Wedding Hive Podcast
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Wedding Hive Podcast
031- Holiday Budgeting While Planning A Wedding
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We share practical ways to budget for the holidays while planning a wedding without losing the joy. From unified budgets and vendor deals to gift boundaries and experience-first giving, we show how to spend on what matters and skip the noise.
• setting a single cap for holiday and wedding costs
• asking family for wedding-focused gifts and gift cards
• using Secret Santa and smaller gatherings to save
• spotting end-of-year vendor deals and January price hikes
• buying DIY items during Black Friday with a plan
• using rewards cards responsibly for flights and hotels
• choosing experiences over clutter for big families
• resisting trends and focusing on meaningful must-haves
• reselling or swapping unused holiday items
• combining holiday and engagement parties to cut costs
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Welcome And Topic Setup
SPEAKER_00Hey queens, welcome back to today's episode of the Wedding Hive podcast. Today we are talking about a very fun topic that everybody is just dying to hear. Today we are talking about holiday budgeting while wedding planning. Grace, were you how long was your engagement?
SPEAKER_01Um, I would say almost two years.
SPEAKER_00Okay, so you did the holidays and wedding planning, budgeting at the same time. Yes. How was that for you?
SPEAKER_01Um, it wasn't too bad. I feel like the biggest thing that I can give for advice-wise is really setting up, you know, payment plans through vendors just so like you're not feeling like you're drowning during the holiday season. Um, my husband and I are both November babies, so it's November, two birthdays, and then Christmas. So, you know, and and choosing to, you know, cut back on spending wise. Like, I don't think we did birthday gifts that year, or we like, um, and also when it comes, we'll dive more deeper into this as we go into the episode. But Christmas, being mindful with family about gift-wise and how much we were gonna be spending and having a boundary with that, so we didn't feel like we were drowning.
SPEAKER_00I love that. I think that's so helpful. I know a lot of couples um are either in the wedding planning stages during the holidays, and then there's so many couples that get engaged during the holiday season.
SPEAKER_01And married, or actually like married during the like the fall season's crazy. Yeah, we have a lot of weddings.
SPEAKER_00I'm a we're we're a crazy Christmas wedding. Um, our wedding is 11 days before Christmas. Um and we love it.
Anniversary Timing And Perks
SPEAKER_01How do you guys budget that? You said you usually do your trip later, right? Yeah, we're gonna be able to do that. Because you just want to be.
SPEAKER_00Yes, we do usually do our um like big anniversary trip in the summer, but this is we are so beyond spoiled because um my husband's company typically does their Christmas party on it. You it always seems to fall on our anniversary weekend, and they pay for a hotel stay because the company party is always at a local resort, and then they pay for the hotel, so we kind of get a two for one. We smile with the company and we we do the company dinner, but then we also get the hotel stay. So um we're able to still feel like we're celebrating our anniversary in a sense, but we we usually don't have to spend that coin. We don't spend that coin, so I love that for find a company that will pay for it.
SPEAKER_01Just like do find a company where you can get perks for uh stuff like that, because I that sounds amazing.
SPEAKER_00Yes, exactly. So, all right, let's jump into today's episode. You are starting us off.
Set A Unified Holiday Wedding Budget
SPEAKER_01Yes, let's get into it. So, first things first, um, if you can and you're planning during the holiday season, maybe set a holiday and wedding budget cap. Um, so basically, kind of what we're saying is decide a total amount that you're comfortable for spending on both. Um, so how much are you gonna spend on your holiday gifts? Um, if you're traveling for the holidays, uh, like I just talked about with vendors, if there's any wedding deposits that are coming up during the um uh holiday season that have to be paid, make sure that you're mindful of that and just kind of work backwards from there. Um, that way it kind of helps you avoid double spending on things um like decor gifts.
Wedding Wish Lists And Practical Gifts
SPEAKER_00So I love that. Um, also going into it, you can combine holiday gifts with wedding needs. So um ask your family to contribute to your wedding fund or for specific items like decor, tableware, or honeymoon expenses. Instead of asking for traditional presents, you can even create a wedding wish list instead of a registry. Um, there are so many amazing things you can find on Amazon that can go into your DIY. So create your Christmas 2025 slash wedding list, and maybe family members can, you know, buy some candles or table runners and um put that towards your Christmas gift.
SPEAKER_01I think that's a really smart idea because it's funny because we just talked about this, me and John the other day, about obviously Christmas is coming up and his parents are always like very sweet, and you know, we'll get us a few gifts each. And we jokingly said, can we just tell them to get us a Roomba this year? Because Dallas's hair has been so bad. And so instead of spending money on gifts that we do love, but like don't necessarily need, like, that's a need. So I love that idea of being like, hey, instead of getting us gifts, like we would love for you to buy our welcome sign or buy our table runners. I think that's like a really smart thing to do. And it's almost kind of like the day of the wedding when some people do um ask for like cash or money for the honeymoon instead of gifts. So I feel like it's the same thing, but yes, I'm a little reversed.
SPEAKER_00Um, we love our Roomba. You do I need life. Yes, I need her. The only thing I will say, and maybe the listeners would disagree. We have had so many off-brand roombas. Okay, and they've never lasted. They're never as strong.
SPEAKER_01I know, because the roomba's expensive.
SPEAKER_00They are so expensive. And so we got one last Christmas. Um, we actually won it at my husband's holiday, Christmas party. No way, a freaking roomba.
SPEAKER_01Oh my gosh, what are they giving out PS5s and like Xboxes too?
SPEAKER_00Um, that was a yes. But the roomba is is the best thing that's ever happened in our household um because of our Siberian Husky's dog hair. You do have to clean it out quite often because we will call it.
SPEAKER_01So I think I'd rather take it. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00So it's like I start my morning coffee and I clean out the roomba and I wash my hands and then I add my creamer because the roomba is the MVP of the household.
SPEAKER_01The Roomba is life. Yeah. I need that in my I need that in my life because I'm tired of sweeping. I love my dog, but oh my goodness.
SPEAKER_00Yes. So talk to me about holiday sales.
SPEAKER_01Yes. Um, so obviously during the holidays, there is Black Friday, Cyber Monday, end-of-year deals. Um, I don't know if you've ever dealt with this or like any couples that you've like to work with, if there could be vendors out there who are maybe trying to make like their end-of-year quota, or maybe you just want to book a few more days. And vendors do discounts.
SPEAKER_00Yes. I have seen this. Um, I have spoken with many vendors. Uh I get there, I'm on email. Um, what are they called? Like email lists, mail chain or lists, yeah, that they send out that they send out and there are huge promos to um, you know, book by the end of the year for the upcoming year. They're offering discounts or even um freebie add-ons. So yes, look into to your vendors and some of them do some great deals. I know photographers will add on, you know, a few extra hours or maybe some raw footage or different um imaging for like a Black Friday sale.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. And I feel like too, also, if you don't book after or at the end of the year, I feel like a lot of times even in January, they're still kind of like vendors are pushing those little sales to like book up maybe a few more dates that they want to get. So keep an eye out for your favorite vendors and see if they're doing promo deals during the end of the year. Absolutely. Wait, question first before we move on. Have you ever gone Black Friday shopping?
SPEAKER_00I did like physically. Oh, yes. Okay. Um, I did one year, and it's actually so funny. I was pregnant with my oldest. So this was 17 years ago. Um, and he's a January baby, so I was super, super pregnant.
SPEAKER_01I was like, oh my goodness.
Black Friday And Vendor Deals
SPEAKER_00Um, and it was my flat, my first Black shopping Friday experience. Black Friday Friday shopping. There we go. There it is. I haven't finished my coffee yet today. Um, and that was so again, 17 years ago, that was when Black Friday shopping took place at you know four o'clock in the morning, and people were psycho and literally trampling each other. Yes. Oh my gosh. Um and we got some really good deals, but I I was like also protective of my big belly, and so I was like trying to hold things, but I couldn't hold everything because I had this big tummy to protect from all the psycho carts. And I think I I cried in one of the stores, I think it was Costco. I had like this meltdown because I was like, you guys are keep hitting me. And yeah, that was the last time I went Black Friday shopping in person.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, that that would be my last time too. So yeah.
SPEAKER_00Um, have you gone Black Friday shopping in person? I went like twice.
SPEAKER_01I remember like one time when I was in high school, I did like the whole like early morning at the mall. I did that once and then I said never again. And then I went like one year with my mom and sister, but it was like on Thanksgiving, and it was like in the afternoon, so I didn't really feel like Black Friday shopping, but I don't know. I'm not like super into it, like the in-person. I feel like now they do, I feel like Black Friday isn't the same now. They start their Black Friday deals like three weeks before Thanksgiving even starts.
SPEAKER_00So I don't even know if we can call it Black Friday shopping anymore, but well, and I think there were so many like safety risks, like people were dying that they've made all of these these rules and the way that they each hour certain things drop, and the the gates at the doors, like it's just it's way too overstimulating for my brain. I have enough chaos in my life, I don't need to go to Walmart Target to put me through a chaotic moment. Yeah, like I'm good.
SPEAKER_01To save five dollars.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I'm good. I'll just get on Amazon. Thanks, Jeff Bezos.
SPEAKER_01Thank you so much for your hard work. Thanks, baby. Thank you for doing the Lord's work.
SPEAKER_00Correct.
SPEAKER_01Because we don't want to go in person at 4 a.m.
SPEAKER_00No, and honestly, we're we're more of an experience um family when it comes to holidays. Uh bes I mean, even our room, by I guess, but wasn't a Christmas gift. But we ask our family for um experiences, not gifts in school. Oh, I love that. Um, even like our our Christmas gift for our kids. And yes, they uh grandparents spoil them rotten. So thank you to our parents for spoiling them. Um, and so they'll open like one or two gifts, but usually our main family gift is is a trip up north or to California, or we've gotten tickets, you know, like a weekend block at the Great Wolf Lodge and and different things like that for Christmas versus more stuff. Not that we're minimalist by any means because we have six kids, but um, with that many bodies, and could you imagine all those gifts?
SPEAKER_01Like I can't even imagine how much that would cost.
SPEAKER_00I my house would be a hoarder.
In‑Person Black Friday Stories
SPEAKER_01Oh, yeah, and you would have no room in your house. Yeah, so that's like I love in my family, or on my side at least, we do uh Secret Santa. Okay, and we do like a decent like cap, like$75. So you get like a good amount um for what you're spending, but that way everyone gets a gift, but then we don't have to buy everyone a gift.
SPEAKER_00I agree, yes.
SPEAKER_01And we, you know, like I said, we do it$75, so you can at least get a nice good gift, and it just makes it much less stressful, money-wise. And then, like, we'll get I have three nieces and nephews, so like we'll get gifts for like them, but um, it just helps the bank account.
SPEAKER_00No, it helps you save that money. Agree. We do that on my husband's side, he's one of eight. Um, and so the adults all, you know, pull from a hat a name, and then I don't even know how many nieces and nephews I have on that side, to be honest. They've my sister-in-laws have popped out like three or four kids this year. So I can't, I have no idea how many.
SPEAKER_01You're like, the limit does not exist.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I don't even I I would have to like write names down. Um, but we do that secret Sienna with the adults and the kids. It's actually so funny. Last year, my sister-in-law got me, and my husband, like six weeks before Christmas, was like, Will you put a Christmas like wish list together so they have some ideas? Here's the the budget cap. I asked for a book, slippers, a wine set, glass, like a wine set. It was two wine glasses. And then a pair of pajamas, and it was it all fell under like$50. And he's like, We have a hundred dollar cap for it. Do you want to add anything else? And I was like, No, this is like really all I want. Yeah. And I got all of it, and I asked, like, why did you give me all of it? You didn't have to give me all of it. It was like a wish list. You don't get everything on your wish list.
SPEAKER_01You just get you're giving multiple ideas for when they know.
SPEAKER_00It's an idea, and they're like, We just went on Amazon and pulled from your wish list.
SPEAKER_01You're like, perfect. So you're like, actually, that's amazing.
SPEAKER_00So yeah, I'm gonna be very creative this year with my wish list.
SPEAKER_01So yeah, if maybe you're in the wedding planning process and you want to save that money, maybe you suggest a secret Santa to your family members. So everyone can get something, but you guys aren't breaking the bank.
SPEAKER_00I agree completely.
SPEAKER_01Yep.
Gifts Vs Experiences With Big Families
SPEAKER_00Um am I up next? I think I am up next. Yes, you are, yeah. Um, so host smaller holiday gatherings. If you're hosting or traveling for the holidays, scale back a bit. Fewer gifts, potluck style dinner, or secret Santa Exchange, like we have been talking about. Um this redirects those savings into the wedge wedding budget. And then another piece because I am next again. Yes. Because I'm over.
SPEAKER_01We're a hot honestly, me and Kelsey are hot mess this morning.
SPEAKER_00So um, hey, book those vendors before prices hike. Many venues and vendors raise their rates in January. So booking before the new year can lock in the 2025 pricing and save you hundreds. This is very, very true. So make sure that you're keeping an eye out or even just communicate with your venue and vendors asking, hey, is there a price adjustment? And once we sign that contract prior to um the new year's rates, are we locked in at that rate? Um, I know that we lock in at that rate, but make sure that other vendors lock in at that rate.
SPEAKER_01Okay, you guys. Another thing that you can do is use a rewards credit card for holiday purchases. Again, be responsible though, because you don't want to put yourself more in debt. But of course, using certain credit cards and signing up, you can get points back or cash and use those towards your wedding expenses, like flights, hotels, and things like that.
SPEAKER_00I think that is very wise. But yes, use those credit cards responsibly.
SPEAKER_01Yes, please.
SPEAKER_00You don't want to go into marriage with too much extra debt.
SPEAKER_01Oh, heck no. And I think too, um, I feel like I've seen a lot of people use um sorry, I'm blinking, like airline credit cards. So then, like, you can use your points for flights for honeymoons uh or honeymoons. I mean, if you want to go multiple honeymoons for your honeymoon. Just like do a bunch of honeymoons. Um, no, using those cards and um using the points from that to pay for flights to go on your honeymoon or hotels, I think is a really smart idea, but again, responsibly.
SPEAKER_00Yes. Um, prioritize what really matters. Make a short list of must-haves and nice to have for both the wedding and the holidays. This helps you stay grounded in what is meaningful instead of what's market driven. Grace, have you seen the big trend for 2025's Christmas?
SPEAKER_012025. No, what is it?
SPEAKER_00A Ralph Lauren Christmas.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00If you're if you're a millionaire, that is what is trending on TikTok right now.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00It is your very traditional. The the patterns, the green and the red and the bushy garland, like Ralph Lauren Christmas is in and farmhouse Christmas is out. And I have to that's crazy work. It is insane. So, yes, um, again, what is meaningful, what matters, what is a must-have for you, and so you don't end up being market driven.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and don't let social media dictate you your life.
SPEAKER_00It caught me, it caught me for a hot second. I mean, yeah.
Smaller Gatherings And Potlucks
SPEAKER_01I mean, I I I let's be realistic. What I love of Ralph Lauren Christmas, of course, but I don't make a hundred thousand dollars a year. So, no, I'm not gonna spend an astronomical amount of money on holiday decor that stays up for a month and a half.
SPEAKER_00Yes.
SPEAKER_01No, thank you. So just be careful with that. Um, next thing sell or swap unused holiday items. Um, after the holidays, resell extra decor, clothes, or unopened gifts online. The cash can go right back into your wedding fund.
SPEAKER_00Very, very smart.
SPEAKER_01Imagine people just like kept their receipts from their like Christmas gifts and then just returned it and used cash. That'd be crazy. I mean that look you'd be kind of smart.
SPEAKER_00Do what you gotta do.
SPEAKER_01Do what you gotta do. But that's why you can have those upfront conversations like, hey, maybe let's have cash for the holidays to use towards your wedding. Like we talked about.
Book Vendors Before January Price Hikes
SPEAKER_00So or like Amazon gift cards. Oh, yeah. Or visa gift cards.
SPEAKER_01Like I like that idea. Because I feel like sometimes you will feel bad giving gift cards, but I feel like if you explain, oh well, then we can use it towards stuff for the wedding. And you know, there's so many other little things that like add up, like the bridal shower costs and like bachelorette stuff that you can buy on Amazon and things like that. So don't be afraid to ask for those um gift cards to help you guys.
Rewards Cards And Responsible Points
Priorities Over Trends
SPEAKER_00I agree. All right, the very last point for this episode: if your engagement or wedding planning overlaps with the holidays, host a cozy holiday engagement party and t instead of two separate events: one celebration, double the joy, half the cost. Because we all know what is it with the holidays that there is like seven million gatherings. There's so many. It's over stimulating because we have like I'm over it. We have, I feel like Scrooge or the Grinch because like November is fun. We do a Friendsgiving and then we do a family Thanksgiving. Yeah, but then the holidays we have multiple employee Christmas parties. There's Christmas parties, there's birthday, family parties, and then friends part. And it's I feel like people throw Christmas parties too. There's just so much. So if you can kind of do a double banger and then that helps. Christmas slash engagement party. Protect your joy. Well, that's it for today's episode. If you are in the wedding planning budgeting and Christmas budgeting, I hope that this episode was helpful. Be sure to check us out on Instagram and TikTok. We love chatting with our listeners so we can continue to provide you the best resources and advice as you are going through this beautiful engagement season. We will see you next time. Bye.