As you begin planning your wedding, your friends, family, and the internet will be full of so much advice, you’re probably choking. And sure, some of it is likely to be super helpful. But what about those secret top tips— the little wedding life-hacks you’ll always wish you’d known in advance? Lucky for you, that’s why we’re here! So, take a look at some of our best advice.

Some Days are Just a Bad Day to Have a Wedding

Maybe you’ve got a perfect date in mind. And maybe that date just so happens to fall on a holiday, or in the middle of a peak tourist season, or the day of some national or local event. And while you might not think those factors will affect your special day, the truth is that unlucky coincidences of dates can be a nightmare when it comes to venue bookings, hotel availability, and vendors’ schedules. So, before you plan, consider the timing factors at play in your location.

Watch Out for Unexpected Expenses

Planning your reception menu is fun! Until, that is, you find out at the last minute that you’re also expected to feed your entire wedding crew. Chances are, you haven’t thought about exactly how many people make up that crew until it’s the day of your wedding and you’re now providing filet mignon to everyone from your photographer to the guy who carried in the band equipment. And since feeding your crew is a really nice gesture, it might not hurt to provide some sandwiches or a few pizzas as an extra way to say thanks. Just make sure that you’re not required to and that this isn’t an extra fee being added to your bill.

Trim the Guest List

Next to your budget, your guest list is kind of the most important piece in your wedding day puzzle. Although you might not have thought of it that way, it’s critical to remember that your guest list can not only impact your budget tremendously, it also affects everything from your venue to your catering plans. (Sure, you can afford an open bar for 50 guests, but 250…??) So, if you have any worries about your guest list at all, make sure you’re appropriately prepared to prioritize your people as needed. It may sound harsh, but if your budget simply can’t accommodate everyone you’d like to invite, the decision-making process will be made easier if you know off the bat whose presence is absolutely necessary on your special day.

What About the Kids?

Kids are often one of the trickiest parts of any wedding, so before you get tangled in any snafus with your guests or wedding party, it’s a good idea to go ahead and make a universal kids policy. Whether you choose to limit your event to adults only (arguably a simpler option), or allow everyone to bring their children, either of these will be easier than navigating a sticky situation in which only some people are allowed to bring their children. Best practices for handling this include only allowing the children in your wedding party (because that’s pretty understandable) or only allowing the children in your immediate family.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask

You might be hesitant to ask your wedding vendors for a little extra anything— and we totally get it! —but you’d be surprised at the perks you might get from attempting to negotiate with them early on. If you’d like your open bar to stay open for just an extra hour longer or maybe you want time for a couple more song requests, consider asking your vendors if they’d be willing to accommodate before you get into a contract with them. This is a great option because, prior to signing you on as a client, your vendors are trying to sell you on them as much as you’re trying to sell them on you. So, if they know flexibility will help them get your business, they might be more willing to work with you now than if you ask two days before the wedding.

Know the Rules

Does your wedding or reception venue have any rules you need to be aware of? Checking this out in advance—ideally, before you book with them—is a great way to avoid any last-minute inconveniences that might screw up your special day. So, double check for any policies regarding decorations, photography, or anything else you might need to know in order to keep your day running smoothly and avoid any extra fees.

While this list isn’t quite a comprehensive collection of every insider top tip you might need, knowing a few of these things in advance just might save the day. And if you have any questions that weren’t answered on this list, don’t hesitate to ask us about them—we’d love to hear from you!