Your Complete Wedding Planning Resource Library
Planning a wedding involves countless decisions, from setting your budget and choosing vendors to coordinating timelines and managing guest lists. Our comprehensive wedding planning guides are designed to walk you through every aspect of the process, providing expert advice, industry insights, and practical tools to help you create the celebration of your dreams without unnecessary stress or financial surprises.
Whether you are planning an intimate backyard ceremony or an elaborate destination celebration, these guides offer the knowledge you need to make informed decisions. We have consulted with wedding planners, financial advisors, and industry professionals to compile advice that reflects both traditional wisdom and modern realities. Each guide is regularly updated to reflect current pricing, trends, and best practices for 2026 and beyond.
The wedding industry can feel overwhelming, with countless vendors, options, and opinions vying for your attention. Our goal is to cut through the noise and provide clear, actionable guidance that helps you focus on what matters most—celebrating your love with the people you care about. From budget allocation strategies and vendor negotiation tips to timeline checklists and etiquette guidance, these resources cover the full spectrum of wedding planning.
We believe that beautiful weddings are possible at every budget level. Our guides emphasize practical approaches to cost management, helping you identify where to invest and where to save without sacrificing the elements that matter most to you. Use these resources alongside our interactive calculators and downloadable tools to build a comprehensive planning system tailored to your unique celebration.
Guide Categories Overview
Our wedding planning guides are organized into several key categories to help you find exactly what you need. Budget and finance guides help you establish, allocate, and manage your wedding funds from engagement to honeymoon. Timeline and checklist resources keep you organized with month-by-month task lists and scheduling advice. Vendor guides help you understand costs, ask the right questions, and negotiate contracts across all vendor categories. Destination and travel guides cover everything from legal requirements to logistics for celebrations away from home. Finally, our etiquette and tradition resources help you navigate the social and cultural aspects of wedding planning with confidence.
Month-by-month checklist covering everything from booking vendors to the final week before your wedding. Know exactly what to do and when with our comprehensive timeline that breaks down the entire planning process into manageable tasks. Includes separate timelines for 12-month, 9-month, and 6-month planning schedules, plus a detailed day-of timeline template for seamless execution.
2,800+ words · 12 min read
Planning a wedding abroad? Our complete guide covers logistics, costs, legal requirements, and the best destinations for your celebration. Learn how to balance guest convenience with your vision, understand the pros and cons of all-inclusive packages versus custom planning, and navigate international marriage requirements. Includes destination comparisons for popular locations from Mexico to Italy.
3,000+ words · 14 min read
Explore regional wedding costs across all 50 states with our interactive calculator and comprehensive state-by-state breakdowns. Understand how location impacts every budget category, from venue pricing and vendor rates to guest accommodation costs. Perfect for couples considering multiple locations or planning destination celebrations within the United States.
Interactive Tool + Guides
Enter your total budget and get an instant breakdown by category—venue, photography, flowers, and more—based on industry standards and regional data. Customize allocations based on your priorities, export your personalized budget plan, and track actual spending against estimates. An essential interactive tool for any couple starting their budget journey.
Interactive Calculator
Calculate exactly how much beer, wine, and spirits you need based on your guest count, reception length, and drinking preferences. Our calculator considers heavy drinkers versus light drinkers, time of day, season, and bar style to provide accurate estimates. Includes cost comparisons between open bar, limited bar, and BYOB options with typical pricing by region.
Interactive Calculator
Learn who to tip, how much to tip, and when to tip—from your coordinator and caterer to your DJ and hair stylist. Our comprehensive tipping guide covers every vendor category with specific percentage recommendations and explains when tips are already included in contracts. Includes a calculator to build your complete day-of tipping budget.
Interactive Calculator
Why Quality Planning Guides Matter
The wedding industry generates hundreds of billions of dollars annually, and couples are bombarded with advertising, sponsored content, and conflicting advice from every direction. Our planning guides are created with one purpose: to help you make informed decisions that align with your values and budget. We do not accept vendor payments for recommendations, and our advice is based on research, industry data, and feedback from real couples who have been through the planning process.
Good planning guides can save you thousands of dollars by helping you avoid common mistakes, understand fair market pricing, and negotiate effectively with vendors. They can also save you countless hours by providing clear frameworks for decision-making and eliminating the confusion that comes from conflicting online advice. Most importantly, quality resources help reduce the stress that often accompanies wedding planning, allowing you to actually enjoy this special time in your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start planning a wedding on a budget?
Start by determining your total budget from all sources—personal savings, family contributions, and any financing you plan to use—before looking at venues or vendors. Create a prioritized list of must-haves versus nice-to-haves, being honest about what matters most to both of you. Use the standard allocation percentages as a starting point: 40-50% for venue and catering, 10-15% for photography, 8-10% for flowers and decor. Track every expense from day one and build in a 10-15% contingency fund for unexpected costs.
What is the average wedding cost in 2026?
The average American wedding in 2026 costs between $30,000 and $35,000, though costs vary significantly by location and celebration style. Major metropolitan areas like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles see averages of $50,000-$75,000 or more, while more affordable regions in the South and Midwest may average $20,000-$25,000. Your actual costs depend on guest count, venue choice, vendor selections, time of year, and personal priorities. Micro-weddings with fewer than 50 guests often cost $10,000-$15,000.
How far in advance should I start planning my wedding?
Most couples begin planning 12-18 months before their wedding date, though 9-12 months is sufficient for smaller celebrations or off-peak dates. Popular venues and in-demand vendors in major markets often book 12-18 months in advance, especially for Saturday dates during peak season (May-October). Key milestones include booking the venue 10-12 months out, securing photographer and caterer 8-10 months out, sending save-the-dates 6-8 months out, and finalizing details in the final 2-3 months.
What percentage of budget should go to each wedding category?
Industry standards suggest the following allocations: Venue and catering 40-50%, Photography and videography 10-15%, Flowers and decor 8-10%, Music and entertainment 8-10%, Attire and beauty 8-10%, Stationery and invitations 2-3%, Transportation 2-3%, Wedding planner 10-15% if applicable, and Miscellaneous and contingency 5-10%. These percentages should be adjusted based on your personal priorities—if photography matters most, allocate more there and reduce elsewhere.
Is a destination wedding cheaper than a local wedding?
Destination weddings can be more affordable due to smaller guest counts and all-inclusive packages, but total costs vary widely based on location and style. While the per-person cost may be similar or even higher than a local wedding, having fewer guests (typically 30-50 for destination versus 100-150 for local) often reduces the overall budget. Consider that guests bear their own travel costs but you may need to cover some accommodations for immediate family. Factor in site visits, legal requirements for international locations, and vendor travel if bringing your own team.