For most weddings, a lot of the decision-making is affected by your budget. After all, weddings cost a lot of money and we don’t all have trees that grow it in the back of our yards. That means when it comes time to choose all of your vendors you will have to decide what you can or want to budget for. There are several essential things you will need to account for to plan the most basic elements of your wedding such as your venue, caterer, photographer, and attire but there are also a lot of additional vendors and options to consider that can really make your event something incredibly special.
Ultimately, what you spend your money on (and how much) all comes down to what you find is important to you. If you’ve been picturing an outdoor wedding with gorgeous table settings, then splurging on rentals or your venue will be what’s important. Likewise, if you’ve been dreaming of the most stunning floral arrangements cascading from the ceiling of your reception, then you will make it happen and splurge on that particular part/vendor. Either way, it all comes down to using the budget you have to create the event that you’ve always dreamed of and allocating a certain amount of funds to what’s truly important to you. Below I will be sharing some elements and vendors you might consider splurging on depending on what your dream wedding looks like!
Essential things to budget for your wedding: There are many essentials you will need to cover in order to have the most basic elements of a wedding. Of course, your venue is the most important because you need a place to have your ceremony and reception. You also will need to hire a caterer and DJ if you want your guests to be fed and your event to run smoothly. I might be biased but another one of the most important vendors you can hire is your photographer. After all, when everything is said and done, your photos are likely to be all you have left to look back on. You might also want a cake, tables/chair rentals (if your venue doesn’t provide it), a florist (or flowers in general), and dresses and suits. Don’t forget you’ll need to invite your guests with some sort of invitation. All of those will create the most basic event.
Extras that might still need to be budgeted for: There are several additional vendors that might need hiring to create a smooth wedding. These include a hair and makeup artist, a bartender (if your venue doesn’t provide one), lighting rentals, transportation for guests, and for you after the wedding. You may even want to budget for some decorating beyond flowers to help create the pretty atmosphere you’ve always pictured.
Vendors to splurge on: Every couple has an idea of what they really want to have at their wedding. For some, it’s an incredibly delicious meal that everyone raves about for weeks on end. For others, it is the most magical venue with the prettiest golden sunset off of the balcony. I could go on and on and all of this to say that you should splurge on the vendors/elements of your wedding that are most important to you! It doesn’t have to be anything that I write about and it doesn’t have to be a certain cost. It could be as simple as spending an extra couple hundred dollars on invitations that you’ve been eyeing for years or hiring the best florist in town because you want to create that amazing backdrop. I’ll be breaking down how splurging on specific vendors can really set the tone of your wedding.
Venue: This is likely the largest portion of your budget anyways but sometimes it is worth it to splurge on this vendor because of what they may offer. Some venues come with bare-bones and you have to rent everything else and hire all your own staff. That creates a lot of work for you which may cost you in the end. Other venues are incredibly easy to use because they provide tables, chairs, linens, caterers, bar staff, and so much more! Not to mention they might even have a tare down team which makes your day even easier and more fun. Splurge on this if your dream wedding is for a specific style of venue or if it’s really important for everything to be included to make things simpler.
Caterer: We’ve all been to weddings with buffet style food. It’s not always bad but you likely leave feeling kind of hungry and not so satisfied. Splurge on your caterer if food is incredibly important to you. It was for my dad who helped pay for the majority of our wedding. And honestly, it’s one of our favorite memories from our wedding. The food was incredible and our friends and family agreed!
Photographer: Hiring a photographer that you love and trust is huge. You’ve likely already hired me which means this is an important vendor. Just know that investing in someone good, who has the experience, but also comes at a price is worth it if you desire to have pretty photos that age well. Never underestimate this element because it is one of the few things you have to appreciate and look back on later.
Florist: Flowers can be simple and minimalist or they can be the star of the show when it comes to your wedding. It all depends on what you’ve been dreaming of, who you hire, and how much you are hoping to spend. A great florist will create the arrangements of your dreams no matter the scale but investing in one that is experienced, has a keen eye, and who is a great fit is key. I did not splurge on this part of my wedding and it’s one I would definitely rethink and/or allocate specific funds for if I did it all over again. You might be thinking that live flowers don’t last long and it seems like a part that can be done DIY style with fake florals. I’m here to tell you that that might work okay but honestly fake flowers can be just as expensive and they don’t live up to the beauty and whimsy of real ones no matter what. If you have the room and desire, I highly recommend splurging on this vendor! It really sets the tone of a wedding and makes things feel magical.
Wedding Planner: I wrote a specific article about this in the wedding client lounge but it never hurts to go over it again. A wedding planner or day-of coordinate is all about peace of mind and handing over a lot of the stress that comes with planning your wedding. If it’s really important for you to have a calming experience then this is the key. They also do wonders in creating the wedding of your dreams with all of their vendor connections, eye for decor, and skill in organization. Trust me, this one is definitely worth the splurge!
Rentals: Another often overlooked vendor is a rental company. This can be anywhere from tables, chairs, and linens to place settings, furniture, lighting, and more. The options are endless. Your venue may have items you can use already or you may be required to supply necessary things. This is something you will want to check with before signing up with a venue. And even if they do supply basics, you may have been envisioning the most stunning table settings while will require a few rentals. Whatever you are dreaming of, it can be found or rented. Plus, it is less expensive than purchasing all of the little extra things. That’s why rental companies exist.
Videographer: This is a vendor that is often overlooked by many couples. It is seen as an extra expense that can be skimped on but let me tell you, there are some amazing videographers out there that create stunning work. Plus, watching your wedding on video and not just through photos is a whole different experience. The sound of your voice during vows, the laughter shared during toasts, the tears streaming down everyone’s eyes are all moments that are incredibly special and when relived through video, priceless. Anyone that I have worked with who hired a videographer did not regret it. If you can find the room in your budget and this is an important vendor to you, you won’t be disappointed!
Cake: Cakes are fairly basic and expected items at a wedding but there is also a trend in cupcakes and dessert bars. Either way, guests love enjoying some sweets at the reception. Finding a well established and loved bakery will make everyone happy. Make sure you try samples and share your vision with them. It’s important that the dessert that you choose is not only pretty but also delicious. I can’t tell you how many times we have wanted to take cake or cupcakes home with us after a wedding. Those were the vendors that my clients didn’t skimp on and you could tell!
Invitations: Another essential venue if you plan on inviting people to your wedding. There are so many options out there for you to chose from as far as invitations go but speaking from experience, it can be a giant headache picking everything out, spell checking, and then mailing. This may be something you never considered but there are many professional and well-qualified invitation designers who create beautiful stationery and take much of that headache away from you. Plus, this is a guests first introduction to the style and aesthetic of your wedding. What better way to start off than with a really interesting, beautiful, and crafted invitation?
Attire: Attire is essential but where you buy or rent from isn’t. Don’t skimp out on this vendor if you can help it. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen people go with a local rental company or dress shop only to get the wrong size or mismatched ties. Find an experienced shop that is willing and able to help you if anything goes wrong in the ordering process. This is an important day to get dressed up, look snazzy, and feel fancy so go the extra mile! I personally think it’s fun to do that every once in a while and if it’s rare then why not pick something that you feel stunning in?
Getaway Car: Sometimes the location of your reception venue in comparison to your ceremony requires transportation. That is reason alone to do something incredibly fun and rent a beautiful old car or bus to haul your bridal party. Even so, at the end of the night you will drive off in something and it’s always fun to see a cool car be the getaway vehicle. You might be able to borrow a friend’s car but there are also some really amazing rental companies local to Indianapolis that have a great reputation and are super fun to work with. Splurge on this vendor if it’s been part of your dream wedding. It always looks good in photos and guests enjoy seeing the happy couple driving away in style!
Whatever your budget is, there are dozens of vendors to choose from and work with so your options are endless. Each comes at a different price point, skill level, and years of experience. Don’t limit yourself just because you don’t think you can afford it. Take your vision and dream wedding, create a list of must-haves, add in your desired extras, and circle what is most important to you. You will find a way to make it happen and it will be a beautiful event perfectly representing who you are as a couple. And now that I have given you some ideas, feel free to reference my recommended vendors HERE.
