February 2026 Basecamp Newsletter
Wedding planning is one of the most exciting seasons of life, but it can also be one of the most financially overwhelming. Between Pinterest boards, guest lists, and big decisions, it is easy to feel unsure of where to start or how much to spend.
On this episode of Making Sense of Money, we sat down with the owner and lead planner of A Piece of Harmony Events, Sydney Schatz. With over 200 weddings planned, Sydney brings her expertise and advice to talk about realistic budgeting, wedding trends, and where couples can spend or save their money with confidence.
Rethinking the Wedding Budget
As couples start their wedding plans, the budget can be the most intimidating part. Newly engaged couples often ask how much they should spend on their wedding. Sydney shares that there is rarely a simple answer.
“There’s no right or wrong budget. It’s how you spend the money,” she shares. Instead of focusing on a specific dollar amount, couples should focus on how much they use and whether it aligns with their priorities. She encourages couples to create a comfortable budget and a stretch budget. Then plan intentionally within their set boundaries.
Why Guest Count Matters
Cryptocurrency has become especially appealing to scammers because it is difficult to trace and allows funds to move instantly across multiple channels and wallets. “It’s what we call pseudo-anonymous, not having to identify themselves with where they’re putting the money," Erickson said. For those who may not fully understand how crypto works, these scams can be more convincing and harder to navigate.
Because scammers often operate overseas, it makes it even more difficult for law enforcement to track or prosecute them. Even with specialized tools, there are still many obstacles they face when it comes to this type of fraud. With the wallet addresses rarely revealing who owns them and the speed of how quickly funds are transferred, investigators have a very short window to follow the money.
Micro Weddings
Micro weddings are still very common, even after the pandemic-related restrictions ended. Sydney shares that many couples are intentionally choosing smaller, more intimate celebrations over the larger weddings.
“It has moved from a requirement to a desire for these couples to have this intimate wedding celebration and experience,” she said.
A smaller wedding doesn’t always mean a less expensive one. Through micro weddings, couples may opt for an upgraded experience, more extravagant details, or extended wedding weekends. Although this may seem like couples choose micro weddings to save money, it is more about spending it in ways that are more intentional and memorable.
Curious about other ways you can save when planning a wedding? Click below to learn more.
Wedding Planning: Making Smart Financial Decisions for Your Big Day
Scholarships Application is now open
A New Experience is Coming Soon
We're upgrading our Digital Banking to bring you a cleaner design, smarter tools, and more control. Managing your money feels easier, faster, and more intuitive. Soon you’ll enjoy a modern, seamless platform with intuitive tools, improved mobile access, and enhanced security.
Romance Scams and How to Prevent Them
Romance scams are on the rise and can happen to anyone. With so many social platforms, scammers are becoming increasingly clever, finding more creative ways to access their victim’s finances.
These often start when someone online contacts you and appears interested in you. For weeks, or even months, you may message back and forth and form a connection. But ultimately, the person with whom you have built a connection is going to ask for money or find ways to access your finances. Ready to learn all about Romance Scams and we can take them head on?
Subscribe to this Newsletter