We recently connected with Jessica Bishop and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jessica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry
The wedding industry is experiencing a wonderful transformation, focusing on what truly matters for couples on their special day. Many are moving away from the pressure of hosting an extravagant, traditional celebration just for the sake of it. Instead, we’re seeing a rise in micro-weddings and elopements, where couples create intimate and meaningful ceremonies that celebrate their personal connection rather than societal expectations. Smaller scale events allow couples to share their special moments with loved ones in a way that feels genuine and inclusive, without the need for grand gatherings.
There’s also a growing emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly choices, reflecting couples’ desires to make decisions that align with their values rather than indulging in excess. Additionally, the demand for customizable and personalized wedding experiences highlights a beautiful trend toward authenticity. Couples are crafting celebrations that truly reflect their relationship, moving away from traditional norms.
They’re forgoing expensive fresh floral arrangements in favor of silk blooms that can be rented and returned, allowing them to be reused in countless couples’ celebrations. These decisions are not only sustainable but also savvy — the silk arrangements cost 70% less than their freshly grown counterparts. Couples are also leaning into meaningful memory-making with audio and video guest book options to capture the well wishes of their nearest and dearest in a way that will allow them to revisit the messages for decades to come.
Together, these trends point to a return to the core aspects of wedding days that genuinely matter to couples, all while making the experience more meaningful and supportive.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Years ago, as a bride planning my own wedding, I quickly realized how overwhelming and expensive the process could be. Determined to have a beautiful celebration without breaking the bank, I dove into endless research and creative problem-solving. This experience sparked a passion in me to help other couples achieve their dream weddings without the hefty price tag. And so, The Budget Savvy Bride was born!
The Budget Savvy Bride is an extensive online resource dedicated to providing couples with savvy tips, practical advice, and budget-friendly ideas to plan a wedding they can afford and truly enjoy. From DIY projects to real wedding inspiration, I aim to make wedding planning accessible and fun for everyone, regardless of their budget.
I’m also honored to be the author of The Budget-Savvy Wedding Planner & Organizer, the #1 Wedding Planner on Amazon with over 250,000 copies sold! It’s a comprehensive guide filled with checklists, worksheets, and expert advice to help couples stay on track and stress-free. Plus, I host The Bouquet Toss: Wedding Planning Podcast, where my co-host Sari Mayer and I chat about all things weddings with industry experts and real couples.
What sets The Budget Savvy Bride apart is our commitment to cost transparency, resourcefulness, support, authenticity, and positivity. We understand that every couple’s journey is unique, and we celebrate that diversity by providing honest insights into budgeting and spending. Our resources empower couples to think creatively, find solutions, and make informed decisions that suit their personal style and financial situation.
With a welcoming community ready to share experiences and advice, we strive to offer unwavering support throughout the wedding planning process. Above all, we embrace authenticity—encouraging couples to stay true to themselves while crafting a celebration that reflects their love story. Together, we create a joyous atmosphere where positivity reigns, and every couple feels inspired to plan a wedding that’s not only beautiful but also meaningful and within reach.
I’m incredibly proud of the community we’ve built, and the countless couples we’ve helped to plan their special day without financial worry. It’s been a joy to see so many happy couples share their savvy wedding success stories and budget-friendly wedding hacks with us.
Above all, we want couples to know that we’re here to make your wedding planning journey as smooth and joyful as possible. Whether you’re looking for cost-saving tips, creative DIY projects, or just some friendly advice, The Budget Savvy Bride is your go-to resource.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
In the midst of planning my own wedding, I stumbled upon a realization that changed my life forever: weddings are expensive. Determined to have a beautiful celebration without going into debt, I embarked on a journey of research, creativity, and savvy budgeting. Little did I know, this personal quest would blossom into The Budget Savvy Bride, a side hustle that would eventually become my full-time passion and career.
It all started with the blog. I began sharing my money-saving tips and DIY wedding projects online, primarily as a virtual scrapbook of my journey to the aisle. It was amazing to learn my posts were helping other brides navigate the often overwhelming world of wedding planning, as well! The response was incredible, and grew organically over the course of my engagement. Brides from all over were eager to learn how to create their dream weddings without the hefty price tag. This enthusiasm fueled my desire to provide even more valuable content and resources.
One of the first major milestones was getting my first request for advertising rates. It was then that I realized my hobby and passion could become a business. I reached out to a trusted friend and mentor who ran a business and she gave me some advice on how I could make what I’d started into a real business! I spent years working on the site on the side– nights, weekends, and any spare moment I had. After 4.5 years, I took the leap to pursue my passion full-time and we’ve continued to grow from there.
Since 2008, The Budget Savvy Bride has become a comprehensive resource to help couples through the overwhelming and stressful wedding planning process. The site quickly gained traction, with thousands of brides flocking to it for advice and ideas. Seeing the impact it was making was incredibly special and fulfilling.
As the site grew, so did the opportunities. I was invited to share my expertise on various media platforms, including The New York Times, Washington Post, GMA, BRIDES, and more. Each feature helped spread the word about The Budget Savvy Bride and brought more couples into our supportive community.
Another significant milestone was publishing my book, The Budget-Savvy Wedding Planner & Organizer in 2018. With over 250,000 copies sold, it became the #1 Wedding Planner on Amazon! The book is a labor of love, packed with checklists, worksheets, and practical advice to help couples plan their weddings without stress or financial strain. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how many brides and grooms have found it helpful.
But perhaps the most meaningful milestone has been the connections I’ve made with couples worldwide. Hearing their success stories and seeing the beautiful weddings they’ve planned on a budget is the greatest reward of all. It’s a testament to the power of creativity, resourcefulness, and community.
My journey from side hustle to full-time career wasn’t without its challenges. Balancing a day job while growing The Budget Savvy Bride required dedication, late nights, and a lot of coffee. But my passion for helping couples and the unwavering support from my readers kept me going.
Today, The Budget Savvy Bride is more than just a business; it’s a mission to make wedding planning accessible and joyous for everyone. I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come and excited for the future. Whether it’s through our blog, book, or podcast, my goal remains the same: to empower couples to create beautiful, meaningful weddings within their financial means.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, doesn’t it? For me, one of the biggest challenges came during what was supposed to be one of the happiest times in my life—my engagement and wedding planning process. Just as I was diving into the world of wedding planning, I was laid off from my job. Talk about timing!
Suddenly, the already daunting task of planning a wedding on a tight budget became even more challenging. The financial stability I had counted on was swept out from under me, and I was left grappling with the reality of making my dream wedding happen without a steady income. It was a tough pill to swallow, but I wasn’t ready to give up.
In the face of this adversity, I leaned into my creativity and resourcefulness. Every penny mattered more than ever. I began scouring the internet for budget-friendly wedding ideas, DIY projects, and money-saving tips. I became a pro at finding the best deals and making the most out of what we had. This process wasn’t just about cutting costs; it was about finding innovative ways to create a beautiful and meaningful celebration within our means.
One of the most significant steps I took was to embrace the DIY spirit. I crafted centerpieces, designed invitations, and handmade tissue paper flowers for our ceremony decorations. These projects not only saved us money but also added a personal touch to the wedding that made it uniquely ours. Each finished project was a small victory and a testament to determination.
But it wasn’t just about the money. This experience taught me the importance of community and support. Friends and family rallied around us, offering their skills, time, and resources to help make our day special. Their generosity and kindness were invaluable, and it reinforced my belief in the power of coming together. From family members who played music during the ceremony to a longtime family friend who baked our wedding cake, it was so beautiful to see the people who came together to support us and make the big day happen.
Navigating this difficult time wasn’t easy, but it was incredibly rewarding. The experience of planning my wedding under such challenging circumstances shaped me in profound ways. It instilled in me a deep sense of resilience and showed me that with determination, creativity, and a little help, you can overcome even the toughest of obstacles.
This journey wasn’t just about my wedding; it was the seed that grew into The Budget Savvy Bride. I realized that if I could navigate these challenges, I could help others do the same. I wanted to share the knowledge and strategies I had developed with other couples facing similar situations. And so, my passion and purpose for my business was born out of both necessity and a desire to support others.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the challenges I faced. They pushed me to be resourceful, to find joy in the simplest things, and to appreciate the true meaning of a wedding—a celebration of love and commitment, regardless of the price tag. This resilience is at the heart of The Budget Savvy Bride, and I’m honored to help others create their dream weddings without the financial stress.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thebudgetsavvybride.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/budgetsavvybride
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/budgetsavvybride/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-budget-savvy-bride/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/savvybride
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/thebudgetsavvybride
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@budgetsavvybride
Image Credits
Jessica Charuk
Gabriel de Moura
Jenna Zito