Happy Monday everyone!  It’s the beginning of a new year, and if you’re a 2019 bride, that means it’s FINALLY your wedding year!  I remember when it was finally our wedding year (2016).  There was a mix of excitement and freaking out all of the same time.  So, I just want to extend a little encouragement your way.  When I was planning my wedding, I either wasn’t listening or didn’t have enough people telling me this, so listen up: Don’t let wedding planning overwhelm you!  Delegate tasks, and take days off from wedding planning whenever it feels like too much.  I even wrote a blog post with suggestions on how to take a day off from wedding planning, that you can read here.

For those of you who still have some planning to do, I wanted to share some ideas that I think will be helpful.  For most brides out there, the budget is limited.  Your money only goes so far.  Today I’m sharing tips on how to make your wedding look more high-end.  This isn’t about telling you what’s most important on your wedding day, but which elements will most impact the look and feel of your wedding.

Let’s get started!

1. Florals

   If you scroll through wedding images, one of the first things you notice are the florals!  The bride holds her bouquet all day long, so it completely sets the tone.  Florals are one of my favorite parts of the wedding day.  Spend your floral budget on a gorgeous bouquet for you and the bridal party.  Go for an elegant and simple look by skipping floral centerpieces, and doing a variety of candelabras or glass vases with candles instead.  A few of my brides did this last year, and I loved it! Last year, a friend of mine actually grew some of her florals for the big day!

2. Venue 

   Location.  Location.  Location.   Consider having your wedding during the off-season, or during a day other than Saturday to save on the cost of your venue.  This saves a lot of money, and allows you to have the exact same location without the price.  For example, a premium venue in Louisville, Kentucky may charge $4,200 for a wedding in the Fall.  However, that same venue only charges $1,500 on a weekday.

3. The Dress 

   It goes without saying how important the wedding dress is.  A bride should be wearing her vision of the most perfect dress possible on her wedding day- it will be in almost all of the wedding photos.  You can get a designer dress at a budget price- shop trunk shows, browse secondhand stores, and keep an eye out for sales at boutique shops.  Plan well in advance so you have plenty of time to browse and find the right one, at the right price.

4. Centerpieces

   I’m not a wedding planner or decorator of any sort, but I do know how important centerpieces are, and how quickly they can make your wedding feel and look more high-end.  Height, varying heights, glass, candles, and greenery are all quick, cheaper ways to make your wedding look more high end.  Ryan and I had a sunset backyard wedding.  We wanted A LOT of candles (when I say “we”, I guess I mean “me” because he was happy with anything).  I bought a ridiculous amount of candles from the Dollar Tree!  It’s also where we bought glass vases.

5. Photography

   Of course I have to mention this one!  The fastest way to make your wedding look more high end is to hire a high quality wedding photographer.  A good wedding photographer can capture beautiful photos in almost any circumstance.  I’m not saying we can work magic, but this is the best way to make your wedding look even better than it did in person.  The earlier you book your photographer, the better.  Not only are we are a great resource for you when planning, but you lock in the lowest price.

I hope you found this post helpful!  I just love when things look expensive when they really aren’t, or when you find an amazing deal- it’s just exciting.  What better way to enjoy your wedding day than to know it was money well-spent.