Bride-To-Be showing her new engagement ring in focus, resting her hand in her husband to-be's hand. A christmas tree is visible.
January 1, 2026

Engaged at Christmas or NYE?
Here's Your Next Steps

Wedding Shows, Open Houses & Your Complete Houston Planning Roadmap from Your Wedding DJ

Holy moly, you're engaged! If that ring showed up under the Christmas tree or during the New Year's Eve countdown, you're probably still floating on cloud nine. But now what? The excitement is real, but so is the slight panic of "where do we even start?"

Don't worry, we've got your back. As your Houston wedding DJ and entertainment team, we've walked hundreds of couples through this exact moment. Here's your roadmap for turning that shiny new engagement into the wedding of your dreams.

The First 48 Hours: Don't Do Anything Crazy

Seriously, take a breath. We know you want to book everything RIGHT NOW, but resist the urge to call every venue in Houston on December 26th. Instead, spend your first few days doing this:

  • Tell your families (if you haven't already)
  • Take some gorgeous engagement photos with that ring
  • Start a wedding Pinterest board or Instagram saves folder
  • Download a wedding planning app like The Knot or WeddingWire

The venues will still be there next week, but your sanity might not be if you dive in headfirst without a plan.

Week One: The Big Three Decisions

Before you attend a single venue open house or wedding show, nail these down

1

Your Budget (Yes, The Scary One)

Sit down with your partner and any family members contributing. Be realistic about what you can actually spend without going into debt. A Houston wedding can range from $15,000 to $75,000+ depending on your guest count and choices. Remember, your wedding entertainment, DJ, photobooth, lighting, typically runs 8-12% of your total budget.

2

Your Guest Count Range

Are we talking intimate 50-person celebration or 200+ person party? This affects literally everything else, so get a ballpark number. Pro tip: your initial list will probably be 30% too long, so start there and trim later.

3

Your Date Preference

Peak season in Houston is October through May (because hello, Texas heat). June through September weddings can save you money but require serious air conditioning considerations. Saturday nights are premium pricing, while Friday evening or Sunday afternoon weddings can stretch your budget further.

Houston-Specific Planning Reality Check

What makes Houston weddings unique

Planning a wedding in Houston isn't like planning one in Colorado or California. We've got some unique considerations that'll save you headaches later:

Weather Is Unpredictable

Even in "good" months, Houston weather can surprise you. Always tour venues with backup indoor options. Ask about their weather policy, when do they make the call to move indoors? How quickly can they transition?

Traffic and Parking Matter

Your guests will be driving from all over the Greater Houston area. Choose venues with adequate parking or shuttle services. If you're getting married downtown, consider weeknight weddings to avoid weekend traffic nightmares.

Humidity Affects Everything

Your hair, your dress, your flowers, your cake, humidity impacts it all. Make sure your venue has proper climate control, especially for summer weddings.

Wedding Show Strategy: Go In Prepared

Houston hosts major shows January through March

Houston hosts several major wedding shows throughout the year, typically January through March. Here's how to make them worth your time:

Before You Go:

  • Create a shared Google Doc with questions for each vendor type
  • Bring business cards with your names, date, and contact info
  • Wear comfortable shoes, you'll be walking for hours
  • Bring a tote bag for brochures and samples

What to Ask Vendors:

  • "Are you available on our date?"
  • "What's included in your base package?"
  • "What are your most popular upgrades?"
  • "Can we see examples at venues similar to ours?"

Red Flags to Watch For:

  • Vendors who won't give you straight pricing
  • Anyone who pressures you to book on the spot
  • Photographers or DJs who can't show you recent work
  • Vendors unfamiliar with Houston venues

Venue Open Houses: Your Sunday Agenda

Most Houston venues host open houses on Sunday afternoons

These are goldmines for getting the real scoop without high-pressure sales tactics.

What to Look For Beyond the Pretty Pictures:

  • How's the natural lighting at your ceremony time?
  • Where do vendors load in? Is it through the main guest entrance?
  • What's the backup plan if it rains?
  • How's the cell phone reception? (Your photographer needs to upload photos!)
  • Is there adequate restroom space for your guest count?

Questions That Separate Good from Great Venues:

  • "What time can vendors arrive for setup?"
  • "Is there a bridal suite, and can we see it?"
  • "What's your noise ordinance cutoff time?"
  • "Do you have a preferred vendor list, or can we bring anyone?"

Your Planning Timeline: The Real Talk Version

Months 12-10 Before (That's Now!)

  • Book your venue and photographer
  • Research and book your wedding DJ and entertainment (that's where we come in!)
  • Start dress shopping
  • Create your wedding website

Months 9-7 Before

  • Book your florist and caterer
  • Send save-the-dates
  • Book your videographer if you want one
  • Start planning your honeymoon

Months 6-4 Before

  • Order your wedding invitations
  • Book your cake baker
  • Plan your bachelor/bachelorette parties
  • Finalize your music playlist with your DJ

Months 3-1 Before

  • Send invitations
  • Have your final venue walkthrough
  • Confirm all vendor details
  • Get your marriage license

Why Your Entertainment Choice Matters Early

As your Houston wedding DJ, we recommend booking early

We Know the Venues

We've worked at most major Houston wedding venues multiple times. We know their acoustics, their power limitations, their setup restrictions. This saves you (and us) major headaches on wedding day.

Timeline Coordination

Your DJ isn't just playing music, we're coordinating with your photographer, your coordinator, your caterer. The earlier we're involved, the smoother your timeline becomes.

Music Planning Takes Time

Creating the perfect wedding playlist isn't a last-minute task. We'll want to meet with you multiple times to understand your style, your must-play songs, and your absolute no-play list.

Houston Vendor Networking: Use It to Your Advantage

Houston's wedding vendor community is surprisingly tight-knit. When you book vendors who regularly work together, everything runs smoother. Ask your photographer who their favorite DJs are. Ask your venue coordinator which entertainment companies they recommend.

We work regularly with Houston's top photographers, planners, and venues because we've built those relationships over years. When vendors know and trust each other, your wedding day coordination is seamless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should we book everything at once to get package deals?

Be careful with package deals. Often you'll pay for services you don't want or get lower quality than if you book specialists separately. Always compare itemized pricing.

How far in advance should we book our Houston wedding DJ?

For peak season (October-May), book 12-18 months ahead. Summer weddings can be booked 6-12 months out, but the best DJs stay busy year-round.

What if we're planning a destination wedding but want a Houston DJ?

We travel! Many of our couples have family in Houston but get married elsewhere. Travel fees apply, but having a DJ who knows your style is often worth it.

Should we hire a wedding planner?

If your budget allows it, yes. Houston has amazing wedding planners who know every vendor and venue in the city. They'll save you time and often money through their vendor relationships.

Ready to Start Planning Your Amazing Houston Wedding?

Your engagement is just the beginning of an incredible journey. Whether you need a wedding DJ who'll keep your dance floor packed all night, a photobooth that'll have your guests laughing until midnight, or lighting that'll transform your venue into something magical, we're here to help make your Houston wedding unforgettable.

Ready to chat about your vision? Check out our wedding entertainment services and let's start planning the party of a lifetime. Because every great love story deserves an epic celebration—and we can't wait to be part of yours!

15 years serving Houston
Stress-free wedding planning
Peak season? Book now!