Save vs. Splurge: Wedding Decor Edition

Save vs. Splurge: Wedding Decor

Don’t worry because we’ve got your guide on where to save vs. splurge on your wedding decor so you can get the most bang for your buck! Keep in mind that every bride is different, and if you feel really passionate about an aspect of your wedding day it’s probably worth it to splurge there.

Splurge: Decor You Can Reuse

You’re undoubtedly going to end up spending a good chunk of your budget on decor, so try to focus on picking out pieces you can later use to decorate your newlywed home.

Simple signs that display your new last name, lyrics from your first dance song, hanging lanterns and candles are perfect for pulling double duty after the wedding day. Try to avoid pieces that are overly branded with your wedding date, or that would clash with your interior design style.

Save: Table Numbers

Table numbers are mostly a utilitarian piece and are super easy to DIY, so don’t bother dropping a lot of cash on these. Make it a fun project and get together with your bridesmaids to come up with a creative table number solution.

Engagement photos or pictures from your childhood are a cute and easy way to personalize this project.

Bonus tip: Ask your venue if they have any table numbers left over from previous events that you can use.

Splurge: Tables and Chairs

Furniture will make a big impact on the atmosphere of your wedding so it’s worth it to spend some extra money renting premium items that match your vision. A beautifully decorated table might end up looking awkward if it’s matched up with ugly plastic chairs.

Additionally, you want to ensure your guests have a comfy place to sit during the ceremony and reception, which is definitely worth a few extra bucks. This may end up being one of the larger splurges on this list, but if it’s important to you there are options like wedding loans that can help with the cost.

Save: Paper Products

While monogrammed napkins and gold foil programs are pretty to look at, the reality is that most of your guests will end up throwing away or leaving behind personalized paper products.

Save some money here by designing your programs, menus and other signage yourself using a word processing program and printing at your local office supply store. Just print on thicker cardstock and your programs will have that same luxe feel for a fraction of the price.

Splurge: Lighting

Even the best wedding photographer can’t save your photos if your venue has terrible lighting, which is why this is one area it’s worth it to splurge on. A professional lighting rental company can also do creative things with lighting like spotlighting important details or uplighting the venue with colors that coordinate with your theme. Overall, this makes a huge impact so your money will be well spent.

Save & Splurge: Flowers

While I wouldn’t recommend going fully faux to save money, it’s not necessary to completely splurge on florals for the big day. The bride’s bouquet will be the most seen and photographed, so go all out and spend a little more on the flowers for your bouquet. It will be worth it to enjoy your favorite flowers on your wedding day, and there are so many creative ways to preserve your bouquet to enjoy for years.

For the bridesmaids, save a little money by going with a simple arrangement of baby’s breath and greenery. You can also save on other floral accents like pew decorations or centerpieces by using the same greenery and picking flowers that are in season and thus lower cost.

In the end, it is ultimately up to the couple planning on where to save vs. spend. However, with wedding planning you can have your cake and eat it too with just a little balance. This post was contributed by Jamie W. Jamie has a passion for finance and all things wedding related. When she's not catching up on the latest wedding TV show she enjoys walking her dog, practicing yoga and trying new restaurants.