Are We Doing Our Wedding Right?

What 54,000 engaged couples taught us and what it means for your wedding day.

Can I share something that genuinely surprised me?

A recent study surveyed more than 54,000 couples about how they planned their weddings, and one statistic stopped me in my tracks.

61% of couples came up with their wedding budget by essentially picking a number that felt right.

And honestly, that makes complete sense because nobody gets engaged and suddenly knows what weddings cost. There isn't a Wedding Budget 101 class, and most couples are planning an event of this size for the very first time.

If you've ever felt embarrassed because your original budget was way off, you're in very good company. More than half of couples start in exactly the same place.

The honest answer is that it depends on your priorities, guest count, and venue, but here are a few things I always tell couples early in the planning process:

✦ Venue, catering, and bar service typically account for 40–50% of your total wedding budget. This is usually the largest expense and the biggest factor in determining your overall budget.

✦ Photography and videography together often range from $5,000–$15,000 in the Philadelphia market for experienced professionals.

✦ Florals are more flexible than many couples realize. A talented florist can create a beautiful design plan at a variety of price points when you focus your budget on the elements that matter most to you.

✦ Planning services often save couples money in the long run. Having someone who understands local vendor pricing can help you avoid expensive mistakes and make smarter decisions from the beginning.

The same study found that 20% of couples start researching venues before they're even engaged.

If that's you, welcome. You're not crazy, and you're actually ahead of the game.

In the Philadelphia area, venue availability influences almost everything else. Your venue often determines your wedding date, guest count, budget, and sometimes even the season you get married.

One thing I've noticed after years of working with couples is that the least stressed couples aren't necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets.

They're the ones who have honest conversations about money early.

When expectations, priorities, and budgets are aligned from the beginning, planning becomes so much easier. There are fewer surprises, fewer difficult decisions, and a much clearer path forward.

That's exactly what I help couples do.

Whether you're newly engaged or already deep in vendor emails and spreadsheets, a planning consultation can help bring clarity to the process. We'll talk through your priorities, your budget, and what's realistic in today's market so you can move forward with confidence.

*Data sourced from Splendid Insights 2026 Wedding Market Report

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Until next time,

Quiet design. Loud impact.