As a bridesmaid, there are only a few important choices to make when it comes to your wedding day look. Of course, the dress is the most important. But once you’ve got that picked out, it’s time to think about your beauty look on the big day. Whether or not you’re doing your own hair or getting it done by a professional, if you have free reign on your look and you’re not sure what to do, we’ve rounded up some inspiration. From elegant buns to old Hollywood-inspired waves, these bridesmaid hair ideas are the perfect jumping-off point.
Now that you’ve picked out your hairstyle, it’s time to think about that speech you’ve been asked to give. We know that this is one aspect of being in a wedding party that many people dread. That’s why we’ve written a comprehensive guide to wedding speeches and toasts. It’s full of tips and tricks to help ease some of your anxiety and ensure that you deliver a speech that has everyone in the room laughing and crying.
Visualize your wedding budget as a puzzle. Various pieces need to fit together in order to bring your dream celebration to life. That’s why it’s crucial to discuss finances with your partner beyond just setting an overall budget. You’ll need to break down the percentage allocated to each category, such as catering, florals, fashion, and more.
While there’s no shortage of advice on what to do and what not to do during wedding planning, it’s important to recognize that there are no concrete rules, especially when it comes to budgeting. Every couple’s financial situation and wedding priorities will be unique, which should give you some relief.
Fortunately, there are ways to rework your budget to pull off your dream wedding. For those who wonder where to save versus where to save, here are some Junebug vendor-approved strategies on where to save versus splurge on your wedding day.
Where to Save During Wedding Planning?
Save on Venue Costs by Choosing a Weekday or Off-Peak Date
Your venue plays an important role in our wedding theme and aesthetic. So, if you’ve found the perfect venue space but it’s a little outside your budget, skip the Saturday celebration for a weekday or Sunday wedding. Going with an off-peak time based on the local seasons will also save you the money you can allocate towards different wedding details.
Trim Your Guest List
Photographer Lynn Shapiro Photography suggests you can save money by trimming your guest list. By keeping your guest count on the smaller side, you can allocate more of your budget toward your photographer and other vendors, ensuring you have exactly what you want for your special day.
Skip Bridesmaids Proposals
Popping the question to your bridesmaids has become an internet sensation thanks to social media. With many going all out with full bridesmaid-themed boxes, this proposal isn’t cheap. But we’re here to remind you that you can skip the massive gift boxes and reallocate that money towards other wedding expenses. Saving this money at the beginning of your wedding planning journey will ensure you’re leaving room in your budget for unplanned finances down the line.
When it comes to decorating your ceremony space, there are so many details to consider. You have to think about the backdrop, seating, floral arrangements, signage, and so much more. That takes a lot of time, effort, and money. Replicating this effort for the reception just adds to the financial and planning stresses. To alleviate this, consider repurposing your ceremony decor for the reception.
For instance, your ceremony backdrop can serve as a charming sweetheart table backdrop. Bridesmaid’s bouquets can be used as centerpieces, adding a cohesive decor touch. Repurposing chairs around reception tables can reduce those rental costs. The possibilities are truly endless, and with the help of a planner, you can brainstorm more creative ways to repurpose decor.
Have a Limited Bar
Having a limited reception bar doesn’t mean resorting to a cash bar. You can still offer an open bar at your wedding, but choose to provide limited alcohol options. Consider offering beer and wine, forgoing the more expensive spirits. Additionally, some venues allow couples to purchase their own alcohol, providing another opportunity to save money. Although this may add another task to your wedding checklist, it can result in significant savings in the long run.
While you may envision a grand five-tiered wedding cake to share with all your guests, it might not be the most practical choice financially. Instead, consider opting for a smaller wedding cake to enjoy with your partner and for the cake-cutting photo. For guests, offer alternative dessert options such as donuts, s’mores, or other treats. This not only saves on costs but also adds a sense of variety.
Skip Physical Wedding Favors
Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on guest favors that may be left behind, consider investing that money into another must-have wedding detail. But what if you want to save this money but don’t want to skip favors? Get creative with some cost-effective ideas.
There are many special–and free–ideas to show your appreciation without breaking the bank. One of our favorites is to create a custom playlist for guests to remember your big day. This not only saves money but also provides guests with an enjoyable keepsake from your wedding.
Where to Splurge on Your Wedding Day?
Photographer and Videographer
It’s no surprise that photographers and videographers top our list of wedding splurges. Your wedding day is a special occasion filled with unforgettable moments, and hiring a top-notch photographer and videographer ensures that these moments are captured and preserved forever. By entrusting professionals, you can focus on soaking up those soon-to-be memories without the stress of trying to document every moment yourself.
Day-Of Coordinator or Wedding Planner
When it comes to recruiting planning help, you have two options: a wedding planner or a day-of coordinator. A wedding planner assists you throughout the entire planning process, from start to finish. A day-of coordinator typically steps in during the final weeks leading up to your big day to ensure everything runs smoothly. Regardless of which option you choose, do yourself a favor and splurge on this vendor.
Music and Entertainment
Music plays a crucial role in setting the tone for every aspect of a wedding day, which is why it’s on our splurge list. From the walk down the aisle to the first dance and mother-son dance, the right songs can enhance these important moments. While music will impact the overall vibe of the day, your choice of DJ or live music will also be responsible for getting your guests to hit the dance floor during the reception.
Splurge on Your Wedding Day with Food and Catering
When planning a wedding, it’s standard to provide a variety of food options for your guests. Your choice of food can impact the overall guest experience, and unfortunately, in the wedding industry, this isn’t cheap. So, whether you opt for a plated meal, buffet, or grab-and-go food truck options, it’s essential not to skimp on catering. This will save you from having a group of hungry guests hitting the dance floor with rumbling stomachs.
Setting a budget is typically one of the first wedding planning tasks you’ll take care of. Unfortunately, it’s all too common for couples to underestimate wedding costs. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you’re working with a tight budget.
To avoid this situation, it’s essential to have realistic budget expectations from the start. Understand where you want to save versus splurge on your wedding day. This will give you a better understanding of the wedding expenses involved and allow you to plan accordingly. So, before moving forward, check out our expected vs realistic wedding costs breakdown so there are no surprises down the line.
Ashley has family in Antigua, Guatemala, and when Brice visited for the first time, he fell in love with it, too–so it only made sense that the two tied the knot in one of their favorite places. Thanks to their incredible team of vendors, they achieved the classic tropical atmosphere they aimed for. Set in a restored luxury hacienda, their Villa Bokeh wedding featured a red and magenta color palette and tropical florals and decor that perfectly complemented the historic atmosphere of their venue.
One of the most memorable parts of the wedding was the venue, with its breathtaking gardens, patios, and intertwined ponds. The stunning courtyard ruins created an incredible setting for the couple’s heartfelt vows. But that’s not all. The outdoor reception in the garden was absolutely stunning. The tables were beautifully set with colorful centerpieces, and gorgeous chandeliers hung overhead, casting a romantic glow that perfectly matched the enchanting surroundings.
With guests coming from all corners of the globe to join in the celebrations, the couple infused their three-day extravaganza with their own unique style. They added personal touches inspired by Valentine’s Day to every moment, making their special day unforgettable. Photographer Manuel Aldana expertly captured the essence of their wedding, showcasing the magic of their love and celebration, so. if you’re looking for unconventional inspiration for your own big day, make sure not to miss experiencing the enchantment of theirs.
From Family Ties to Tropical Vibes: The Inspiration Behind Their Villa Bokeh Wedding
Brice and I knew Antigua, Guatemala, was the perfect wedding location for us. I still have family living in Guatemala, and as soon as Brice visited for the first time, he loved it. We decided to marry on Valentine’s Day and went for a classic, colorful, tropical feel. We chose magenta and red as our wedding colors and used them throughout the decor and details of our day. This created a beautiful contrast against the plaster, beige, tan, and brown ruins of Santa Clara Convento, where we got married, and Villa Bokeh, where we hosted our reception, dinner, and after-party.
Embracing Classic, Romantic, Playful Styles with Three Stunning Bridal Looks
I had always seen myself as a classic, timeless bride. My dress had a simple fitted silhouette, off-the-shoulder detail, open back with covered buttons, and for the ceremony, I wore a long veil with floral appliqué flowers–14 to be exact–to match our wedding date. My second dress for dinner and the reception was a slinky silk slip gown with a high slit, ruffled chiffon trim, and a train with a low back. It was perfect for our romantic dinner reception and looked beautiful for our first dance. My third and final look was out of the ordinary for me, but I loved it! I paired a red mini dress with floral lace appliqués with strappy pink sandals featuring a magenta pink flower. The look was perfect for a Valentine’s Day after-party, and I felt beautiful wearing a pop of red; my husband loved this dress.
Turning Their Villa Bokeh Wedding into a Memorable Haven Through a Unique Tablescape
Our florist brought our vision to life. For our dinner party, we had a horseshoe-shaped tablescape with vine-wrapped crystal chandeliers, hand-torn menus printed on recycled flower paper made by a local artisan from the Mercado, a wax stamp with our initials, and our signature magenta and red florals lining the tables. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it for the first time. Our vision exceeded my expectations. Most guests flew in from New York, Canada, Europe, and Miami. They knew nothing about Guatemala, so one of the most special parts of the wedding was bringing people to a place they would not usually visit without a reason. We planned everything from afar, and we loved every detail so much that there was not one thing we would change.
From Engagement to “I Do” in Three Months
Enjoy the process and go with the flow when things seem not working out exactly as you had envisioned. We planned our wedding in three months, got engaged in late August, chose Antigua, Guatemala as our location in September, and had our venue reserved by November and sent out save the dates right away. We had to sacrifice some things: we got married during the week, and Valentine’s Day was on a Tuesday, so most of our guests flew in on Sunday and stayed for the week. Weekends were completely booked at every venue we had considered so during the week was the only option for us if we wanted to get married in February 2023. Although I initially thought it was not ideal, getting married on February 14th, 2023, was so special.
Crafting a Three-Day Wedding Extravaganza
I am most proud of the details of all the events we planned for our guests. We hosted three days of celebrations for the wedding. On Monday, February 13th, we hosted a welcome party with typical Guatemalan food, a live music band playing salsa, and our best friends made speeches. There was a volcano erupting in the background while guests danced and mingled, which was something none of the guests had seen before. The 14th included Santa Clara Convento and Villa Bokeh, two stunning locations in Antigua, along with fireworks, pasta with Lorocco prepared byour chef at Villa Bokeh, plus choripan at midnight on the dance floor. On the 15th, we hosted a pool party at Villa Bokeh with a typical breakfast spread, a hot tortilla station, micheladas and caldo de gallina, a typical chicken broth soup, which is excellent after a night out, and mimosas. The pool party was a perfect way to end the three-day party.
Congratulations to Ashley and Brice on their tropical Villa Bokeh wedding inspired by Valentine’s Day. Many thanks to Manuel Aldana for capturing the beautiful moments and amazing details of this exciting celebration.
Craft an unforgettable wedding by venturing beyond the ordinary and embracing distinctive elements. If you and your partner aim for a wedding that mirrors your individuality, check out our guide for planning a personalized celebration. To guarantee flawless execution, entrust the coordination to a reliable team capable of seamlessly blending all the elements and transforming your vision into a reality.
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