Hi, I'm Addison.

Good Plans Ahead started with a bachelorette party. My best friend was getting married, I offered to plan it, and I genuinely didn't understand what I'd signed up for. Between the group chat, the budget spreadsheet, the itinerary, the decorations that had to arrivebefore we did, and the eleven different opinions about dinner, it was a real project.

It was also a blast. And when it was over, I realized I had this whole folder of research that was about to go to waste: the timeline that worked, the things worth spending on, the stuff nobody used, the exact links to everything I ordered.

So I started writing it down. That's the whole idea here: actual plans, start to finish, with the links, the budgets and the parts I'd do differently.

The thing I actually believe

Life is better when there's something on the calendar you're excited about.

Not every plan has to be a big trip. Sometimes it's a Saturday you made into an occasion, or a dinner you actually set the table for. The point is having something ahead of you. The anticipation is half of it.

What you'll find here

• Real itineraries: hour by hour, not vague inspiration.
• Honest budgets: what things actually cost, including the surprises.
• Links to the stuff I used: the good, and the not-worth-it.
• Timelines and checklists: so you know what to do six months out versus six days out.

A note on links

Some posts contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. I only link things I'd genuinely recommend, and I say so clearly on every post that has them. You can read thefull disclosure here.

Want help planning something?

I'm working on a way to take this on for other people: bachelorette parties, birthdays, girls' trips, the works. It's not open yet, but it's coming. In the meantime,start with the blog.