We all have a budget we have to stick by. So here are some of the things you should not skimp on to make the most out of your budget & day!
Your DJ!
A great DJ is at the top of my list for a number of reasons but the biggest being is they can make or break your reception.
Seriously they are the life of the party & even party people won't be able to get down without someone in the corner hyping them up.
And another great thing about having a professional DJ is they help keep things on track & moving! As someone who attends weddings as a career trust me when I say this is not something, you want to skimp on. Now here are some tips I have to help find a great DJ or maybe help stick to your budget.
Ask your vendors.
We are constantly working with new & different vendors every week, & love to work with ones that make our jobs easier (such as making the guests happy & dancing!) so we definitely keep only the greatest in mind when recommending them to you.
Book in off-seasons.
Some wedding vendors offer discounts for off-season and they also sometimes offer discounts for booking a year or two ahead, but at the very least this can help you lock in a price.

Your Photographer!
Now yes, I am being a little biased here.
But at the end of the day & all the days following, your photos are what's going to be left to help you remember all of the blood, sweat, & tears you put into making your day so special. And having a photographer that you love & makes you feel beautiful while dealing with all the craziness is key.
I often see people try to tighten their budgets here because "everyone has a phone & will be taking pictures.", well they're right a lot of people will be taking photos but the truth is those photos may be blurred, and grainy, or just unflattering. So by hiring a cheap & inexperienced photographer you run the risk of paying for photos that don't look much different than your guest's photos.
Sadly, something I see every day is where someone purchases a $200 camera & literally jumps right into wedding photography with no clue what they're doing, leaving the brides & grooms with everything to lose.
As wedding photographers, we put years of work, $1,000s of dollars, & more into this profession knowing that which each wedding we shoot we get only one 1 shot because there are no redos so you have to know where to be & when, what would be the optimal setting for hundreds of different lighting situations often with only a few moments to adjust, all while trying to stay out of the way of guests.
But we all have a budget & sometimes a $2,000+ photographer doesn't match that, & I fully understand that so here's what I suggest.
Hire a photographer for fewer hours.
For most wedding days photographers are not really needed past 6 hours, so instead of going for a 10-hour package lower it down a few.
Only hire 1 shooter.
I hate suggesting this because 2 shooters offer so much more & are very valuable to, but sometimes it can take a good chunk off of a package.
Look for Payment Plans.
A lot of photographers myself included offer payment plans that fit your needs, keep in mind in the long run you will be paying a little more due to tax but for some being able to make a payment each week, month, etc... is easier than trying to pay in lump sums.

Second Shooting for Brittany Hawkins Photography