Congratulations on your engagement! Planning your wedding can be an exciting and overwhelming process, but don't worry – we're here to help. In this comprehensive, step-by-step guide, we'll take you through the process of planning your wedding like a pro. From picking a date to finding the perfect vendors, we've got you covered. So grab your planner, and let's get started!
Phase 1: Getting Started Planning Your Wedding
Step 1: Talk to Your Partner
Before you start wedding planning, have a conversation with your partner about your vision for your big day. This is a good time to discuss your budget, guest list, and any other important details. It's also a good idea to talk about your expectations for the planning process and how you'll work together to make your dream wedding a reality.
Read More: Before You Begin Wedding Planning, Here's What to Discuss with Your Partner
Step 2: Determine Your Budget
Your budget will likely play a major role in your wedding planning decisions, so determine how much you have to work with early on in the process. Consider factors like your income, savings, and any contributions from family members. Remember to also factor in unexpected expenses that may come up.
Step 3: Pick a Date
Picking a wedding date may seem like a small detail, but it can actually have a big impact on other aspects of your planning. Consider the availability of your desired wedding venue, the schedules of your wedding party and important guests, and the season in which you'd like to get married.
Read More: How to Pick a Wedding Date
Step 4: Define Your Priorities
Define your priorities early on. What is most important to you and your partner? Is it the venue, the food, the flowers, or something else entirely? Understanding your priorities will help guide your decision-making and ensure that your wedding reflects your values and vibe.
Step 5: Create an Inspiration Board
An inspiration board is a great way to keep track of your wedding vision and ideas. You can create one physically, using a cork board and magazine cutouts, or digitally, using a platform like Pinterest. This can be a fun and creative way to get a sense of your wedding style and help you communicate your vision to your wedding planner and vendors.
Step 6: Decide Whether or Not You Need a Wedding Planner
Wedding planners can be a great asset, especially if you're short on time or don't have experience planning events. However, they can also be a significant expense. Consider your budget, workload, and personal preferences when deciding whether or not to hire a wedding planner.
Step 7: Get Organized
Wedding planning can get hectic, so it's essential to stay organized. One helpful tool is a wedding planning Google Doc, which can allow you to keep track of all your to-dos, contact information, and budget in one place. You can also use a traditional planner or even a simple spreadsheet to stay organized.
Step 8: Tour Wedding Venues
Touring wedding venues will help you get a sense of what's available and what fits your vision and budget. Make a list of potential venues and set up tours to visit each one. During your tours, be sure to take note of the layout, capacity, and any included amenities.
As you tour wedding venues, ask the right questions to ensure you fully understand what each venue offers. Use this checklist as a guide to help you gather all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Step 9: Lock Down Your Wedding Venue
Once you've found the perfect wedding venue, lock it down. Be sure to read the contract carefully and ask any questions you may have before signing. Some venues may require a deposit or contract fee to hold the date. It's also a good idea to communicate with your venue coordinator regularly to ensure everything is on track for your big day.
The sooner you reserve your wedding venue, the better. Popular venues can book up well in advance, especially during peak wedding season. It's a good idea to start touring venues and making decisions at least 12-18 months before your desired wedding date (or sooner). This will give you plenty of time to secure your venue and move on to other planning tasks.
Phase 2: Planning Your Special Day
Step 10: Decide Who You Want In Your Wedding Party
Consider friends and family members who are special to you and who you want to have a prominent role in your big day. It's also a good idea to consider the size of your wedding party and your budget when making your choices. The more bridesmaids and groomsmen you have, the more expensive it will be.
Don’t feel like you have to have an equal number of people on each side or like you have to separate the bridal party by gender. Modern weddings are mixing it up. Simply choose those who are important to you and go from there.
Once you've decided on your wedding party, it's time to ask them to be a part of your big day. There are many creative and thoughtful ways to ask your friends and family to be in your wedding party, such as with a handwritten note, a small gift, or a special outing. Whatever method you choose, be sure to let your loved ones know how much their presence means to you and how honored you would be to have them stand by your side on your big day.
Step 11: Choose Your Wedding Attire
Choosing your wedding attire can be one of the most fun and exciting parts of wedding planning. Whether you're a bride, groom, or a member of the wedding party, it's important to choose an outfit that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Consider your personal style, the formality of the wedding, and the season when selecting your attire.
Whether you and your partner are both wearing suits, both wearing dresses, or one is wearing a suit and one a dress, you will want to be sure you both have a clear understanding of the vibe of your wedding so that your looks complement each other. This is especially needed if you plan to shop separately to keep the outfits a surprise (which I highly recommend).
Step 12: Create Your Wedding Website
A wedding website is a great way to keep all your wedding information in one place and share it with your guests. You can use a wedding website to share your wedding details, including the date, location, and registry information. It's also a convenient way for guests to RSVP and stay up-to-date on any changes or updates. I personally used The Knot to create my wedding website, but there are a ton of options out there to choose from.
Step 13: Create Your Guest List
Creating your wedding guest list is a surprisingly challenging task. Consider your budget, venue capacity, and any personal or family dynamics when making your list. It can also be helpful to create a "must-have" list and a "nice-to-have" list to prioritize your guests.
Step 14: Design and Order Stationery
When designing and ordering stationary, there are so many different options to choose from, including paper type, font, and design. Consider the colors, theme, and vibe of your wedding to help you narrow down your choices and create a cohesive look. Next, you'll want to think about the specific pieces of stationery you'll need, such as save the dates, wedding invitations, and thank you cards. Once you have a good idea of what you want, you can start shopping around and comparing prices from different vendors. It's also a good idea to order a few extra invitations and thank you cards in case you need them later on.
Step 15: Send Out Your Save-The-Dates
It's a good idea to send out your wedding save the dates as soon as you have your venue and date confirmed. This will give your guests plenty of time to plan and make arrangements to attend your big day.
Typically, save the dates should be sent out 6-8 months in advance of the wedding. If you are having a destination wedding or getting married during a popular time of year, you may want to send them out even earlier. Save the dates are a way to let your guests know that they are invited to your wedding and to give them a heads up on the date and location. They are not formal invitations, so you don't need to include all of the details about the ceremony and reception. Just give your guests the basics and let them know that a formal invitation will follow.
Step 16: Select Your Wedding Vendors
Your wedding vendors will be responsible for bringing your vision to life. Be sure to do your research and read reviews before making any decisions. It's also a good idea to meet with vendors in person or virtually to ensure they are the right fit for your wedding. This step is going to take a significant amount of time, as weddings require many vendors. This is especially true for outdoor weddings and venues that aren’t all-inclusive.
Step 17: Create Your Wedding Registry
Creating a wedding registry is a great way to let your guests know what gifts you would like and to help them find something that you will love. Consider your personal style and needs when creating your registry. You can register for traditional gifts like kitchen appliances and linens, or opt for more experiential gifts like a couples massage or cooking class.
My husband and I planned on moving to a different state after we got married, so we opted for cash funds and gift cards instead of a traditional registry. We created this on The Knot and incorporated it into our wedding website.
Step 18: Plan Your Ceremony
Planning the ceremony portion of a wedding is an important and exciting task. There are many different factors to consider, such as the location, officiant, and overall structure of the ceremony.
You'll need to find an officiant who can perform the ceremony. This could be a religious leader, a civil officiant, or a loved one (depending on what state you live in). For my wedding in Tennessee, my husband’s brother-in-law performed the ceremony, while my Uncle signed the wedding certificate since he is a notary.
Once you have the logistics sorted out, you can start thinking about the structure of the ceremony. Will you have readings or music? Will you have a unity ceremony, such as a sand ceremony or candle lighting? There are many ways to personalize your ceremony.
As you work on the details, be sure to communicate with your partner and consider their wishes and preferences. Above all, the ceremony should be a reflection of your love and commitment to each other.
Step 19: Plan Your Reception
Once you have selected your vendors and secured your venue, you can start thinking about the specific details of your reception. This will involve planning out the order of events and coordinating all of the different elements of the reception, such as catering, entertainment, and décor.
Another important aspect of planning the reception is deciding on the layout of the space. This includes things like where the dance floor will be, where the DJ or band will set up, and where the tables and chairs will be placed. You'll also need to consider the flow of the event and the movement of your guests. For example, you'll want to make sure that there is a clear pathway for people to move between the different areas of the reception, such as the bar, the dance floor, and the restrooms.
Next, decide on the order of events. This includes things like when the cocktail hour will take place, when the wedding party will be introduced, and when the first dance will happen. It's a good idea to create a timeline of the events so that everyone knows what to expect and when.
Step 20: Purchase Decor
Make a list of all the different decor items you'll need, such as centerpieces, lighting, and linens. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don't forget anything important. Make sure you don’t purchase anything that your venue provides for free!
Once you have a good idea of what you need, you can start shopping around and comparing prices from different vendors. It's a good idea to do some research and read reviews before making any purchases. I highly recommend Etsy. I found just about everything I needed for my wedding on Etsy. You may also want to consider renting certain items, such as linens or lighting, as this can be more cost-effective than buying everything outright.
As you make your purchases, be sure to keep track of your budget and stick to it. It's easy to get carried away with all of the beautiful decor options available but stay within your means. By planning ahead and being mindful of your budget, you can find the perfect decor for your wedding without breaking the bank.
Phase 3: Finalizing Your Wedding Day Details
Step 21: Review Your Wedding Vendors' Contracts
Carefully review your wedding vendors' contracts to ensure that you fully understand your rights and responsibilities. Read through the entire contract, including any fine print, and ask any questions you may have before signing. It's also a good idea to have a lawyer, wedding planner, or trusted family member review the contracts for you.
Step 22: Coordinate Transportation for Your Wedding
Transportation is an expensive logistical detail to consider when planning your wedding. If you or any of your guests will need transportation to and from the wedding and/or reception, be sure to plan ahead. Consider options like limos, buses, or even car rentals.
Step 23: Create a Wedding Day Schedule
Creating a wedding day schedule will help ensure that everything runs smoothly on your big day. Consider the timing of your ceremony, reception, and any other events, and be sure to allow enough time for things like hair and makeup, photos, and transportation. Share your schedule with your wedding party and vendors to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Step 24: Send Your Wedding Invitations
It is generally recommended to send out wedding invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding or 8-12 weeks before if the wedding is being held in a location that requires out-of-town guests to travel. This gives guests enough time to make travel arrangements and ensures that they have plenty of notice. You actually don’t want to send out invitations too early because people can be forgetful, and your guests already received a Save-the-Date.
Step 25: Make Final Payments to Your Vendors
As your wedding day approaches, make any final payments to your vendors. Review your contracts and payment schedules to ensure that everything is paid on time. Also, confirm with your vendors that everything is set for your big day.
Step 27: Tie Up Any Loose Ends
As your wedding day approaches, be sure to tie up any loose ends like finalizing your seating chart, confirming with your vendors, and making sure you have all the necessary items for your wedding day. Remember that you will not want to worry about making payments right after your wedding, as you will be exhausted and possibly on your way to your honeymoon.
Step 27: Have Your Wedding Rehearsal
A wedding rehearsal is an excellent opportunity to practice the logistics of your ceremony and make sure everything operates smoothly on the big day. During your rehearsal, you'll go through the ceremony with your wedding party and any other key players, such as your officiant and musicians. If you have a wedding planner or day-of-coordinator, they will likely host the rehearsal. If you don't have a wedding coordinator, you will need to plan the rehearsal yourself.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations, you've made it to your big day! With proper planning and organization, you can enjoy your wedding day stress-free and focus on celebrating with your loved ones. We hope this comprehensive, step-by-step guide has helped you plan your wedding like a pro.
Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness!
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