Wedding planner reveals the unnecessary things most couples waste money on when planning a wedding: ‘It doesn't mean that much to people'
There's no denying that weddings these days can cost a fortune — and one wedding planner is revealing how couples can save some money on their big day by avoiding these common mistakes.
Hayley Evans said the first thing engaged couples should do away with is party favors.
3 The wedding planner and coordinator shared the mistakes she sees most couples making when planning their wedding.
Jam Press/A Story Told By Beth
'They are always a waste,' the wedding expert told Absolutely Business.
'They get left on the dining table, nobody uses them, and they end up going in the bin. Instead, put it towards something more useful or resourceful, like a charity donation.'
Another no-no many people spend extra money on is unnecessary upgrades — like the drink guests are toasting with.
'Nobody will know if you've upgraded from Prosecco to Champagne – apart from the experts, maybe,' Evans pointed out to the outlet.
'Even if the venue is showcasing the bottle, it doesn't mean that much to people; certainly not as much as it may mean to you.'
3 Evans pointed out that small things, like what people are drinking to toast to you, aren't worth spending extra money on.
Maksym – stock.adobe.com
Considering that 'Champagne can double your drinks budget' — opting for Prosecco instead 'can save hundreds, granted thousands…'
If you broke into a sweat when you heard the price of what an open bar at your wedding will cost you, Evans said to spare yourself and go for a signature cocktail rather than letting your guests drink the bar dry.
Regarding the food you're serving: 'Instead of adding endless courses or late-night snacks, create a refined, seasonal menu that's impressive, but intentional,' the wedding planner and coordinator said.
3 The expert also said to skip doing an open bar.
shunevich – stock.adobe.com
'A well-balanced three-course meal can feel just as luxurious as five when thoughtfully chosen.'
Another thing to avoid doing is impulsively spending on little, minor, unimportant things before your wedding that quickly add up.
'Always sleep on non-essentials before buying…all of that money just goes in the bin. Think carefully, plan ahead, and you can't go wrong.'
If you're in the early stages of planning your wedding, when it comes to picking out a venue — or even hiring a wedding planner — Evans advises couples to do their research first before making any decisions.
'Always read reviews, ask for quotes and compare values.'
'More importantly, don't just book somewhere – or someone – because you like the look of their Instagram. Many assume planners are a luxury, but they save money by avoiding costly mistakes, negotiating rates and streamlining decisions.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
12 hours ago
- New York Post
Wedding planner reveals the unnecessary things most couples waste money on when planning a wedding: ‘It doesn't mean that much to people'
Wedding bliss — or miss. There's no denying that weddings these days can cost a fortune — and one wedding planner is revealing how couples can save some money on their big day by avoiding these common mistakes. Hayley Evans said the first thing engaged couples should do away with is party favors. 3 The wedding planner and coordinator shared the mistakes she sees most couples making when planning their wedding. Jam Press/A Story Told By Beth 'They are always a waste,' the wedding expert told Absolutely Business. 'They get left on the dining table, nobody uses them, and they end up going in the bin. Instead, put it towards something more useful or resourceful, like a charity donation.' Another no-no many people spend extra money on is unnecessary upgrades — like the drink guests are toasting with. 'Nobody will know if you've upgraded from Prosecco to Champagne – apart from the experts, maybe,' Evans pointed out to the outlet. 'Even if the venue is showcasing the bottle, it doesn't mean that much to people; certainly not as much as it may mean to you.' 3 Evans pointed out that small things, like what people are drinking to toast to you, aren't worth spending extra money on. Maksym – Considering that 'Champagne can double your drinks budget' — opting for Prosecco instead 'can save hundreds, granted thousands…' If you broke into a sweat when you heard the price of what an open bar at your wedding will cost you, Evans said to spare yourself and go for a signature cocktail rather than letting your guests drink the bar dry. Regarding the food you're serving: 'Instead of adding endless courses or late-night snacks, create a refined, seasonal menu that's impressive, but intentional,' the wedding planner and coordinator said. 3 The expert also said to skip doing an open bar. shunevich – 'A well-balanced three-course meal can feel just as luxurious as five when thoughtfully chosen.' Another thing to avoid doing is impulsively spending on little, minor, unimportant things before your wedding that quickly add up. 'Always sleep on non-essentials before buying…all of that money just goes in the bin. Think carefully, plan ahead, and you can't go wrong.' If you're in the early stages of planning your wedding, when it comes to picking out a venue — or even hiring a wedding planner — Evans advises couples to do their research first before making any decisions. 'Always read reviews, ask for quotes and compare values.' 'More importantly, don't just book somewhere – or someone – because you like the look of their Instagram. Many assume planners are a luxury, but they save money by avoiding costly mistakes, negotiating rates and streamlining decisions.'
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Hot Ones' Host Sean Evans Reveals the 1 Celebrity He'd Love to Have on the Show (Exclusive)
'Hot Ones' Host Sean Evans Reveals the 1 Celebrity He'd Love to Have on the Show (Exclusive) originally appeared on Parade. Sean Evans has interviewed some of the biggest names in the industry on his wildly popular YouTube series Hot Ones, but there's one particular A-lister he's dying to have on the show. Evans, 39, opened up about the topic while chatting exclusively with Parade about his ongoing partnership with Stella Artois ahead of Hot Ones' first live event, which will give one lucky fan an opportunity to join Evans onstage for a moment during the fiery challenge. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 'Tom Cruise,' he says of who he'd love to interview. 'I'm like, 'This guy — I got to get him on the show at some point.' We've caught so many white whales over the years that you catch one, and it just makes another one for you. But that is a peak that I'm kind of looking at: the Tom Cruise Peak. That's one that I'm trying to climb, but [it 's] a tough nut to crack.' As for who out of the hundreds of celebrities he's interviewed has surprised him the most, Evans tells Parade that there's someone every season that 'shocks' him with how they handle the hot wings. 'Every season, there's a guest that sort of floats into the room, maybe they're nervous, and then they sit down there, and they handle the wings better than I do in recent seasons,' he explains. 'Ariana Grande comes to mind, Demi Moore comes to mind. We used to kind of bet on how we thought people would do going in, and then we stopped doing that because everybody is totally different.' He continues: 'You'll go in with a game plan, but it's always subverted by the time it gets to the third or fourth wing. So that's what I think is so amazing about the show. It's a uniquely singular experience — every single interview. And in many ways, surprising. So every season somebody comes in, and you can do all the research and watch all this stuff and do the armchair psychology, but once you actually get in the room and the wings start flying off the table, then it's a book that writes its own story every single episode.' As for the Hot Ones live show — which is presented by Stella Artois and First We Feast, and also marks 10 years of the fiery celeb interview series — Evans tells Parade that he's excited to 'bridge the gap between the show and the audience.' He continues: 'I think Hot Ones is a show that's kind of unique, and when you're watching it, you do want to participate in it. You do wonder, 'Oh, there's Bad Bunny sweating out this wing. I wonder if I'd have the same reaction.' But this is an event that kind of fills in the room. You get that kind of communal experience where you're both watching and experiencing the show, but also living it in a lot of ways.' The one-night only event, which takes place on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles, will feature special celebrity guests and limited-edition food collabs with iconic L.A. staples, including Randy's Donuts and Wanderlust Creamery. Starting Aug. 19 through Sept. 30 at select locations, Randy's Donuts will offer the Glaze of Glory, a spicy glazed donut mixed with Hot Ones Rojo Hot Sauce and topped with a Rojo spicy butter crumb. Additionally, Wanderlust Creamery will offer their limited edition Sweet Verde Heat flavor, which features shards of yuzu chocolate infused with Hot Ones' Los Calientes Verde and shichimi togarashi. Hot Ones and Stella Artois are also offering fans the chance to join Hot Ones Live by submitting a celebratory toast via Stella Artois' Instagram. Fans can comment on the official call-for-entries posts with a toast celebrating 10 years of Hot Ones, along with the required hashtags. Three finalists will receive tickets to attend the show, and one grand-prize winner will take the spotlight and join Sean on stage for a moment during the fiery challenge. Related: Michael Strahan Shares Bold Opinion of 'Hot Ones' 'Hot Ones' Host Sean Evans Reveals the 1 Celebrity He'd Love to Have on the Show (Exclusive) first appeared on Parade on Aug 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
Golden Retriever Puppy Forgets How To Use Stairs, His Response Goes Viral
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A golden retriever puppy's hesitation to walk down a set of stairs has left internet viewers in stitches. Savanna Evans (@savvyevans), 34, from Lakeway, Texas, shared a video of her puppy, Steve, lying halfway down the staircase and refusing to make his way to the bottom, despite her gentle words of encouragement. The clip has since gone viral, garnering more than 455,300 views and over 51,000 likes on TikTok. "The big stairs were no problem, but those last little ones? His ultimate nemesis," Evans told Newsweek. The video shows Steve facing his biggest "nemesis"—a small set of stairs inside the family's home. A split image of Steve the golden retriever sulking at the stairs. A split image of Steve the golden retriever sulking at the stairs. @savvyevans/@savvyevans She said that, while the puppy had no problem with the larger staircase, the smaller final steps completely stumped him. Normally, she added, Steve would attempt them only if bribed with treats, but in a follow-up clip, he managed it all on his own. Evans described Steve as goofy, silly, and full of charm, with a love for food and people alike. Evans said the sweetest part is the close bond Steve has formed with her 5-year-old son, calling them inseparable best friends. The family brought Steve home on the Fourth of July when he was just 8 weeks old. He had been the runt of the litter and the very last puppy left without any interest from others. To Evans, though, Steve was perfect, and her son's request for a puppy made the timing ideal. From the start, Steve fit seamlessly into the family. Evans reflected on how special the pup has become, noting that he went from being "the last pick" of his litter to the star of their household—and, now, a viral sensation. TikTok users couldn't get enough of Steve's antics. "This Golden is smart, because he knows walking the stairs at his age will be bad for his joints," posted Bart. "You got to walk with them," added Rich. "I feel he tumbled down the previous stairs and at this point he's like no thanks im good here," wrote Honey. "Sources say he is still there waiting …" commented Isabelle. "Those little legs are tired after all those stairs," one user shared. "Start of his manipulation! He's no fool," another viewer commented. "I want to land so many kisses on this floofy baby," added a third. Ashley shared a similar memory, writing: "My boy did something similar when he was about baby. I took him for a walk and as soon as we got in front of our driveway he plops down and refused to walk on the very short driveway to the house, I had to carry him." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
