Olivia Bennett - Wedding Budgetly Founder

Olivia Bennett

Certified Wedding Planner & Founder of Wedding Budgetly

My Story

I started planning weddings in 2016, fresh out of the University of Oregon with a degree in Event Management and a certification from the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners. Over the next eight years, I planned over 200 weddings — everything from a $5,000 backyard barbecue in Sellwood to an $80,000 estate affair in the Willamette Valley.

The one thing that never changed? The stress. Not the good kind of stress, either. The "oh my god we are going to go into debt for one day" kind of stress. I watched couples cry over vendor quotes, fight about flower budgets, and compromise on things that actually mattered to them because some Pinterest board convinced them they needed $400 chair sashes.

In 2024, after my daughter Lily was born, I decided to step back from full-time planning and do something that felt more meaningful: help every couple — not just the ones who could afford a planner — build a wedding budget that actually works. Wedding Budgetly was born.

Education & Credentials

What I Believe

I believe your wedding should reflect your values, not your credit limit. I believe a $15,000 wedding can be just as beautiful as a $150,000 one. I believe the wedding industry has a pricing transparency problem, and I believe couples deserve better information than a glossy magazine spread.

Most of all, I believe you should start your marriage without a financial hangover. The best wedding gift you can give yourselves is a budget you can actually afford.

Personal Life

I live in Portland, Oregon with my husband Daniel (a wedding photographer, so yes, our house is full of camera equipment) and our daughter Lily, who is currently obsessed with tearing up wedding magazines. When I am not writing about budgets, I am hiking in Forest Park, baking mediocre sourdough, or hunting for vintage furniture on Facebook Marketplace.

Get in Touch

Have a wedding budget story to share? A tool suggestion? Just want to vent about a vendor who quoted you $8,000 for centerpieces? I read every email. Reach me at privacy@weddingbudgetly.com.