The average US wedding costs almost $30k, according to Zola’s recent in depth survey, but engaged couples worldwide are always looking for ways to save on their wedding expenses. And with good reason! Life is expensive, and your financial situation will remain with you long after the wedding day has come and gone.

There’s nothing wrong with the desire to save money, but when it comes to weddings there’s an awful lot at stake. It’s important to make sure you’re going about it the right way to save yourselves, and your guests, from a painful lesson. Today, we’re going to focus on what items you should never skimp on to save your wedding budget, and why…and provide a few suggestions for ways you can safely cut corners without compromising quality and your wedding memories.

What You Should Never Skimp On to Save Your Wedding Budget | Wedding Photographer in Kansas City

DIY brides and weddings have been around for as long as weddings as we know them have been taking place. However, over the years, DIY weddings have evolved to a very different matter than the DIY weddings that were commonplace just 15 years ago. Today’s DIY bride and groom are focused on very different things.

The modern DIY wedding couple are focused on the overall experience of their guests. They want to fashion creative favors and custom centerpieces that incorporate their personalities and history. Their focus is less on DIY floral arrangements or DIY-ing their cake, and more on intimate details like keepsakes woven into their bouquet, unique wedding photo booth props or backdrops, custom light signs, DIY grand exit ideas, signature drinks and more.

Wedding Photographer in Kansas City

I’ve photographed hundreds of weddings at this point, and my experience has revealed there are a number of wedding details you should never skimp on to save money. From elopements, to small weddings, to standard weddings and large weddings, and every point in between, I’ve been blessed with a birds eye view of it all. I’ve photographed entirely DIY weddings, weddings crafted by professionals from start to finish, and every combination in the middle, and the takeaways I’ve picked up I’m passing along to you today.

Groom dips bride in kiss during their grand exit amid bubbles outside the chapel at The Brim in Kansas City. © Merry Ohler, Wedding Photographer Kansas City

Don’t cut corners by diy-ing your wedding photography or videography.

“We had a terrible experience with our wedding photography. We were young and didn’t have a lot of money, and the wedding photos we got from our photographer were just awful. It’s been such a sad thing for me all these years, and this year is our ten year anniversary. We want to hire you and take the wedding photos we really wanted for our anniversary this year.”

Yes, I’m a wedding photographer in Kansas City, but even if I weren’t, this would be at the top of my list. The number of times clients have shared this with me would surprise you, and while I’m always thankful to have work and to help, it’s such a sadness to me that their original wedding memories weren’t preserved in a meaningful way.

When the strains of music have faded, the plates have been cleared, the guests have gone home and the dress is tucked away, the two of you will have only the memories of your sparkling day.

Groom dips bride below the bell tower of the chapel at The Brim in Kansas City on a rainy day. © Merry Ohler, Wedding Photographer Kansas City.

Your wedding photos and video are priceless, and even if you book an anniversary shoot later, they simply can’t be replicated. These are the tangible memories of the beginning of your family. Memories you’ll pass down to your children, and your children’s children.

I can’t count the number of times couples have contacted me to let me know how much their photos mean to them, and how they are so happy to have a beautiful record of the memories they made with their loved ones. There have been many times my photos have contained the last professional images of an aging parent or grandparent. While my heart breaks for those who’ve lost loved ones, I’m so happy my couples have beautiful images to share with their families, and to help them honor the memory of those who’ve passed.

Wedding photography can be one of the more expensive elements of your wedding, but it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for. Choosing a photography student, or someone who is just beginning to get their feet wet in wedding photography may save you some money at the outset, but at what cost? If there are lighting challenges, or if there is a camera malfunction, or issue with any portion of your wedding day experience, an amateur or hobby photographer will not be equipped to pivot and professionally accommodate the shift. Wedding photography involves far more than just someone who understands the technical components of photography.

Professional wedding photographers and videographers have backup gear, backup SD cards, and the experience and knowledge required to think fast and still get the shot. By all means, help out your friend who wants to become a photographer and book them for your mini session, or family photos, but your wedding is not the time to hire an inexperienced photographer.

Your wedding photographer and videographer are recording and telling the story of your wedding day through images and video. This requires finely honed technical skills, but it also requires the heart and mind of a professional storyteller. These are abilities and skills that require years of experience, intentionality, intensive training and investment into their craft.

Bride and groom dance in the middle of the dance floor in the chapel at The Brim in Kansas City. © Merry Ohler, Wedding Photographer in Kansas City.

Don’t skimp on the DJ or band for your wedding reception.

I will never forget the panicked look in my bride’s eyes when she clutched my arm and hissed, “PLEASE come dance with us!” She was feeling desperate. Their venue was gorgeous, and every detail of their wedding was perfectly planned. The food had been exquisite, and the location featured an incredible deck overlooking the Power and Light District in Kansas City.

But no one was dancing, except the bride and a few people she had pulled out to the dance floor.

Their DJ was kind and professional, but he just wasn’t reading the crowd or vibe. He played one Elvis song after the next. The guests were a mixture of ages, but the majority were in their 20’s and 30’s, and guests were just standing around talking or leaving because the music wasn’t cutting it.

One of my favorite parts of a wedding day is the wedding reception. The main “tasks” of the day are finished, and everyone is able to relax, celebrate and let their hair down. But with the wrong DJ or reception entertainment, all your hard work can fall flat.

Check out prices. But also read reviews, and interview your potential DJ. Ask your DJ to talk to you about how he or she steers the night. If you know you don’t want any “Chicken Dance” or dated music beyond a few crowd pleasers, make sure to note if the DJ you’re considering seems to lean into those types of music, and have that conversation in advance. Don’t be afraid to make a list of songs you don’t want played at your wedding reception, and provide some inspiration playlists to give your DJ a better idea of what you want.

Don’t try to save by hiring the cheapest caterer or wedding cake baker you can find.

The groom beckoned me closer with a forced smile. I noticed the fear in his eyes with confusion, then glanced back at the cake he and his new bride were beginning to cut into. My heart jumped to my throat; I immediately saw the issue.

The four tier wedding cake (not the one pictured above!) looked fine from the front, but from the side it was obvious it wasn’t supported properly. The whole thing had begun to collapse in on itself. It would only be a matter of time before three layers of cake fell off the table and onto the floor. I mouthed a silent prayer of thanks that I had been able to photograph the cake before it met certain demise, snapped a couple of photos and motioned the bride and groom aside as I hurriedly flagged the wedding coordinator for help.

It can be tempting to choose the cheapest option possible for catering, or your wedding cake, but keep in mind what you’re sacrificing, or who will be sacrificing if you go that route. Wedding reception food and dessert can be a significant portion of your wedding budget, but remember that no matter how beautiful your ceremony and venue were, if your guests get food poisoning due to a shoddy job, that will be the primary memory they’ll carry from your wedding.

Instead, check out a number of wedding caterers (and wedding dessert vendors) before you make your decision. Sample their work. Read their reviews. Find out exactly what is provided with their services. Do they deliver to your venue? Do they provide buffet service or plated service? Do they provide staff to serve? Do they box up leftovers for you?

For the wedding cake, will they deliver the cake and set it up for you? Do they provide utensils to cut the cake, or do you need to provide those? Do they stay on site until the cake cutting to help you with that?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions before selecting your vendors - it’s far better to avoid the headache of running into unmet expectations later.

Kansas City Wedding Photographer

Don’t skip thank you’s.

Gratitude is important, and even if you practice it from day to day, you need to be sure to express your gratitude to your guests, wedding party and spouse on your wedding day. For the sake of time, it can be tempting to skip right over welcoming your guests to the wedding reception, but please do not. Rather, take a few moments to plan what you’ll say, and keep it short and sweet.

In an increasingly digital world, it can be tempting to skip mailing thank you cards to your guests after the wedding, but don’t make this mistake. Don’t skimp on your thank you’s. Handwrite a special, specific note to each person who gave you a wedding gift, and mail them between one to three months after the wedding. Don’t forget, wedding gifts may be received up to one year after the wedding, and you should send a thank you card for each gift you receive.

Don’t choose shoes based solely on the price - or style.

This one might surprise you, but the truth is, your feet matter! You’ll be on your feet for the majority of your wedding day, and skimping on your shoes will cause more than pain and discomfort. Cheap shoes won’t provide you with the necessary support and comfort needed to make it through the day without blisters and aching heels. If your ceremony shoes hit the mark style-wise but are very uncomfortable, choose a second pair of shoes to change into later. At the end of the day (and the whole week afterward) you’ll be so glad you did!