champagne Toast,**

   It's happened to us so many times. You walk into an event or reception and someone hands you a glass of house champagne. Its a little on the warm side to boot. Consider having an open bar and inviting your guests to toast with whatever they're already drinking. From a service aspect this saves a significant amount of work for your servers, and potentially reduces waste which can both have significant impact on your budget. 

6. **Overly Lavish Catering**

   Gourmet meals are delightful but can be extremely costly. Buffets, food stations, or family-style meals can provide delicious options without breaking the bank.

7. **Luxury Transportation**

   Hiring a limousine or vintage car for the entire day is often unnecessary. A single, stylish vehicle for the bride and groom can be enough.

8. **Custom Decor**

   Spending excessively on custom decor items like elaborate installations or chandeliers hanging in trees, and other lighting can add up. Focus on a few key elements to create ambiance and save on the rest.

9. **Party Favors**

   While a nice gesture, elaborate party favors often get left behind or discarded. Opt for simple, thoughtful tokens or skip them altogether.

10. **Too Many Guests**

    Having a large guest list increases costs for bar, catering, rentals, transportation, and logistics. Keeping the party smaller not only saves money but can also simplify planning. Good rule of thumb here is if you don't like the idea of treating them to a $150+ dinner out on the town- don't invite them.

By prioritizing what truly matters to you and being mindful of unnecessary expenses, you can have a beautiful, memorable wedding without breaking the bank. Remember, it’s the love and joy shared with family and friends that makes your day special.

If you are interested in picking our brain on these points or anything else please call us at 912.988.4095 or inquire here. We would love to chat with you about your event!

Thank you for reading!