There are so many things to purchase and services to book that it can be easy to consider each to be as important as the next. We are here to let you in on a little secret...not all wedding expenses are created equal! Now I know what you're thinking "Well yeah Annie and Mike of course you want us to spend more on photographers!". Yes, we do, but it's not for our sake, it's for YOURS. The fact of the matter is that there are a few key places that people tend to overinvest and a few where they tend to underinvest. We have data to back that up! We found a survey by Dana Rebecca Designs through an article in FOX 47 News where over 2,000 married couples tell-all about what they wish they'd done differently when it comes to allocating funds on their wedding day. Wouldn't you like to know where you should be investing BEFORE you start cutting checks to avoid the dreaded feeling of buyers remorse and regret?
Believe us we know this stuff is not easy. We've all been in the paper source store looking at different card stocks and designs for our invitations, and then you flip open the book of luxury designs and think, "Oh my mom and grandma are going to love these ones with the 24 carat gold lace overlay and the egyptian silk envelopes." and then you see the price tag which at first gives you a heart palpitation, and then you pass out from shock. When you finally regain consciousness you decide that it's well worth the price because Grandma is going to hang it on her hutch right next to the fine china that hasn't been touched for 43 years. You think to yourself, "We'll just spend a little less on our honeymoon, and maybe we'll only get 6 hours with the photographers instead of 8 to make up the difference in cost". Well think again because you may very well regret that choice!
According to FOX 47 and Dana Rebecca Designs and the opinion of over two thousand married couples..."Most couples that took part in the survey were in agreement that they should have spent more money on their honeymoon, rings and photographer, and less on the dress and invitations."
Many people also conflate wedding photography with videography figuring they are both just as important, right? Wrong. We had an absolutely gorgeous wedding video and two years later I don't think we've watched the full length version all the way through even one time (it's two hours long). We watched the condensed five minute version about three times as soon as we got it, and we haven't watched it more than a handful of times again since. In contrast we've had multiple wedding photos hanging around our house for the past two and a half years. We see them every single day, and they still give us that little rush of joy every time they catch our gaze. Facebook is always bringing them back up as memories around our anniversary so we can re-share them with our friends and families. I even like to go look at them when we're having a fight, because it makes me realize how silly we're being in the grander context of our love story. We've also used our wedding photos for professional use. Our bio photo on our website is a shot of us walking back down the aisle after saying "I do". Not to mention the fact that our parents and grandparents all have prints, which I presume are on the same hutch next to the invitation! The point being that even though a lot of people tend to think of wedding photography and videography as one in the same and roughly as important as each other I am here to tell you from experience they are not. You will see, use, share and get way more time enjoying your photos as compared to your wedding videos. Now I'm not here to just rip on wedding videographers because we've worked with a lot we really love and it can be a truly beautiful way to memorialize your wedding if you have the extra space in your budget! However, even the folks who participated in this survey argued that there are a few things that seem important when you're planning, but in retrospect came up short of the value of your rings, photographers or honeymoon.
"The couples who were surveyed also offered some words of wisdom for future couples, saying not to worry about spending too much on a wedding planner, the rehearsal dinner, bridal party gifts and a videographer. Because honestly, how often are you really likely to rewatch your wedding video?" - FOX 47 News and Dana Rebecca Designs
TheKnot.com suggest spending AT LEAST 12% OF YOUR BUDGET on photography and videography. Many other sites suggest spending around 10% of your budget on photography alone. With the average wedding in the US spending around $30,000 total. That means you should be alotting at least $3,000 for your wedding photography. Here in Boston that's a little on the low side for your dream photographer, but in many other less urban areas of the US that's plenty to get two good photographers to capture your special day. The difference between "Meh" and "OMG WOW" can literally be just a few thousand bucks. Seems like a lot to move from one place to another in your budget, but read on and see just how easy it can be.
For example if you are spending a lot on your invitations, and your rehearsal dinner, but only booking a single photographer for six hours for your wedding day. Maybe consider shuffling things around and slimming down on the extras for your invitations, or maybe taking an hour off of the venue booking for the rehearsal dinner. If you're looking for some serious savings on your rehearsal dinner, which in our opinion can be one of the easiest places to save a large chunk of money, check out these suggestions from weddingbee.com
Host a Rehearsal Pot-Luck Dinner. ...
Have a Pizza Party. ...
Fire up the Barbecue. ...
Rent a Spot at the Local Park. ...
Pick a Large Group Activity to Do. ...
Organize a Brunch. ...
Skip the Plated Dinner. ...
Reserve a Food Truck.
For another idea of where to save some money perhaps look to any post reception activities you were planning on hosting. We hosted our post wedding reception party in our backyard instead of renting a room in a restaurant or bar. We had a fire, and bought all the alcohol ourselves. We went to Trader Joes and got a ton of finger foods that didn't need to be cooked, which in our opinion is their specialty. Thinking outside of the box with alternatives like these can really free up a lot of real estate on your budget spreadsheet that can then be reinvested in the things that most already married couples believe are more important to have. Renting out a bar or restaurant even for a couple hours can cost thousands, so by going the DIY route with this one area of your wedding day can free up the extra funds you need to invest it where it really counts.
While it may seem like serving filet mignon to forty people at your rehearsal dinner is absolutely essential, there are about two thousand and one married couples who think that money would be better spent on a nicer suite for your honeymoon, a better diamond or wedding band, or your dream photographers (ahem ahem). Besides, once everyone gets two drinks in them they won't care whether it's filet or a nice juicy sirloin!
