Expert Advice
Need some help planning your wedding? We're so glad you're HERE!
Start with our Wedding Checklists, download our free wedding printables, and be sure to check out our "Questions to Ask…" series for guidance on finding your wedding venue and hiring your wedding vendors! Plus, there are a TON of helpful, expertly-written wedding planning articles down below.
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![9 Major Wedding Planning Red Flags to Watch Out For](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingRedFlags01-SourcedCo.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=48c270eb02a5e8255e1e359f0e92087f 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingRedFlags01-SourcedCo.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=5e6885f65b357b82cf227c2ae9fd2a7d 190w)
9 Major Wedding Planning Red Flags to Watch Out For
We’re here to help you spot warning signs that could turn your fairy tale into a cautionary one. Here are the major red flags to watch out for when vetting your wedding pros that could save you from a potential wedding disaster—or at least save you time, money, and stress!
![12 Ways to Save Money on your Wedding Venue](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingVenue01-PoconoPalms.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=61386e50c1218ef9c5d2cf51dcc510fc 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingVenue01-PoconoPalms.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=a20fbbd4ce066416416aa661cd3d4c34 190w)
12 Ways to Save Money on your Wedding Venue
Looking to cut costs on your wedding venue without sacrificing style? We've got all the insider tricks to help you snag that space and stay within your budget—no style compromises required!
![All About All-Inclusive Wedding Venues](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/AllInclusiveWeddingVenue01-TheSpringsInCypress.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=9bad6d5e7e3759a743be68fc4737ed26 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/AllInclusiveWeddingVenue01-TheSpringsInCypress.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=05df5ffc07b12a211c95c71f26eab347 190w)
All About All-Inclusive Wedding Venues
All-inclusive wedding venues are at once a timesaver *and* a steal, but be forewarned: All-inclusive package inclusions vary greatly. From FAQs like "What Do Wedding Venue Packages Typically Include?" and "How Much Does an All-Inclusive Wedding Cost?", we've got ALL your questions about all-inclusive wedding venues covered!
![The Guide Gals Podcast](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/Guide-Gals-SEO-Image.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=6c51c0302b84d9ceb25a15c31ef2ae45 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/Guide-Gals-SEO-Image.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=7e9598de2b292f0c2b7892109252a2f5 190w)
The Guide Gals Podcast
The Guide Gals is a modern, wedding-focused podcast that dives deep into the planning process on a weekly basis. Our goal is for you to have the wedding of your dreams—and accomplish that with the least amount of stress possible.
![Here Comes The Guide's Brand Refresh](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/HCTG-SEO-Image.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=30e5322ff5ae2f3357b0d6e39e06ba53 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/HCTG-SEO-Image.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=2c5620d9b89126080972d79376ae7a52 190w)
Here Comes The Guide's Brand Refresh
It's not a total rebrand, but an evolved refresh. It was important to us to create an evolved logo, color palette, typography, and holistic design system that communicates Here Comes The Guide's values of adaptability, efficiency, inclusivity, and heart. We hope you feel even more welcome HERE.
![Gift Guide for Gals Who Work From Home: Our Most Favorite Things](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=7895dbae14318de474745f8de0c5c27d 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=9e0bebb73857af44a2a87eef8fc9fc75 190w)
Gift Guide for Gals Who Work From Home: Our Most Favorite Things
The Here Comes The Guide team is sharing our perfect present picks for the work-from-home gal. Check out this ultimate list of goodies that will not only help you stay comfortable and productive but also inspire you throughout your day. Whatever the occasion, we’ve got you covered!
![The Difference Between Venue Coordinators and Wedding Planners](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingPlannerOrCoordinator01-RunAwayWithMe_2023-10-05-140837_zyoi.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=bf7d0e2bc031394a5fc97a2aed48c227 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingPlannerOrCoordinator01-RunAwayWithMe_2023-10-05-140837_zyoi.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=6525ff30b145a1459eed1092fd88c339 190w)
The Difference Between Venue Coordinators and Wedding Planners
What's the difference between a wedding planner and a venue coordinator? Both are invaluable allies to have in your wedding-day corner–and while there are definitely similarities and overlap in the roles, there are some major differences, too. We break it down.
![Wedding Vendor Checklist | Printable PDF](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingVendorChecklist01-MagnoliaVenue_2023-10-05-140736_nzxs.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=4fa791dc2304174794c1c05c1f075647 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingVendorChecklist01-MagnoliaVenue_2023-10-05-140736_nzxs.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=891f7dc561f426aed7978e02a55aa403 190w)
Wedding Vendor Checklist | Printable PDF
Want to put together a winning wedding-day roster? Here is a list of wedding vendors that can help your dream wedding go off without a hitch, along with a free printable PDF Wedding Vendor Checklist for your planning binder.
![The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Wedding Vendors](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/ChoosingWeddingVendors01-TheWeddingCoach.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=6dbb1c16a0ec4dbf0a7332534fd824f9 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/ChoosingWeddingVendors01-TheWeddingCoach.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=b033d3e86f4c67c765d1f856b100a7d1 190w)
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Wedding Vendors
We've created The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Wedding Vendors to help you navigate the vendor selection process. Whether you're searching for a talented photographer who can swiftly capture candid moments or a skilled floral designer who can transform your venue into a peony-filled paradise, we've got you covered with the best tips.
19 Meaningful Ways To Remember Loved Ones At Your Wedding
If you have a special person (or pet!) that can’t physically be at your wedding, but you still want to acknowledge their presence in spirit, here are 19 unique ways to pay homage to their memory and give them a loving tribute on your big day.
![How To Budget For Your Wedding Bar](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingBarCost01-TenthWardDistillingCompany.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=65ec748f05472ce6108fa68f0f8d9280 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingBarCost01-TenthWardDistillingCompany.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=5c0304a162d03f443815367b74a07e48 190w)
How To Budget For Your Wedding Bar
Want a sobering experience? Try calculating the cost of your wedding bar. Already feeling dizzy? That's where we swoop in to save the day. From figuring out what you'll pay to picking the perfect bar package, here’s the scoop on how to budget for your booze.
![How To Get The Most Bang For Your Wedding Budget (even with inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain issues!)](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingBudgetHack01-MaddieKayPhotography.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=ff32a7e714d6a05916fc1e715c4e38d9 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingBudgetHack01-MaddieKayPhotography.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=b5634a9f7f7dfb16ac1afa31b5eb60df 190w)
How To Get The Most Bang For Your Wedding Budget (even with inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain issues!)
Have you googled “Cheap Wedding Ideas” recently? You’re not alone. As romantic as weddings are, they’re not immune to real-world issues like inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain issues. So here are 12 hacks to help you keep your wedding budget in check—even in these most unprecedented of times.
![21 Hidden Wedding Costs You May Forget To Budget For](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/HiddenWeddingCosts01-JuneBugRetroResort.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=e600f1f7b377d501b9ba8cf79b08fa10 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/HiddenWeddingCosts01-JuneBugRetroResort.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=eba77e7469194a636a627d96cf80b8e8 190w)
21 Hidden Wedding Costs You May Forget To Budget For
You've probably already factored in the wedding budget basics, but what about those unanticipated costs that you wouldn't be aware of unless you worked in the wedding industry? You know Here Comes The Guide has got your back! We're calling out 21 pesky hidden wedding costs many couples get blindsided by.
![9 Tips For Putting Together Your Small Wedding Guest List](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/SmallWeddingGuestList01-TheSpaceOnWestMain.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=f22d06761780f8eac3185372d80a2279 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/SmallWeddingGuestList01-TheSpaceOnWestMain.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=cbb564bdf615bb86b4c6f98972aac6d4 190w)
9 Tips For Putting Together Your Small Wedding Guest List
Whether you call it a micro wedding, small wedding, tiny wedding, or mini wedding, one thing’s clear: You need to narrow down your guest list! But between hard conversations and potentially hurt feelings, trimming your invites can prove to be tricky. So how do you set yourself up for small-wedding success? Check out these 9 tips for putting together an intimate wedding guest list.
![Should You Invite Kids to Your Wedding?](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/InviteKidsToWedding01-MiltonRidge_2022-06-06-184851_voop.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=436eab545a787c3b5ec10a6fa554cf7d 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/InviteKidsToWedding01-MiltonRidge_2022-06-06-184851_voop.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=b3a18cebf59c969f73e9ad9d80c1aaa1 190w)
Should You Invite Kids to Your Wedding?
Kid Friendly or Adults Only? That is the question. The key here is to hash this out with your partner early and come to a unified agreement. Then, to let your guests know your stance in a detailed yet graceful way. Check out these PROs, CONs, and pro tips to help you decide!
![Engagement Rings 101: A Practical Guide To Buying](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/GuideToBuyingEngagementRing01-AdaDiamonds.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=b14e4b4ef9feeab873f9410abbb32a9f 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/GuideToBuyingEngagementRing01-AdaDiamonds.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=469e3449ad70884b511ea05a7fa0c8fb 190w)
Engagement Rings 101: A Practical Guide To Buying
Regardless of what you ultimately spend on an engagement ring, one thing's for certain – this is one of the biggest purchases of your life! So how do you choose the right ring? Read the tips, terminology, and FAQs here for the ultimate guide to buying an engagement ring.
![29 Fun Ideas for your Wedding Weekend](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/FunWeddingWeekendIdeas-TamarackLodge.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=0275affd1db8a6d0f1c70792b64752a4 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/FunWeddingWeekendIdeas-TamarackLodge.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=2f791961abe5c2903723499baf6a2e01 190w)
29 Fun Ideas for your Wedding Weekend
If quality time is your love language, a wedding weekend might just be your perfect celebration. Yet how do you best fill the time between the welcome party, the rehearsal, the wedding, and the farewell? We've got you covered with 29 fun ideas for your wedding weekend.
![How To Plan A Wedding Weekend](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingWeekend01-ThePinesResortOnBassLake.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=6b9c3e01965ba6b79f3b57e72c3f5a77 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingWeekend01-ThePinesResortOnBassLake.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=737c02f2a12247ea401322d5102885a8 190w)
How To Plan A Wedding Weekend
Looking to turn your "big day" into a multi-day event? Consider hosting a full-fledged wedding weekend. Here are 8 things you'll want to nail down before planning your extended celebration.
![How To Brand Your Wedding](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/HowToBrandYourWedding01-GoldenVibesPhoto.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=39bee5197c0bbb8c0eae24c6abb9827f 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/HowToBrandYourWedding01-GoldenVibesPhoto.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=c12890a0c64c43e3454450d56985c96a 190w)
How To Brand Your Wedding
Think wedding branding only applies to influencers or couples with big budgets and high-end planners? Think again! We promise this isn’t as fancy as it sounds: Branding your wedding is simply having a set of guidelines to inform the overall look and feel of your event. We show you how to brand your wedding like a boss.
![7 Ways To Make Your Wedding More Inclusive](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/InclusiveWedding01-LotusPhotography.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&dpr=3&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&w=400&s=c5cdeba3d857bafb301b41ddfcd02e12 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/InclusiveWedding01-LotusPhotography.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=c13941af49e7af57f295f18beb86f30d 190w)
7 Ways To Make Your Wedding More Inclusive
A wedding is a celebration of love—and if you want your guests to really feel the love, it's time to be intentional about inclusion! Being mindful of the diverse needs and situations of your wedding guests will ensure they feel seen, valued, comfortable, and cared for on your big day. And while this is just the tip of the iceberg, we've listed 7 things you can do to make your event more inclusive.
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Some clients may have paid to be placed in our editorial and some of these links may be affiliate; however, we never include a venue, vendor, or product unless they have a proper place here. This is part of our Core Values. We create our website first and foremost to be good for the couples using it to plan their Big Day. We won't stray from that for a few advertising dollars. #scoutshonor