Hey there!
My recent internet searches have all been related to my upcoming wedding. In an effort to eliminate stress, my my fiancé and I have decided on a courthouse wedding with a few witnesses. Upon hearing this news, family members encouraged us to have a wedding reception and after a while, we agreed.
So that’s my current reality. I’m planning a wedding reception for January 2016. Yes, you read correctly… That’s less than two months away and I’m kinda still in the beginning stages of everything. I surprisingly don’t have much concern about the event since I picked a pretty cool venue and arranged for them to cater the food. My only remaining needs include making sure the dress I ordered (about $100) can get tailored to fit me, getting a wedding cake, and deciding on whether or not I want to get a photographer.
Through all this planning, one question keeps coming to mind.
Why in the world is everything so expensive?
Setting a budget is great but when you realize you have Dom Perignon taste but a Kool-Aid budget, what good does that do you?
Getting price quotes is so important when planning any type of event. I find myself trying to cut costs when possible. For example, the venue I booked doesn’t have the banquet tables you typically see at wedding reception. Instead of renting different tables and chairs, I’m going to work with what they’ve got. Cocktail tables with black table cloths. I highly doubt that those in attendance will be like “Man, I sure wish they had decided on a different table setting,” and if they are, they probably shouldn’t have come at all.
Makeup Artists
Let’s talk makeup artistry… Every makeup artist I’ve researched costs too friggin much. I’m supposed to pay over $100 to get makeup put on my face for one day? Sheesh. Maybe I’m cheap. Or poor. Whatever the case, I’ll be hunting down YouTube tutorials and practicing a few times a week before I make that investment.
An option I’m considering is going to MAC and paying their $60 fee. They used to do your make up “for free” if you made a purchase of over $50 which is pretty easy to do. These days, they’ve gotten hip to the game and charge a flat $60 and give a complimentary mascara instead. The cons of this option include the fact that your MAC artist won’t be there to touch you up after you’ve sweat from dancing. I can’t dance so I’m not too much concerned about that. There’s always the option to watch numerous YouTube tutorials and handle my own business in the makeup department. Hmmm…
Cake, cake, cake…
Cakes have become a huge aspect of weddings these days. They’re on display and are an extension of your wedding’s theme and decor. They’re also hella expensive. I got a quote for a wedding cake for 40 people and was told that I’d have to pay $425 (with delivery). Yikes! That averages out to be over $10 per person’s slice of cake. Seriously? This can’t be real.
Needless to say, I checked out a cake decorating book from my school’s library. I’ve also been really obsessed with naked cakes lately and making one seems quite simple so maybe that’ll be the move for me. My fiancé says he’ll pay for the cake, but something in me doesn’t want to even know what a $400 cake tastes like. I’m known for buyer’s remorse and taking stuff back. If it isn’t the best cake I’ve ever had, I’d die.
Last but not least, PHOTOGRAPHY
If you’ve checked out my photography you may know that I enjoy taking pictures for fun. I honestly just want to photograph my own reception. For free. I’ve seen gorgeous wedding photos and loved them. But what I don’t love is the cost associated with getting them. A good photographer costs money. I recently had the opportunity to shoot a friends wedding (I’ll be sure to share those photos with you soon) and was able to capture some amazing memories. While at this wedding, I came to the realization that I need a me at my reception. I don’t need the most glamorous photos, I’ll settle for simple shots that I can use to remember the day.
I’m still figuring out what I’ll do about our photography needs and I realize that splurging may be required in this area. I’ve considered having several disposable cameras at the reception and asking guests to capture fun moments, but I can’t expect awesome wedding portraits with this option.
Are you planning a wedding or have you recently? Got any suggestions on how to keep costs down? Feel free to let me know in the comment section below. Thanks for reading!
You are so right with the cost of everything. The only thing I splurged was my make-up ( Obviously) It was $80 for full face and I tipped her $20. and then forgot my lipstick at home, smh. It was worth it, because I seriously stayed in my budget of $250. But with all you have going on, it may be best to apply it yourself.
Christopher said the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard at the end of our wedding day, ” If people spend tons of money on a wedding and don’t feel this pure bliss at the end of the day that I feel right now, they totally missed the point and wasted their money” I seriously loved that I kept things true to me on my day. Also, Thank you for photographing the ceremony!! I can take your photos for you, using your camera. Just need a week of training and I got you!! xoxo