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Best Books for Engaged Couples for Wedding Planning and Beyond

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Planning a wedding and attempting to stick to a budget? Don’t miss this list of must-read books for planning your wedding.

Jessica Bishop Headshot

When you start out planning a wedding, you’ll probably need to do a little bit of wedding education, so we wanted to round up some of the best books for brides on a budget!

Of course, there’s TONS of information and inspiration available on the internet (such as *ahem* this very website), but sometimes you just want a physical book. We know there’s just something about holding something in your hands, being able to scribble notes, or whip out that highlighter.

As well as the planning, we’ve also added some top rated reads to starting life as a newlywed too! Check out these recommended books for engaged couples below!

The Best Wedding Books for Brides on a Budget 

From step-by-step wedding planners to survival guides and savings tips, these books are a great primer for any bride planning her wedding on a budget!

Best Budget Wedding Planner Book

budget savvy wedding planner book

The Budget-Savvy Wedding Planner & Organizer
by Jessica Bishop

Of course, I have to include my own book baby. I put all my best tips, tricks, and advice from over 10 years in weddings into my very own wedding planner book to help couples plan their big day the savvy way! It’s got worksheets, checklists, and helpful exercises to help you plan the wedding you want on a budget you can actually afford.

Learn more about The Budget-Savvy Wedding Planner & Organizer


Best Wedding Planning Survival Guide

Bridechilla Wedding Planning Book

The Bridechilla Survival Guide
by Aleisha McCormack

Written by the delightful host of the Bridechilla Podcast, this book banishes the bullsh*t from planning your big day. The Bridechilla Survival Guide will free you from wed-stress and the quest for perfection! It’s a refreshing and practical take on the whole process.

PS – be sure to check out the Bridechilla Field Guide and the Maidchilla Manual, too!


Best Wedding Planning Book Companion Guide

a practical wedding by meg keene

A Practical Wedding
by Meg Keene

A Practical Wedding takes a no-nonsense approach to wedding planning. This wedding planner book gives brides permission to forget the rules and do what makes YOU happy. We’ve always loved Meg’s practical and down-to-earth advice, and we think you will, too!


Best Book for Wedding Planning Tips

wedding hacks by maddie eisenhart

Wedding Hacks: 500+ Ways to Stick to Your Budget, Stay Stress-Free, and Plan the Best Wedding Ever!
by Maddie Eisenhart

This pocket wedding planner book contains 500 easy hacks to help your wedding go as smoothly as possible—from preventing wardrobe malfunctions to making an adjustable seating chart.


Best Wedding Book for Planning with Disabilities

wedding planning book

Wedding Planning for Spoonies: Tips and Inspiration for Chronically ill and Disabled Couples
by Meara Bartlett

This is the first wedding planning books for engaged couples to focus on people with physical disabilities. Get planning inspiration, step-by-step timelines, practical advice, and stories from disabled couples around the world.


Other Wedding Planning Books to consider


Best DIY Wedding Planning Book Ideas

Want some inspiration and ideas for pulling together the look of your wedding on a budget? Check out these DIY-friendly wedding planning books!

The Best Book to Learn Hand-Lettering

lettering and modern calligraphy

Lettering and Modern Calligraphy by Paper Peony Press

Learn lettering to address your own invitations or signs with this beginner’s guide and workbook! It’s filled with tips, tricks encouragement, as well as practice space to kickstart your lettering journey!


The Best DIY Projects for Rustic Weddings

rustic chic wedding

Rustic Chic Wedding
by Morgann Hill

This book is full of creative and crafty projects that you can DIY for your wedding! If you love rustic-style weddings, this book is perfect for you!! The photographs in this book are particularly stunning and inspiring.


Best Book for DIY Wedding Projects

The Handcrafted Wedding by Emma Arendoski

The Handcrafted Wedding 
by Emma Arendoski

This wedding planning book has 300+ ideas to take your wedding day from mundane to magnificent with the help of crafts and handmade projects. Personalizing your day with DIY is one of the best ways to leave a great impression on your guests, without costing a fortune!


Other Wedding DIY and craft project Books


Inspirational Books for Engaged Couples

Want wedding inspiration to get your creativity flowing for your wedding plans?

These top-rated books for engaged couples are filled to the brim with advice for newlyweds, big-day inspiration, and serious wedding eye candy. Learn how to select the perfect wedding color scheme, how to create a cohesive wedding aesthetic, and more to design your perfect day!


Money & Budgeting for General Life

Here at B$B, we’re about helping couples start their marriage off on the right financial footing. So we definitely recommend getting on the same page when it comes to money. Check out these great reads below!

Use Your Money to Create the Life (or Wedding!) You Want

women with money

Women with Money
by Jean Chatzky

What do most women want from their money? Independence, security, choices, a better world, and–oh yes–way less stress, not just for themselves but for their kids, partners, parents, and friends. This book teaches tactical solutions to take control of your money in every respect and use it to create the life you want!


Managing Money in Your Marriage

money books for engaged couples

JUMPSTART YOUR MARRIAGE AND YOUR MONEY
by Elle Martinez

Personal finance expert and host of Couple Money podcast, Elle Martinez shares her four-week plan to help couples stop worrying about money and start building wealth together. This is one of the top books for engaged couples to help build open and honest communication and get started on the path to financial freedom.


Other Money and budgeting Must-Reads


Marriage + Relationship Books for Engaged Couples

Of course, we want to help you cultivate a strong relationship so your marriage can stand the test of time. Check out these incredible relationship and marriage reads!

Best Book for Sparking Conversations With Your Partner

the hard questions susan piver
best books for engaged couples

The Hard Questions: 100 Essential Questions to Ask Before You Say “I Do”
by Susan Piver

This book is filled with questions to generate important discussions that any couple should have before walking down the aisle. Use it to help spark the conversations that need to be had when preparing for your lifelong commitment.


Best Book for Learning How To Show Love to Your Partner

the five love languages by gary chapman
best books for engaged couples

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts
by Gary Chapman

The #1 Best Selling book on Marriage with over 11 million copies sold. Learn both your and your partner’s primary love languages so you can show each other love in the best way. These simple ideas to build a more loving relationship are easy to apply no matter what stage of your relationship you are in.


Other Marriage and Relationship Must-Reads


Best Cook Books for Newlyweds

Dinner for two? Check out these awesome cookbooks that are all catered towards couples! Find tasty meals to cook together for at-home date nights, and learn how to make dishes that you both will love!

Food is truly the universal language of love, so it’s time to dig in!


Giftable Wedding Books

Looking for a cute or creative idea for a gift for someone in your wedding or even the bride and groom?

Check out these creative book gifts. There are great book options for gifts for brides, grooms, bridesmaids, couples, flower girls, ring bearers, and beyond!



best books for engaged couples
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best books for engaged couples

Jessica Bishop Headshot

Jessica Bishop is the founder of TheBudgetSavvyBride.com, and has worked in various areas and roles within the wedding industry since 2007. She is the author of the best-selling book,The Budget-Savvy Wedding Planner & Organizer and also hosts The Bouquet Toss Wedding Planning Podcast. Jessica's expert wedding advice and savvy savings tips have been featured by Good Morning America, COSMOPOLITAN, Glamour, and more.