Wedding planning and my top 10 tips for planning and budgeting your day

Wedding planning tips

You may be right at the very beginning of your wedding planning journey, or perhaps you’re halfway through and feeling completely overwhelmed. Your mind is boggled with where to start, what really matters, and how best to spend your hard‑saved wedding budget on this huge life celebration.

I’ve been photographing weddings for the last 15 years, and in that time I’ve been part of hundreds and hundreds of weddings – big, small, relaxed, luxurious, eco, rustic and everything in between. Being there all day means I get a front‑row seat to what works brilliantly, what guests truly remember, and what can sometimes be a bit of a waste of money and never really gets noticed.

Obviously, this is purely my own opinion, based on personal experience – but I do think after all these years I’ve gained a pretty good insight into what really adds value to your day.

10 of the best & most memorable things to do on your wedding day

1. Personal vows – FREE

Hands down one of the most emotional and memorable parts of the day.

2. A private first look – FREE

Just the two of you, away from everyone else. Calm, grounding and incredibly special – and often one of my favourite moments to photograph.

3. A brilliant photographer – not free

If you love photos, this one matters. Long after the day is over, your photographs are what you’ll have left.

4. A song to walk into your reception

Get everyone clapping, cheering, waving napkins and making noise. It sets the tone instantly – and it’s completely FREE.

5. Confetti… and lots of it

Don’t hold back. Confetti looks amazing, feels joyful and creates some of the most celebratory images of the day.

6. Bringing your pets

Free if they’re well behaved – or hire a dog nanny to keep things stress‑free. Guests absolutely love this.

7. A vintage car

I’m a sucker for an old car. It made my own wedding day feel incredibly special and adds such a sense of occasion to arrivals and photos.

8. A brilliant band

Not cheap, but so worth it if you love music and want a proper party. A great band lifts the entire evening.

9. Letting the day flow naturally

The most memorable weddings are the ones that aren’t over‑scheduled. Build in breathing space and enjoy it.

10. A champagne tower

So much fun and fantastic to photograph – all for the cost of a few bottles and always guaranteed to get a cheer.

10 wedding things that might not be worth it (in my opinion)

Again, this is absolutely not about judgement – just honest insight from seeing weddings play out in real life.

1. Wedding favours

I’m never quite sure anyone really notices them. They’re often left behind at the end of the night. Save your money unless it’s something truly meaningful.

2. Fancy, expensive high heels

They rarely get seen in photos and are usually kicked off straight after the ceremony. Comfort always wins.

3. Sparklers at the very end of the night

Everyone’s had a few drinks and it can actually be pretty dangerous. If you love sparklers, do them at twilight – they look far better and feel much calmer.

4. Inviting guests you don’t really want there

Out of pressure or obligation… nope. Just NO. It’s your day and your money – spend it on people who truly matter.

5. Content creation as an extra supplier

Your friends already have iPhones and will be filming all day anyway. Ask one social‑media‑loving friend to capture clips, it doesn’t need to be a paid add‑on.

6. Dessert and a wedding cake

That’s a lot of sweet food. Most guests won’t eat both. Use your cake as dessert and keep things simple. (Unless you’re having a cheese cake… then that’s different!)

7. Making a playlist to save money on a band or DJ

It sounds like a great idea, but it can be surprisingly stressful. Do you really want to manage music on your wedding night?

8. Booking too many suppliers

Remember – you’ll need to speak to all of them, be in photos with them, videos, drawings, magic tricks… it can become overwhelming. Choose a few you truly love and let the rest go.

9. Over‑styling everything

Lots of little details that take hours to set up and barely get noticed once guests arrive. Simple is often far more impactful.

10. Trends you don’t actually love

If you’re doing something purely because it’s fashionable – and it doesn’t feel like you – it probably won’t add much to your day.

Final thoughts

Your wedding doesn’t need more. It needs meaning, breathing space and choices that feel true to you. Spend your money on the things that make you feel something – and let go of the rest.

If you’re planning a relaxed, joy‑filled wedding (especially here in Devon or on Dartmoor), I’d love to be there to capture it.

Drop me a line and see if I can help you