Five wedding traditions couples most regret spending money on & why it pays to go paper-free
BUDGETING for a wedding is a monumental exercise, and even when it’s meticulously done, couples still end up with regrets. Trendy features and classic traditions can end up adding to wedding costs, one custom coaster or last-minute plus-one at a time. Natalia Lachim, a money expert at Discount Code, shared the traditions couples included in […]
BUDGETING for a wedding is a monumental exercise, and even when it’s meticulously done, couples still end up with regrets.
Trendy features and classic traditions can end up adding to wedding costs, one custom coaster or last-minute plus-one at a time.
Natalia Lachim, a money expert at Discount Code, shared the traditions couples included in their weddings, but wish they said “I don’t” to.
A WASTE OF PAPER
One of the most surprising sources of budget bloat in a wedding is paper products.
Between save-the-dates, invitations, confetti, and table cards at place settings, paper products can add up to $1,189.75 to wedding costs, Lachim said.
“Couples often underestimate the costs of what they may deem minor extras,” Lachim explained.
Often, those paper items aren’t necessary, but they are customized, so they can’t be returned or sold after the fact.
“Before investing in paper extras, determine how their absence will
impact the day itself and how important you will consider them after your wedding,” Lachim advised.
And if they’re determined as “nice to haves” but not “essentials,” consider making them yourself, finding them through a discount retailer, or eliminating them from the budget entirely.
GET YOUR GOWN
Wedding dresses were another area where couples felt they spent too much, with brides reporting they regretted insisting on designer dresses.
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“Constantly scrolling Pinterest and bridal sites can lead many brides to believe that expensive designer dresses are a must for their wedding day,” Lachim said.
But the rise in micro-weddings and casual nuptials has changed attitudes toward wedding towns.
“Wedding day attire should be prescriptive to a person and is a chance to really showcase a personality,” Lachim added.
Renting dresses, buying from a sample sale, or looking for an untraditional dress can save thousands.
That extends to accessories too.
“If you want to save further, adopt the something borrowed tradition towards the likes of a veil and jewelry, not just one item,” Lachim suggested.
“This can also ensure that several aspects of your look hold sentimental value.”
NOT MY FAVOR-ITE
Married couples face some pressure to give favors at their wedding, or find custom, unique gifts to send home with their guests.
In fact, Google trend data shows a 9.8 percent increase in the search term “are wedding favors necessary?” over the last month.
“Such an uplift confirms that couples already feel that wedding favors may be an unnecessary expense when it comes to their wedding,” Lachim said.
But that energy and effort might be wasted on guests who are there to have a good time and celebrate the couple.
“Couples can spend hours personalizing favors for guests to be so focussed on the goings-on around them, they spend only seconds looking at them.”
If there’s a little extra room in your budget, or if favors are important to you, consider letting them pull double- or triple-duty.
“If you feel that favors are essential, triple up their use and make them the favor, place name and setting,” Lachim said.
MAKING A LIST
Figuring out the etiquette of a wedding guest list creates so much stress that many couples end up sending more invites than they intended to.
According to Google trend data, the search term “wedding guest list” has seen a 526.67 percent increase.
“Creating a guest list is often the first point of call for couples, and it’s easy to get carried away,” said Lachim.
The thing to remember is that adding to your guest list adds costs across the board.
“It’s wise to remember that the number of guests impacts the cost of every aspect of your wedding. Before you extend an invite to a person, analyze how this will impact the costs of the rest of the day, including venue, food, bar bill, etc.,” Lachim advised.
And when it comes time to let loved ones know if they’re invited or not, be vulnerable.
“Don’t be afraid to inform people that you are having a small wedding in order to keep costs to a minimum,” Lachim said. “In the current climate, it will be easy for them to understand.”
JUST DESSERTS
Dessert tables, which make the cake a focal point among a display of other sweets, have also skyrocketed in popularity.
The search term “sweet table wedding” has seen a 582.06 percent rise in Google searches.
Even though the idea is nice, it’s an added expense that many brides and grooms say wasn’t worth the cost.
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“If you choose to have a sweet table, be aware that not all of your guests will use it,” Lachim said.
Consider implementing the couple’s favorite desserts and candy available in small quantities on the buffet or in favors, or even make the dessert table the couple’s favorite sweets only.
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