We used ChatGPT as our wedding planner — it saved us $5,000
When Maria Cortese received a quote of $5,000 from a New York wedding planner, she was taken aback. The budget-conscious bride from Poughkeepsie, New York, was worried that this inflated fee would exceed the $34,000 budget she and her fiancé, Ryan, had set for their August 2024 wedding.
Instead of resigning to the high cost, Maria decided to take a different route by turning to artificial intelligence. "I’m using ChatGPT to literally do everything for my wedding," Cortese shared. This decision marked her first experience with the free artificial intelligence platform since getting engaged in September.
The Rise of AI in Wedding Planning
According to a 2024 survey conducted by Zola, a virtual wedding hub, over half of engaged couples are opting to utilize automation for their wedding preparations. This trend includes tasks like creating wedding websites, writing vows, and managing budgets, all handled by artificial intelligence.
Allison Cullman, Vice President of Brand Marketing & Strategy at Zola, highlighted how systems like ChatGPT can alleviate the stress of wedding planning by streamlining various aspects of the process. "Generative AI has the potential to address pain points and expedite manual tasks, helping couples and vendors alike," she explained.
Custom AI Tools for Wedding Planning
Zola recently introduced a custom GPT tool named "Split the Decisions," designed for soon-to-be-weds. This tool, available through a $20 monthly ChatGPT+ subscription, efficiently distributes wedding planning tasks based on individual strengths and interests of both partners. It also suggests collaborative projects for couples to work on together.
Megan Riehl, a bride from the Upper West Side, shared her positive experience of organizing her wedding with the help of ChatGPT alongside her husband. Together, they leveraged ChatGPT’s DALL-E image generator to bring their vision to life, creating beautiful artwork for their invitations.
Personalized Assistance with AI
Zanah Hernandez, a financial analyst from San Diego, California, sought assistance from ChatGPT for planning her honeymoon after tying the knot with her husband, Luis. ChatGPT efficiently curated a 10-day travel itinerary within a specified budget range, including flights, hotels, and recommendations for activities in Italy’s Amalfi Coast.
Hernandez praised the AI's recommendations, which led the couple to discover charming accommodations and enjoyable excursions during their romantic getaway. The automated assistance not only saved them time but also ensured a stress-free planning process for their post-wedding vacation.
With the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence in wedding planning, couples like Maria, Megan, and Zanah are discovering the cost-effective and efficient benefits of incorporating technology into their special day.
