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This wedding budget thing is hard. And what I mean by that is that I am constantly bombarded by things I think I need to make our wedding perfect. Although logically I know this isn’t true, it’s still hard not to long for all these things. See, Mr. Fro Yo and I are paying for the wedding ourselves, which means that there is some “fluff” stuff that we don’t get to have because it just didn’t make the cut.
One major example is a gift for Mr. Fro Yo.
Like many brides before me, I thought about taking boudoir photos. I’ve never done anything like that, and if I’m going to do it at any time in my life, why not as a gift for my brand new husband! But, damn they’re expensive. I then considered a few other gift options, but none of them sounded as good or as special as the boudoir photos. I also didn’t want to get just any gift for the sake of having a gift for him on the day of our wedding.
Another thing that I recently considered cutting was doing anything for the send off. I really wanted to do ribbon wands, but again, they’re expensive for what they are. I was at the point that I was about to say, ”F it, I don’t need anything for the send off.” But then a wise bride before me said she really regretted not doing anything for her send off. At that point I changed my mind and figured that I could throw some ribbon on some dowels and call it a day. So, stay tuned for that Fro Yo crafting project. It should be interesting.
Basically I just wanted to say that for the brides out there making difficult budget decisions, I’m with you. And your wedding will be special regardless of that small thing you’re not going to have. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. As for the boudoir photos, we have lots of birthdays and anniversaries to celebrate over the years, and I’m sure I’ll revisit that gift at another time.
What difficult budget cuts did you have to make?
I can’t even count all the things we can’t do due to budget. 
I mostly don’t let myself go there.
We cut out gifts to each other, champagne toast (people toasted with what they had), anything for the sendoff (mainly because we were among the last to leave!), pew decorations, a limo to drive us around, and that’s all I can think of off the top of my head. We didn’t miss any of these things, and I think it worked out for our wedding. And you’re right, re: gifts, you’ll have tons of anniversaries to get each other nice gifts!
We didn’t exchange gifts. I always thought that was a silly tradition. Isn’t the gift the shiny new marriage (and wedding bands)? We didn’t have a wedding cake (our venue package came with dessert, an extra cake on top of that seemed like too much. Plus, they’re pie was amazing), we didn’t have a send off, and no champagne toast (everyone just toasted with whatever they were drinking at the time). I didn’t miss any of those things. But everyone has different expectations of what they want at their wedding. I’m sure whatever you decide will be beautiful.
i hear what you’re saying. with wedding brain, it’s hard to tell what really matters and what can be cut. i had to let go of the pony dressed up in crystals. kidding! but yes, we’ve cut many things.
We have definitely cut back on what we thought about doing for each other as gifts. We also cut back on our honeymoon plans, a limo, getting a photobooth, and what we are doing at the reception. I know that all we really need is each other, an officiant, and our friends/families, so it makes it a little easier when I just keep repeating it to myself.
I definitely know what you’re going through. We’re doing the same about the gifts, we figured we’d rather do that for our anniversary. We are also skipping out on any send off things, since we will most likely be some of the last people to leave. Another thing I would have loved was the personalized monogram lighting, but with our tight budget and already being over budget, it’s out. 
Oh well.
We didn’t do gifts to each other on the wedding day, either. There was so much going on that day, and we felt so loved and happy that the gifts weren’t missed at all.
We’re skimping on the gifts for the actual wedding date (although I might surprise him by giving him socks for “Cold Feet” or something on the day) but I’m thinking of doing boudoir photos for our 1 year anniversary as it’s the paper anniversary. Geddit? We cut back on a big shindig with all our friends at what would have been the perfect venue (the theatre that FH and I met at) because of budgets. I’m still a little sad about it but the venue we have now is on the water and just as awesome.
Totally can empathize. We didn’t do a send off (not really because of budget, but because we didn’t really see the need - we actually helped clean up and stuff before heading over to the hotel) or have a photobooth.
So far we have cut out the champagne toast, hard liquor (just doing beer- homebrewed- and wine), at this exact moment I am thinking of cutting out OOT bags (NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!) We cut out the catering route were taking and ended up ordering dinner from a local market, downsized the candy buffet, and took out my sweet potato bar that I wanted for cocktail hour- I’d rather get married without these things and not go way over budget then to get married with them and regret months later as we are still paying things off.
I hear you! We had to cut out the bluegrass band (sad), and also we are limiting the open bar to beer and wine after the cocktail hour.
we aren’t doing wedding gifts either- but if you still wanted to do that did you ever consider diying the photos? i did a blurb book for his b-day (with our fun printed shower curtain as the background!) and he loved it!
It’s hard to not want all of the little things when you read about what other brides are doing all day, I know I want it all! But in the end, not having it all will be perfect because it’ll be your wedding day and however it happens is the way it was meant to be.
We aren’t exchanging gifts. And we just cut the champagne toast. And I’m also looking at just offering one entree (we’re having 30 people for dinner, then a cocktail reception of 200) mainly because our venue adds $1 per entree if you have more than one. So, it might be chicken for all, then a request on the invite to let us know about any dietary restrictions (because we can get a veggie entree at no extra cost if we’re having a meaty main course).
i hear you, Fro Yo! as we are starting to really get into the planning ,i’m reminded that all my ideas/wants just aren’t feasible…and that makes me sad So i know there is a road ahead of me with difficult “cuts” i’m going to have to make.
We cut the champagne toast and we’re doing a beer & wine open bar since neither of our families drink very often. And I can’t understand why videographers cost so much. It hearts my heart.
I feel your pain! But I agree with all the other bees that man, at some point fantasy meets reality. I had the exact dilemma with photos and came up with the exact solution as littlemissmoo, doing them for the paper anniversary (great minds!) I keep telling myself it’ll be beautiful and fun no matter what, but I still have 6 months of planning/cuts to make so I hope I can keep that positive attitude!
We cut the champagne toast as well. But I found a cheap and easy send off (only about $10!!) and we are having guests throw paper airplanes!
we cut gifts for the same reason. Tough decision but it saved money, time and pressure right when we needed a break from all three!
(ps. i love the photo you chose for this post!)
I hear you on this one! I have so many things that I’m trying to let go of. I’m having a fauxtobooth instead of a real one, and I may have to let go of the ceremony music I really want ’cause it’s too expensive. But, it’s okay because at the end of the day, all that really matters is us!!
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Mrs. Frozen Yogurt, Dallas Age and Occupation: 28, Special Projects Coordinator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Equity Trader Engagement Date: March 19, 2009 Wedding Date: April 2010 Venue: Marie Gabrielle, Dallas About Me: I was born and raised in Texas, and have lived in several of the cities across the state, but I currently reside in Austin. I went to college in Boston and have a special place in my heart for the Northeast. I love reading, shopping, wine, reuniting with college friends that are scattered across the country, reality TV, trying out new recipes, and attempting all the DIY projects that come along with wedding planning. I'm a "bleeding heart, save the world type" and thankfully my job allows me to work on legislation and policy to help out those in need. I met Mr. Frozen Yogurt in a bar, though he doesn't even drink! And now we are planning a modern yet vintage wedding in Dallas while dealing with the trials and tribulations of first time homeownership.
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