Practical Purchases
Practical Purchases
This section is about spending wisely – knowing where to splurge versus save, and clever alternatives that can save money or hassle. Based on our experience:
Don’t Buy What You Can Rent (or Borrow): For example, table linens. It’s usually not worth purchasing your own tablecloths – they arrive creased and you’ll have to pay ~$14 each to get them pressed (or spend hours ironing them). Renting linens from a vendor ensures they come clean and pressed, and you won’t be stuck with dozens of tablecloths afterward. Likewise, check our Décor Borrowing List for items we can lend you before you spend money buying or renting them elsewhere.
Use Venue Extras Instead of Hauling Your Own:** Rixey Manor provides a lot of the little things you might be tempted to buy – snack baskets, irons and steamers, votive candle holders, extra vases, scissors, lighters, and more are on-site. You do not need to purchase or pack these. We likely have it here for you! If you’re not sure, just ask us.
Consider Disposable Serveware for Casual Meals: If you’re doing a very casual food setup (for instance, a food truck reception or next-day brunch), it can be practical to use nice disposables. For example, some couples buy coordinated disposable plate sets from Amazon for the food truck dinner, so that all the food is on cohesive-looking plates without the cost of renting china. (You can even have those shipped directly to the Manor ahead of time.)
Buy All Your Alcohol in One Go: Since Rixey Manor allows you to bring your own alcohol (and save money that way), take advantage by purchasing your beer, wine, and liquor in bulk and dropping it all off in one trip. This saves a ton of loading/unloading effort. We’ll have you stack the alcohol in the bar room when you drop it off; our staff will set up the bar and let you know if anything is missing. Anything unopened can often be returned to the store after the wedding – check with your supplier.
Don’t Skimp on Lighting Ambiance: One thing that is worth a little extra: candles and party lights. In the ballroom and reception areas, candles (in enclosed holders) are an inexpensive way to create a beautiful glow. Similarly, if your DJ offers fun dance floor lighting, use it! A little party lighting can transform the vibe and is usually included or low-cost. Don’t miss out on that energy.
Use Real Petals (Skip the Fake Stuff): If you’re planning a petal toss or decorating with flower petals, use real or biodegradable petals. Silk petals might seem cheaper, but we do not allow them outdoors (they don’t biodegrade and can create a mess). Real petals not only look better, they’ll also make cleanup easier (and no guilt about the environment). The same goes for things like confetti – paper or eco-friendly confetti only, no plastic.
Shuttles Are Worth It: We strongly encourage hiring shuttles to transport guests. It’s an added expense that provides huge peace of mind. Without shuttles, you could be liable if someone drives home intoxicated, and on the flip side, providing transportation makes your guests feel truly taken care of. (See Shuttle Planning for more tips.)
Be Realistic with DIY Projects: DIY décor or florals can save money, but only if you have the time and help to execute them. For example, doing your own flowers isn’t always the money-saver people expect – fresh flowers can cost almost as much wholesale, and arranging them for a big event can take 3–5 people an entire day. Often, by the time you add up costs, a professional florist may charge about the same. So if you’re considering DIY, get a quote from a florist first and maybe do a trial run of arranging. If you do proceed with DIY flowers, have a clear plan and prep as much as possible before you arrive at Rixey for the wedding weekend (there won’t be much time or cooler space on the day-of). In general, pick DIY projects carefully so they don’t become more stress than they’re worth.
“Would I Miss It as a Guest?” Rule: A helpful rule of thumb: before spending money on an extra detail, ask “If I were a guest at someone else’s wedding, would I notice or miss this?”. If the answer is no (for example, bathroom welcome baskets or ceremony programs for a short ceremony), then it might not be worth that extra cost or effort. Focus your budget on what you and your guests will truly enjoy or remember, and feel free to skip the rest.
By spending money on the things that enhance your experience and trimming the things that don’t, you’ll make the most of your budget and effort.