Latest news with #TheBudget-SavvyWeddingPlanner&Organizer
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
No Planner, No Problem: These Wedding Books Will Save the Day
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." I can barely meal plan one week at a time, so the idea of coordinating an entire wedding is bonkers. I'm nowhere near engaged (sorry, Mom), but I can already promise you that when the time comes, I will be turning to the best wedding planner books. An actual human planner might not be in your budget, but these books are a solid replacement. Best Portable Pick: The Little Book of Wedding Checklists, $6 Best Overall: The Budget-Savvy Wedding Planner & Organizer, $28 Best Personalized Option: Our Wedding Planner Book, $51 Best to Give as a Gift: Smythson Say I Do Planner, $295 'Having a physical wedding planner or journal can be incredibly helpful for staying organized and focused,' says expert Jessica Bishop. 'It keeps everything in one place and gives you a visual way to track your progress. A good planner can reduce stress, guide your decisions, and help you stay on track financially and logistically. It allows you to break the process into manageable steps.' But where to begin? As with every decision you'll make throughout planning, the amount of options can feel daunting, so I've narrowed down the market to a tight list of 13 tried-and-true journals. 'Not all planners are created equal,' Bishop advised me. 'I recommend choosing one that not only includes checklists but also helps you think critically about your values, vision, and budget.' Ahead, browse and shop the best wedding planner books.'Look for a planner that goes beyond surface-level to-do lists,' Bishop says. Hers is 'part workbook, part guidebook, designed to empower couples to make intentional, informed choices every step of the way.' Customer review: 'This was worth every dollar spent! There are so many tips and places to jot down every thought you could think of! And even ones you didn't think of! Highly, highly recommend if you are planning a wedding by yourself.' $23.79 at you need structure to stay on track, this bestseller is for you. It's filled with formatted pages to help you with everything from invitation design to dress style options. It also offers helpful pointers including questions to ask while touring venues or information your guests will need ahead of the big day. Customer review: 'A lot of the things that I would have to think through have been thought through for me in an organized and easy-to-follow format. This will allow us to plan the wedding in a quicker, more effective way.' $5.91 at AmazonFor those who are more visually minded, this spiral-bound option has ample space for moodboarding. Plus, it has pages for taking notes at dress fittings or menu tastings. Customer review: 'Perfect amount of space for planning and organizing all details of your wedding! Great value for the money. Thick paper, so it doesn't easily tear—no need to worry about losing any pages!' $28.49 at AmazonOn this one, you can even add a photo of the couple to the back. Isn't that sweet? It's even an Etsy's pick, by the way, and it features spreadsheets to keep track of budget estimates versus actual costs and what's been paid. It also has a photography checklist to ensure you get every shot you want. Customer review: 'Absolutely wonderful guide! I do not know what I am doing, and this has been incredibly helpful!' $67.99 at EtsyFill this minimalist style with all your preparation and planning, including for your honeymoon. This one from Scribble & Dot has checklists for every milestone—four months out, one month out, two weeks out, etc—so no detail will fall through the cracks. Customer review: 'This planner is a lifesaver! It covers every detail you could think of. The size is perfect: compact enough to carry but with plenty of space to write. The layout is super functional and easy to follow, even if you're not a natural planner. It's well-organized, high-quality, and makes the entire planning process feel way less overwhelming. Highly recommend for anyone feeling stressed!' $23.95 at AmazonMy daily planner is from Smythson, and I'd hardly be functional without it. This heritage brand has been sustainably hand-binding stationery for over 135 years, so they pretty much have it down pat. $85.00 at people know exactly what they want and how they want it. And for that kind of bride, I might recommend a plain, lined notebook like this one. You won't have to fuss with formats or features you don't need. You can just freestyle it your own way. Customer review: 'This product arrived quickly and was absolutely beautiful! I had bought this for a friend who just got engaged and she loved it. The perfect notebook to write down all ideas and little notes throughout the wedding planning process!' $25.99 at Etsy A splurge, to be sure, but hey, you might only get married once. This would make the loveliest gift for the bride who deserves a bit of luxury. $700.00 at Anya HindmarchAn actual wedding expert designed this one; need I say more? You can also watch a full walk-through of the pages on YouTube, so you know exactly what you're getting. $49.00 at MintedKeep track of RSVPs, sketch your dream cake, and paste inspo photos or clippings in this playful binder from Kate Spade. $50.00 at PerigoldTwo things really set this one apart from the rest. First, it comes with a fountain pen. Bonus! Second, it goes so far as to include a step-by-step checklist for changing your last name. Genius. Customer review: 'Great gift!' $64.00 at Wolf & Badger I love a concealed spiral binding because you get all the functionality without the risk of snagging or uncoiling wires. This book features prompts to help you decide on details like your signature cocktail, catering options, and what to include on your dessert table. You know, all the fun stuff! $50.00 at AnthropologieThis bestseller is very thorough, particularly when it comes to building a budget. It outlines every expense to help keep you organized. And it has pages for seating charts, too. Customer review: 'Godsend! I started panicking about when to start planning and how the entire process works. This planner is like my own personal coordinator! If you don't know where you begin, GET THIS PLANNER!' $21.35 at AmazonThis beauty is less so for planning and more so for documenting and memorializing the process, so that you can remember it for many years to come. $145.00 at Williams Sonoma Every product featured on is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such. You Might Also Like The 15 Best Organic And Clean Shampoos For Any And All Hair Types 100 Gifts That Are $50 Or Under (And Look Way More Expensive Than They Actually Are)
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wedding loans: How to finance wedding costs
The average cost of a wedding was around $33,000 in 2024, according to The Knot. A loan could help you cover the cost, but how much a wedding loan costs depends on various factors, such as your interest rate, repayment term and loan amount. Your eligibility for a wedding loan and how much you can borrow usually depend on your income, credit score and outstanding debt load. Before you use a personal loan to finance your wedding, consider alternatives, such as a credit card with a low APR promotional period or personal savings. Whether you'd like a large, extravagant wedding or a small, casual affair, you'll likely need to spend money on your celebration. From cash savings to side hustle income to crowdsourcing, there are ways to pay for your wedding without going into debt. There are also tricks for reducing costs. But even the most careful budgeter may find they need additional help to pay for their wedding. While there are a few financing options available, a wedding loan may be the best fit. Before you commit to a loan, it's important to know your options and weigh the pros and cons. According to The Knot's most recent Real Weddings Survey, the average cost for a wedding in the U.S. in 2024 was $33,000. The total cost depends on several factors, including your wedding date, location, venue, guest list and priorities. 'My biggest advice is to get clear on your priorities and figure out what aspects of your wedding mean the most to you, then allocate your funds accordingly,' says Jessica Bishop, founder of The Budget Savvy Bride and author of The Budget-Savvy Wedding Planner & Organizer. 'For example, if photography is super important to you, invest more there and consider saving in other areas [by having] DIY décor or a more intimate guest list.' While your wedding can be whatever you dream, there are some common costs that come with most weddings. Here's a look at some of the big expenses you may face, along with their average cost, according to The Knot: Expense Average cost (2024) Venue $12,200 Photographer $2,900 Catering $80 per head Flowers $2,700 Wedding cake $540 Wedding dress $2,100 DJ $1,700 According to Bishop, some of the biggest expenses include the venue, catering and photography. 'The venue can take up a significant chunk of the budget,' she says, 'especially if you opt for a popular location during peak wedding season.' According to The Knot's survey, the average cost for the reception venue in 2024 was $12,200. When it comes to catering costs, Bishop says it depends on how many people you're feeding and what type of meal service you choose. Often, buffet and family-style are less expensive than meals that are plated and served. There are also costs that are often overlooked, says Bishop. Some of the hidden costs she experiences with couples include tips for vendors, gown preservation, marriage license fees, dress alteration and postage for invites. The various costs may feel overwhelming, but using cost-saving strategies, creating a wedding budget and planning how to finance your wedding can help your marriage start out on stronger financial footing. 'One of the best ways to reduce the cost of a wedding is to focus on your priorities and trim the rest,' says Bishop. 'Decide what aspects are most important to you and allocate your budget accordingly. For everything else, consider more affordable options.' These can include a few swaps to lower some of your out-of-pocket costs: Using fake or paper flowers instead of fresh flowers. Sending digital invites instead of paying for paper and postage. Purchasing a smaller or simpler cake. Hosting your wedding on a weekday or during an off-peak season. While there are several options for cutting costs, cutting your guest list is one of the best ways, since you typically pay per plate for catering — and will need a bigger venue as your guest list grows. When you have fewer people attending your wedding, you have fewer chairs to rent, favors to buy, invites to send, programs to print and drinks to pour. Cutting your guest list can be difficult, but there are ways to make it easier. For example, you could have an age limit, not invite plus ones or only invite family and close friends. Even the most strategic and savvy couple will incur costs for their wedding. When you need to pay for your big day, there are a few options to consider before taking on debt. Couples are often engaged for months or years before the wedding. If you have time, start saving money as soon as that special someone says 'Yes!' and the ring is on their finger. Set up a wedding-specific savings account with your significant other and save a portion of your paycheck after meeting all of your other financial priorities. Cash is typically the best way to fund your wedding, since you won't have to pay extra on accumulating interest. 'Some couples also choose to monetize their skills and start a side hustle — or as I like to call it, a bride hustle,' says Bishop. Earning extra money and putting it into a wedding fund can help speed up your savings plan. A few ways to earn extra cash include selling baked goods or handmade items or by finding gigs you can do on your own time, like driving for a rideshare company or delivery service. Some family members may be willing to help you pay for a wedding. If a family member wants to help foot the bill, this is a good way to finance a wedding without having to get a wedding loan, use a credit card or dip into your own savings. You can opt to have your wedding be your gift. 'Another idea is to crowdfund in a fun and personalized way,' says Bishop. 'Platforms like Honeyfund allow couples to ask for contributions toward wedding expenses, the honeymoon, or even specific parts of the event (like the cake or DJ) instead of traditional wedding gifts.' Some credit cards offer an introductory 0 percent APR for a set period — typically between 12 and 24 months — after you open the account. This means you have time to pay off the balance without incurring interest charges. A 0 percent APR credit card can be a great way to pay for smaller expenses, like vendor deposits, the cake or wedding favors, that you can pay off before the promotional period ends. Credit cards can be handy — especially if you earn points — but only if you can pay them off before they accumulate interest. Credit card interest rates are notoriously higher than many other loan options, with average rates around 20 percent. If you're a homeowner, a home equity loan allows you to borrow a lump sum of money against your equity by taking out a second mortgage. Similarly, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) allows you to borrow against your home equity, but you receive the money in a line of credit (similar to a credit card) instead of a lump sum. You can borrow and repay the funds as needed during the draw period. When the draw period ends, you pay back any money you borrowed in monthly installments. While the interest rates on these products may be lower than other wedding loan options, these loans use your house as collateral. That means if you default on your loan, you could lose your home. Home equity loans also have longer terms, up to 30 years, meaning you could carry debt from your wedding for more than half your marriage or longer. Because of the risk, you should consider other financing options — and cutting costs — before taking out a home equity product. Credit cards, home equity loans and HELOCs are all forms of debt that either come with high interest rates or the risk of losing a home. While you should avoid taking on debt before starting a new life with someone, if you do decide to finance your wedding with borrowed money, a wedding loan may be a good option to cover larger expenses or deposits that won't fit on a credit card. A wedding loan is a personal loan used to cover various wedding expenses and is generally marketed to engaged couples planning their big day. Some couples may use a wedding loan to finance certain parts of the event or to foot the entire bill. These loans are easy and quick to apply for — many lenders will even approve you online in a few minutes. The interest rate you'll receive varies and is typically based on your income, credit score and current debts. 'A wedding loan can make sense if you've exhausted all other options, and it allows you to create the day you've always dreamed of without completely derailing your finances,' says Bishop. 'If you have a steady income and a solid plan to repay the loan quickly, it might be worth considering. Just make sure you're not borrowing more than you absolutely need, and look for the lowest interest rate you can find.' Are wedding loans a good idea? Since wedding loans are unsecured, you don't need any collateral. It can be more difficult to be approved without a good credit score, but if you have excellent credit, you may be able to get a large loan at a low rate. How much a wedding loan costs depends on various factors, such as your loan term, interest rate and how much you want to borrow. You can use a personal loan calculator to easily estimate how much your exact loan will cost. The following table shows the costs of a three-, five- and seven-year loan with a 12.65 percent rate* and loan amount of $33,000, the average cost of a wedding. Loan term Monthly payment Total interest Total borrowing cost 3 years $1,106 $6,828 $39,828 5 years $745 $11,697 $44,697 7 years $594 $16,902 $49,902 *The average personal loan rate as of June 4, 2025 is 12.65 percent. 'A loan allows you to spread out payments over time, making venue or vendor costs feel a little less overwhelming,' says Bishop. '[But] loans mean monthly payments, which could impact your ability to save for other exciting milestones like buying a home or taking a honeymoon.' When considering whether to finance your wedding, it's important to consider whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Soft credit checks: Lenders that offer wedding loans often allow you to prequalify for financing, so you can see the loan offers at your disposal without hurting your credit. Potentially lower rates: Compared to credit cards, interest rates for wedding loans are usually lower and can save you thousands of dollars. Shorter repayment terms: Most wedding loans offer repayment terms of three to five years, so you can pay your wedding off in a more reasonable amount of time. No collateral: Since wedding loans are unsecured, you don't risk losing your house, your car or any other asset you own if you're unable to repay them. Additional debt: Wedding loans can steer you into a serious cycle of debt, especially if you already have other debt. High interest rates: If you don't have a good credit score, you may have to settle for a high interest rate that can increase the overall cost of your loan. Potentially unnecessary spending: Wedding loans may lead you to spend on upgrades and extras you wouldn't consider if you paid for your wedding with cash. To apply for wedding loans, follow these five steps: Check your credit. Figure out where your credit stands by checking your credit score. If you don't have the best credit, you may want to take steps to improve it before you apply for a loan. Shop for lenders. Check each lender's credit requirements, funding times, personal loan rates and terms so you can determine which ones are a good fit. Get prequalified. Loan prequalification won't impact your credit score and can give you an idea of the loans available. To prequalify, you'll need to fill out a short form with your personal details. Compare offers. Closely compare the wedding loan offers you receive. Consider interest rates, terms and fees. Choose the most favorable option that will save you the most money. Apply. Once you decide on a wedding loan, complete the formal application. Most lenders offer quick approval for qualified applicants and typically deposit funds within a few business days or even 24 hours. If you decide to get a wedding loan, shop around to get the best rate. These types of loans are available anywhere you would get a personal loan, including banks and credit unions and online lenders. Both banks and credit unions may offer a wedding loan and typically have online services and physical branches. However, the way to get them may differ. While both require your personal and financial information to get the loan, you'll need to first apply for membership to get a personal loan from a credit union. You can get a personal loan from a bank without becoming a member. Most online lenders conduct their business fully online and over the phone. There usually aren't physical branches. That means you do everything online, from applying for the loan to uploading necessary documents and verifying your information. You can also get approved within days or even minutes at some lenders. Personal loan marketplaces allow you to view information on various banks, credit unions and online lenders and compare them on one page instead of going to each individual site. For example, Bankrate is a loan marketplace and can connect you with various types of personal loans, including low-interest-rate personal loans and a more generic, installment loans. Each lender we feature is evaluated and ranked using a meticulous 20-point system that focuses on affordability, availability, customer experience and transparency. The cost of a wedding will depend on the type of celebration each individual couple wants and what they prioritize. While there are tricks for reducing costs and other ways to pay for your big day, you may need additional help financing your wedding. And while there are several loan options available, a wedding loan may offer a shorter term and a lower rate without putting your home at risk. But there are still risks to borrowing money. 'If you do decide a loan is the right choice for you, make sure to compare lenders, read all the terms and conditions carefully and only borrow what you can realistically pay back in a reasonable timeframe,' says Bishop. While these are all important steps to protect your finances, there's another piece of advice that's important to protecting your money — and your celebration of love. 'It's all about being intentional with your decisions while staying true to what matters most to you as a couple,' she says. 'Focus on celebrating your love in a way that feels authentic and financially comfortable for you both.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
