With the cost of weddings soaring, in this blog, I’ll share with you some ideas from other brides about seven things you don’t need at your wedding….
First of all …
I can’t emphasise too strongly, that your wedding has to be about you! How it reflects your personalities and your love story. Never mind what others may or may not think. And trust me, there will always be someone who will have an opinion about what you should or should not do! Once you’ve got the big items (venue, celebrant or church and your dress) budgeted for, you will be in a good position to see where the rest of your wedding fund can be allocated. And for many brides, it’s the little details that, maybe, they or family members can make themselves, that add to the excitement and magic of the day.
So where to start ….
It’s really easy to get swept up with all the fun, pretty, shiny stuff that is available. (Only seven things you don’t need at your wedding? There may be more …. it’s always you choice!) Think kids in a candy shop! So let’s look at the most popular items ….
The No-Nos…
Guest book – Such a lovely way for your guests to record their good wishes for you to treasure for ever. Costs vary depending on whether you want the cover personalised or kept very simple. So the question is: will it actually be used by your guests or will it end up by being a huge disappointment and waste of money?
Comment from brides: ‘The guest book was too much hassle for people to write in so only a handful of people wrote in it’ and ‘People are having way too much fun to write in a book’.
So what’s the alternative? You could make a wedding memory box to keep all your cards and other treasured bits in – groom’s buttonhole, dried sprigs from your flowers, hair flowers or comb, and so on.
Favours
When my daughter got married she insisted that they were ‘essential and expected’. My daughter-in-law’s view is that they are a waste of money. So what about little goodies that guests can take away and treasure as mementos? Much as I love making cute things like tissue boxes for guests (everyone cries happy tears at weddings, right?) all too often favours are not noticed, forgotten about, left behind ….. wasted! So …. Definitely something that you don’t need to consider and that your guests won’t miss!
Flip flops
Seriously? If the ladies want to change their fancy shoes for something comfy to dance in, they can bring their own!
Personalised coat hangers
Ok, so that’s a nice thought for special guests and your bride tribe who are staying overnight at your hotel …. But the hotel also provides hangers, so yours could get forgotten. This from a bride: ‘Also hangers.. I still have a few in my wardrobe that people left behind.’ Nope!
The ‘Maybe , may be not’ stuff
Beautiful bespoke wedding cake
A well established tradition that can be instead of dessert….. especially those gorgeous fruity naked cakes…. I can’t help feeling that this is one of those ‘expected’ things. Folk seem to prefer chocolate cake to the old fashioned fruit cakes, and I’ve seen cake stands that are all macaroons or cup cakes rather than cake slices. Would you save by getting something like a Waitrose ready-made wedding cake that is then decorated with flowers? Possibly. Worth doing a bit of research and then making a decision about what you want!
Videographer and photographer
Essential right? Erm… maybe not. The jury is out on the videographer. Your photographer is there to capture the day. But here’s a different point of view: ‘Video is definitely worth it. Ours got emotion that the photos didn’t. I love our video and cried watching it. Honestly the day goes so fast so lovely to relive it’ And what about getting your friends and family to send you their photos? Smartphone cameras are brilliant, and they will get those great moments that perhaps your photographer might miss (poor chap can’t be everywhere after all!)
Make up artist
Having your hair and make up done professionally is a wonderful way of preparing for your day with a bit of pampering. It’s calming, you will look and feel amazing …. And the heavier make up may be unlike your normal makeup but will mean that you don’t look washed out in your photos. It’s got my vote.
Wedding reception décor
Floral arches and flower walls, hundreds of balloons, beautiful drapes and garlands – all stunning and add that WOW factor to your reception.
Are they essential? No. Lavish decorations are wonderful if you can afford them, but sometimes simple is just that – simply perfect! 
And if you like the idea of making your own table centres …. Start collecting jam jars, wrap each bottle with lace braiding or ribbon, fill with one or two flowers to match your bouquet …. and because you can do this well in advance of your big day, you won’t be pressed for time.
All the other stuff….
This from a bride: ‘We didn’t have favours, dance floors, love letters, back drops, massive centre pieces, candy carts etc…it saved us a fortune and nobody missed any of it.’
The final word ….
Planning your wedding is about the experience you want to have together. So many brides get stressed out about meeting the demands and expectations of other people. Sometimes to the point that they wish they could simply elope or forget about it all!
So, keep focussed on the whole point of it – getting married to the love of your life, and having a day together that will be uniquely yours and wonderful. You really don’t need stuff to achieve that. Prioritise what is really important to you both and let the rest go!
By the way …
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