Where to spend and where to save on your wedding!

Not everybody can have a lavish royal wedding but it is knowing where to spend the money you have to make the most out of your day! 

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Centrepieces:  You can spend hundreds on extravagant fresh floral centrepieces which although lovely can end up costing thousands! If this isn't in your budget something smaller yet just as elegant will give you the same ambiance at your reception. 

I love this one with a range of fresh flowers in a vintage teacup! Simple but elegant also doesn't intrude on guests conversation as some larger centrepieces can. 

Super Saver Tip: Source wildflowers or flowers from relatives gardens, this is an easy way to achieve a cottage feel. (Just don't take from local council gardens- This counts as stealing, don't tell anyone I told you to!) Things are always more interesting when they are not exactly the same! Also ask around and see if any relatives have a secret stash of teacups or check your local second hand shop!

Invitations: There are so many options when it comes to your wedding stationery! If there are other things you would like to spend your money on this is a great area to cut some costs! Make them yourself, there are so many supplies available to enable you to make your own invitations, decorative punches, beautiful papers, embossing machines you name it! Talk to your local scrap booking shops these are great places for ideas! If DIY is not your thing there are many small businesses that create invitations search Felt or Etsy. 

                                              Spend

Dress: Quite possibly the most important thing you will ever wear! You want it to be comfortable,  fit perfectly and look fabulous in your pictures. This dress "Beauty" by Claire Pettibone is one of my all time favourites! There has been a fairly new trend of brides buying dresses directly from mass produced factories overseas for $200 or however much. 

Now while this may seem like a good deal just think for a moment, if they can charge you $200 for a bridal gown probably less than $50 is spent on the fabric! Not only is the quality of materials cheap but the people who spend hours making these gowns get paid next to nothing! 

I've heard a lot of people say "I saw this dress at a bridal salon for $2,000 then brought it online for $200!!" A lot of the time these designs are copied from real designers by mass producing manufacturers! Then once you get the gown there is no guarantee that it will be exactly as it was shown in the pictures you may get a dress which is 6 inches too short and 2 sizes too small. Tread carefully don't hand over your money for a gown you have never seen!! 

Image by Jessica Jones Photography

Photographers: By far the most important thing to spend money on for your wedding, there has been an insurgence of "Uncle Bob" photographers lately so be very careful about who you choose to photograph your wedding, look at portfolios, references and qualifications. Choose a photographer who is NZIPP qualified. Remember these will be the only chance you get to have these photos taken, there is no do-over! Follow different photographers Facebook pages so you can see there work, ask questions about their experience, style and packages. Some photographers I follow are Toni Larsen Photography, Amanda Ritchie Photography, Perspectives Photo and Cinema, Jessica Jones Photography, Zandy J Photography. There are so many other photographers who I love but we would be here all day!! Take a gander at their work at and how beautifully they capture precious memories- alternatively take a look at http://youarenotaphotographer.com/ -- Do your research! 

If you would like to see more cost saving ideas or DIY wedding projects pop them in the comments below and I will deliver!

Robin xx