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.
Most Recent...
![Brides Want to Know: A Question of Religion](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/ReligiousOrSpiritualWedding.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=2b9f67ffba369a6c7236e925325ea996 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/ReligiousOrSpiritualWedding.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=f614e55a9d192f6d1390ba1262282eb6 190w)
Brides Want to Know: A Question of Religion
Dear Here Comes The Guide: Neither my fiancé nor I are at all religious despite our upbringings, though we do share a broad-based spirituality. Our families are much more traditional, and might be offended if our wedding ceremony is entirely secular. Is there a way to honor the belief systems of our parents without being hypocritical?
![Wedding Budget: Venue Fees and Other Costs](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingVenueFees-ColettesCateringAndEvents.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=51c045d0383124b79476e557de5a6566 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingVenueFees-ColettesCateringAndEvents.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=1c7d3b1d74a84bacc294c0974515e25b 190w)
Wedding Budget: Venue Fees and Other Costs
You’d think that working from a budget would be obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people, especially brides and grooms, are unrealistic about what they can afford. Part of the problem is that most people aren’t very experienced with event budgeting and don’t know how to estimate what locations, products and services will ultimately cost.
![Brides Want to Know: Hors d'oeuvre Dilemma](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingHorsDoeuvres-ContemporaryCateringAndEventProduction.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=32cbdf7275b9b9cf757f615a2201364b 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingHorsDoeuvres-ContemporaryCateringAndEventProduction.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=6a3a9774c1cca551a0b93a8f760d7fa0 190w)
Brides Want to Know: Hors d'oeuvre Dilemma
Can you tell me how many hors d’oeuvres per person is the norm for a cocktail wedding reception? I’m not having dinner, just hors d’oeuvres and cocktails for about four hours. I need to figure out my menu and am at my wits end trying to find the answer!
![Champagne, Fashion, Hors d'oeuvres, and Gift Bags...](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingShowTips-SDWeddingParty.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=c376f9a70266f81b3bf7bc38746aa488 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingShowTips-SDWeddingParty.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=c49c0fefcbb9c804c4e007c162d43a1e 190w)
Champagne, Fashion, Hors d'oeuvres, and Gift Bags...
Bridal fairs offer an efficient way to review what’s in the marketplace—you can check out florists and photographers, sample the wares of cake makers, and listen to the music of a variety of DJs. They’re a great place to shop around for (and sample!) wedding-related services and compare quality and price before making your final decisions.
![Brides Want to Know: Wedding Band or DJ?](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingBandOrDJ-StillMusic.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=5448bf2d66b0152aaf2c9736e8bda14d 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingBandOrDJ-StillMusic.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=ce6654894b09bc2f39d0c93c5f44ccb0 190w)
Brides Want to Know: Wedding Band or DJ?
My fiancé and I have most of our wedding plans set, except the music for our reception. We can’t decide between live entertainment and a disc jockey. The reception will be indoors with about 150 guests. We have to keep an eye on cost, too. Are bands always more expensive? What do you recommend?
![David Tutera Gets Real: High Style Weddings On A Budget](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/chuttersnap-unsplash.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=a2938d5b316643d8ad992805dd7eac26 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/chuttersnap-unsplash.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=12725d4578c35ff486924e33c906432e 190w)
David Tutera Gets Real: High Style Weddings On A Budget
Here Comes The Guide staffer Jolene Rae Harrington had the opportunity to interview celebrity wedding planner David Tutera at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena. Here are some of his wedding tips for ways to have a high style wedding with a lower budget.
![Questions to Ask a Wedding Planner](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/QuestionsToAskWeddingPlanner-KateWhelanEvents.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=cf5d4bab47de98f04adfa6608e19bbd0 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/QuestionsToAskWeddingPlanner-KateWhelanEvents.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=7c4e6844a7c3d8fed3fc4741f920d6cf 190w)
Questions to Ask a Wedding Planner
In the first flush of joy after your engagement, you probably began browsing wedding websites, social media sites like Pinterest, and magazines. If you soon felt buried by a blizzard of checklists and a daunting array of decisions, you and your fiancé might want to think about hiring a professional wedding planner.
![Wedding Invitations Glossary](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingInvitationsGlossary-Cordially.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=954a4a7df8e631df236366f1e02458a2 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingInvitationsGlossary-Cordially.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=4f388639ce232c4115f74319650c16c1 190w)
Wedding Invitations Glossary
A glossary of common printing terms you may encounter as you research wedding invitation options. The more you know, the easier it will be to pick the perfect wedding invitation suite for you!
![Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/RehearsalDinnerEtiquette-MaxsWineDive.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=bfd36ff56501c6e03f2408d3191c4114 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/RehearsalDinnerEtiquette-MaxsWineDive.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=092d45a1e4c8ab2d7938837ab7eee57e 190w)
Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette
Ahhh, the party before the party. Sure, you'll need to do a walk-through of your ceremony, but the real fun happens at dinner! Wondering what the details are? We answer 6 of the top rehearsal dinner questions.
![Have a "Hang-Loose" Honeymoon: Five Tips to Packing Your Carry-On](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/HowToPackforHoneymoon.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=e8343a4f1b5ecd9aaa777dd2f77bb892 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/HowToPackforHoneymoon.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=323deee503f5d47c28d2979dbb1a80a3 190w)
Have a "Hang-Loose" Honeymoon: Five Tips to Packing Your Carry-On
Whether it’s for your honeymoon or a romantic weekend getaway, these days it pays to pack it all in your carry-on suitcase—and avoid extra charges for checked luggage. The best way to be a breezy bride at the airport is to remember you’re on the vacation of your life…and to “hang loose” when you’re packing. Keep it simple, easy and fun. Follow these five tips, and you’re off to a carefree start.
![Weddings vs. Holiday Parties: 5 Important Differences](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/sixteen-miles-out-unsplash.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=472a3efaeaadfe6a91045d33bf7ce7ed 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/sixteen-miles-out-unsplash.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=54e1aca4123ce6a9f4d529d6eb6d45a9 190w)
Weddings vs. Holiday Parties: 5 Important Differences
With the holiday season fast approaching, I like to imagine where our company would have the most rocking holiday party ever. Interestingly, I noticed that my shortlist of holiday event venues wasn’t that different from my fantasy wedding one: Classy art galleries, hip restaurants, sun-kissed vineyards… A dynamic setting can make any celebration pop.
![Questions to Ask a Wedding Caterer](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/QuestionsToAskWeddingCaterer-ColettesCateringAndEvents.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=2ebaff61157ad783aab4fbbafc02c322 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/QuestionsToAskWeddingCaterer-ColettesCateringAndEvents.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=727bea986185669e7404c279d839f40f 190w)
Questions to Ask a Wedding Caterer
Besides your venue, the food and drink for your wedding bash will probably consume the largest portion of your wedding budget. And trust us when we say, catering contracts are far from simple. We're here to help you navigate this tricky terrain with our list of questions to ask your caterer.
![Brides Want to Know: Guessing the Guest Count](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/HowToGuessWeddingGuestCount-PryorEvents.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=72ec8bb3a98ca0e46bf62f7eefb55c0d 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/HowToGuessWeddingGuestCount-PryorEvents.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=8b15a601c320524baf2be107f456f1fe 190w)
Brides Want to Know: Guessing the Guest Count
Dear Here Comes The Guide: I’m inviting 178 guests to my wedding and I want to get a better idea of what the final count will be. Is there any way to estimate how many people won’t attend?
![Useful Tips for Ordering Your Wedding Invitations](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/TipsForOrderingWeddingInvitations-HyegraphInvitationsAndCalligraphy.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=609cfa8506ed3819aadbee6c1558e1c6 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/TipsForOrderingWeddingInvitations-HyegraphInvitationsAndCalligraphy.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=ebfde7e558cbcf5b0b473f8d0476181c 190w)
Useful Tips for Ordering Your Wedding Invitations
Is the process of ordering your wedding invitations proving to be more complicated than you'd originally thought? Never fear! We've put together our top tips for ordering your invites.
![21 Questions to Ask When Ordering Your Wedding Invitations](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingInvitationQuestions01-OhElevenStudio.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=49ee8445079159aaceb0463cdd79dd84 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingInvitationQuestions01-OhElevenStudio.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=d3c2ce81e7a98074adf7c1c9736fe0c0 190w)
21 Questions to Ask When Ordering Your Wedding Invitations
Nothing sets the tone for an event like an impeccably designed wedding invitation. This list of questions has been compiled to help ensure that no detail is left unaddressed (no pun intended), whether you’re working with a stationery boutique, an online vendor, or a graphic designer.
![Questions To Ask Your Wedding Floral Designer](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/QuestionsToAskWeddingFlorist-TheFlowerHouse.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=b3b57ed19d7b92e2c9cd8592ddaf93e4 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/QuestionsToAskWeddingFlorist-TheFlowerHouse.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=1077f380a5698fb6ee8ed6e3c88f48e3 190w)
Questions To Ask Your Wedding Floral Designer
Floral designers do much more than just supply the bouquet! They help create the look and mood for your wedding ceremony, as well as centerpieces and other table decorations for the reception. Needless to say, you and your floral designer will have a lot to talk about! So we've armed you with some questions to ask.
![Wedding Planning: The First Big Relationship Challenge](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingPlanning_2021-05-13-143105_utmi.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=7bd1cb954f92fe78b8916b8b6b7b5b95 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingPlanning_2021-05-13-143105_utmi.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=b000107edb19531bada5bbadba58aeb1 190w)
Wedding Planning: The First Big Relationship Challenge
By first discussing how you will collaborate on your wedding planning, you will establish a framework of expectations, decision-making and action based on practical realities of who you are and what you are, in fact, able to do. Thinking ahead of the curve will reduce misunderstandings and disappointments down the road.
![Inviting Elements: Invitation Basics](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/InvitingElements-HyegraphInvitationsAndCalligraphy.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=6bc490af9bed8f4d47b87490f47a408e 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/InvitingElements-HyegraphInvitationsAndCalligraphy.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=e5651d13661a002a5aad7ef593da9978 190w)
Inviting Elements: Invitation Basics
Before you can go pick out your invitations, you need to decide how to word them. You have two basic choices—you can conform to the traditional rules of etiquette, or you can select more contemporary options. Either way, it can be a challenge to appropriately express yourself, so I offer some suggestions to help you wade through the ways of wording.
![Questions to Ask a Cake Designer](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/QuestionToAskWeddingCakeMaker-VanillaBakeShop.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=6483b9f6460dc309b9ab8a78dd471cc1 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/QuestionToAskWeddingCakeMaker-VanillaBakeShop.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=6b5784044a361e2d9d98d7ba0fcdad9e 190w)
Questions to Ask a Cake Designer
The cake is probably a wedding’s most important icon. And whether you want a traditional multi-tiered confection, a miniature Statue of Liberty (hey, that’s where he proposed!) or a cupcake tower, your wedding cake should reflect your personality. Be sure to use the following questions as a guide when evaluating a potential wedding cake designer.
![Icing On The Cake: One Writer's Perspective On A Classic Cake Conundrum](https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingCakeConundrum-VanillaBakeShop.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=660abb137695d07d94b46f0dc33e204e 400w, https://hctg-images.imgix.net/images/articles/WeddingCakeConundrum-VanillaBakeShop.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=143&w=190&s=5bfff056bcfdd1728112d2771d921d0e 190w)
Icing On The Cake: One Writer's Perspective On A Classic Cake Conundrum
When it comes to wedding cakes, is it better to look good than to taste good? Don't think, just answer. Your response will give you a clue as to where you weigh in on the Great "Fondant versus Buttercream" Controversy, or, as I like to call it, "the Famous Frosting Smackdown."
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