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Your wedding day will be one of the best days of your life. Unfortunately, it’s pretty much guaranteed to also be one of the most expensive. Most of that will be money well spent, but you might be wondering how exactly to figure out your budget and what to spend your money on. Here are some tips to help.
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Your clothes
You might be one of those incredibly lucky people who finds their perfect gown on eBay or in a thrift store, but chances are that won’t happen. If you want to feel great on your wedding day, you need a dress that’s perfect for you. Maybe that’s a traditional full skirted dress or maybe it’s a more casual tea dress, but the point is: when you find a dress that’s perfect for you, get it even if it’s a little over budget. You don’t want to be thinking of what could have been – do what makes you feel incredible. You should also splurge on your fiancé’s tux or suit. Unlike your wedding dress, chances are he’ll be able to wear it again!
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Food and drink
There’s nothing a wedding guest loves more than a free bar. Splash out on great alcohol and great food. Make a couple of signature cocktails to offer to guests when they arrive at your reception, and splurge on good quality champagne for the toasts. Make sure that you taste-test the food before you agree to anything and look on your caterer’s website for testimonials to make sure that everyone has been happy with them. Ensure that guests with different dietary requirement like vegetarianism are catered for, and remember that when it comes to your wedding cake, it’s better to go over the top and make it too spectacular than the other way around!
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Photographer
You’ll be looking back at your wedding album for many, many years to come, so it’s vital that your photographer gets it right. Make sure that you look through their portfolio carefully first and look at what their previous clients have said about them. Choose someone that you feel comfortable with, especially if you feel a little self conscious when you’re having photographs taken of you. If you get your wedding pictures back and they’re not what you hoped they would be, you’ll be disappointed – make sure you opt for the best.
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The gifts for your wedding party
It isn’t cheap to be part of a wedding party. Not only do you love and care for these people enough to ask them to be a significant part of your big day, but chances are they had to pay a lot of money to be there. With gifts, hotels, dresses and travel costs to your bachelorette weekend, shower and wedding, your wedding party have made significant financial sacrifices in the name of your future happiness. They’ve probably also provided you with endless valuable support during the stress of wedding planning. Give them a personal and thoughtful gift to show how much you appreciate them, like an engraved piece of jewelry. Remember that your wedding day isn’t just about you and your husband – it’s also about your love for the people around you.