As wedding trends come and go, it's important to embrace those that connect with us in some way and ditch those that don't matter. Some of these developments are timeless like having a band and DJ. That's right a live band AND a DJ to fill in during the times when the musicians are taking a break. A DJ will also make important and timely announcements to keep the flow going and help ensure everything goes off without a hitch.

Booking two of these music venues will provide the best of both worlds according to The Knot, one of today's top wedding blogs. A hip DJ will spin your favorite tunes while original artists supply high-energy accompaniment. It's a real win-win situation for everyone involved. To help cover this expense, here are some pricey wedding trends to ditch in order to deliver the best sound and environment for your special day.

Cut the Champagne Tower

While these stacking, flowing glass towers are picturesque, they're not very practical. Along with the waste from champagne that doesn't make it into the flukes, there's always the possibility a guest will accidentally bump into the table causing a gigantic, sticky, dangerous mess. Instead, opt for a self-serve bubbly bar that's more cost-effective and accessible.

Ditch Drone Photography

An overhead view of the ceremony provided by a drone is all the rage nowadays. But these flying robots add to the overall cost of a photo package. In order for a professional photographer to legally pilot a drone commercially in the United States, a license is required. An additional charge will be added on to the total for one of these videos or packet of photos. Problems for these shots are plentiful including:

• An annoying buzzing noise in the background before, during or after the wedding service
• The ceremony will look small in comparison when seen from above
• A drone could come too close to guests and cause more distraction

Perhaps you have a friend who is a recreational flyer and they don't require a license. However, this device could end up stuck in a tree or crashing into another obstacle. Poof! You can kiss your precious pictures or videos goodbye.

Forget the Photo Booth

Another photographic cost to trim is renting a photo booth for guests to take home keepsakes. But with the omnipresence of smartphones and other handheld devices equipped with a camera, hiring a box for guests to pose for cheesy photos seems silly. Candid shots captured by the photographer, members of the wedding party, friends and family are a much better way to catch and eventually share these pictures. 

Smaller Wedding Parties

Often those getting married feel tremendous pressure to include a number of different friends and family members in the wedding party. Not wanting to snub a sibling or close friend, having multiple people as a part of this inner circle quickly becomes costly in many ways. From a logistics standpoint, it's a bit of a nightmare along with more food, photos, beverages and other items necessary that all come with a price.

Terminate Tacky Signage

Another popular trend popping up at weddings is the use of chalkboard or painted wooden signage. Used to guide guests to different parts of the venue or to label parts of the party like the bar, buffet, head table, dessert table, the placement list goes on-and-on. While they may add a cute and charming touch to the event, the bride and groom are left with piles of unusable signs and markers. The expense is further frowned upon as some guests may be offended by their obvious nature. 

Cutting these costs will lead to a much happier and less stressful day overall. When choosing your pairing of a band and DJ for your special day, contact the Music Garden. While we're the professionals when it comes to finding just the right sound for your ceremony or reception, we won't break the bank for your wedding budget. Cheers to you and yours!