Do wedding expenses have to be controlled or ？

We aren't controlling ours extremely strictly but definitely trying to stay within a comfortable range that we decided on for each vendor. I think that if I was let loose without guidelines though that I would break the bank because I have a tendency to like the pricier things without realizing that they're pricey haha. So for us having a general guideline with a little wiggle room is best!

For us, we each picked a couple items that we wanted to splurge on, and then we were pretty strict with our budget elsewhere. For example, my FH really wanted an ice sculpture/luge so we're paying the extra few hundred for that and forgoing favors. I really wanted a videographer, so I'm doing a lot of our stationary myself to save money for that.

We don’t have a budget but I am being very intentional about what is needed versus what is wasteful. We really put our money into creating the ultimate guest experience. Our largest expense honestly are my rings, dress and bridal accessories followed by food, drink, event rentals ( having it at my parents home) And photography. Those were the elements that mattered most.

We didn't set a firm dollar amount for a budget, but we're looking at it as whether we'd be comfortable spending however much all at once/ on a monthly payment plan. There were a few things that we were willing to spend a bit more on (like our photographer/ videographer and flowers), but then we went with cheaper options on other things (like save the dates or the cake). Our end goal is to have a great day, but still be able to pay rent, buy groceries, and carry on with our lives as usual after the wedding is over.

We did not aim for perfection, but were intentional in our choice of reliable vendors who could produce high-end product. We aimed for the least amount of stress and micro-managing, therefore, no wedding party, and no diy. Nothing was wasted or wasteful. We were on the low end of our budget range.

There is middle ground. Don’t go into debt with loans and credit cards for a 4 hour party, but at the same time have what you want so you don’t have regrets.


Before you start looking for a venue, sit down with fiancé to decide together what to focus on, what to cut, who are your must have invites and who do you not care about whom you don’t invite, and how much are you willing and able to spend without assistance. Because once someone else contributes a penny, they get final say in decisions. Parents already got married and they had someone else plan theirs as is common for older generations, so they don’t get to live vicariously through you.