Lots of engaged couples are working with a small wedding budget and feeling completely overwhelmed, so they turn to free wedding checklists and timelines to stay organized … thinking all these freebie resources are the key to pulling off an incredible wedding for not a lot of money.  

But, what most couples never realize is that mindlessly following all those free guides and checklists will lead to you ultimately spending money on a bunch of crap that’s not even that important to you.  Let me back up.  

Wedding programs are on your checklist.  I mean, doesn’t every wedding have to have a ceremony program?  And your mom chimes in about menus, and place cards, and invitations with 3 enclosures, and RSVP cards and save the dates … And you see 3 different deals on Instagram, Facebook, and in an email from that wedding website for free samples, 50% off your order, and beautiful all-in-one custom invitation suites that match every wedding theme perfectly!  

Aaaaaaaannnnnd all of the sudden you realize that you’ve spent $1000 on paper products that you could really care less about - all because they were on the checklist, they were on sale, and let’s be real, you didn’t want to disappoint your mom.  

Is following that free wedding checklist really a good idea?

Wouldn’t it have been much easier to press pause and acknowledge at the start that you don’t care about ceremony programs, and therefore you’re just going to skip them altogether?  Same with the other $900 worth of paper products?

And that example was something pretty small, like wedding programs - what happens when you book a $6,000 videographer because that’s what everyone does right, you have to have a videographer - {you’re totally gonna regret it if you don’t have the most important day of your life on film - there’s a little voice in the back of your head that knows you could come up with a workaround, that you don’t really need or care if you have a cinematic movie theatre quality film of your wedding …. But you’re gonna go with the flow, because you only get married once in theory and this is just what everyone does.}

And that credit card statement just keeps on growing, full of stuff that doesn’t really matter to you, but the checklist said so, so you did it.  Flowers.  A fancy cake.  Favors.  Expensive place settings and charger plates, and chair slip covers and table linens. 

Is this really where you want to be?  Feeling pressured & judged by a free wedding checklist?  

If you’re like me, and you want to keep things simple and affordable while at the same time pulling off an unforgettable wedding that’s FULL OF MEANING, then you know that driving yourself crazy trying to fulfill every single thing on that freebie wedding checklist isn’t the answer.  

Ready for the new way?  Tune in to today's full episode to learn exactly how to create your own PERSONALIZED wedding checklist that highlights ONLY your most important priorities ... and gain the freedom that comes when you say NO to everything else.

Today's show is just the beginning of dozens of strategic recorded meetings that walk you through specific wedding planning milestones and show you exactly how to plan your dream wedding! Learn more and sign up for a totally free zero obligation 3-day trial by visiting www.wedpodcast.com

So, what's on YOUR personalized wedding planning checklist, and what "traditional" wedding stuff did NOT make the cut?  Tag me on Instagram @weddingplanningpodcast & tell me all about it!

PS - A special thank you to today's show sponsors for making this episode possible:

SUSAN'S TRAVEL SERVICES | Would you LOVE to take advantage of FREE honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book? Simply email [email protected] to get started!

THE WEDDING PLANNING PODCAST VAULT | Thousands of engaged couples have discovered the unseen elements to a joyful, confident, and intentional engagement season, and you can do it too with my digital wedding planning package, The VAULT. Learn more & sign up for a totally free zero obligation 3-day trial when you visit www.wedpodcast.com

ETSY | There’s no place quite like Etsy for personalized wedding gifts & decor. Make your wedding celebration as unique as you with custom signs, invitations, favors & more. Filter endless beautiful options by price point, color, free shipping, delivery date, style & more when you visit weddingplanningpodcast.co/etsy