30 Essential Planning Tips From Wedding Pros

From venue hunting tricks to the secret behind sticking to your budget, our favorite wedding pros share their must-know planning hacks.

There are a few reasons why we always stress the importance of getting a wedding planner if your budget allows. Besides making sure your wedding day goes off without a hitch, wedding planners have tons of experience and are an endless source of inspiration, ideas and advice. Check out these foolproof, real-talk tips below from some of our favorite wedding planners and designers. 

On getting engaged:

"Your partner has likely been working up to this for months, so slow down and share the time with friends and family—you don't need to look at venues on day one." —Shannon Gail Clemonds, Shannon Gail Weddings and Events

"Catch your breath and acknowledge the commitment you've just made to each other, even if you're in a room full of friends. Then, pop some champagne!" —Alicia Caldecott, A Day in May Event Planning & Design

"After you've celebrated, sit down with your families to discuss your budget: Who is paying for what? How will payments be made? After that talk, create a 'big day' bank account, so everyone can contribute." —Alicia Falango

On budgeting:

"Keep your guest list to those most important to you. An increased guest count is the easiest way for additional costs to sneak up on you, since you'll need to add more invitations, flowers, food and linens." —Shannon Gail Clemonds, Shannon Gail Weddings and Events

"Don't spend it all in one place and be prepared to be flexible. You might have to go with a beer and wine bar instead of a full open bar." —Jove Meyer, Jove Meyer Events

"If you're unsure about hiring a planner, then pay one to put your budget together. He or she can help you determine how much money you should put toward specific wedding elements, including your venue, entertainment, décor and photographer." —Alicia Falango, Alicia K Designs

"Don't be afraid of off-peak months, and don't hesitate to ask for a discount—you never know unless you try." —Kisha Barner, Pure Ambiance Event Design

On planning:

"Think about your wedding logistics—specifically, how your guests will experience every moment, from receiving the save-the-dates to sitting at their table. When you see everything from a guest's perspective, all of the choices you make for your day will be memorable ones." —Laura Ritchie, Grit & Grace Inc.

"Skip any tradition you don't feel reflected you as a couple and craft your wedding to be uniquely you. You'll never regret that decision." —Shannon Wellington, Shannon Wellington Weddings

"Stick to your guest list once it's complete. When it's done, it's done. It can be stressful and confusing for all involved when you take away or add more family members or friends to the list." —Crystal Hartmann, Harts & Quills

"DIY details are great, but your guests are at your wedding for roughly four hours. Sometimes it's not worth it to put in the work for DIY projects that will go unnoticed, even if you're the creative type." —Brandi Hines, Brandi Hines Events + Design

"Research your pros, don't assume anything, and don't trust that people can read your mind and know what you want." —Katherine Sprules, Katherine Sprules Cake Designs

"What goes up must come down. Remember to ask yourself what responsibilities you have after your reception ends. What needs to be torn down? Who's driving you to the airport?" —Alicia Caldecott, A Day in May Event Planning & Design

On invitations:

"Don't skimp on the quantity. I can't begin to count how many clients have had to come back and order an additional 25 invitations because they tried to cut it too close to their guest list. Guests that missed the list always find a way of popping up, and it's very costly to do a reprint." —Valerie Carlson, Spark Letterpress

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"Expect to set aside 5 to 10 percent of your wedding budget on stationery, since custom work will incur a design fee on top of your printing costs. Also expect to pay more for letterpress, foil stamping and engraving, since they're all highly specialized printing methods." —Lily Lasuzzo, Lavender & Mint

"Check and double-check before any printed pieces go to press. And don't forget thank-you notes—they can be printed at the same time as your invitations as a way to save." —Kristen Armstrong, Cheree Berry Paper

"Digital calligraphy can still be very beautiful, and it's much less expensive than having a calligrapher address all of the envelopes by hand." —Lily Lasuzzo, Lavender & Mint

On cakes:

"Focus on flavor first! Find a cake pro who really knows how to make a great tasting cake. Once you've found a flavor (or flavors) you love, the design inspiration will quickly follow." —Kristina Mack, Broken Tart

"Be empowered, ask a lot of question and don't get intimidated that you've never ordered a wedding cake before. Spoiler: most couples haven't!" —Katherine Sprules, Katherine Sprules Cake Designs

"Make sure you love the way your cake tastes just as much as you love the design. Ultimately, it's one of the first things guests notice—and it's the last thing they eat." —Lindsay Zelasko, Sugarbelle Cakery

"If you're getting married during the summer months, stay away from buttercream since it can become too soft in the sun." —Kristina Mack, Broken Tart

On flowers:

"Choosing flowers that are not only readily available but will also work well in your climate is key. Having a style you want, as opposed to an exact flower, will give your florist the flexibility they need." —Carly Blair, Margot Blair Floral

"Many photographers love to have extra blooms for detail shows or for setting up invitation suite photos, so ask to have a few special flowers on hand, just in case." —Lori Witmer, Wildflowers by Design

"Don't request an unnatural flower color, especially teal and turquoise. While those colors are beautiful for bridesmaid dresses, they're not appealing for a dyed flower. Find a color that's grown naturally—it will keep your wedding timeless when you look back in 10 or 20 years." —Jessie Wright, Sherwood Florist

On venues:

"Checking a city's calendar is always a smart idea before booking a venue. I've had numerous couples set a date only to find out later that a large festival or major event is also taking place that same weekend." —Brittany Ellis Cole, Eventrics Weddings

"Consider a restaurant buyout: Everything already exists on-site, so you can spend the extra money making the place your own." —Laura Ritchie, Grit & Grace Inc.

"Look out for venues with no heat or air-conditioning, limited bathrooms and bad online reviews. Plus, make sure a space is good at communicating with you in a timely manner—it won't get better once you book." —Jove Meyer, Jove Meyer Events

"Take into consideration what's included in the venue's cost and site fees. Some venues include tables, chairs, china, flatware and glassware—but if their items don't fit your vision for the day, you'll eventually have to rent everything anyway. That venue could be comparable to another that doesn't include anything at all." —Kelly McLeskey-Dolata, A Savvy Event

On unexpected emergencies:

"Make sure that engagement ring is insured—no one needs a missing ring!" —Alicia Caldecott, A Day in May Event Planning & Design

"Always have one of your photographers take the stairs: One time, both photographers got stuck in a hotel elevator on the way to the church. It took more than 30 minutes to get them out, while I frantically tried to see if we could find another photographer to shoot the ceremony." —Lindsay Pitt Sims, TOAST Events