Found this article, courtesy of Broke-Ass Bride. Thought it fit me and my blog pretty accurately. My comments/thoughts are in Purple!
Things to Avoid the Wedding-Industrial Complex. AKA Things you don't absolutely NEED to have for your nuptials!!
1. Formal Engagement Photos
The New York Times won’t print engagement photos unless the couple’s eyebrows “are arranged on exactly the . same level.” If you think about this policy, it makes perfect sense. After all, if you can’t play Sudoku on the brow lines, why bother? I'm give or take on this one - Formal Engagement pics aren't necessary, but they are always great pictures to have of you and your significant other, where you're not wearing a white gown and he's not in a tux. Something different and you can adjust what you what to fit your personality!
2. Diamond Wedding Bands
Too many rocks on the hand could mean too many rocks in the head. The diamonds on your engagement ring should be more than sufficient. Besides, extra rocks just mean more callouses on your palm. Too many diamonds. Not necessary. If it fits, go with it, but for me, it's too complicated, too much. Simplicity is best!
3. Cake Server Sets
Your manicured hands are going to cover those curvaceous and be-ribboned handles throughout the 10 seconds you’ll actually put the implements to use. It all comes down to whether you want to pay a couple hundred for engraved silver you’ll never use again. Seriously SERIOUSLY not worth the extra cash. What else will you ever use it for? Big waste of money.
4. Classy Guestbook and Pen Set
The only person who’s going to see the cover of the guestbook is the poor schmuck you corralled into saying, “Would you like to sign the guestbook?” Besides, those $100 pens never really work for more than 10 minutes. Cool idea, Do so as you please, but don't spend a fortune and formal guestbooks are so outdated and so impersonal. DIY. Come up with your own creative interpretation!
5. Bride and Groom Exchange Gifts
I thought your were giving each other the gift of yourselves. Silly me. If you really want to give something tangible, try a simple, heartfelt note written. Now that’s something worth treasuring. Not sure how I feel about this one. Gifts are always nice, but sometimes, the heartfelt note will do just the same!
6. Monogrammed Aisle Runner
Why walk on a carpet when you can walk all over your own names (or squiggly initials). A free-floating runner is just another obstacle to trip on as you trip your way down the aisle. LAME. Seriously, Don't do it. Nobody really cares that much!
7. Groom’s Cakes
Wedding cakes serve two purposes: They make great photo props and single ladies like to slime the undersides of their pillows in hopes of sweet dreams. What purpose does a groom’s cake serve besides lining the trash bin. along with the baker’s pocket? I say it's a do or a don't. If the groom is serious about the wedding planning and wants to have a part in it, and really wants to feel included, it's a good way to incorporate him. Knock yourself out. Otherwise, don't do it just for fun. Too much cake that you'll be eating for months afterwards!
8. Padded Guest Lists
Sure it took a village to raise you, but does the entire village need to attend your wedding? Whatever, do with nametags as you will!
9. Wedding Planners
Some venues require brides hire wedding planners, which suggests they’re getting a huge kick-back. Some planners are worth their weight in gold, but others create more headaches and chaos. (Remember semi-hysterical Anthony Marantino from “Sex in the City?”). Ha, in my never ending search to be an event planner, I completely disagree. Take the burden off yourself, so you can enjoy your day with (Hopefully!) no disasters. Wedding planning simply want you to have the day of your life and for you to enjoy it as a whole. We try not to be a mountain of chaos!
10. Limousines
Sure it’s fun to stand up in the sun roof and shout “woo-woo,” and it’s cool to legally drink in a super-stretched car, but it’s a lot cheaper to just pack a whiskey flask in your purse and borrow a friend’s sedan. 50/50
11. Videos
Videos are more than expensive, they’re dangerous in the wrong hands. Remember the bride who ended up on YouTube after the clumsy best man shoved her into the pool? Thankfully, the videographer was facing the wrong way when her dress slipped to waist level.
Years after the wedding, many couples say they’d much rather have spent the money on professional still photos than a video they seldom watch. While videos are cool, pictures are so much worth the cash. You can almost get the same thing from expressions!
12. Engraved Invitations
Hang the expense. Collating all that paper is exhausting. There’s the engraved wedding invite; the totally unnecessary tissue paper; the engraved reception invite; the engraved RSVP card; and possibly a SASE RSVP envelope. All are stuffed in a spiffy envelope that you then have to stamp and hand address.
Unless they have a vested interest, people look at all that paper for a few seconds, send back the response card — if you’re lucky — and toss out the rest. Invitations are the first impression, I say go with what you want and sometimes, it's worth the cash to get people excited. If it's a lame, boring invite. People generally put their expectations low and will RSVP accordingly! Well, unless you're family, or super-close friends. But the on-the-fence people will respond accordingly!
13. Rented Tuxedos
Have you ever known a little boy who dreams of growing up to look like a penguin? Pish Posh. Do as you and your fiance/e feel! Tuxedos are definitely handsome, but so is a regular suit and tie!
14. Personalized Matches
Unless you hang out with a lot of smokers, tokers and/or candle freaks, these suckers are going in the trash. Ew, and holy old school. Don't even try this.
15. Matching Bridesmaids Dresses
Let your bridesmaids wear any dress in their closet and you’ll still be speaking after the wedding. Every bride should be forced to watch “27 Dresses.” Every bride is different. I know I imagine both different and the same for different reasons. You never know until you have to plan the shindig.
16. Make-Up Professionals
Rule number one: The skin on your face should match the skin on your arms and back.
Rule number two: Your fiance is marry you, not the make-up artist.
Rule number three: It’s a lot cheaper to visit a department store make-up counter for a make-over. Just be sure to buy something when you’re finished, like a base color that matches your skin tone. Whatever, sometimes it just is nice to get your make-up done by professionals and to have everybody look their best. However, if it's a matter of meeting your budget or not, it should be one of the first things to go.
17. Bustles
Is baby desperate to get back — to the late 1800s? If you want to catch a train, call Amtrak. Depends, traditional or modern? Different dress at the reception or not? Your dress may not even need a bustle. Irrelevant. Moving on...
18. Expensive Shoes
Listen up. NOBODY CAN SEE YOUR FEET UNDER THE DRESS! Unless you’re wearing a cocktail gown, of course. Then go hog wild. Agreed. But if you want to go for the big bang effect - color my friends. Color. But nobody cares if you're wearing Louboutin's or not!
19. Wedding Favors
Personalized tote bags; sterling silver bubble tubes; soy candles in cunning bags; monogrammed M&Ms, water bottles and lip balm…stop me before I vomit cash. Hehe right? My cousin gave away the centerpieces for her tables. It was a mad dash, but nobody really seems to care if they receive a favor from your wedding. They're there to celebrate your marriage right? Shouldn't that be gift enough?
20. Dry Cleaning the Wedding Dress
Like you’re EVER going to wear it again. (Thanks to MyExWeddingDress.com for the photo.) Not sure. Depends on dirtiness. But, you're seriously never going to wear it again, regardless of the memories. Let the stains be memories also!
Things Upon Which I Order You To Spend Money
1. Professional Photographers
Trust me: Uncle Fred or brother-in-law Ed can not take photos “as good as any of those fancy-pants professionals.” Pay a pro and you’ll never regret it. Goodness, hire two! You don't want to miss any moment of this! Even the ones you can't be a part of because you're greeting so many people!
2. A Divorce Dance Video
Just in case things don’t work out, follow the example of the couple who created a divorce video patterned after “Jill and Kevin’s Wedding Entrance Dance,” viewed 52 million times on YouTube and featured on The Office and the Today Show. Well, whatever floats your boat!
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