Setting a Realistic Wedding Budget: A Step-by-Step Guide for Engaged Couples
Wed Feb 04 2026
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 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? Subscribe to Wedding Planning Podcast Premium on Apple Podcasts for early, ad-free access to all weekly episodes—plus a bonus series that teaches you how to use ChatGPT as your free wedding planning assistant.
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: Just engaged and wondering where to start? One of the easiest first steps is your wedding website.
With Minted, you can build a free wedding website designed by independent artists - so it looks elevated without the custom-design price tag.
Everything lives in one place: your story, wedding details, RSVPs, and registry links - simple, clean, and stress-free.
Click here to get started today and unlock exclusive listener perks on save-the-dates, invitations, and more.
Click Here to read the complete blog post and follow along with today's episode.
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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 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? Subscribe to Wedding Planning Podcast Premium on Apple Podcasts for early, ad-free access to all weekly episodes—plus a bonus series that teaches you how to use ChatGPT as your free wedding planning assistant. 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: Just engaged and wondering where to start? One of the easiest first steps is your wedding website. With Minted, you can build a free wedding website designed by independent artists - so it looks elevated without the custom-design price tag. Everything lives in one place: your story, wedding details, RSVPs, and registry links - simple, clean, and stress-free. Click here to get started today and unlock exclusive listener perks on save-the-dates, invitations, and more. Click Here to read the complete blog post and follow along with today's episode.