Tips and tricks

Invite only guests that you have relationships with. Dont feel obligated that you have been in contact with on a regular basis whether family or friends. This will keep your guest list low and food costs down.

I’m currently in the process of planning our wedding for April 2020, so I don’t have advice based on experience - but, more so on what I’ve read & been told by others who are married.


1. Prioritize what’s most important to you and your fiancé. What are the things you HAVE to have? Good food, music, booze?

2. Consider not including items that really aren’t necessary. Like - programs, menus, favors, big expensive cakes, tons of flowers, etc.
4. Keep your guests count low If you’re on a tight budget.
5. We decided to not have a wedding party. Even if they buy their own attire - buying them proposal boxes, gifts, makeup, hair, etc. adds up. So, it’ll just be the two of us and our daughter as the flower girl (which is perfect & what we wanted anyway)
Hmm... that’s all I can think of right now

Welcome Haley! Big decisions first: 1) budget, 2) estimated guest list, 3) venue & theme. #1 and #2 will help you with #3.


For example, a low budget and big guest list will likely mean a hall, community center, or church/temple hall for the reception. A low budget and small guest list could mean be winery, private room in a restaurant, weekday brunch or dinner at a hotel/resort as a few options.

Meet with ALL of your vendors in person before booking!! If something seems off, go with your gut and keep searching for someone else.

Some hotels and country clubs can have good pricing but might be cheaper to rent a venue for the reception that allows you to bring outside catering.

Depending on where you are planning, a DW can be more affordable than a wedding in your area. Also, this is a great excuse to only include family (and close friends) if you want something small.

Don;t ask your wedding party to be involved right away! There are lots of horror stories on here about relationships changing because people asked 2-3 years before the wedding! Wait until about a year/year and a half out!