Wedding Planning: Making Smart Financial Decisions for Your Big Day
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
Your wedding guest count is one of the strongest influences on how much a couple may spend on their wedding. Everything from the venue and catering to rentals and florals is tied directly to the number of people attending. Being intentional with the guest count from the start gives couples more flexibility to use their funds elsewhere.
Where Couples Overspend and Where It Makes a Difference
When asked where couples spend the most money they don’t really need to, Sydney empathetically answered with “wedding favors”. Unfortunately, they are often forgotten or left behind by wedding guests as they gather their things to leave, or hurry to be a part of the newlywed's grand exit.
Sydney suggests that unless you’re doing something personalized or custom for the couple or wedding guests, it is best to skip the favors and invest the funds in another area to enhance the experience and memories.
Spending money on experiences is what makes the biggest difference in a wedding. “Every wedding couple’s priorities are different, and how they view experiences are different too,” she said.
So, whether an experience includes a photo booth, a live band or DJ, or a late-night food truck, there are many ways couples can make their wedding memorable, unique, and personal to them as a couple.
Why Investing in a Wedding Coordinator is Worth It
Hiring a wedding coordinator may not be mandatory, but it is often the most valuable investment a couple makes. A coordinator manages timelines, vendors, and unexpected issues so couples can stay present and enjoy their day.
“I am your protection policy,” she said. “You have spent so much hard-earned money and time on this one day or one weekend. I can be 'that someone' in your corner, guiding you through the process and then executing your wedding day with those plans so that you don't have to”.
Acting as advocates and neutral third parties, they help reduce stress not just for the couple but also for the family and wedding party members. In many cases, couples never even realize when challenges arise because a coordinator quietly handles them behind the scenes.
When couples plan with intention, align their spending with their values, and seek the right support, the result is a celebration that feels both joyful and financially smart. All of this can lead to a successful wedding, and one that allows the couple to begin their new marriage with confidence.
To hear more from Sydney and learn more about wedding planning, watch or listen on your favorite platform here.
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