Real advice from our community
When you're planning a wedding, it can feel impossible to know where your wedding budget should actually go. Some expenses feel essential in the moment, while others quickly add up and leave couples wondering if they were really necessary.
So we asked our community a simple question:
What was actually worth it on your wedding day… and what wasn’t?
The responses were honest, practical and sometimes a little surprising. If you're currently planning your wedding and trying to prioritise your wedding spending, this might help.
Wedding Expenses That Were Worth It
Photographer
This was the most common answer by far.
Couples said their wedding photographer was one of the best investments they made. Long after the wedding day is over, your photos are what bring those memories back.
Your wedding day goes by incredibly fast, and having beautiful photos to look back on is something couples said they will never regret.
Videographer & Content Creator
Alongside photography, many couples said hiring a wedding videographer or wedding content creator was completely worth it.
Video captures the moments photos can’t - the speeches, laughter, movement and emotion of the day. It allows couples to relive their wedding day again and again.
Accommodation With Your Closest Friends
One couple shared that booking accommodation with their closest friends for the whole wedding weekend was one of the best decisions they made.
Instead of the celebration lasting just one day, it turned into days of celebrating together with their favourite people.
Confetti
Confetti might seem like a small detail when planning your ceremony, but many couples said it ended up being one of their favourite moments of the entire day.
Not only does it create an incredible ceremony exit, but it also produces some of the most joyful and iconic wedding photos and videos.
Celebrant
A great wedding celebrant can completely transform your ceremony.
Many couples admitted they underestimated how meaningful their ceremony would actually be. Having a celebrant who made the ceremony personal and engaging made it one of the most memorable parts of the day.
Parasols & Fans for Outdoor Weddings
Couples who had outdoor weddings said providing parasols and paper fans for guests was one of their smartest decisions.
They looked beautiful in photos and guests genuinely appreciated having some shade during the ceremony.
Live Band
Many couples said hiring a live band created an incredible atmosphere during the reception.
The energy of live music got almost everyone onto the dance floor and made the celebration feel even more special than simply playing a playlist.
Wedding Coordinator
Several couples said hiring a wedding coordinator or day-of coordinator was worth every cent.
Instead of worrying about timelines, vendors and logistics, couples could relax and enjoy the day knowing someone was managing everything behind the scenes.
Disposable Film Cameras for Guests
Disposable film cameras were another surprisingly popular “worth it” expense.
Many couples said some of their favourite photos from the day actually came from these cameras. They capture the wedding from your guests’ perspective rather than the photographer’s, which often results in more candid and spontaneous moments.
One couple also mentioned putting the cameras out as soon as guests arrived, not just at the reception. That meant they ended up with photos from every stage of the day - pre-ceremony excitement, cocktail hour, party moments and everything in between. The result is a collection of fun, unfiltered moments that capture the day exactly as it felt.
Wedding Expenses Couples Regretted
Inviting Everyone
One of the most common regrets was having a larger guest list than necessary.
Several couples said that looking back, there were people they invited simply out of obligation rather than genuinely wanting them there.
Hiring an Inexperienced DJ
Some couples tried to save money by hiring a friend of a friend as their DJ, but many said this didn’t work out as planned.
A professional wedding DJ knows how to read the room, build energy and keep the dance floor going all night.
Printed Save the Dates & Invitations
Many couples said if they were planning their wedding again, they would choose digital invitations instead of printed ones.
Digital invites are easier to manage, more affordable and far simpler when collecting RSVPs.
Too Many Flowers
While couples loved their florals, some admitted they probably overdid it with wedding flowers.
Many said they would still splurge on their bridal bouquet and ceremony flowers, but would focus more on repurposing arrangements rather than adding lots of reception florals.
Wedding Favours
This came up again and again.
Many couples said their wedding favours were left on tables or forgotten by guests. Instead, they wished they had spent that budget on a more fun interactive experience for their guests.
A Large Bridal Party
A few couples said that, looking back, they probably wouldn’t have had an official bridal party at all.
While it’s lovely to include close friends, bridal parties often come with a lot of additional costs - outfits, hair and makeup, gifts and transport. Those expenses can add up quickly.
Several couples said they would instead keep things simple and just have their closest friends get ready with them on the morning of the wedding, without the pressure or cost of formal roles.
The biggest takeaway from our community?
Spend money on the things that help you experience and remember the day, and worry less about the tiny details that guests may never notice.
Because when you look back on your wedding, it’s the moments that matter most.
