The biggest/most expensive day of your life
I suppose this post is a bit of a vent and a conversation in my head about where I can actually cut costs for my wedding and where I would regret it later. And the main category in my mind is personal appearance. Here’s a list of things I/you might be spending for your big day that you don’t have to.
photo by amelia strauss
-Tanning $30-40/mo or $30 for 1 spray tan
-Hair and Hair trial $60-200
-Makeup $50 trial + $80-100 day of
-Facial $50 and up
-Pedicure $30
-Manicure $20
-Hair coloring $60-100
-Teeth whitening $30 at home -$150 at the dentist
-Bikini wax $60
-Gym membership $30-40/mo. additional for personal trainer
The problem I have is that I could justify every one of these expenses. When I went to prom in 10th grade I had my nails done (tips, what was I thinking?), my hair, and my makeup (at the clinique counter for free but we bought a lot of makeup too), and I tanned for a month before (”mom, I run track and I have awful tan lines!” true, but still probably not worth it). That was prom, an insignificant dance, and this is the biggest day of my life (up till now).
I might skip out on the tanning and hope to catch enough sun on my little balcony to make up for it; I may get my hair dyed professionally since I’ve been $3 dyeing it for about 5 years now and I want to look natural for the big day (I’m close to my natural color now but the discrepancy between summer and winter hair is showing up quite clearly). As far as hair and makeup, I kind of want to do my own. I think it’s the pride that comes from DIY. Not how much money I saved, but rather, ohmygosh you did that yourself! That might be risky. But I’ve been trusting one of my bridesmaids with my hair since probably 7th grade or so and I’m kind of fearless in that department. That doesn’t mean I’m not planning on treating myself to an honest salon quality haircut between now and October. I’ve exhausted my patience for the $8 and $12 haircuts at haircuttery and great clips and wherever else I dare to venture. I kind of feel like I’m becoming a grown-up. Pedicure? Yes, because I’ve never ever had one. Gym membership? Yes, but I’m holding off till closer to the big day. I burn out easily and I think once I have just 2 months to go I’ll kick it into high gear and want to add tone to my current regimen of running when the mood hits me and not eating quite so much [and avoiding burgers and fries].
So my question to you is, which are you leaving out (if any) and which are must haves? For those of you already married, do you regret not doing one of the above or do you realize you could’ve done without some of them?
OMG, go get yourself several pedicures before the big day. It is the cheapest and easiest 30 min therapy ever invented. Not only will you look better afterwards, but you will feel better too!
I hear you about the costs. However, because it is THE big day, I am sparing no expense when it comes to my personal appearance. I will cut costs elsewhere.
The only personal appearance budget item I skipped was the facial (or multiple facials, as many magazines recommend). I hear they are super relaxing, but I had to trim somewhere. Plus, I had never had one up to that point and my skin was behaving really well at the time. I didn’t want to mess with a good thing!
erin@bridedesign’s most recent blog post: DIY Delight!: Bride Supplies
Hair/makeup–Yes
Mani/Pedi–Yes
Teeth whitening–the cheap-o strips–Yes
Gym–I’m lucky because our complex has a free gym. Otherwise, I’d buy a membership.
These in addition to my usual routine (haircuts and brow waxing) should be plenty.
No to all the others. =)
Mo’s most recent blog post: Done Playing Dress Up: The Wedding Dress
I have a gym membership and I’ve been doing the “boot camp” class since January. And a few weeks ago, I decided I should start working with a trainer. So that’s the one thing on the list that’s worth the money to me. Everything else I’m either asking a friend or relative to help with or I’m foregoing altogether.
Kristy’s most recent blog post: Saint Thomas
I think sometimes we become convinced by the fashion/beauty industry that we NEED these things for our wedding…then it gets easier for us to justify them to ourselves. I mean, a spray tan? If you’re not normally tan, why would you go tan for the wedding? Look like yourself!
I’m going minimalist.
Mani/pedi: DIY
Tanning: skipping it…I’m proud of my translucence!
-Hair and Hair trial: Had one trial for $20…now DIYing my hair.
-Makeup: also DIY, but did buy a Smashbox kit for $28.
-Facial: I get one every 2 months for my troubled skin…this is where a tan would come in handy ;)
-Hair coloring: skipping it
-Teeth whitening: Crest whitestrips, $30!
-Bikini wax: scares. me. to. death. i’ll stick with my razor thank you :)
-Gym membership: lucky me, free gym at my complex!
It’s different for everyone though…some people just wouldn’t feel like the “bride” without all the pampering!! Plus it can be very relaxing!
I could have saved on trial make ups – went for three before I could make up my mind!
Yes to pedicure/manicure, facial, hair and make up.
No to tanning and teeth whitening.
Surprisingly what I regretted is forgoing my gym membership as I don’t have the discpline to exercise after that!
nileey’s most recent blog post: I won a bicycle!
Tanning – Yep, unfortuately. $19.99/month. Trying not to go too often…just want a glow, not cancer and wrinkles. Boo!
Hair and Hair trial – No trial. It’s my usual stylist. I trust her completely.
Makeup – We’re lucky here. A friend is a manager for MAC. No cost for the trial, but we do have to pay day of – less than what you’ve estimated.
Facial – Probably…received a gift cert for one onValentine’s Day that I’ve yet to use. Not counting it in the budget.
Mani/Pedi – Yes. $45 or less.
Hair Coloring – Not counting this in the wedding budget b.c. I do it anyway.
Teeth whitening – From the dentist. Thank you Flex Spending! I knew I’d want to do this so I set aside pre-tax dollars for it for this year.
Bikini Wax – Nah…DIY works just fine.
Gym membership – I joined a gym in my building at work. Double what I used to pay! And got a personal trainer. The convenience factor (I actually go now.) and results have been worth every penny!
It’s not cheap and it’s a personal decision, but what a great reason to pamper yourself if you don’t do it often, right?
gym = I already workout regularly so I don’t consider this an expense
Tanning = Bad for you. Jergens Energy Glow works perfectly and then you won’t have to buy botox to cover your wedding pampering crows feet, which brings me to..
Botox = yes, yes, yes!
Facial = If you have problem skin, then go for the package, if not, one session a week – 5 days before will do
Hair (cut and color) = work for a salon company and run a haircare line, so this expense will be less but I plan on paying for my stylists accomodations and travel. i think you should spring on wedding hair. maybe not for the entire wedding party, but you deserve an updo on your wedding day.
Makeup = a firm believer in wedding makeup. dont do it yourself. dont have your friend or sister do it. you are a bride and you should look flawless. unless you are not vain. I am.
mani/pedi: of course. pedi more than mani
teeth whitening: i have braces right now and they are coming off right before the wedding so YES YES but crest white strips are really good if you haven’t tried them. and affordable.
bikini wax: ask your groom. and then get back to me.
can you tell I have a hard time budgeting?
-Tanning – NO
-Hair and Hair trial – Yes, yes, YES
-Makeup – YES (some people can get away with this as a DIY. I knew from the get-go I would not be able to achieve the look I was after, and even if I could, the stress of doing it myself would have wrecked me on my wedding day. It was great to have someone I trusted take care of this for me. Plus… it just lasts a LOT longer than DIY)
-Facial – Nope… DIY. Just make sure to exfoliate and use masks a couple times a week. Also ALWAYS wash your face before bed!
-Pedicure – Absolutely
-Manicure – Ab-so-freaking-lutely
-Hair coloring – Natural :-). Use an at-home glossing treatment (John Frieda’s my fave) to amp up the shine or give a gloss of color.
-Teeth whitening – Whitestrips
-Bikini wax – YES, totally, but for $60?! I do NOT miss the American charges for waxing! Bikini’s about $15 in Italy. Though a lot of times I opt for DIY.
-Gym membership – YES… and NO… exercise shouldn’t just be pre-wedding. You should find something you like that WORKS for you- be it the gym, DVDs, biking, swimming etc. etc. It doesn’t have to cost or be fancy, it just has to be something you’ll stick to!
