Wedding planning 101

Creating a budget

Learn how to create a wedding budget that works for you. Find practical advice and expert tips on how to stay within your budget while creating the wedding you want.

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How Much is a Wedding Planner?Everything you need to know about the cost of a wedding planner, including the different types of coordinators, their average rates, and factors that can affect the cost.

Featured

Couple sitting on steps in wedding attire, with text "The First Look Report 2024"

How Much Does the Average Wedding Cost? Full Breakdown

Advice

Stay within your wedding budget! See average wedding cost breakdowns by state, guest size, and vendor service, plus money-saving tips from the experts.

Father of the Groom

What Does The Groom’s Family Pay For? + Duties List

How-To

Learn about the different father of the groom duties with this helpful guide. Read on to discover more.

How Much Does a Rehearsal Dinner Cost?

How Much Does a Rehearsal Dinner Cost?

Advice

A successful wedding means smart budgeting. Here’s what a rehearsal dinner costs according to Zola, the wedding experts!

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How to Set Your Wedding Budget

How-To

While setting your wedding budget may not be the most exciting item on your planning to-do list, it is an important first step. Avoid the financial headache by tackling one of the most confusing questions for many couples: how to set your wedding budget.

Two brides are holding hands in front of their wedding officiant, indicating they hired their officiant after researching wedding officiant costs.

How Much Does a Wedding Officiant Cost? [2023 Rates]

The average wedding officiant cost is around $200-$450 with all fees included. Learn more about how this cost is calculated, as well as tips to pick an officiant!

All Creating a budget articles

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Wedding planning 101

Who Pays For The Wedding? Everything You Need To Know

Bride and groom sitting side by side outdoors in wedding attire as the sun sets
Wedding planning 101

29 Ways to Cut Wedding Costs

Need to cut wedding costs? Here are five ways to do so that you might not have thought about. Read up, and get ready to spend smart!

Couple walking hand in hand through a sandy path at a beachside destination wedding
Wedding planning 101

Destination Wedding Cost + Tips to Cut Costs

Whether you’re saying “I do” in California or the South of France, our experts explain how to cut destination wedding costs big and small.

Couple sitting on steps in wedding attire, with text "The First Look Report 2024"
Wedding planning 101

How Much Does the Average Wedding Cost? Full Breakdown

Stay within your wedding budget! See average wedding cost breakdowns by state, guest size, and vendor service, plus money-saving tips from the experts.

Wedding Lighting love sign
Wedding planning 101

How Much Does Wedding Lighting Cost?

There are lots of options for lighting for your big day. Read on for what you should know about how much wedding lighting costs.

Hand holding hundred dollar bills on graphic background
Wedding planning 101

How Much is a Wedding Planner?

Everything you need to know about the cost of a wedding planner, including the different types of coordinators, their average rates, and factors that can affect the cost.

Second Wedding Ideas on a Budget
Wedding planning 101

Second Wedding Ideas on a Budget

Need second wedding ideas on a budget? Our experts can help. Read on for our top tips.

woman researching wedding debt
Wedding planning 101

Should We Get a Loan for Our Wedding?

Taking on wedding debt may seem like the only way to fund your big day, but are wedding loans a good idea? Financial experts weigh in on personal loans for weddings and share their tips for sticking to your budget.

All the Items That Make Up a Wedding Budget
Wedding planning 101

Wedding Budget Checklist—From Venues and Vendors to Tips and Favors

We know that many couples go into wedding planning without knowing exactly what goes into organizing one. Here's a list of everything you need to factor in when making your wedding budget.

Couple holding bouquets exiting outdoor wedding ceremony
Wedding planning 101

How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget

Thousands of couples have incredible weddings every year without sacrificing on style or going over budget, and you can do it too.

Father of the Groom
Wedding planning 101

What Does The Groom’s Family Pay For? + Duties List

Learn about the different father of the groom duties with this helpful guide. Read on to discover more.

What to do when you've Gone Over your wedding Budget
Wedding planning 101

Gone Over Your Wedding Budget? Here's What To Do

Uh oh. Did you just go over your wedding budget? Read on to find out how to move forward.

Find even more wedding ideas, inspo, tips, and tricks

We’ve got wedding planning advice on everything from save the dates to wedding cakes.