In this world of ever-changing wedding trends, you might feel like you’ll need an enormous pile of cash to pull off your dream celebration—the experts know this to be true: “It can be easy for couples to stress about the impact budget is going to have on their wedding,” says event planner Courtney-Rose Dantus. “Before they even get started, they’re already playing the comparison game.”
So, if you know you’ll be working with limited funds, an attitude reset is essential. “It’s not about what you have at your wedding,” says wedding expert Kim Gamez. “It’s truly about the ‘who’—you as a couple and the people there celebrating you. Dantus adds that you should always keep your “why” in mind, too: “During those early weeks of wedding planning, I always advise my couples to think about what is truly important to them, and why they’re embarking on this journey together,” she says. “Whatever the reason is, it’s important to be on the same page.” This overarching strategy comes in handy during the dozens of decisions you’ll make down the line. If the thing you’re thinking about splurging on doesn’t serve your “why,” then it might not be worth the money.