Luxury Wedding Features for the Budget Conscious Couple

When wedding planning on a budget, it’s easy to get tempted by all of the magazines and blogs, showcasing beautiful events planned by celebrity planners. Hosting your reception on the French Riviera at Hotel Du Cap might be out of reach, but there are many elements that might seem like a luxury but can still be had with just a few minor tweaks.

Photo Booth

Of course you can always hang a bed sheet and put your point-and-shoot on a tripod for a makeshift photo booth but then you’re just trading money for time, and with photos, you don’t want DIY results. There are still ways to have a professional booth and attendant at your wedding if you just know what to look for. Many booths now offer a paperless gallery; all photos for your event are available to all your guests online, and since there is no printing that cost savings is passed on to you. The open style photo booths often have a lower price point as well, because they don’t require all of the setup or larger vehicles for transport, as the traditional booths. A company like Flicker Stage fits the bill here and turns out pictures with some amazing quality to boot!

Decor

Part of saving money on decor is choosing a look that can be had on the cheap. While browsing for inspiration, take note of the materials used.  While an elaborate reception hall decorated with floating Chinese fans and paper lanterns might have cost Lisa Ling a fortune to have imported from Los Angeles’ Chinatown for her New York wedding, you can borrow from her design. Once a general theme has been decided on, you can start looking for cheaper alternatives. In the paper Chinese decorations example, Etsy comes to mind or even ordering right from China can be surprisingly economical. Be wary of too much DIY for your wedding.  Remember, your time is also a commodity, and if you’re spending weeks with Elmers glue and decorated sheets of paper making accordion folds, how much did you really save?

Entertainment

Who wouldn’t want a Michael Buble cocktail hour, Vienna Philharmonic playing during dinner, followed by a night of dueling pianos with Billy Joel and Elton John? The bill for that show would take the average couple a forfeited honeymoon and a lifetime of Ramen Noodles to pay off. For an unforgettable experience, rely on your personal network. There is no shortage of great groups and cover bands that just want to be heard. For no more than a few beers, from the cash bar, some really great talent can be had. If by some misfortune no one you know has a brother in a band or a sister that jams, you can always start hitting up the local “Battle of the Bands” to start scoping out the local talent. It will be the most fun wedding planning you’ll do!

This blog was written by Damien Hutchins of Flicker Stage, the photo studio that you control.  An advanced photo booth experience, available for all events in the Dallas Fort Worth area.  Contact them at contact@flickerstage.com or 214-810-1997.