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

Congratulations on your engagement! As excited as you are, we know wedding planning is stressful, and you’re probably feeling a bit lost! We’ve been planning weddings since 2019 and have seen it all. 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 North Carolina Wedding.

1. Create your guest list

Your guest count has a direct impact on every other aspect of your wedding. From the size of the venue, to the number of catering staff and decor pieces you will need. Start with a rough draft to give you an idea of whether you’re expecting 50 guests, or 250. You can always make adjustments later! You won’t need a final guest list until you’re ready to send out Save-The-Dates, about 8 to 10 months before your wedding day. The more guests you invite, the more wedding necessities (think food, drinks, space) you will need. These things add up! Don’t forget that not everyone you invite will be able to attend. However, you should always plan for each invited guest to RSVP ‘yes’ when setting your budget and making decisions. There’s nothing worse than ending up with 250 guests in a venue only fit to hold 200!

2. Determine your Budget 

The next step in planning your North Carolina wedding is to determine your budget. Now that you’ve got your rough guest list ready to go, you’ll be able to calculate accurate costs. When it comes to things like food and beverage, the number of guests you invite will heavily impact your budget. We recommend doing some local research and seeing what vendors cost in your area. Wedding vendors in Charlotte or Raleigh may have different pricing than those in Wilmington or Asheville! If you’re struggling to create a comfortable budget with your guest count, you’ll most likely need to decrease the number of guests you invite, or shift some things around to increase your overall budget.

In 2023, the average cost of a wedding in Raleigh, North Carolina (our local market!), was around $35,000 – not including a planner or coordinator. A professional coordinator or planner in North Carolina typically will cost around $3,000-$10,000+. The overall cost of a wedding will vary based on many factors, your guest count being one of the biggest considerations. On average, our Bianca Nichole and Co couples spend $70,000-$100,000+ on their wedding days, though some spend less and some spend more. Most of our couples host between 125-175 guests. Each couple and wedding is different!

Not sure if a coordinator or planner is best for you? Read our blog here to find out!

While determining your budget, it’s also important to know whether your budget is strict, or if you have a little room to go above. We highly recommend building in a “miscellaneous” fund for any unexpected, last minute costs (did you forget to pay security? do you have cake plates and forks?). If you have family who’d like to contribute, be sure to confirm exactly how much they are hoping to offer as well, so you can plan accordingly.

P.S. A wedding planner can help you find out if your guest count and budget align, and can advise you on adjustments to make if they aren’t! One of our main priorities is helping you create realistic expectations. You probably haven’t planned a wedding before – and that’s okay. That’s what we’re here for!

3. Set your date by Securing a Venue

When you begin touring venues, they’ll start by asking what dates you are interested in. If you don’t have a specific date in mind, think about what season you prefer. The summer months in North Carolina are the “off season” due to the heat and hurricane season. Winter is a bit slower as well, since the cold prevents outdoor ceremonies from being comfortable. If you’re looking to save a bit of money, having a July or January wedding date may help you do that (but make sure you have a good rain, heat or cold plan!) Prime days such as Saturdays, will be more expensive than a Friday or Sunday. Peak seasons, like spring and fall, also have increased rates due to demand.

Before you go out and start touring, narrow down what you’re looking for. There are hundreds of options in North Carolina, from rustic barns, to historic manors, industrial downtown halls and everything in between. Get on Instagram and Pinterest and start searching for venues in your ideal area. If you notice you are drawn towards modern venues, you can probably scratch that restored mansion you scheduled a tour with. If you can’t figure out which venue is best for you, skip to step number 4 of how to start planning your wedding in North Carolina, and hire a wedding planner!

4. Hire a wedding planner 

Hiring your wedding planner should always be one of your earlier steps. Especially in areas like North Carolina, where the wedding industry is large, finding vendors that are a good fit for your needs and budget can be difficult to narrow down.  Wedding planners have all the knowledge to recommend vendors who fit your budget and style! We pride ourselves on taking into account not only your needs when making recommendations, but your personalities as well! Not only will you benefit from the peace of mind knowing your wedding is in good hands, but your vendors will too. Vendors occasionally even offer discounts for having a professional planner on your team since it helps their day run smoother. A good planner allows your vendor team to focus on their own crafts, while they run the show!

5. Hire key vendors

If you have your heart set on a specific vendor, reach out to them ASAP. That means the photographer you’ve been following on Instagram for years, and whose work you’re obsessed with, should be high on your list of things to do while planning your North Carolina wedding.

After the vendors you’ve grown a fan of, focus on vendors that can only be in one place at one time. This includes your venue and planner, photographer, videographer and potentially even smaller caterers or florists depending on their team size. Vendors like bakers or signage creators, who often drop off fully assembled items and maybe pop on a few final touches, can fit several weddings in one day. Your photographer and videographer, who will be with you all day capturing every moment, cannot do more than one wedding a day. Vendors can book out over a year in advance. Reach out to your favorites ASAP so you can be sure to book your top choices!

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

Let’s get this planning party started! Want Bianca Nichole and Co to help plan your North Carolina wedding? Click here to send us an inquiry before your date is unavailable!

We offer complimentary consultations to make sure our services are the perfect fit for you.

Bianca Nichole and Co is a team of wedding planners Raleigh, North Carolina available for travel within NC and to South Carolina.

Vendors pictured (in order)

Photos: Simply Breezy, Rae Marshall, Katie Dewald
Wedding Planning: Bianca Nichole and Co
Venues: Addison Grove, sister venue to North Carolina Wedding Venue Merrimon Wynne, Donovan Manor, The Gibbe’s Museum of Art
Florals: Native Bloom, Heritage Floral Design, Fresh Weddings and Events
Beauty: Lux Beauty and Bridal, and Amy A Loope + Karrie Lykins