Wedding Budgeting Tips
Hi, bride!
I’m Megan, the founder and lead planner of Behind the Scenes Events in Bismarck and Fargo, ND. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside couples who are juggling demanding careers, busy personal lives, and the desire to create a wedding day that feels effortless and unforgettable. I decided to write this because I see so many couples start out thinking they can “do it all themselves,” only to later feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and unable to enjoy the season of engagement as much as they hoped. And not to mention, they’re always full of sticker shock! My biggest tip? Always, always, always, budget out everything, before you start hiring vendors.
I want to change that narrative. If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “how much does a wedding cost in North Dakota, “how to plan a wedding with a busy schedule” or “how to enjoy my wedding day without stress,” you’re not alone. You deserve a wedding day where you’re fully present, not buried in logistics, stuck managing vendors, or glued to your phone. So, if you’ve ever made this face while looking at wedding costs, this is the blog for you!
The Reality: Weddings Take More Time Than You Think
The average couple spends 200–300 hours planning their wedding. That’s a second job on top of your already demanding career. From narrowing down vendors to navigating contracts to making countless small decisions, it’s a process that drains time and energy.
This is where professional planning becomes more than a luxury, it’s a necessity for busy couples. By trusting an expert, you skip the stress and instead focus on the parts of wedding planning that are fun: food and cake tastings, trying on outfits, dreaming about your honeymoon.
Maximizing Your Budget: Where to Splurge and Where to Save
Every couple, no matter their budget, wants to know how to spend wisely. In North Dakota, I’ve found that weddings with around 200 guests typically start in the $25,000–$35,000 range, but how you prioritize and allocate that budget matters far more than the overall number.
Here’s what I recommend:
Splurge on experience: Invest in the elements that will impact your guests and your memories - like a planner who ensures everything flows smoothly, a photographer who captures the joy, or catering that you won’t forget. I suggest to make a priorities list to ensure you invest the most in what matters to you. At the very least, I suggest to at least budget for a month-of coordinator.
Save strategically: Skip unnecessary extras or duplicate décor items. Your guests will remember how they felt more than the tenth set of candles on the table.
Think long-term: Professional planning isn’t just about the wedding day. It’s about preserving your energy, time, and peace of mind during the months leading up to it.
Starting the Budget Conversation with Family
For couples receiving financial help from family, it can feel tricky to start the money conversation. Trust me, I get it.
I know it’s not a fun topic, but in life you WILL need to talk about money. These conversations will set the groundwork for a successful marriage. A planner helps make these conversations easier by breaking down real costs and aligning expectations. Some tips:
Decide who contributes what: Be upfront and honest. It avoids misunderstandings later.
Prioritize together: If a family member is paying for the band, let them feel part of that choice.
Set boundaries early: It’s your wedding, and while input is valuable, clear direction ensures the day reflects you as a couple
The Luxury of Peace of Mind
At the end of the day, couples don’t look back and say, “I wish we saved money by managing our own timeline and putting out our own fires”
Our clients have literally said, “Hiring a planner was the best decision we made.”
Because the real luxury isn’t in the flowers, the cake, or the dress - it’s in the ability to be present, stress-free, and fully immersed in the joy of your wedding day.
And when the final sparkler fades, imagine stepping right into a seamless honeymoon planned with the same care. (We do that too!)
