Memorabilia

When you're planning a wedding on a budget you have to decide how you're going to spend your money. You've read all the articles about choosing to spend your money on the things that are most important to you. Perhaps the meal is the most important or the music, maybe you're most excited about a decadent cake or a deluxe bar. Whatever the category may be, you already know to spend your money there first and cut in other places. 

Photo from Martha Stewart Weddings

But besides that more general rule, I would also recommend thinking about the future. What do you most want to keep from your wedding? Obviously, everyone wants at least a few good photos. But what about memorabilia, what things do you want to save?

 Photo by Elizabeth Messina

I don't care to keep my dress or to spend a lot on my shoes or jewelry but there are other items that I'll be selecting with care. Those items include the program, cake topper, some paper decorations, my veil and a tablecloth from our table at the reception that I'll have monogrammed. I'd like to keep my cake topper for fun and as decoration in our home (I'll prove that they can be beautiful), my veil for sentimental reasons and perhaps I can lend or give it to someone later, and the tablecloth for our table on special occasions. I'm less concerned with saving and spending big money on my dress, shoes, and jewelry which is where people will push you to spend. There's obviously nothing wrong with those things but I would encourage you to think past the usual big ticket items and consider what else might be important in the future, especially in regards to your everyday life. 

Photo from Martha Stewart Weddings