We’re really excited that many of you are planning to come to Guadalajara to celebrate our wedding with us. We know traveling internationally for a wedding can add up quickly, so we wanted to share a few tips that might help you spend a little less and stress a little less when booking flights.

There is a lot of flight advice online, and much of it can be confusing or even contradictory. International airfare pricing is especially unpredictable, and there is no perfect formula, but based on our experience, this is what usually works best.

The 6 to 8 month window is more of a transition period. Prices may start to soften, but they’re often still higher than they’ll be later, so it’s a good time to track prices rather than rush to book. That said, deals can still come up. We’ve seen airlines run anniversary sales and discounts with very cheap fares, and we’ve even helped some of you book flights for the wedding already. So think of this as more of an observation period, with some potential if the right deal shows up.

The 3 to 5 month window is usually the sweet spot for international travel. This is when airlines actively adjust prices to fill seats, and you tend to get the best balance of price, flight options, and seat availability.

Once you are within 0 to 2 months of travel, things get riskier. Prices are more unpredictable, good flight times sell out, and last minute deals are less common for international routes. Sometimes you get lucky, but it is not something to rely on.

Our recommendation is simple. Go to Google Flights and enter your dates. Then click “Track prices.” You will get an email whenever prices change, which makes it easy to spot a good deal without constantly checking.

When booking international flights, round-trip tickets are usually cheaper than buying one-way flights separately. That said, it is still worth checking both options, especially if you are flexible or considering different airlines.

Try using tools like Expedia or Google Flights. One useful trick is to route through the United States to lower costs.

For example, if you are booking a flight from Sydney to Guadalajara, you might see an expensive option like Sydney -> Los Angeles -> Guadalajara. We have seen that the segment from Los Angeles to Guadalajara can drive up the total price. Instead, search each segment separately. You can sometimes find cheaper airlines for routes like Los Angeles to Guadalajara, which brings the total cost down.

If a flight looks too expensive, experiment with splitting the trip and using the US as a hub. We have helped many of you find great deals this way, so if you want help, just let us know. This might not always be accurate, but it is a pattern we have seen.

If you are traveling from Seattle, there is a direct flight to Guadalajara on Volaris. The main thing to note is that it is a late flight, departing around 11:00 pm. For some people that works great, for others it may not, but it is good to know the option exists.

You may also come across cheaper fares on third-party booking sites. While those prices can look tempting, we strongly recommend booking directly with the airline whenever possible. If anything goes wrong, a flight is changed, or you need to make an adjustment, dealing with a third party can be extremely difficult or even impossible. In our experience, paying a little more to book directly with the airline is worth it for the flexibility and peace of mind.

If you already know which airline you are likely to fly, it can also be worth subscribing to their email newsletter. Airlines often send out sales or promo fares directly to subscribers, and that can be a good way to catch a deal.

If your budget allows, consider choosing a flexible ticket or one with free cancellation. This has worked really well for us. On our last international trip from Guadalajara, we saved about $250 by canceling and rebooking the same flight when the price dropped.

If you are not sure what a “good” price looks like, try checking current prices for the same route over the next few months. Prices for next October may still be higher, but looking at what flights cost now gives you a better sense of what is normal.

Bottom line: track prices early, compare your options, book when it feels right, and do not stress. There is still plenty of time.