This Bride is $40,000 in Debt from Planning Her Dream Wedding… and Her Fiancé Has No Idea

Ring, ring! It’s 1-800-Bridesmaid. Author and pro bridesmaid Jen Glantz brings her hit newsletter to life in this judgment-free zone for all your burning real wedding, love, and friendship drama questions—plus expert advice to help sort it all out. In this episode, Jen is joined by Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, money expert, CFP, and founder of The Fiscal Femme, to dive deep into the hidden financial pressures of wedding planning. From $300 charger plates you’ll never remember to accidentally spending three times your original budget, they unpack why it’s so easy for weddings to spiral out of control—and how to keep your sanity (and savings) intact. Plus, Jen and Ashley answer a heart-wrenching caller question from a bride who secretly financed a $40,000 wedding—without telling her fiancé. Should she confess, or try to fix it on her own? Episode Highlights: • How to create a “wedding manifesto” to keep spending aligned with what actually matters to you • The surprising ways small upgrades snowball into major debt • Tips for talking money with your partner (and what to do if you’ve been hiding the truth) • Smart strategies to pay off wedding debt (without ruining your future) • Why your wedding is just one day—and how to plan for the life beyond it If you’ve ever felt torn between your Pinterest-perfect vision and your real-life bank account, this is the episode you need. This episode is brought to you by Pearl Planner: wedding planning powered by AI, fueled by love. Be one of the first to get started with our exclusive beta at pearl.davidsbridal.com! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay updated on future episodes!