The Garter Girl’s Blog

Weddings are one of the most memorable celebrations in life, but they can also become a financial headache if you’re not careful. According to the new Splendid Insights 2025 Global Wedding Market Report, 84% of couples who got married in 2024, overspent on their wedding because they underestimated the actual costs of goods and services. Yes, they didn’t realize how much things cost in weddings - from photography to outfits to flowers to rentals to planning to food - and this lack of information caused them to spend more money than they were expecting. Yikes! Let’s talk about this because, if you’re newly engaged, I have things to say! If you’re searching for ways to save money on your wedding or avoid going over budget, it’s crucial to have the right tools and advice at your disposal from someone who actually works in the industry and knows what they're talking about! This is what I’m sharing today. I’m digging deep and giving you my personal wedding advice recommendations for how to avoid overspending on your wedding. If you want a big day without the big money regret, listen up. I got you! Bridal Fashion Budget Spreadsheet As a luxury wedding garter designer at The Garter Girl with over 20 years of experience helping thousands of couples, I’ve seen firsthand how careful planning and smart budgeting can prevent stress of any kind. One of the best ways to keep your wedding budget under control is by using our "Bridal Fashion Budget Spreadsheet." I personally made this tool to share with my brides over the years because I saw them getting into trouble and overspending because they didn’t account for all the other wedding fashion expenses besides their wedding dress. They often were going into a bridal shop searching for their dream wedding dress, so excited and overspent on their wedding dress right away with no context. They didn't know about all of their other wedding expenses, and all of the other outfits they needed to plan for. And, worse, they weren’t including their wedding dress in their overall wedding budget. It was just sort of this “thing” off to the side that no one talked about! Well, I set out to change that with my clients to help make their wedding fashion experience calm, stress free and on budget. My brides liked it so much, I made it into the for everyone! "Bridal Fashion Budget Spreadsheet” tool is specifically designed to help brides and those who love them organize and track all your wedding fashion expenses - not just your wedding dress. It even includes a bonus spreadsheet for managing your entire wedding budget, ensuring that no expense is overlooked. So now, your wedding dress isn’t just some secret stash of money off to the side! It gets proper budgeting just like everything else! Tips To Avoid Overspending Back to the issue at hand. Overspending on your wedding. I want to help. So, I’m sharing my top tips avoid overspending or at least spending more than you wanted to without knowing why or where the money went. My goal is to get to you and share this info before you start spending money, signing contracts or start down the rabbit hole that is paying for a wedding. I have to tell you, I have no regrets from my wedding day. My husband and I were married 20 years ago this year. I wouldn’t change a thing. Truly. I want that for you too! Without further ado, here are is my best advice - from my seat as a wedding garter designer and working in bridal fashion world for over 20 years - for staying on budget and not overspending money on your wedding - unless you want to, eyes wide open! To help you plan a beautiful and meaningful day without overspending, here are actionable tips to guide you every step of the way. I got your back, don’t worry! Research Costs Early It’s important to research the actual costs of wedding vendors, services, and products in your area before setting your budget and certainly before signing any contracts. Many couples overspend simply because they’re unaware of industry pricing. Ask for information and initial pricing from multiple vendors and compare them to ensure you’re getting accurate information. (If vendor pricing is wildly different, that’s a red flag that something is amiss! At the very least, call around and find out what the dollar buys you in your area, or the location where you’re thinking of being married. Don’t lie to vendors when you call them and “price shop” or ask for specific quotes. It takes them time to prepare realistic proposals, so you don't want to waste their time. (Or the worst advice that I’ve heard is to lie and tell them that you want to plan a party and not a wedding to see if you can get a lower price. This is terrible advice and I’ll share more about that later. It’s too much for this post!) You’re not at the proposal or quote phase yet, you’re still doing your research. Be very honest when conducting your initial research. Tell them that you’re in the beginning stages of planning and you want to know how much things cost in the area where you’re thinking of getting married. You’re trying to do you research and you need help. Start with the wedding venue and the catering, as those will be two huge expenses at the beginning. Go to visit locations and potential wedding sites, and talk to the coordinators at the venues. Another option is to find a wedding planner. Start asking around to friends and family and searching on the Internet and social media for someone who might be a good fit for you. Wedding planners are a tremendous help when it comes to all this, and especially wedding pricing. Be honest with them and let them know that you’re at the very beginning and you aren’t sure about how much weddings in your area cost. They might be able to share some preliminary information with you to get you started, or at the very least point you in the right direction with additional resources. It is darn near impossible to even begin to set a wedding budget with no idea how much things cost - in the area where you want to get married. Create a Realistic Budget Once you have a better sense of how much things in your area cost, you’ll be in a better position to work on creating an overall wedding budget. A budget, remember isn’t the final total. It’s just the general numbers that you’re aiming for within certain categories. You’ll have an overall, top-line number and then you’ll break it down into different categories like venue fees, food and beverage, attire, transportation, entertainment and much more. Before making any decisions, signing any contracts, establish a detailed budget that includes everything - from venue and catering to smaller items like wedding garters (that’s me!) and favors. One way to simplify this process is by using my "Bridal Fashion Budget Spreadsheet." This handy-dandy tool is designed to help couples plan and save money on their wedding by providing a dedicated place to organize and track all wedding fashion expenses - not just the wedding dress. It also includes a bonus spreadsheet to help you manage your entire wedding budget, ensuring that every expense is accounted for. Using this spreadsheet allows you to stay within your financial limits, prioritize what matters most, and avoid overspending while still creating a beautiful and meaningful celebration. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: as you’re working on your wedding budget one area that you might want to strongly consider is a wedding planner. A planner knows your area, knows the other vendors and has tons of experience to guide you every step of the way. Most of all, they will be able to help you set a realistic budget - and stick to it! Build a Contingency Fund Unexpected expenses with anything, but especially in weddings, are inevitable, and failing to prepare for them can lead to unnecessary stress, and, you guessed it: overspending! Set aside a portion of your total budget as a contingency fund to cover last-minute needs, such as additional decor, overtime fees for vendors, or weather-related changes. This financial cushion not only ensures peace of mind, but also gives you the flexibility to handle surprises without compromising other aspects of your wedding. Being proactive with this fund and including it from the start allows you to stay on track and avoid the domino effect of that often comes with overspending. How much this wedding contingency fund is really depends on your overall number and where you’re getting married. This number is wildly different for every couple. At this point in your process, just know that you need to have a line item in your budget for miscellaneous expenses and costs that are unknown at this point in the game. What that number will be will reveal itself as you get more specific with your wedding. Limit Your Guest List One of the fastest ways to reduce costs with your wedding is to trim your guest list. Each additional guest adds to your catering bill, rentals in the form of more chairs and tables, and decor expenses in the form of more centerpieces and a larger dance floor, which can quickly inflate your budget. Simply put, more costs more when it comes to your wedding guest list! If money is an issue and you’re worried about overspending before you’ve even started, look right at your guest list. Focus on inviting the people who truly matter to you and who will make your day special. (I like to ask: In 20 years, if I've moved and changed jobs, will I remember that this person was at my wedding?) Also, keep in mind, just because you don't invite them to your wedding doesn't mean they don't "matter to you" or they aren't an important part of your life. Everyone knows that you have to draw the line somewhere. You can still love your family and friends - and they can love you right back - even if you don't invite them to your wedding! If a large guest list feels overwhelming or outside of your budget, remember that a small, courthouse or elopement-style wedding is always an option. (Don't sleep on the hottest wedding trend, the secret wedding!) These intimate, scaled down celebrations not only save money, but also create a unique and personal experience for you and your partner. Keeping your guest list focused and intentional can lead to a more meaningful and budget-friendly wedding. DIY Wisely I know certain people and big box wedding websites (that’s not me BTW) like to throw around doing it yourself as a means of not overspending on your wedding. But, I’m here to tell you that DIY doesn’t always save money in the end. You still have to buy the materials and learn the skills to do whatever it is that you’re trying to do. Plus, DIY-ing anything for your wedding is a huge time investment and can add stress to an already stressful situation. Only DIY for your wedding if that is your thing and you - or someone you love is going to do fir you - enjoys being crafty. Otherwise, you’re better off going without than trying to DIY or do it on the cheap. If you are going to tackle a wedding DIY project two, focus on projects that are manageable, such as handwritten place cards or assembling your own wedding favors, and leave more complex tasks to professionals. Over the years, I’ve heard amazing stories of families who came together and each baked a couple dozen cookies as the wedding dessert in lieu of a wedding cake. Or, a neighbor who is willing to donate their time to DIY the flowers because that’s what she was into. For my own sister’s wedding, my mom who is a seamstress (I learned everything from her!), handmade all of the reception napkins (yes!) because that’s what she loved to do. She wanted to do it and found joy in it! There are lots of ways to DIY for your wedding. Just make sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons and not necessarily as a way to save money. Prioritize What Matters Most Identify the aspects of your wedding that are most important to you and allocate more of your budget there. Whether it’s the venue, photography, or your dream wedding dress, spend where it counts and cut back on less significant details. I wrote this more detailed post about “How to Define Priorities For Your Wedding.” I hope that it is helpful to you! Priorities really are the foundation of your wedding budget and ultimately your wedding spending. Spend time on your priorities, your partner’s priorities and your priorities together at the beginning of the planning process - before you’ve signed any contracts or spent any money - and you won’t regret it in the end. Clearly defined priorities will help you avoid overspending and lead you to better choices. And less stressful decisions too! Work with Your Vendors Work with your vendors to get what you want while staying within your budget. Most wedding vendors are small business owners, not big box companies, and their prices reflect the value of their services. They have labor costs, storage, hardware like cameras, and hard costs like flowers and food. And they are experts who have been doing this for a long time, and they have the relationships to help you get what you want while keeping you on budget. Instead of negotiating or asking for discounts - which is a huge no, no - collaborate with them to find creative ways to meet your needs without overspending. Tell them your goal and your vision, and ask for their suggestions for how to get there within your budget. You will be amazed at their creative ideas and unique ideas. They have an incredible understanding of the market and how weddings come together, and they will be able to help. And when you do ask for help, be open to their suggestions. Don’t be so rigid that it has to be an exact certain way or nothing at all. Come to your wedding vendors with an overall goal and be open to their recommendations. (Stay tuned for more about comparisons and compromising later in this article!) Again, this is another area were a wedding planner can really help you avoid overspending. A planner will be able to take your goal of what it is that you want and help you to work backwards to plan for and pay for what you want. Consider Off-Peak Dates There are those certain days of the year that everyone wants! Try to avoid those super popular dates if your budget is tight. Booking your wedding during off-peak months or on a weekday can save you money and help to cut down on the overspend. Some vendors and venues offer discounts or reduced pricing for non-traditional wedding dates. Keep in mind that this approach can work in some areas or locations but not all. There are certain hard costs, like the cost of flowers or the cost of food, that remain consistent regardless of the date. Additionally, in some locations, there is no off-season because they host weddings and events year-round. Pro Tip: Expect to pay more when booking or trying to lock in vendors super far in advance of your wedding day. It might cost extra to hold a date with certain wedding vendors over a year in advance of your preferred date. Alternatively, you might (I say “might” because not all do this!) be able to save money with an extra short timeline. Avoid Last-Minute Decisions Rushed decisions in anything, but especially in weddings, often leads to overspending. Plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to research and compare options. Take your time making your decisions, but not too much time. This really applies to shipping fast and rush production. For example, if you decide at the last minute on the table linens that you want and your rental company doesn’t have them in stock, you might have to pay extra for a rush fee to get what you want, or settle for table linens that you don’t like as much. Or, if you drag your feet deciding on what flowers you want for your wedding, and your florist has to place a rush shipment from their supplier, that extra cost will get passed onto you. There is a sweet spot in wedding booking and decision making that is not too early, but not so late that it is rushed, and causes you extra stress - and extra money. As you’re doing your research, be sure to pay attention to your vendor’s timelines and suggestions for when to make choices and decisions. Sticking to their recommendations will hep you avoid overspending on rush production. Shop Smart for Small Details Items like outfits, accessories, wedding garters (that’s me at The Garter Girl), favors, out of town bags, and wedding party gifts can add up quickly. Look for unique, high-quality options that don’t break the bank. Shopping from small businesses can often provide better value and personalized service. Also, shop early so that you can avoid rush shipping. These small wedding details like gifts and accessories tend to pile up quickly. This is where my “Bridal Fashion Budget Spreadsheet” comes in super handy. You’ll be able to see right away all of the different outfits, accessories and gifts that you need to plan for. So you can decide if you want to spend or not, so there are no last minute surprises and no last minute overspending. Be Willing to Compromise Flexibility is key to staying within your wedding budget. You may not get every single detail exactly as you imagined (or as you saw in those crazy aspiration photos that you saw on Pinterest or in that over-the-top celebrity influencer wedding on social media!), but being open to alternatives can help you save significantly - especially the alternatives suggested by your vendors. Whether it’s choosing in-season flowers, adjusting the menu, renting instead buying, rethinking your venue choice, or reducing your guest list, compromises can lead to creative and beautiful solutions that still align with your vision. Again, a wedding planner can really help you by showing you want to compromise on and what not to. They can show you the best use of your money and where to save or splurge. I’m not a wedding planner, I design and handmake garters, as you know, but I just feel strongly that a rock solid experience wedding planner will be worth their weight in gold, if overspending for your wedding is something you’re worried about. Be Careful About Comparisons It’s easy to get caught up in the inspirational (and aspirational!) weddings you see on the Internet. We’ve all been there! They don’t call it a pin-worth wedding for nothing! Remember that those images often represent idealized or extravagant scenarios that may or may not be real. Many of those images were created to get your attention (Hello, click bate and eye candy!), or they were produced in a location that is not near you and not possible, or they were for social media influencers or celebrities that are not at all in your ball park of reality - so don’t let yourself fall for it. You can be inspired by it, but don’t be overwhelmed by it and cause you to overspend thinking that what you’re seeing on the Internet or social media is real or even possible. Avoid comparing your wedding to others’ and focus on what’s meaningful to you and your partner. Staying grounded in your vision will help you prioritize your budget and avoid unnecessary spending. Staying grounded in your vision will help you prioritize your budget and avoid unnecessary spending. Research Money Advice for Your Area This is probably my number one tip for avoiding overspending on your wedding. When you’re doing your research, you have to look in your area where you’re getting married. It does you no good to find out the average cost of a wedding for the whole country, because the price of a wedding in a big city is different than a small down, then on one coast versus another, and so on. Location matter when it comes to wedding budgets and spending. Money goes farther in certain areas, so it’s important to research budget and money advice specific to your location, season, and venue. Talk to wedding vendors in your area for the most accurate information about how far your dollar goes for your preferred wedding vision. Vendors who serve that area or market understand the local market and can provide insights that generic wedding cost and budget advice on the Internet or social media often overlooks. Be super duper cautious of overly general budget information found on big box wedding websites or social media, as it can be misleading and unhelpful. Focus on advice tailored to your wedding venue or location to maximize your budget and avoid costly mistakes. Avoid Arbitrary Budget Percentages I know that I said that doing your research in your area was most important. But this next tip an important one too! If you want to avid over spending on you wedding, avoid generic budget percentages like plague. Run far away from generalized budget percentage recommendations. (This is different than percentage based pricing which some wedding vendors do, which is a whole other topic, not for here.) This is about when you see advice that tells you to spend 40% of your budget on your venue, or 5% for your wedding invitations, or 10-15% on photography, or 2% on your wedding cake - and so on down the list of wedding expenses. This kind of advice is terrible. I mean bad. Avoid budget and spending advice that is centered on a percentage of your total wedding spend. For example, recommendations to set aside or expect to spend 10% of your wedding budget on your wedding dress are arbitrary and mean different things to different people. What about the person who doesn’t value a wedding dress and wants to wear something they already own? Another example could be, if I’m told to allocate 5% of my budget for invitations, but what if I decide to send an email invitation for free? Should I save that percentage and apply it somewhere else. Another example is, what if I want to spend more than the recommended percent? You can see how when you rely on arbitrary budget percentages one can get really confused. And this can lead to overspending. Fast. Instead of relying on meaningless and worthless percentages, rely on the vendors in your area. Ask them how much things cost and get a realistic understanding of expenses specific to your wedding vision and location. (Circle back to my other tips about doing your research in your area!) Focus on the realist, real-time advice from real humans in real areas on the ground in person, IRL that align with your personal values and your wedding priorities to avoid unnecessary spending. Spend all of your time and energy researching how much things actually cost in your area. Hire the Most Experienced Wedding Pros You Can Afford Investing in experienced wedding professionals is one of the best decisions you can make to ensure a smooth and successful wedding day. And it’s how you can avoid overspending. Period. Working with the best vendors in all areas of your wedding you can afford will give you the best results. (Notice I didn't say most expensive, I said most experienced!) Experienced pros bring expertise, creativity, and problem-solving skills to the table, making them invaluable. You simply can’t put a price tag on experience. Their knowledge and network of resources can help turn your wedding vision into reality - while staying on budget. They can educate you to the costs of a wedding. They can guide you to the best financial decisions possible. They can show you how to get the most out of your money. They can show you were to save and where to splurge. If you’re worried about overspending, pay for for experience over anything else when selecting your wedding vendors - it’s a decision you won’t regret. This is true for all vendors that you hire from planner to photographer to florist to entertainment to rental and so on down the list. Bonus Tip: Track Every Expense I have one last tip for you to avoid overspending on your wedding. And that is to keep an up-to-date list of all of your expenses in one place. This will help you stay accountable and adjust as needed to avoid going over budget. No more hiding money, not sure of where that little something is being spent. No more secret funding sources and mystery accounts with dollars no one knows about. No more a little here, a little there, it's not a big deal. It can get out of control real fast. So best to stay on it from the start! Track all your wedding expenses - big and small. And do it out in the open. To make this process even easier, get yourself my "Bridal Fashion Budget Spreadsheet." This comprehensive tool allows you to organize and keep track of all your wedding fashion expenses, not just your wedding dress. From shoes and accessories to alterations and undergarments, this spreadsheet ensures every detail is accounted for. As a bonus, it includes an additional spreadsheet for managing your entire wedding budget - helping you plan everything from catering and venue costs to decor and favors. I can’t have you thinking that your wedding outfits is something separate. What you were has to be considered within your overall budget number. Not off to the side, coming out of some mystery bridal fashion account! Investing in this affordable tool not only reduces stress but also empowers you to make informed financial decisions throughout your wedding planning journey - and avoid overspending! For couples searching for how to save money on their wedding or avoid going over budget, this spreadsheet is an invaluable resource. My "Bridal Fashion Budget Spreadsheet" makes the whole process - from start to finish - so much easier for everyone involved. It allows you to organize and keep track of all your wedding fashion expenses, not just your wedding dress. And you can share it on the go, on any device with anyone who needs to know, like your partner, vendors and family. It also includes a bonus spreadsheet to manage your entire wedding budget, ensuring that no detail is overlooked. Investing in the right tools will help you stay organized, reduce stress, and keep your finances on track as you plan your special day. By doing your research and working with you wedding vendors, you can have the wedding of your dreams without the overspending regret. Remember, it’s not about how much you spend but the love and memories you create on your special day. Now, you’re well on your way to a stress-free and on budget celebration - whatever that budget means for your area and your priorities! I'd be so honored to work with you to create a new family heirloom that your entire family will cherish for generations to come. You can contact The Garter Girl or make a request for a custom wedding garter design. If custom isn't your thing, you can shop our full wedding heirloom and garter collection for ready-to-ship wedding garters.For more of my wedding ideas and inspirations, be sure to check out my Garter Girl Loves blog series and you can shop all of my wedding garter designs.

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