1. Finalize a date Know ahead of time if your wedding date falls on the same day as a trade conference, charity walk or other local event that could affect traffic and hotel room availability. Here's a handy list of potentially problematic wedding dates coming up in the calendar. 2. Consider a Destination Wedding "Destination weddings are a blast for everyone involved," says Alex Moreau of XO Moreau in Texas. "Guests get to break free from their daily routine, explore new places, try new things and create lasting memories with their loved ones. For the couple, it's a chance to personalize their celebration with a touch of local flavor, all while getting a mini-vacation in the process. Plus, pending the location there may be no need for guests to travel back and forth to the venue—that's less stress for everyone!" 3. Hire a Planner One of our top wedding tips? Enlist a wedding planner! Yes, a planner is an additional expense, but it's one that's well worth it. An experienced planner can help you set (and stick to!) a budget, pick a venue, hire the right vendor team, make sure you stay on track during the planning process, and ensure your big day runs without a hitch. While you certainly can hire a full-service wedding planner from the jump, you can also start smaller. We are here to help you in wedding planning Devshree Wedding Planner. The number one reason a wedding planner is worth it is the wealth of knowledge they have. "A wedding planner is like having an accountant do your taxes, things you might struggle with for hours on your own, they know how to handle in minutes and with certainty. A good wedding planner has valuable years of experience that will ultimately save you time and possibly money," Lee says. A planner essentially juggles the roles of designer, legal counsel, budget manager, coordinator and so much more—all while helping you pull together your wedding. They can be tapped to take care of everything on your to-do list, from choosing aesthetic details to going over vendor contracts and dealing with day-of emergencies. This makes planners a huge asset for busy couples hoping to approach the checklist with minimal stress. 4. Listen to Mother Nature Heed the weather and other potential annoyances. Guests have been known to skip out early from hotter-than-hot summer tent weddings and improperly heated winter loft receptions. Bugs (gnats, deer flies and mosquitos) also swarm in certain areas during certain seasons. Consider renting pest control tanks to alleviate the problem or including bug repellent in guests' gift bags. And if you want a sunset ceremony, make sure you know when to say your vows by checking SunriseSunset.com. Oh—and always, always have a Plan B for unexpected weather snafus. 5. Check Your Credit Take advantage of the high cost of weddings and sign up for a credit card with a rewards program. Whether it gives you airline miles or great shopping deals, consolidating all wedding-related purchases to this card will help you accumulate thousands of rewards points (which could be used for your honeymoon). 6. Pay It Forward Let one vendor lead you to another. Your wedding photographer can tell you which florist's blooms really pop, and your reception manager should know which band consistently packs the dance floor. 7. Lighten Your List The easiest way to trim your wedding budget? Cut your guest list. Remember, half of your wedding expenses go to wining and dining your guests. If it's costing you $100 per person, eliminating one table of 10 can save you $1,000. 8. Ask and You Might Receive Request an extra hour for cocktails or for your band to throw in that Frank Sinatra sound-alike before you sign on the dotted line. Most vendors would rather secure the reservation than nickel-and-dime you early on (which might turn you off of them). Later on, though, they may be less inclined to meet you halfway. 9. Let Your Personalities Inspire You "Insert those memories and moments you've had throughout your relationship (like your standing Friday pizza nights and that whiskey bar you love) and use that as your inspiration in your wedding day's details." 10. Make a Meal Plan Another unforeseen expense? Feeding your wedding day crew. Before you sign the contracts, make sure you're not required to serve the same meal to your vendors that guests will receive. Otherwise, you could be paying for 20 additional plates. Choose a less expensive (but equally hearty) meal for them instead. You will have to let your wedding caterer know a couple of days before the wedding exactly how many vendors you need to feed (don't forget photography assistants and band roadies) and what you want them to serve. 11. Get Organizationally Focused In a Google folder, Dropbox, compile all your correspondences with vendors, notes you make during meetings, and photos you want vendors to see. Set up a special email address dedicated to your wedding, and store important vendor numbers in your phone. For on-the-go planning that keeps everything in one place, download the The Knot All-In-One Wedding Planner app to keep all of your planning info digitally on-hand at all times. 12. Leave Some Room in Your Wallet Reserve about half of your wedding budget for your venue rental and catering, and then divvy up the rest as you prioritize your vendor team. It's also essential to allocate an extra 5 to 10 percent of your money for surprise expenses like printing extra invites because of mistakes, additional tailoring needs, umbrellas for a rainy day and ribbons for the wedding programs. 13. Leave Some Room in Your Wallet Reserve about half of your wedding budget for your venue rental and catering, and then divvy up the rest as you prioritize your vendor team. It's also essential to allocate an extra 5 to 10 percent of your money for surprise expenses like printing extra invites because of mistakes, additional tailoring needs, umbrellas for a rainy day and ribbons for the wedding programs. 14. Don't Be Afraid to Ask Your wedding vendors should be your go-to, most-trusted experts during the planning process. When working with them, you should feel free to really explore what it is you want—maybe it's serving a late-night snack instead of a first course or doing a portrait session rather than an engagement session. The bottom line is that you should feel like you can have an honest conversation with them about what it is you want. Their job will be to tell you what you can and can't do given your wedding budget. 15. Wait for a Date Sometimes, last-minute planning can work in your favor—as long as you're flexible. The closer your date, the more bargaining power you have. Since most people book their wedding venues at least six months in advance, calling for open dates two months prior to your desired time can save you up to 25 percent. And, Friday and Sunday weddings should cost about 30 percent less than Saturday weddings. 16. Track Down RSVPs "When it is time for guests to RSVP and the due date is coming up fast, we recommend reaching out to guests about one week prior the RSVP due date to start requesting any stragglers send their RSVPs," It is helpful to remind them that you need a final headcount for your catering and rentals. If any situations arise this is a great time to talk about them whether they have the time off, are on call that night, or possibly are healing from a recent medical procedure. Have a discussion so you can game plan and know how to deal with them as an RSVP as well as for any seating needs that need to be arranged." 17. Classify Your Cash Wedding budgets are all about balance. Start your budget planning by making a checklist of the crucial details, like the music, your wedding gown, the invitations, the flowers and the photographer, and assign a number to each—one being the most important and three being the least. Invest your money in all your number ones and cut corners on your number threes. (But everything can't fall into the number one category!) For example, if a designer gown and fabulous food are what really matter, you may have to choose simple invitations and smaller floral arrangements. And remember, "Don't overspend in one category and leave yourself bare for other categories." 18. Be Realistic With Your Time When it comes down to the last month of your planning (and when you're particularly harried) look at your mile long to-do list and cut three things. Yes, cut three things. Not crucial things you just don't feel like doing, such as picking a processional song or confirming final details with all of your vendors. Eliminate only the over-the-top tasks like hand-painting "Just Married" signs, or baking cookies for all of the welcome bags. Cross them off and make a pledge not to think about them again.