More and more budgeting brides-to-be are turning to artificial intelligence for help with planning their weddings. Maria Cortese, a bride from Poughkeepsie, New York, was shocked by a $5,000 rate from a wedding planner and decided to use ChatGPT, a free AI platform, to handle all the arrangements for her August 2024 wedding. She is among the 52% of engaged couples who are leaning towards entrusting automation with the details of their weddings, according to a survey by Zola. This includes tasks like creating wedding websites, writing vows, and managing budgets.
Zola, a virtual wedding hub, introduced a custom GPT tool called “Split the Decisions” to help soon-to-weds divide tasks between partners based on their strengths and interests. For a $20 monthly subscription, ChatGPT+ suggests joint projects that couples can work on together, helping to streamline the wedding planning process. Megan Riehl, a bride from the Upper West Side, found that using ChatGPT with her husband made organizing their wedding more magical, particularly with the use of the image generator DALL-E for their invitations, saving them money on hiring a graphic designer.
Zanah Hernandez, a financial analyst from San Diego, California, tasked ChatGPT with planning her honeymoon to Italy’s Amalfi Coast after her October 2023 wedding. She asked for a 10-day travel itinerary with a budget between $4,000 to $6,000, including flights, hotels, boat tours, restaurants, and excursions. ChatGPT recommended Hotel Punta Regina in Positano and provided suggestions for a romantic row around the coastline. The automation helped Hernandez save time and reduce stress while planning her post-wedding vacation.
Allison Cullman, vice president of Brand Marketing & Strategy at Zola, believes that systems like ChatGPT can reduce the mental load of wedding planning for couples by expediting manual tasks and helping vendors draft schedules. The use of generative AI has the potential to address pain points and streamline various aspects of the wedding-planning process. For bridal couples looking to save money and have a smoother planning experience, embracing automation through AI tools like ChatGPT can be a game-changer. With the convenience and efficiency that AI provides, more couples may find that they can have their dream wedding while staying within budget and reducing stress.
