“How should I budget our Wedding Money?”

As a Wedding Photographer I hear this question often. So many options how do you choose?

Let’s start with a few questions…….

1. Do you have a set budget you and your fiance’ have agreed on?

2. What is most important to you on your day?

3. Are you paying for your wedding or is family helping?

So with those 3 questions answered now we can chat about where your budget should be spent.

I know you’re thinking I’m going to say Photography should be #1 on your list. I do agree it’s one of the top 3 things, but I’m not going to tell you what should be most important to you.

I have worked with couples who are Foodies and what they serve their guest is more important than centerpieces, flowers etc. It’s a personal decision but here’s one thing I can tell you……the only item you will have to remember the most important day of your life is the Photos and Video. I have been married 20 years and our wedding photos still hang on our wall. We still see them daily, our kids have spoke to us about them. (“Mom why was your hair so curly.” LOL it was the late 90’s what can I say?)

Here is where I believe the majority of your wedding budget should be spent and not always in this order.

#1. Venue - The location is very important. Do you want a beach, barn, ballroom or maybe a garden wedding? The location sets the tone for everything else. How many guests do you plan to invite? Do your guest mind traveling? How do you picture your guests apparel at your wedding? Do you have a theme? So much to consider.

#2. Dress - Well ofcourse the dress is important. You want to feel the most beautiful you have ever felt on this day. You want to look at those wedding photos and think “wonder where I could wear that dress again, that would be appropriate?” LOL. The Bride pictured above ROCKED her dress. It fit her perfectly and she was beautiful. Would you believe she ordered it online for $120? Can you believe that? It can be done and done well.

#3. Photography/Videography - Now this is my professional expertise. Photography captures a moment in time that you can never get back. Do you trust your Uncle or College Roomate to remember the most important day of your life? I have heard so many horror stories that break my heart of people who had a friend or family member take their wedding photos and they hate them all. They’re out of focus, the angles are weird, they missed the big events like the first kiss. I’ve had many brides contact me to do just some wedding formals long after the wedding so they can have something to display. Do you want this to be you? I like to remind my brides your guests won’t remember your centerpieces at your tables or your cake, but would you like to remember who came to your wedding? Do you want to remember the LOVE felt on that day? Photos can do that!

Please invest on your wedding day in your Photography. Shop around. Meet with photographers. See if you groove with each other. View an entire wedding album of theirs. View their portfolios. Read Reviews. Feel confident with your photographer on your wedding day. They will literally be with you for every second on your day, so make sure you like them! Sign a contract for the security of you both. Keep in contact with each other and take a sigh of relief that one big vendor is crossed off your list. Doing all these things will help your day run smooth.