2026 Weddings Have LOST The Plot – EP 646

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It’s crazy when choosing the flowers, venue, and dress feels like the easiest part than keeping the costs under control. And beyond the couple, guests can end up spending more than they expect, too. Today, Jen and Jill talk about the wedding costs nobody warns you about, the trends driving them up, and the frugal ways to make your wedding actually fit your budget.

Marriage is a right, but having a wedding shouldn’t feel like a privilege.

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  • the thrift store. Ever been engaged and not exactly rolling in cash? Try the thrift store. You can find frames to spray-paint, vases, candle holders, plates, toys you can turn into decor, and baskets—some of which you can also spray-paint. If you like thrifting things, or spray painting things, wipe that paint off your finger and hit subscribe right now because we talk about this kind of stuff every week. 

Absurd Wedding Costs Affect More Than Just the Bride and Groom

Jen and Jill unpack the growing trend of weddings becoming more and more expensive. They discuss how couples are now expected to book venues months in advance and deal with increasingly outrageous preparation costs and fees that have only gotten worse over the years. Social media plays a huge role, too, creating unrealistic expectations and driving up demand for the latest wedding trends, ultimately making everything more expensive.

They also explore trendy but costly wedding practices, from destination weddings to day weddings and themed weddings, and how these expenses affect more than just the bride and groom. Guests are spending more, too, whether it’s on travel, hotels, outfits, gifts, or taking time off work.

What Affordable But Quality Wedding Looks Like

Weddings can still look like the ones you dreamed about as a kid without sacrificing the savings you’re building for your future. In one video, a bride shares everything she did to keep her wedding and honeymoon expenses just over $1,000, all while staying completely debt-free.

From making her own invitations on Canva to thrifting her wedding dress, decor, props, and even florals, she found creative ways to have the wedding she wanted without spending a fortune. Jen and Jill share their own similar experiences and encourage couples to get creative with the details, proving that a beautiful, meaningful wedding doesn’t have to come with a huge price tag.

Would you ever save money on your wedding by getting a wedding dress on eBay??

Jill once bought a wedding dress on eBay and immediately regretted it, realizing that sometimes, trying to save money can turn into a frugal fail. She eventually ended up buying an off-the-rack dress instead. Jen, on the other hand, accidentally bought a bridesmaid dress, but in white, so it ended up becoming her wedding dress!

Bill of the Week

Thanks Whitney for sharing your bill about the money you saved from NOT buying supplements!

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