How to Start Planning Your Wedding in Austin

Planning Tips

Wondering how to start planning your wedding in Austin? We’ve got you covered!

Hey there, new fiance! Congratulations on getting engaged! As excited as you are, wedding planning is stressful, and boy do we know that! With all the different factors that go into your wedding day, where do you start? Before you get overwhelmed, take a deep breath. We put together this guide to help you get started planning your wedding in Austin.

Bride and groom at The Arlo in Austin Texas

Bride in modern wedding dress and groom at The Arlo in Austin Texas

Photos: Faith Eliz Venue: The Arlo

1. Determine your guest list

Your guest list directly impacts all other wedding details. From the size of the venue, to the number of bartenders and centerpieces you will need. Even if the list isn’t perfect, creating a draft will give you an idea of whether you’re expecting 50 guests, or 250. A good rule of thumb is to assume that the more guests you invite, the more expensive your wedding will be. More guests means more food, alcohol, more tables and chairs, more centerpieces – the list goes on. Remember, you can change this going forward! You won’t need a final guest list until you’re ready to send out Save-The-Dates, about a year to 8 months prior to wedding day. Keep in mind that not everyone you invite will be able to attend. Though you should always plan for every invited guest to attend when setting your budget and making decisions.

Bride and groom kissing after their wedding ceremony

Photo: Brothers Martens, Venue: South Congress Hotel

2. Set your Budget

The next step in planning your wedding in Austin is to determine your budget. Many couples will try to set their budget first. While it is definitely one of the most important factors when wedding planning, it’s heavily dependent on the number of guests. When it comes to things like catering, the number of guests you invite will directly affect your budget. If your budget doesn’t work with your guest count, you’ll need to increase the budget or decrease the number of guests. Nothing is worse than finding the perfect venue, only to realize it’s twice your budget. Don’t forget to incorporate any money you might be receiving from family, if they intend to help cover costs.

It’s also important to know whether your budget is strict, or if you have a little room to go above. We highly recommend having a “miscellaneous” fund for any unexpected, last minute costs. In 2022, the average cost of a wedding in Austin was $45,000-$55,000. This number will vary depending on several factors, your guest count being one of the biggest impacts. On average, Bianca Nichole and Co couples spend $70,000-$100,000+ on their wedding days. Though of course, some spend less and some spend more. It all comes down to your personal finances, wedding details and what you’re comfortable with!

P.S. If you’re looking for a guide of what to budget for certain wedding items, check out our blog post “Average Wedding Cost in Austin” here.

Photo: Main Squeeze, Venue: The Grand Lady

Pro tip – a wedding planner can help you find out if your guest count and budget will work with each other, and can advise you on where you might be able to save money if they aren’t! One of our biggest jobs is helping you create realistic expectations. You probably haven’t planned a wedding before – and that’s okay. That’s where we come in!

Bride walking with groom and wearing colorful flower crown

Photo: Carhart Photography, Venue: Barr Mansion

3. Secure a venue and set your date

Venues will begin by asking what dates you are interested in. If you don’t have a specific date in mind, decide what season you’re looking for. The summer months in Austin are the “off season” due to the heat. If you’re looking to save a bit of money, having a July wedding date may help you do that! Peak seasons like spring and fall, or prime days such as Saturdays, will be more expensive.

Before you go out and start touring, narrow down what you’re looking for. There are hundreds of options around Austin, from rustic, to modern and everything in between. Get on Pinterest and start pinning! If you notice you typically like rustic venues, you can probably scratch that industrial, downtown venue you scheduled a tour with. If you really can’t figure out what venue is best, skip to step number 4 of how to start planning your wedding in Austin, and hire a wedding planner!

Bride and bridesmaids walking at Wish Well House

Photo: Sarah Lord, Venue: Wish Well House

4. Hire a wedding planner

Hiring your wedding planner should always be one of your earlier steps. Especially in areas like Austin, where the wedding industry is huge, finding vendors that fit your needs and budget can be difficult to narrow down. Wedding planners will have awesome recommendations on other vendors who fit your style and budget perfectly. Sometimes, vendors even offer discounts for having a professional planner on your team! It is a game changer to know that your day will run smoothly in the hands of someone experienced.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed in your search for a wedding planner, here are the Top 5 Questions to Ask a Wedding Planner.

Photos: Carhart Photography Venue: Mae’s Ridge

5. Hire key vendors

If there’s a specific vendor you’ve been eyeing on Instagram, go ahead and reach out to them next. You won’t want to miss out on a vendor your heart is set on because you dragged your feet!

Next, vendors that can only be in one place at one time should be prioritized. This of course includes your venue and planner, photographer, and potentially caterers or florists depending on their company size. Vendors like bakers, who often drop off your cake and add a few final touches, can probably make several weddings fit in one day. Your photographer, who will spend all day capturing every moment, clearly cannot do more than one wedding at a time. If you’re planning a 2024-2025 wedding, this step is especially important! Vendors are becoming booked super quickly. Find and book yours ASAP to make sure you get the vendors you’re looking for!

Austin is a great area to have your wedding, and is full of amazing vendors!