One of the most important parts of wedding planning is establishing a realistic budget. Weddings are known for being expensive, and while there's no way around it, understanding the costs involved and setting expectations early can help ease stress and ensure that you're getting the most out of your wedding spend.
In this episode of Bridal Club™, Andrea Cole sits down with Molly Rasmussen, owner of Pop Parties and the newly launched Fete Fetti. Molly, a seasoned wedding planner with over 15 years in the industry, shares her wealth of experience on how to approach wedding budgets and the importance of transparency in the process. “I’ve seen it all,” Molly says, reflecting on the wide range of weddings she’s helped organize, from intimate $25,000 celebrations to lavish 7-figure weddings and events. “The key is knowing where to spend and where to save, and being transparent with clients about the costs involved."
The Power of Budget Transparency
Transparency is at the heart of Molly's approach. She believes couples should understand costs from the outset to make well-informed decisions. To support this, she offers a comprehensive breakdown of typical wedding expenses on her website, covering everything from venue costs to food, flowers, and décor. This overview allows couples to get a realistic picture of their expenses based on location and style, removing much of the guesswork.
Molly encourages couples to prioritize their budget according to what matters most. Some couples may want to invest heavily in floral arrangements or custom menus, while others might prefer to allocate more toward the venue or entertainment. The essential part is understanding where your money goes and making intentional choices to bring your wedding vision to life.
Quality Over Quantity: The Shift in Wedding Guest Counts
One of the biggest shifts Molly has noticed in the wedding industry post-COVID is a focus on quality over quantity. Pre-pandemic weddings often had guest counts of 250 or more, but now, the average is around 150-175 guests. This shift reflects a broader trend of prioritizing intimate, meaningful experiences over large, extravagant affairs.
Molly explains, “People are realizing that things are so expensive, not just in weddings but in life in general. And paying for more people to come experience your event isn’t necessarily a value to as many clients and families as it used to be.” Instead, couples are opting to create memorable, high-quality experiences for a smaller group of guests. As a result, weddings have become more intimate, with a greater focus on the quality of the celebration rather than the sheer number of attendees.
Don’t Forget Flower Preservation in Your Budget
One often-overlooked detail in wedding budgeting is flower preservation. After investing in a beautiful bouquet, preserving it can be the ultimate keepsake of your day. Bridal bouquet preservation with dbandrea® can transform your flowers into a lasting piece of art, allowing you to relive those memories every day. Learn more about budgeting for your bridal bouquet preservation here.
Ready to Take Control of Your Wedding Budget?
And for the ultimate wedding keepsake, be sure to plan for bridal bouquet preservation with dbandrea®. Start your journey to a beautifully preserved wedding memory today—an investment you’ll cherish forever.
For more wedding inspiration and budgeting tips, follow Pop Parties on Instagram, Facebook or Tik Tok!
Photos: Shannon Skloss Photography and Stephanie Brazzle Photography
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