Tips on Saving Money?

We are using the same decor for ceremony and reception and wedding party or family will just move it after their done with pictures. Basically, the centrepieces will be along the aisle first: that's really all the decor we're doing because I do not remember any decorations at any wedding I've been to.

We also decided against a DJ. We are downloading songs from Spotify and renting a sound system from our venue. We will have a few people take turns to ensure music flows nicely during the dance.

We made a charging station that didn't get used. We didn't spend a lot on it (maybe $40) but it took time to put it together. I think otherwise we were ok. We didn't hire a DJ because we didn't see the point as we could make a playlist ourselves.

I'm deep into planning at this point. I think a lot of 'what is important and what isn't important' comes down to the individual person. I however, do think there are probably some main points a lot of people can agree on.

Photographer - Spend here. Photos will last a life time and I wanted to be happy looking back at them over the years. That being said, I still set myself a budget and stayed within it. I didn't feel the need to spend 8,000 on a package when I found a photographer who's style I love for 2,000.

Videographer - I didn't spend here but I know a LOT of people said its worth it. For me, we have a million go-pros in our family which we are setting up with different view points with 4K quality. I only want to capture the vows and speeches so that's all we needed.

Venue - This is going to be the MAIN thing of cost and really is dependent on how you feel about things. We've spent... a lot. So much so that I still feel ill at the thought of the cost. HOWEVER - we really wanted a high end, expensive feeling place (in the way of old world charm and intimate feelings) with AMAZING food, open bar and where they take care of everything for you. So our cost here was high here, but in turn we've hardly had to spend on decor or extras. We also didn't want to have to set up or tear down decor.. but if you're willing to do that or you're quite handy (we are not), you can find something gorgeous for a lot cheaper!

Transportation - I kept this as LOW as possible without just being in a taxi. Realistically no one is seeing us in the cars as our ceremony and reception are in the same location!