Save vs. Splurge

Our most important things to us were food, booze, music, photos.

but I also didn't go hog wild on the spending in those areas. we are at a venue in which we can pay a bar service fee and we bring in our own alcohol (the service fee covers the bartenders and all the mix, glasses barware etc).

depending on your venue, can determine decorations. some places are naturally beautiful and don't need extra decos. some halls include chair covers, table clothes etc. so price out both ways. I called/visited lots of venues/decorators/photographers/djs to get pricing and see what was the average and what we could afford.

Congrats on the engagement!! I am right where you are about the makeup being something I will be doing myself - although that's because I'm getting married outside the city where I don't think there is anyone that can do it for me...

Definitely splurge on food and drinks! Those make a wedding! That and music as long as your guests are the dancing type.

You could probably save on flowers if you get fake ones and save on decor if you DIY it.

Definitely food. Always splurge on the food....

Ways to save:
- Nowadays bridal parties (boys and girls) generally pay for their own outfits. Totally acceptable.
- Hair/Makeup: I can do my own makeup pretty well, so I'm doing it myself, but I did hire a mobile hair stylist to do my updo. Only $158 for a trial, day of, and travel. Worth it in my opinion. The girls can get their hair done for $55 on the day if they want, but they'd be paying for it. If your girls want a makeup artist, they can hire one, it's not your responsbility. You only pass on the option of extending a service you book to them.
- DIY crafts: Signs, centrepieces, wedding favours, decor, etc... I did individual hot chocolate mixes for each guest (105 people), and it cost me $150. A few hours of my time, but so worth it. Also, my mom and I made all my centrepieces... Winter wedding, so instead of flowers, I glued pinecones onto a ball to make them look like pinecone bouquets on top of the vases. I also shopped around at thrift stores for frames, and I will simply spray paint them, and you can buy a paint pen to write your signs.
- Flowers: Fake flowers can often be more expensive than real ones... I only have real flowers for the bouquets/boutonnieres. I ordered mine through Costco, they are a 3rd party seller for Valley Flowers. I got 1 bridesmaid bouquet, 3 bridesmaid bouquets, 2 corsages, and 11 boutonnieres, delivered, taxes in, for $425. You can also change the colours of the flowers (within reason)... for example, I ordered their Garden Wedding Collection, that's all peaches and apricot colours, but I'm getting them all in white, no extra charge.

Overall, you'll find if you just take the time to do it yourself, shop around, and cut out almost all the unnecessary stuff (people will not notice you didn't get personalized "Mr. & Mrs." signs for your chairs...) you'll save a LOT of money.