The Cost of Love: Exploring the Impact of Wedding Budgets

In an era where weddings can rival the grandeur of Hollywood premieres, many couples find themselves wondering if spending more really leads to a better wedding. To explore this, luxury wedding and events planner Emily Coyne, founder of Emily Coyne Events, gives her insights on what trends are worth investing in, tips on how to prioritize your budget, and a look ahead into 2025 wedding trends.

The True Value of a Wedding Budget

“The best weddings are those that are deeply meaningful to the couple and fulfill their priorities for the day,” Coyne explains. “This doesn’t necessarily mean that money is the principal way to achieve this.” While a larger budget can offer more customization and a higher caliber of service, it doesn’t inherently create a more meaningful wedding. “For some, reducing the guest count can allow for a highly custom wedding with a significantly lower cost. At the end of the day, weddings are extremely expensive, and the costs go up each year. Couples must design what makes sense for their lives.”

Coyne emphasizes that spending more should be viewed as an investment in the experience rather than just the event. “Much of the time, investing in the wedding means creating a certain experience—how guests will feel, how pampered they will be, and how much fun they will have. Sometimes it means creating a certain wow factor or look; other times, it simply means bringing as many people together as possible for the day.”

Prioritizing Your Wedding Budget

Couples often start planning by prioritizing elements like food, music, and decor, but Coyne suggests a different approach. “The single most important thing couples can do after determining their budget is deciding whether the guest count or the wedding vision is more important to them,” she advises. “The difference of 20 guests one way or the other means several hundred to several thousand dollars and can be the difference between having that band or having a DJ.”

Many couples today prioritize the wedding’s overall experience and vision rather than inviting many guests. “We are seeing a trend of couples placing the overall experience and vision for the wedding ahead of inviting a large guest count. More couples are planning their dream wedding, even if that means only inviting 30 or 60 people, and they are incredibly happy with this decision.”

Top Wedding Trends for 2025

With 2025 on the horizon, Coyne predicts several trends that couples may want to consider when planning their weddings.

Men’s Grooming: “Say farewell to the days of just the ladies getting pampered on the wedding day. We’re seeing a sizable increase in interest for gentlemen’s on-location grooming services—think hot shaves, beard trims, and haircuts. This onsite barbershop concept gives the gentlemen an interactive experience to enjoy on the wedding day and the chance to relax and look their best.”
Wardrobe Pressing Services for Wedding Guests: “2025 couples are providing pressing services for the entire guest count. This creates an incredible guest experience, especially for destination weddings, as formal wear doesn’t travel well.”
The Non-Wedding: “2025 is the year of couples creating the celebration they truly desire, versus conforming to classic wedding traditions. This could mean walking down the aisle together, having your ceremony on a different day than the party, or hosting a Sunday Funday instead of a brunch.”
Wedding Cake To-Go: “Wedding cake is making a comeback, with couples opting to box it up and send guests home with beautifully boxed slices.”
Onsite Content Creators: “Couples love their behind-the-scenes wedding content but want to be present on their big day. Onsite content creators capture all the unedited details so couples can keep their phones tucked away.”
Stations-Style Reception Format: “Replacing a formal sit-down dinner with a reception full of sitting areas and lounge vignettes encourages guest movement and mingling. Interactive action stations create new food and beverage experiences at every turn.”

In conclusion, while spending more on a wedding can enhance certain aspects and provide a higher caliber of service, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee a more meaningful celebration. Couples should focus on what truly matters to them and invest in experiences that will create lasting memories. With trends like men’s grooming services, minimal yet purposeful decor, and the rise of the non-wedding, 2025 promises to be a year of unique and personalized celebrations. For those planning their 2025 weddings, keep these insights and trends in mind to create a day that truly reflects your love story.

Bia Pendelton, California Business Journal