When times are hard as they are right now, it's difficult to spend any money on a wedding, but just because times are tough, it doesn't mean that you can't have a great one. All you need is to prioritize your expenses. I'm about to tell you the truth about weddings, as I have seen them, in my 18 years of DJ'ing weddings. Here we go!
There are only 4 items that people are going to remember about your wedding, and perhaps the next four questions, uppermost in the minds of your family and guests, might come as a shock to you. These are the things you should spend your money on:
* How Did The Bride Looked?
Sorry Grooms. While you could look quite dashing in your Tuxedo, everyone is there to see the Bride, especially all the women in attendance, who are eager to see her. With that in mind, your Hair, Makeup, Wedding Dress and Jewelry (wedding ring, necklace, etc.) plays an integral first impression on how your wedding will be remembered.
* Did We Have Enough to Drink?
This does not mean that you have to host an open bar all night long. The normal mistake is NOT providing a Cash bar. Keep in mind that a venue makes lots of money on alcohol, and when a wedding doesn't have a Bar, they tack on that lost revenue to their meals. So, if you offered free soft drinks, and perhaps wine during dinner (some venues will allow you to bring your own wines, and add a small corkage fee per bottle), plus a Cash bar for Beer and Cocktails, your guests won't complain that you were skimping on drinks. And since the guests paid for their hard liquor, they are responsible for their own actions!
* Did We Have Enough to Eat?
Most Weddings don't run on time. Something always occurs to delay the proceedings, and now that you know that fact, there's no reason to stress out should that happen to your wedding. Most of the family members, plus a few close friends, usually attend the Wedding Ceremony; the rest of the guests go directly to the Reception's location, waiting for you to arrive. Imagine sitting there, with no food and no drinks (see above). Minutes seem like hours, and the longer the guests wait, the faster they will leave you after dinner!
Providing Hors D'oeuvres, plus the typical Cheese & Crackers selection and/or a Fruit Bar, will go a long way in keeping your guests comfortable while waiting. And, since you had all that food at the beginning, it could offer you some cost savings, allowing you to select a less expensive main dinner entree. If you think a Buffet dinner is the cheapest way to go, locations got wise to Buffets years ago, and now their cost is nearly the same as a Sit-down dinner, so there's no savings there. Now, make your Cake the meal's only dessert, and that move alone will save you a ton of money!
* Did We Have a Good Time?
Here is where many Brides & Grooms make a fatal mistake: by deciding to hire a cheap, inexperienced DJ due to a lack of money in their budgets, and this person proceeds to destroy the only chance of making their first steps together, a memorable one. This is the spot where a professional DJ truly shines, and when I say professional, I mean an experienced wedding DJ, who has and plays the music you want... that can engage your guests to enjoy themselves... and that can coordinate their services with your venue's personnel, for a smooth and flawless celebration. After all, isn't your Reception's party the time to celebrate your marriage, and have fun? Remember that you won't have the chance to do it over, if the evening happens to go bad.
You might be asking yourself, what about the rest? Where do invitations, flowers, favors, location, etc., and other wedding vendors come in? Those are all Bride & Groom's "wants" not "needs." It doesn't matter if you splurged on the most expensive invitations, freshest flowers, delicious favors, gorgeous location, beautiful pictures and/or video, etc., because if any of the above 4 questions are not satisfactorily answered in your guests' mind, they'll always recall your wedding as not being a good one.
Of course, I'm biased toward the "good time" part, because I feel that's the icing on the entertainment cake of a great party. If I strive to do the best job I can for my clients, they, and their guests, will remember that occasion forever. I'm honored when my clients brag about my DJ services to others, years after their weddings have passed. Do yourself a favor, and hire a professional!
Now that you know the truth about weddings, I hope that you wisely spend your money in the things that family, guests, and you, will remember the most!