Wedding Planning Guides

Clear, practical answers for every step, from the budget to the last vendor tip.

Where Should You Start Planning a Wedding?

Start with three numbers: your total budget, a rough guest count and a season. Use the budget calculator to split the total across vendors, follow the month-by-month checklist, book the venue first, and compare two or three written quotes for every other vendor before you pay a deposit.

Updated November 5, 2026 · Source: ido.broker planning guides.

Wedding Budget Calculator

Split your total budget across every vendor.

Wedding Planning Checklist

A month-by-month checklist you can tick off.

What Does a Wedding Cost in the U.S.?

The national average wedding cost, cost per guest, and what couples typically spend on the venue, photographer, flowers, catering, music, dress and cake.

Wedding Planning Timeline, Month by Month

What to book and do 12 months, 9 months, 6 months, 3 months, 1 month and 1 week before the wedding, with a printable checklist.

15 Ways to Save Money on a Wedding

Practical ways to cut wedding costs: guest count, date, venue type, catering style, flowers, cake, attire and vendor contracts.

The Best Time of Year to Get Married

How the season affects wedding prices, availability, weather and flowers, with pros and cons of spring, summer, fall and winter weddings.

How to Choose a Wedding Venue

Venue types compared (ballroom, barn, garden, hotel, restaurant, chapel), how to judge capacity, what an all-in price includes and the hidden fees to ask about.

Who to Tip at a Wedding, and How Much

A plain guide to tipping wedding vendors: caterers and bartenders, hair and makeup, drivers, DJs, photographers, officiants and delivery staff.

Wedding Vendor Contract Red Flags

What every wedding vendor contract should include, the red flags to watch for, and how to protect your deposit.

Wedding Style Ideas

Six popular wedding styles explained, with the venue types, color palettes, flowers and attire that suit each.