Wedding Bells on a Budget: Your Guide to planning a Damn Epic Day Without Breaking the Bank

Hey humans! Helen here, your wedding hype girl here to help you because your wedding should be epic, not stressful!

So, you're planning your big day and the budget talk can be scary. It's hard to know what where and how to even begin so I thought I'd help where I can. Let's chat about how to have a freaking phenomenal wedding that won't completely break the bank.

Planning is Your BFF:

This might sound like a no-brainer, but trust me, planning is your secret weapon. The earlier you get your ducks in a row, the more options you have. This means you can snag the vendors who's work, food or music you adore before they get booked solid. Plus, with more time, you can hunt down killer deals and explore alternative options that might not be on your radar at first glance - and you'll find out about these by meeting vendors, like myself, going to wedding shows - those can be pretty intimidating but great to meet a whole bunch of people in one place and get some fresh ideas.

Payment Plans: Your New Best Friend

If you've got set vendors who you absolutely LOVE most vendors offer payment plans. They won't magically make the cost cheaper but definately makes it easier to manage by breaking it down into manageable chunks, making that dream venue, photography package, band or celebrant a reality without a financial meltdown. I highly recommend catching up with all your major vendors in person. Yes, venue, yes planner, and definately 100% your photographer. It's one thing loving their work on socials but these people are going to spend a big part of one of the most specail days of your life with you so make sure you guys vibe!

Your Photographer: A Guide for the Newly Engaged

Photographers know weddings inside out - good ones do anyway. We've been in the wedding trenches for a while, and we've seen it all. We know which vendors are better for a budget, which hidden gem locations are perfect for a ceremony that won't break the bank, and how to craft a timeline that maximizes your time with all your awesome vendors. Plus if there's a deal on we're gunna know about it!

Timeline Magic: Making Every Second Count

A well-crafted timeline is your key to unlocking a stress-free and budget-friendly wedding day. By planning things out strategically, you can avoid unnecessary downtime that eats into your time with vendors. Plus, a good timeline ensures less stress and you're able to plan your day with your priorities in mind, this means you get all those must-have photos without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The secret to this is being open with your photographer about all your wants and needs. It's a win-win!

The Takeaway...

Your wedding day should be a reflection of your love story, not a financial nightmare. By planning ahead, utilizing payment plans, leveraging your photographer's insider knowledge, and rocking a killer timeline, you can have a wedding that's both unforgettable and budget-friendly. Remember, it's about the connection, the laughter, the raw moments of joy – we want you just to enjoy the day while we capture those moments with epic photos.

So, ditch the stress, grab your lover, and let's

plan a wedding that's wild, romantic, and totally within your budget. Because love shouldn't cost you your sanity! Now, go forth and conquer your wedding planning, you beautiful budget warriors!

P.S.  if you want a handy guide you on all the different costs of a wedding you can download my handy doc here.

Wedding Budget Spreadsheet

And if you want to have a read through our Ultimate Wedding Planner & Budget Guide just click on the button below.

The Ultimate Wedding Planner & Budget Guide: NZ & Beyond