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Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I start planning my wedding?

Most wedding planners recommend starting at least 12 months in advance for a traditional wedding. If you are planning a destination wedding or hoping to book a popular venue or vendors, 18 months gives you the most flexibility. For smaller, more intimate weddings or elopements, 6 months can be sufficient. The key is to book your venue and photographer first, since those fill up fastest, and then work through the rest of the checklist from there.

What is the average cost of a wedding in the United States?

According to recent surveys, the average cost of a wedding in the United States is around $30,000, though this varies enormously by region, guest count, and priorities. Weddings in major cities like New York or Los Angeles can easily exceed $50,000 to $80,000, while weddings in rural or Midwestern areas often come in well under $20,000. The biggest cost drivers are typically the venue, catering (per-head costs add up fast), photography, and flowers. Our budget planner helps you set realistic limits for each category so you stay in control.

How many guests should we invite to our wedding?

There is no right answer — it depends entirely on your budget, your venue capacity, and your personal vision. Micro-weddings (under 20 guests) are intimate and often more affordable. Small weddings (20–75 guests) allow for quality time with everyone. Medium weddings (75–150 guests) cover close family and friends. Large weddings (150+ guests) are grand celebrations but require significantly more planning and budget. A good rule of thumb: guest count is the single biggest lever on your total budget, since catering, seating, and invitations all scale with headcount.

What should be included in a wedding budget?

A complete wedding budget should cover: venue rental and ceremony fees, catering and bar (typically 40–50% of total budget), photography and videography, flowers and décor, music (DJ or band), wedding attire and accessories, hair and makeup, invitations and stationery, transportation, officiant fees, wedding cake, rehearsal dinner, favors and gifts, and a contingency buffer of 5–10% for unexpected costs. Do not forget taxes and gratuities, which can add 25–30% on top of vendor quotes.

When should we send out wedding invitations?

Standard wedding invitations should be sent 6–8 weeks before the wedding date. For destination weddings or events over a major holiday weekend, send them 3–4 months in advance so guests can make travel arrangements. Save-the-dates should go out even earlier — 8–12 months before for destination weddings, or 4–6 months before for local weddings. Always set your RSVP deadline 2–3 weeks before the wedding so you have time to finalize catering numbers and seating arrangements.

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