6 Tips To Avoid “Spending Regret” After Your Wedding

Getting married is a costly milestone in life. Previously, we’ve talked about how to save money by budgeting properly , but it can be easy to get carried away with the excitement and once-in-a-lifetime experience of getting married, and soon the costly elements can start adding up.
In the run-up to the wedding, many couples panic that they don’t want to miss out on anything, and end up booking extras last minute that they hadn’t accounted for in their budget.
While an all expenses spared wedding would be nice, for most couples it’s completely unrealistic, and when the wedding day has come and gone, there will likely be things you will wish you had have gone without.

Here are 6 ways you can avoid “spending regret” post-wedding:

1. The Dress
Setting aside emotion and sentiment, let’s be realistic for a minute – this is a dress that you are likely to only wear for one day in your entire life. If you don’t have the budget to spare, consider renting instead of buying, or check out the high quality (and often stunning) high street alternatives, which can have alterations done to them to ensure they are the perfect fit.
2. The Guest List
In an effort to not cause offence (something we go to great lengths to avoid in this country!), you’ve invited your close family, your extended family, your entire office, your second cousin twice removed and his partner, as well as half your High School friends who are on your Facebook page… even though you haven’t seen them since you were 17.
The cost of your wedding increases with every person you invite to your wedding, and potentially more importantly – the more people at the wedding, the less intimate the ceremony, and the less time you will have to spend with the people who are truly closest to you.
Keep the wedding invites for your close inner circle, and if you like, extend an evening invitation to everyone else.
3. Programs
A very traditional item to have, especially for a church wedding or religious ceremony, and an additional expense that really doesn’t add anything to your big day – especially when they are left behind at your ceremony venue and no one ever talks about the again.
Your guests have been invited to a wedding, we’re pretty sure they know the drill.

4. Amateur Photographers and Videographers
This includes getting friends to take the photos and do the video (the quickest way to kill a friendship), as well as spending more on other areas on this list that leaves your budget short, so you end up hiring cheaper photographers and videographers, which ultimately is a waste of cash and will lead to “spending regret” for sure.
Out of absolutely everything you buy, hire, and do for your wedding day, the photos and videos are the only elements that are sure to last a lifetime and be looked at, and potentially used, time and time again. You don’t get a do-over, so if photo and video memories are important to you, pay for the quality professional.
5. Extravagant Flowers
Fresh flowers are a lovely addition to any wedding, but don’t overspend. Other forms of decoration often work out cheaper, and can add a ton of character to your day. If you know someone with a creative streak (or you have one yourself), it’s often possible to buy fresh flowers wholesale and make your own centerpieces and arrangements for a fraction of the price, leaving the more important floral arrangements, such as the Bridal bouquet, Bridesmaid’s posies, and gentlemen’s buttonholes to the professionals.
6. A Snazzy Wedding Cake
How many weddings have you been to where you have actually had a piece of wedding cake? Many guests are full after the meal (especially if it already includes desert) and are more interested in hitting the dancefloor once the DJ starts up than stuffing themselves with sponge and icing. If you still want a cake, opt for a smaller one, or get one from a local bakery to be decorated and cut for the photos.
By Rachel Doherty, Excalibur Press

AUTUMN/WINTER 2017 EDITION AVAILABLE TO BUY ONLINE NOW