Your Wedding, Your Wallet, Your Sanity: Pick Two (Just Kidding… Sort Of)

Ah, wedding planning — that magical time in life when you start off wanting a simple, meaningful celebration and somehow end up comparing quotes for imported orchids and llama rentals. (Yes, that’s a thing now.) Pinterest told you it would be easy. Pinterest lied. The truth is, if you don’t understand your own wedding vision and budget from the start, you’ll be starring in your own financial horror story faster than you can say, “add to cart.”

Let’s get this out of the way: your wedding should look like you, not a sponsored ad for someone else’s aesthetic. You’re not auditioning for a magazine spread; you’re getting married. If you’re a “pizza and champagne” couple, own it. Don’t let the internet convince you that you suddenly need a harpist and a 40-foot floral arch. Your guests will remember the laughter, not whether your napkins were “dusty rose” or “muted blush” (yes, apparently those are different).

Now, let’s discuss the dreaded B-word: budget. I know, it’s not as fun as talking about signature cocktails or sparkler exits, but it’s what keeps your big day from turning into your big debt. Think of your budget as that brutally honest friend who always tells you when you’re being ridiculous. “Do you really need live doves?” No, no you do not. When you actually stick to it, you’ll thank yourself later—preferably while sipping a guilt-free honeymoon cocktail somewhere sunny.

Here’s the secret sauce: your vision and your budget are supposed to work together, not fight to the death. Figure out your priorities early. If food and music matter most, spend there and skip the things that make no emotional impact (looking at you, monogrammed ice cubes). Couples who get this right don’t necessarily spend less—they just spend smarter. And trust me, there’s nothing more satisfying than knowing you nailed your vibe and stayed financially responsible.

And yes, your vision might change. Maybe you started off picturing a black-tie ballroom affair but realized halfway through that you’re more of a “barn, boots, and bad dance moves” type. That’s not flakiness—that’s clarity. The goal isn’t to impress people; it’s to create something that feels like you. Because if you’re miserable in your designer heels just for the ‘gram, who’s really winning here?

Now, I’m not saying ignore all advice. (Though Aunt Linda’s insistence that you need a unity candle and a dove release can probably be ignored.) Listen to your vendors, your planner, and your bank account—they all have a stake in keeping you sane. But when it comes down to decisions, your wedding = your rules. If you want tacos instead of a plated dinner, do it. If you want to skip favors altogether, congratulations, you just saved yourself three hours of ribbon tying.

So yes—dream big, but dream smart. Because when your day reflects you instead of some influencer’s mood board, the joy is real, the vibe is authentic, and the bills don’t cause heart palpitations. And let’s be honest, starting your marriage with a paid-off credit card and your sanity intact? That’s the real happily ever after.