HI, I’M MARIE
It all started with big dreams, a tiny
college-student wedding budget, and zero clue what I was doing.
Almost nightly I would sit in my dorm room doom scrolling Pinterest saving "DIY wedding tutorials" that weren't *actually* for beginners, saving "budget inspo pics" that were actually $100k weddings, and (I'm embarassed to admit) feeling sorry for myself.
This is my sweet little fam
Trying to plan a 300-person wedding on less than $10,000? It's not exactly a walk in the park. But I was determined.
Our guest list was massive thanks to my big, beautiful family—I’m one of 12 kids, and my dad is one of 16. By the time we added up all the aunts, uncles, and cousins, my side alone had over 175 people.
I spent hours—days, really—trying to stretch every dollar and make space for everyone I loved.
And then 2020 happened.
Just like that, the wedding I had poured my heart into, the one I had meticulously planned and dreamed of... vanished. The hundreds of hours of research, the careful budgeting, the vision—I had to let it all go. I cried more than I’d like to admit. I was frustrated, disappointed, and honestly heartbroken.
But something really beautiful happened.
Instead of 300 guests, we had 40. The reception was in my parents yard. And in that quiet, stripped-down version of our day, I found something I hadn’t planned for: peace. The kind that comes when you remember why you’re doing this in the first place.
I learned that a wedding isn’t about the perfect timeline or the packed dance floor—it’s about sacred vows, simple joy, and starting your marriage rooted in what really matters.
behind the Biz of
A few months after getting married and learning some tough lessons, I got *the wedding planning itch*
I know, who in their right mind wants to plan more than one wedding? Especially after 2020... but hey, crazy is my middle name—nice to meet you.
I’ve been an entrepreneur at heart forever (my first “biz” was a monthly pillowcase subscription when I was 8), and eventually, I took the leap to start White Lily Weddings. I LOVED that business! Traveling all over the country to plan and coordinate weddings and growing a team of amazing planners alongside me was a dream come true. But after 5 years and over 100 weddings later, God started tugging me in a new direction.
I was being called back to my roots—budget weddings. After all, I was that college-budget bride not too long ago. I felt this strong pull to create a community where couples on a budget could get professional wedding planning help without breaking the bank. So, Better Budget Weddings was born.
look at us as newlyweds
The Primer
Daughter of God. Wife. Mother. Entrepreneur. Wannabe World Traveler.
I’m low-key obsessed with helping couples plan weddings that honor faith and budget—joyful vibes, intentional choices, and zero overwhelm. Equal parts spreadsheet nerd and prayer warrior, I’m all about keeping it real, simple, and soulful. When I’m not deep into wedding planning, you’ll find me sipping an iced maple latte, planning my wannabe trip, or running around the zoo with my girls.
What I'm
loving
Zoo or pool days with my girls, playing monopoly with the hubs-ask him about my winning streak ;), taking a walk, dreaming about moving to Florida, and visiting the Farmer's Market.
What I'm
learning
Sometimes saying "no" takes discipline but reaps the greatest rewards. It's not very easy, and sometimes it hurts, but it builds great character.
What I'm
not about
Debt. Even though society (and my family, too) say things like "you'll always have a car payment," or "some debt is good debt," I vehemently disagree. My husband and I broke this cycle, and you can too.
what I
believe
Christ is King, the best things sometimes require the greatest sacrifice, and that there is no job on earth more important than my job as a wife and mom.
ON MY MOODBOARD
happy place
home dreams
someday!
when grateful
fear
and appears.
disappears
you are
abundance
— Tony Robbins
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