Planning a Wedding When Joy Feels Like a Luxury

Can I Even Afford Joy Right Now?

It’s wild how planning a joyful event like a wedding can make you feel like you’re doing something wrong especially when every grocery run feels like a financial crisis and the news is constantly a mess. Ugh.

If you’ve ever opened a spreadsheet for your wedding and immediately wanted to shut your laptop and run into the woods forever…you are so not alone.

I’ve been hearing from so many couples lately who are deeply in love, so ready to get married, but also quietly asking themselves:

“How am I supposed to spend this kind of money on a party when everything feels so unstable?”

Inflation is wild. Rent is wild. The world? Wild. And here you are trying to choose a cake flavor while feeling guilty for wanting joy.

I wanna talk about it.

Let’s Say the Quiet Part Out Loud…Joy Guilt Is Real

There’s this thing no one tells you about wedding planning: even though it’s supposed to be joyful, it can bring up so much weird shame.

Like…am I selfish for wanting to celebrate? Am I being irresponsible for spending money on a wedding when I could be saving for a house or paying off debt or…just surviving?

The answer: nope. You’re not selfish. You’re a human wanting to share a human experience with your favorite human.

You’re a person who craves connection in a world that constantly asks us to numb out. You deserve a day to feel safe, loved, and surrounded by joy!

Real Talk from a Wedding Photographer Who Gets It

Okay, confession time. I’m part of the wedding industry. I charge money for this. And I absolutely struggle with this topic. Like…what gives me the right to even talk about this?

Because yeah. Weddings are expensive. And yep. I have to charge enough to afford to live. But I’ve never been here to sell couples on spending more. I’m here to remind you: this day gets to be about what you want. Not what Pinterest wants. Not what capitalism wants. What you want.

And you know what? Joy is a valid thing to spend your energy on. Especially now.

There’s No One Way to “Do It Right”

Here’s what I’ve seen over and over again: the best weddings aren’t the most expensive ones. They’re the ones that feel intentional.

The couples who feel the most at peace on their wedding day are the ones who made the day reflect them, not a checklist.

If spending money makes you feel anxious, let’s talk about ways to ease that pressure without sacrificing the stuff that actually matters:

Creative Ways to Keep the Joy, Lose the Guilt

• Go digital with invitations – Save money and the environment.
• Use fake flowers for decor – Real touch florals look amazing and last forever.
• Borrow or rent outfits – Because a $200 dress can look like a million bucks if it feels like you.
• Cut the favors – Nobody takes them anyway. Seriously.
• Opt for a smaller guest list – Big love doesn’t require a big crowd.
• Have a backyard wedding with great food and music – Instant vibe.
• Prioritize vendors that matter most to you – For many people, that’s photography. Because long after the food’s gone and the flowers wilt, your photos will still be there.

None of these choices make your wedding “less than.” They make it more you.

Permission to Do What Feels Good (and Only That)

Here’s your gentle, rebellious reminder: you don’t need to go into debt to celebrate your love. You don’t need to prove anything. You don’t need to buy the most to mean the most.

You just need to ask yourself: what actually matters to us?

Is it the vows? The food? A dance party with your people? Cool. Focus there. Let the rest fall away.

De-influence Yourself from Thinking Your Wedding Is A Performace

If joy feels like a luxury right now, let your wedding be a form of quiet protest: a day full of real connection, not perfection. A day rooted in what matters, not what trends.

Because when you strip away the pressure, you’ll find that celebrating love—in any form—is one of the most powerful things we can do.

TL;DR:

• It’s okay if spending on your wedding makes you feel conflicted.
• You don’t need to do what “everyone else” is doing.
• You’re allowed to want joy, even when the world is heavy.
• There are so many ways to make your wedding meaningful without breaking the bank.

You’re doing great. And never forget that you deserve joy.

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