Budgeting for Your Wedding Venue: What’s Worth the Cost (and What’s Not)
Planning a wedding in East Texas can feel like a juggling act—trying to honor your vision and your budget without losing your mind. We get it.
At Wonderland Pines, we’ve walked hundreds of couples through this process. And while every wedding is different, one thing is always true:
👉 Some things are absolutely worth the investment. Others? Not so much.
Here’s our honest take on what’s truly worth the splurge—and what you can skip, borrow, or DIY without compromising the magic.
💍 Worth It: A Beautiful, Well-Equipped Venue
Your venue is the foundation of the entire day. It impacts everything—your photos, your flow, your guests’ comfort, and your peace of mind.
What’s worth paying for:
Natural beauty that needs minimal décor
Indoor/outdoor flexibility
Built-in seating, tables, and access time
A space that doesn’t feel rushed or restricted
At Wonderland Pines:
Our couples tell us again and again they felt the difference—more time to relax, more room to breathe, and no surprise fees.
📸 Absolutely Worth It: A Skilled Photographer
If there’s one area we always recommend splurging, it’s photography.
A great photographer doesn’t just take pretty pictures—they:
Capture once-in-a-lifetime emotion
Work in all lighting conditions (including golden hour!)
Know how to direct without being intrusive
Deliver images you’ll treasure forever
Cutting costs here might lead to regret. Invest in someone who gets your style and knows how to tell your story.
🛋 Worth It (When It’s Included): Furniture, Decor & Essentials
Renting every item separately adds up fast—especially if your venue doesn’t include basics.
What’s worth it:
Ceremony seating
Reception tables and chairs
Linens, signage, lighting
Bonus: a venue with a decor closet you can borrow from!
At Wonderland Pines:
We include all of the above, plus easels, lanterns, centerpieces, signage, and more. Couples who use our decor save hundreds (and hours of planning).
🧁 Maybe Not Worth It: Oversized Desserts or Fancy Favors
These are two places couples often overspend:
Tiered cakes that guests barely eat (opt for smaller cakes + sheet cakes or dessert bars)
Elaborate favors that get left behind (if you want to give something, keep it edible or practical)
We love vendors like Savannah’s Sweet Tooth who create beautiful, delicious cakes without the unnecessary cost. That said, everyone is unique, maybe an oversized cake is just what you need to lock in your wedding vision!
✂️ Definitely Not Worth It: DIYing Everything
DIY can be fun, but if you take on too much, it can quickly lead to burnout—especially the week of your wedding.
Here’s our take:
DIY a few heartfelt touches (like a sign or photo display)
Borrow or rent the rest
And don’t try to do it all yourself on wedding day—delegate or hire a day-of coordinator if you can
Final Thoughts
Your wedding doesn’t have to break the bank—but it should feel like you.
By focusing your budget on what matters most—your venue, your photographer, and your guest experience—you’ll create a day that’s as beautiful as it is meaningful.
✨ Ready to talk real numbers and see what’s included at Wonderland Pines? Schedule a tour here. We’re happy to walk you through your vision.
