Thelife- After working as a professional bridesmaid at over 125 weddings, I know what's worth the splurge.
- Your guests will remember if you provided great food and fun entertainment at the wedding.
As someone who's worked as a hired bridesmaid for strangers at over 125 weddings, I always find it hard to wrap my head around how much money couples spend on their celebrations.
But when the party is over and the couple lands back from their honeymoon, it becomes even more clear which costs were worth every single penny.
Here are the top things I've found couples are almost always happy they paid big money for at their weddings.
Delicious food can make or break an event
Offering an appetizing selection of food, both during cocktail hour and during the reception, is a must to keep your guests happy.
But you don't have to hire a traditional wedding caterer to make this happen. If there's a certain type of cuisine or local restaurant you adore, look into different options so the food satisfies your taste, too.
It's worth it to splurge on good music
Your guests also want to have a good time at your wedding. Part of the entertainment for the night usually comes in the form of music, whether you hire a DJ or a live band.
Regardless of the type of music vendor you pick, make sure you look into how they make their music selection and how they keep the audience engaged throughout the night.
If you want your dance floor packed, find an entertainer who has the personality and playlist to make that happen.
You'll be glad you hired a talented photographer
Most couples agree that having a good photographer is worth the money.
You can use those photos to look back at the emotions of the night and also remember all the people who came to celebrate you.
The price point of photographers varies, but try to find one who has a style and aesthetic you adore.
Find room in your budget for an open bar
When your guests arrive at your wedding, they usually beeline to the bar to get a cocktail or glass of wine.
Having an open bar can be expensive, so try to find ways to cut costs. Skip offering top-shelf liquor or consider just having an open bar for an hour or two.
If both of those options are still out of your price range, that's OK. Just give your guests a heads up if you have a cash bar so they can bring money with them — or better yet, have an ATM nearby.
Paying for a day-of wedding coordinator or planner is worth it
Even if you're an organized person who feels like they accounted for every detail of their wedding, having a person on the ground at your celebration is usually worth it.
A day-of coordinator or planner can help facilitate conversations with vendors, make sure you're feeling stress-free, and take care of any pop-up challenges throughout the day.
Put more of your budget toward a unique venue
If you have a vision for your wedding, one of the best things you can spend money on is finding a venue that will help bring it to life.
Whether you've always wanted to get married in an arcade, library, or even a theater, booking the right location might be costly. But it's usually worth it for a memorable party.
Put a deposit down on an indoor location in case it rains
There's so much you can plan for your wedding, but you can't control the weather. If you're having an outdoor reception or ceremony, it's worth it to book a rain location as a backup plan.
Put a deposit down on a tent or an indoor event space in case you need it last minute. That way, your guests can enjoy the wedding without getting soaked.
Providing transportation to the reception venue is such a special touch
If you're hosting a reception that's hard for guests to travel to or in a different location from the ceremony, splurging on transportation will be greatly appreciated by your guests.
Getting a shuttle, bus, or trolley to take your guests to and from the reception is great for safety and a generous cost to cover to thank your guests for being there on your special day.