For all our savvy brides out there – we know you are looking for ways to get the most bang out of your wedding budget. At IVORY+ink Co. we hope to provide you with industry insight that will stretch your wedding dollars. Straight from industry professionals, we have collected some myths that brides believe are a money-saving strategy, but really don’t do much for the pocketbook. Keep on reading as we bust these common wedding budget myths.
ONE. The Faux Cake. “An all faux cake with real cake to serve from the back does not save money. Your cake vendor still has to make, bake and ice the cakes in the back plus order foam and pay for shipping. There is a charge for decorating the all faux cake as well. The only reason to move forward with a faux cake is convenience for your guests. It does not save you any money.” – Jamie Holder, Lead Designer/Owner of Creme’ de la Creme’ Cake Company
TWO. Perfect Sizing. “Alterations are usually necessary and should be expected. Bridal Gowns come made based on the store’s measurements. A bride is measured in store and her size is determined by how her measurements relate to the size chart for the designer she has chosen and then alterations will be made to fit the bride perfectly. Typically, an alterations specialist charges by the amount of work they have to do, so there is not a difference between taking in a half of an inch vs an inch and a half.” – Wendy Holsombeck of Bliss Bridal Salon
THREE. Making up the Difference. “Letting your maid of honors, cousin’s friend who “does makeup” do your wedding hair and makeup to save you a couple hundred bucks. Hiring a pro when it comes to your wedding day makeup is worth every penny. I tell my girls these pictures will last forever, your grandchildren will see these. You have to do your hair and makeup exactly how you want it.” – Ashley McNabb of Ashley McNabb Artistry
FOUR. Stations vs. Buffets. “Unfortunately, this is a myth. If you select stations as your food style, you want to ensure you order enough food to feed all of your guests with each station. I always suggest ordering an extra station or ordering a little over your guest count for certain stations in case a guest takes more than one serving . I love stations; they can make a beautiful, fun and interactive set-up, but you need to allocate for the guests who take more than one item so you don’t run out for other guests.” – Paige Rodriquez of Magdalena’s Catering
FIVE. Less Photos = Less Money. “Some brides feel that they can save a buck by asking for less images from their photographer. The amount of photos a photographer delivers can vary from each pro but the amount of time it takes us to create them is the same. For us to accurately capture the images of the day we have to be present, we are charging for our time on site NOT the total amount of images taken or delivered. Asking for less finished images only impacts our editing time so it will not decrease your hourly rate on site.” – Tracy Autem of Tracy Autem Photography
SIX. The Goods on Paper. “I hear often that wedding invitations are just a disposable part of your wedding aesthetic, so little attention and budget should be spent on them. Your invitations are your first impression for your whole wedding. They are also one of the few pieces from your wedding that will remain in its original state for years to come, so choose to work with a designer that can create something as unique and meaningful as your love story.” – Adela Chavez of Adela Chavez Calligraphy + Design
SEVEN. Green with Envy. “A lot of brides believe that using mostly greenery can save money. This can be the case if you have a table-scape with minimal greenery and candles, opposed to having a large floral arrangement. BUT, having greenery throughout a venue for a reception or on a backdrop of a ceremony, can still be similar in cost to having florals. We are still having to process the greenery, design with it, install it, etc. The labor can still be just as much as designing an arrangement with flowers.” – Kate McLeod of Kate McLeod Studio
EIGHT. Buy vs. Renting Decor. “When it comes to the decor, some believe that it will be cheaper and easier to purchase instead of paying rental rates. First, it is unlikely that you will be able to sell your used wedding decor for what you paid for it. Things like lounges, chargers, linens, backdrops…when it is all said and done, this perceived cost-saving is not worth the hassle. Especially considering the storage, delivering, setup, styling, and pickup/removal of the items. And second, where will you put the stuff you bought and who will be in charge of it all once you’ve been whisked away in your exit vehicle?” – Taylor Bradford of Sugar Creek Event Rentals
NINE. Cut the Music. “A budget myth I’ve seen is that if we have a shorter reception, the price should be lower. Events all contain a significant amount of setup and teardown. So even if it was a one hour reception there’s still a lot of work involved.” – Rod Baker of DFW Parties
TEN. The Where & When. “Some couples believe that getting married in the backyard of their home is much more affordable than selecting a venue. The truth is, it comes down to what is included with the rental of the venue. Though romantic, this option requires you to purchase all the equipment needed to transform the yard into a wedding reception. Tables, chairs, decor, kitchen equipment, tents… the list goes on and on and the price goes higher and higher. At the end of the day, the venue rental fee includes so much more than just a blank space.” – Lynsie Blau, owner of BRIK Venue and The Ostreum
Photography Credit: Laning Photography
