HOW TO DESIGN A WEDDING THAT FEELS LIKE YOU—WITHOUT OVERSPENDING
Planning a wedding can feel like walking a tightrope between what you want and what everyone else expects. The guest list grows, the budget balloons, and somewhere along the way, you start wondering… who is this even for?
If you’re craving a wedding that feels intimate, intentional, and deeply you—without going into debt—this is your permission slip.
Let’s talk about how to design a wedding that’s aligned with your values (and your wallet).
Step 1: Ditch the “Should”
Traditional wedding planning is built on expectations:
• You should invite your great-aunt’s cousin.
• You should do cocktail hour, a plated dinner, and a late-night snack.
• You should have a sparkler exit.
But here’s the truth: there’s no one right way to get married.
Before you book a single vendor, ask yourself:
If no one else had an opinion, what kind of experience would we create?
That’s where the magic starts.
Step 2: Get Clear on What Actually Matters
Meaningful doesn’t have to mean expensive.
The most memorable weddings aren’t the ones with the biggest budgets. They’re the ones where the couple was fully present. Where love, connection, and intention were at the center.
Ask yourselves:
• What kind of experience do we want to create for ourselves and our closest people?
• Where do we want to feel free to splurge—and where can we let go?
Pro tip: You don’t need 200 people to feel celebrated. Sometimes, the most powerful weddings happen with just a handful of witnesses under the stars.
Step 3: Make Your Budget a Tool for Intention
Instead of treating your budget like a restriction, use it as a blueprint for alignment.
We recommend starting with these three categories:
1. High-impact experiences (ex: ceremony space, photographer, food)
2. Personal touches (ex: handwritten vows, meaningful rituals, cultural traditions)
3. Forgettable extras (cut these guilt-free: party favors, aisle runners, chair sashes)
Not sure how to do this? We created a $27 plug-and-play wedding budget planner that helps you prioritize what matters and avoid overspending on things you’ll regret. Grab it here if you want a head start.
Step 4: Remember Who This Is For
Your wedding is a mirror of your love—not a performance.
When you strip away the pressure, the Pinterest-perfect aesthetics, and the fear of judgment, you’re left with something sacred: a celebration of your story, your commitment, and your values.
You deserve a wedding that reflects your essence—not someone else’s checklist.
Final Thoughts
Designing a wedding that feels like you doesn’t require a massive budget—it requires clarity, courage, and a little bit of rebellion.
If you’re ready to plan a wedding that’s intentional, soulful, and budget-conscious, our $27 Designing a Wedding Worth Every Penny guide is here to walk you through every step.
It’s time to break the template.
Your love is one of one—your wedding should be too.
