Setting a Realistic Wedding Budget: A Step-by-Step Guide for Engaged Couples
Release Date: 02/04/2026
Setting a Realistic Wedding Budget: A Step-by-Step Guide for Engaged Couples
Wedding Planning Podcast
Setting a realistic wedding budget that actually works for you is one of the most important decisions you’ll make after getting engaged, and it’s one that sets the tone for every planning choice that follows. If you’re newly engaged and feeling overwhelmed by numbers, opinions, or online “averages” that don’t feel realistic … or if you’re already planning and realizing your budget needs a reset - you’re in exactly the right place. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through a clear, step-by-step process for creating a wedding budget that reflects your priorities ... not...
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Newly Engaged? Exactly What to Do First
Wedding Planning Podcast
Just engaged and not sure where to start? This episode breaks down the exact first steps every newly engaged couple should take - plus the mistakes to avoid - so you can plan with clarity, confidence, and zero panic. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the Ultimate Engagement Checklist: 10 must-do steps to take before you book venues, sign contracts, or lock yourself into decisions you’ll regret later. The days after getting engaged are exciting and overwhelming. Between sharing the news, flashing that ring, and daydreaming about dresses and cake, most couples accidentally slip...
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How to Navigate the 6 Biggest Wedding Planning Stress Points (Early Engagement Edition)
Wedding Planning Podcast
Wedding planning shouldn’t feel overwhelming - but for most of us, it does. In this episode, we’re building a clear, confident action plan to help you navigate the 6 biggest stress points couples face early in their engagement, without the spiraling, second-guessing, or family drama. We’re covering: • “Where do we even start??” → Mini-Workshop: Defining Your Wedding Vision + Priorities • Budget overwhelm • Finding the right venue • Guest list tension • Family dynamics & expectations • Booking vendors with confidence Today’s show is a high-level roadmap to help you...
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The Hidden Wedding Expenses That Will Bust Your Budget
Wedding Planning Podcast
The little dollar bill emoji with flapping wings is a great one-tap summary of planning a wedding. Budgeting for expected expenses is hard enough, let alone all of the little unexpected stuff that sneaks in along the way! Today we’re going to shine a light on 16 annoying + unexpected expenses that couples don’t plan for, so that you can adjust your budget early on and not be taken by...
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5 Real Wedding Scenarios: "Is this a crazy idea?"
Wedding Planning Podcast
These listener scenarios that may seem a bit crazy on the surface … but in reality offer a great chance to maximize the quality AND the value of your wedding celebration! As you’re putting together plans for your wedding, there are endless creative opportunities for you to deploy a unique, offbeat solution to what may seem like a standard wedding checklist item. So many couples subconsciously equate a higher price tag with a higher-quality end product or service, and that’s simply not always true. Worse, that mentality can add up to spending tens of thousands of dollars more than...
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Follow Up Wedding Q&A | The Value in Thinking Outside the Box
Wedding Planning Podcast
Happy Friday, and welcome to another BONUS Q&A follow up show to this week's feature episode, "How To: DIY Appetizers & Charcuterie Board" show that aired on Wednesday Dec 24th. Today is a mix of behind-the-scenes insight from me, your reception-related questions, and also a couple of hindsight wedding experiences to share from listeners who were recently married. There's a ton of value packed into this 20 minute bonus show, and I hope you love it - Enjoy the show!
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How To: DIY Wedding Reception Appetizers & Charcuterie Board
Wedding Planning Podcast
The cost of food & drinks can be a huge source of frustration when planning your wedding. I can’t tell you how many messages I get from couples who are utterly horrified by the per person fee for dinner & drinks - and rightfully so! Today we’re going to explore setting up your own appetizer spread, and I think you’ll be blown away by the savings ... yes, up to 85% off the cost of a traditional wedding caterer. Tune in for my detailed roadmap to appetizer / happy hour menu planning, shopping, and setting it all up. We'll review how much to buy, where to shop, and...
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Follow Up: Wedding Etiquette Q&A {original show dated 12.17.25}
Wedding Planning Podcast
Is it OK to ... ? I got lots of mail in response to the Wedding Etiquette show that aired on 12.17.25, and in this Friday Follow Up Q&A I'm opening my mailbox and sharing your questions! We'll talk through ... Inviting kids to the wedding, Requesting a specific dress code, A tiny wedding chappel that can't accomodate everyone, The etiquette surrounding your wedding parties, When to actually send Thank You notes, and lots more. Enjoy, And be in touch with your questions anytime at
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A Closer Look at Some Wedding "Etiquette" Guidelines
Wedding Planning Podcast
Are you drowning in wedding "etiquette guidelines"? Everyone has an opinion on invitation wording, cash bars, inviting kids, wedding day transportation, and what traditions absolutely SHOULD be included in the wedding day. There’s nothing like planning a wedding to suddenly have everyone you’ve ever known come out of the woodwork with their opinions, right? Where wedding planning gets overwhelming is when ideas of what a wedding “should” look like are in conflict with our budget, our wants, and our personalities. And of course, an added layer of stress arises when you and...
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Tips for Building a Useful Wedding Gift Registry
Wedding Planning Podcast
Your wedding gift registry is the perfect opportunity to upgrade your home & your lifestyle with practical gifts that you need and will use in the years to come. Tune in for an essential guide to creating a killer wedding gift registry including: Deciding what items to include and ... Items NOT to include on your registry, Various lifestyle "categories" to consider as you build your registry, Tips for creating cash gift funds, Your top wedding registry "wish list" items, And so much more! For a complete written recap of today's show, visit
info_outlineSetting a realistic wedding budget that actually works for you is one of the most important decisions you’ll make after getting engaged, and it’s one that sets the tone for every planning choice that follows.
If you’re newly engaged and feeling overwhelmed by numbers, opinions, or online “averages” that don’t feel realistic … or if you’re already planning and realizing your budget needs a reset - you’re in exactly the right place.
In today’s episode, I’m walking you through a clear, step-by-step process for creating a wedding budget that reflects your priorities ... not the wedding industry's expectations.
We’ll talk about how to define what matters most, allocate your money with intention, and build a financial plan that supports your vision - without all of the overwhelm and second-guessing.
Will wedding planning be completely free of financial stress? Probably not. But with the right framework in place, it can feel organized, intentional, and manageable - so that you’re not always making decisions from a place of panic or pressure.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have the clarity and confidence to move forward with a budget that truly works for you.
- Want to save time, money, and your sanity while planning your wedding?
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Save hours, avoid overwhelm, and make confident decisions faster.
Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts and start planning with clarity.
- Thank you to today's show sponsor, Minted:
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