The Wedding Budget Playbook

What's inside

A category-by-category system for planning a beautiful wedding without waking up in credit card debt. Includes a master budget worksheet, vendor negotiation scripts, and category caps you can adapt to your own number. Disclaimer: Educational content only. Not financial advice. Costs vary widely by region and vendor.

Table of contents

1. 01The honest number: what a wedding actually costs in 2026
2. 02The 60/25/15 category framework
3. 03Venue and catering: where 55% of your budget lives
4. 04Vendor negotiation scripts (photographer, florist, DJ)
5. 05The guest list math — and how to shrink it kindly
6. 06Hidden costs: tips, taxes, and 'day-of' surprises
7. 07The 12-month checklist and payment schedule