While some details may seem small, they make a significant difference in both the atmosphere of your day and the way it’s captured. Time and again, we’ve seen certain thoughtful touches stand out—adding elegance, personality, and extra beauty to wedding photos.
Jillian + Trevor | Bilmar Beach Resort | Treasure Island, Florida
1. Editorial-Worthy Bridal Accessories
Reasons to Consider:
Forever Details: Oftentimes, these include jewelry pieces that you will wear time and time again. If there’s ever a time to buy quality jewelry, your wedding day is one of them—then you can also have beautiful signature, QUALITY pieces for years to come.
Personalized Flair: Unique accessories reflect your personality and can tie into your wedding theme or family traditions.
Heirloom Potential: High-quality accessories can become treasured keepsakes to pass down for generations.
Budget-Friendly Alternatives:
Rent Designer Pieces: Some bridal boutiques + online platforms offer rental accessories for a fraction of the cost.
Vintage Finds: Thrifting!! Thrift stores and family heirlooms can provide one-of-a-kind pieces with character for a steal of a price.
DIY Embellishments: Add pearls, crystals, or embroidery to a simple veil or hairpiece for a luxe look.
Linett + Ryan | The Vinoy | St. Pete, Florida
2. Signature Scents — For You & Your Guests
Reasons to Consider:
Memory in a Bottle: A signature scent in the form of bridal perfume or groom cologne will instantly bring back the emotions and magic of your wedding day for years to come.
Personalized Experience for Guests: Custom candles, perfumes, or room sprays create a cohesive, immersive ambiance for you and your guests.
Romantic Tradition – Choosing a special scent just for your wedding makes the fragrance even more meaningful for anniversaries and special moments.
Budget-Friendly Alternatives:
Travel-Size or Rollerball Perfume: Luxury scents on a budget! Get a smaller version of a high-end fragrance for a luxe feel without the price tag.
Scented Stationery: Lightly mist invitations, vow books, or even your wedding favors with a soft fragrance for a subtle but memorable touch.
Fragrance Dupes: Many brands offer affordable alternatives to designer perfumes with nearly identical scents.
Victoria + Joelle | Kapok Special Event Center | Clearwater, Florida
3. Statement Florals
Reasons to Consider:
Transforms Your Space: Lush florals instantly elevate your ceremony and reception space(s).
Enhances Every Detail: From bouquets to boutonnieres, the right florals tie together your entire wedding design.
Luxury Feel: Large-scale or unique floral arrangements make your wedding look straight out of a high-end magazine.
Budget-Friendly Alternatives:
Mix Fresh & Faux Blooms (Florists: please don’t hate us!): High-quality silk flowers mixed with fresh greenery can create a lush look for less.
Repurpose Ceremony Florals: Use aisle arrangements or an arch backdrop to decorate your reception space after the ceremony. Your wedding arch? Can easily become a backdrop for your sweetheart table!
Go Greenery-Heavy: Lush greenery like eucalyptus or ivy adds volume and elegance without the cost of premium flowers.
Focus on One Statement Piece: A single, dramatic floral element (like an oversized bouquet or cascading sweetheart table) makes an impact without requiring flowers everywhere.
Alexandra + Christian | Lido Beach Resort | Sarasota, Florida
4. Statement / Mood Lighting
Reasons to Consider:
Elevates Your Photos: Thoughtfully placed lighting (candles, chandeliers, string lights) adds depth, warmth, and dimension to your images. Having additional lighting also ensures that there is extra visibility in your photos, even when the generic lighting is turned low.
Spotlights Key Moments: Spotlighting your first dance, sweetheart table, or cake cutting makes those moments even more special.
Keeps the Party Going: Dynamic reception lighting (such as uplighting or twinkle lights) adds energy and excitement to the celebration.
Budget-Friendly Alternatives:
Lots of Candles: (Battery-operated or real) tea lights, pillar candles, and lanterns can create a soft, intimate glow at a fraction of the cost.
DIY String Lights: Affordable fairy lights or Edison bulbs can be hung to add warmth and charm. You can also use them after your wedding day to decorate your new home together!
Venue’s Built-In Lighting: Ask about dimmable options, spotlights, or in-house upgrades to enhance the setting without extra rentals.
Live Event Painter | Jacob Event Painting | @jacobeventpainting
5. A Live Painter or Personalized Wedding Art
Reasons to Consider:
A Unique Keepsake: A live painting or custom artwork is a one-of-a-kind memento that captures your wedding in a truly personal way.
Interactive Guest Experience: Guests enjoy watching the painting come to life, creating a memorable moment during your celebration.
Artistic Wedding Photos: The painting itself can be a stunning piece for display and a conversation starter, adding to your wedding’s visual appeal.
Budget-Friendly Alternatives:
Custom Illustration or Watercolor Prints: Commission a local artist to create a custom illustration or print of your venue or ceremony.
DIY Wedding Art: If you have an artist friend or relative, commission them to make an alternative painted guest book or a wedding sketch.
Prints of Wedding Photos: Turn a favorite wedding photo into a canvas or art print for a personalized, budget-friendly art piece.
Whether you decide to splurge on your must-haves or find alternative avenues to accomplish the same vision, your wedding should be a reflection of your love story, values, and dream for the perfect day. While we love providing our couples with advice and inspiration to make their luxury dream wedding a reality, we also understand that many couples are more budget-conscious. We hope that our budget-friendly alternatives help you create a beautiful celebration that feels just as special and unforgettable! Happy wedding planning! ❤️