The library
Wedding planning guides
20 short, practical reads on the rules of thumb behind every calculator — with worked examples you can lift straight into your own plan.
Budget & money
- Wedding Budget Breakdown: Where the Money GoesA category-by-category percentage guide plus how to flex the numbers toward what matters most to you.7 min
- Wedding Vendor Tip GuideCustomary tip ranges for each vendor, which tips are optional, and a cash-envelope game plan.6 min
- How Much Should You Save Each Month for a Wedding?Work backward from your budget and date to a per-month (and per-paycheck) savings target.5 min
- How Much Does a Wedding Cost Per Guest?The marginal cost of a guest (catering, bar, rentals, favors) and why the guest list is the biggest lever.5 min
- How Much Does a Honeymoon Cost?Break a honeymoon into flights, lodging, daily spend, and extras, then set a monthly savings target.5 min
- DJ vs. Live Band for a Wedding: Cost & How to ChooseA DJ averages ~$1,700 vs. ~$4,500 for a band. What that gap actually buys you, plus the hybrid setups worth a look.6 min
Food & drink
- How Much Alcohol Do You Need for a Wedding?The two-drinks-first-hour rule, how crowd type changes the math, and a ready-to-shop bottle breakdown.6 min
- How Many Appetizers Per Person for a Wedding?How many pieces per guest for light, moderate, and heavy passed apps, and when apps replace dinner.5 min
- How Much Does an Open Bar Cost for a Wedding?Cost out wine, beer, liquor, and champagne, add bartenders and corkage, and compare open vs. limited bars.6 min
- Wedding Cake Serving Guide: How Many Tiers?Servings per round and square tier, tier stacks by guest count, and using a sheet cake to feed everyone.5 min
- Open Bar vs. Cash Bar: Cost, Etiquette & Middle OptionsOpen bar cost per guest, the etiquette case for hosting, and where a beer-and-wine bar lands in between.6 min
- Buffet vs. Plated Wedding Dinner: Cost & Trade-offsPlated ~$85/person vs. buffet often $5–$15 less, why buffets aren't always cheaper, and how service style changes the timeline.6 min
Guests & seating
- Wedding Seating Chart BasicsSquare footage per guest, how many seats each table holds, and a sane order for building the chart.6 min
- What Size Tent Do You Need for a Wedding?Square footage per guest by layout, plus dance floor, bar, and catering add-ons, mapped to standard tent sizes.6 min
- What Size Dance Floor Do You Need for a Wedding?The ~40% rule, square feet per dancer, and how portable floors tile into 3-foot panels.4 min
- Wedding Guest List Guide: RSVPs, Plus-Ones & Final HeadcountEstimate who actually shows up: RSVP yes-rates, plus-one math, vendor meals, and your final planning headcount.5 min
Day-of logistics
- How Many Hotel Rooms Should You Block for a Wedding?Estimate uptake, choose a starting block, and understand attrition clauses before you sign.5 min
- Wedding Day Timeline TemplateA sample timeline from getting ready to send-off, plus the buffers that keep the day on track.7 min
- How Many Shuttles Do You Need for a Wedding?Round-trip cycle times, how the arrival window drives vehicle count, and a staggered pickup plan.5 min
- How Many Wedding Invitations Do You Need?Count by household (not headcount), order extras, budget postage, and follow a mailing timeline.5 min