Planning Wedding

You’ve decided to marry each other. Congratulations! Next step: Learning how to plan a wedding. Don’t worry — every newly-engaged couple is in the same boat. And we’re here to help.

In this post, we cover the basics of how to plan a wedding, from the engagement all the way up until the big day. We include additional links and resources for inspiration, provide expert advice, and, most importantly, give tips on how to actually enjoy the process.

This guide on how to plan a wedding is designed to help keep you organized and on track, whether you’re planning a wedding abroad or in your backyard, next year or next month, for 50 guests or 500. But before getting started, it’s important to remember that every wedding is different. While this guide explores 25 of the main aspects of wedding planning, it may not fit your wedding — and all of the little details that come with it — to a T. And that’s okay! Simply adjust and adapt accordingly, and you’ll be well on your way to the big day of your dreams.

The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist

You and your partner have probably already discussed the kind of weddings you like. You attended a friend’s formal wedding together and agreed it’s not your style. Or you both went to a lakeside ceremony followed by a laid-back reception in a tent and absolutely loved it. Maybe Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin’s wedding was more your style.

Wedding to look like. Do you want it to be large or small? Perhaps you want to incorporate vintage elements into your attire and the decor. Maybe you want a traditional wedding with a classic design. What about a Game of Thrones-themed wedding with an extravagant venue and an Iron Throne? What about location? Is there a specific wedding venue you have in mind, or a unique setting you’d love? Close to home or a far-flung destination?

Take a deep breath. You don’t have to decide right now. This is simply about brainstorming. Most couples change their vision multiple times throughout the planning process. But you have to start somewhere, so explore your options and let your imaginations run wild over a lunch date or hanging on the couch.

Wedding Planning Illustrations, Royalty Free Vector Graphics & Clip Art

Pro tip: Plan a “meeting” with your partner. Before the meeting, both of you should prepare at least two inspiration images and your ideas for the following:

This way, you can share your thoughts from the get-go, and both of you can be heard by the other. Surprises aren’t usually a good thing when it comes to wedding planning. It’s important to be on the same page from Day 1!

This is where you need to get realistic and take a close look at the funding for your wedding. Budgeting can be stressful, but try to look at it as an exercise in making wise financial decisions as a team. Here’s what to do:

Everything You Need To Know About Wedding Planners

A few caveats: You don’t HAVE to spend that final figure. You can opt for a lower-cost wedding, and put that money towards your honeymoon or a nest egg for married life. Also, don’t fret if your budget is tight. There are plenty of creative and affordable ways to design a beautiful low-cost wedding — and in the end, you’ll be glad you didn’t break the bank.

Pro tip: To minimize the chances of going over budget, you need to do two things: Create a comprehensive spreadsheet and add in a 5-10% buffer for unexpected expenses. Your spreadsheet should list every major service, fee, and potential expense. It’s not a quick task, but it’s absolutely vital if you want to get a realistic look at what your wedding will cost.

When it comes to learning how to plan a wedding, the most important step realizing that you and your partner can’t do it alone. There are simply too many details and intricacies. So don’t be afraid to enlist support when and where you need it. Here are a few options to consider:

The First 10 Things To Do When Planning A Wedding

Pro tip: When it comes to completing any wedding-related task, don’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, lean on pre-made checklists and design templates (like the wedding invitation ones on Canva) to lighten the load. Chances are there’s a template, tool, or system already out there that you can work off of and save yourself the headache of learning new skills.

Select your wedding date as soon as you can. There may be some back and forth as you reach out to must-attend family and friends to hash out dates that work for everyone. But weekends for popular venues fill up fast, so decide as early as possible. If you’re planning a weekday wedding (a good option when your budget is tight), you’ll have more wiggle room.

Pro tip: Have your top-3 wedding dates in mind as you begin your wedding venue search so you can compare rates at the same venue or expand your options. If you’re planning 14+ months in advance, include two dates in one season and one date in another for variety. If you have less than 14 months and have a dream venue in mind, check what they even have available first before choosing the best dates.

Free Wedding Planning Checklist

Maid of honor. Best man. Groomsmen and women. Bridesmaids and bridesmen. Decide who among your close friends and family you want to be with you throughout your wedding. Choose wisely, because they’ll be the folks on hand from the rehearsal dinner until you drive off into the sunset.

Pro tip: Your choice for wedding party members should be based on what you want and how you feel. There will be egos involved, however, all you have to do to mitigate sore feelings is have an honest conversation with anyone who wasn’t chosen that may have been expecting it. If you’re really stuck, use this handy decision flow chart by Brides of North Texas to help pick. Additionally, consider inviting the people who didn’t make the cut to some “special” wedding activities, such as the bachelor/bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, etc.

First things first, commit to keeping this process as stress-free as possible. Pick a relaxed time on a weekend when you don’t have other demands and sit down with your partner. Keep your approximate wedding size in mind — building a guest list for a small wedding is going to be different than choosing who to invite to a large one. Here are some tips to keep the process smooth:

How To Make A Diy Wedding Binder Planner [guide]

Pro tip: A good way to start sorting who you want to invite is by going through the contact list in your phone, as well as who you’re following/interact with on your most-used social media platforms. Chances are, if you want them at your wedding, you’ll at least have their phone number or Instagram handle.

Deciding where you’re going to hold the ceremony has an impact on where the reception, and the rest of the wedding events, will be held. Some venues offer both ceremony and reception space, while others, like many places of worship, may be ceremony-centric. Use a wedding venue search tool like Wedding Spot to sort venues by services offered, distance to other venues, and more.

Pro tip: If you’re planning on having live music for your ceremony, make sure your venue isn’t located in an area with a strict noise ordinance in place, and consider the needs of neighboring homes and businesses. You’ll also want to consider any sound issues your venue has that may interrupt your ceremony, such as nearby roads, gun ranges, etc.

My Wedding Planning Process For Wedding Planners

This often goes hand-in-hand with Tip No. 7 but since not all venues offer both ceremony and reception services, let’s dive a little deeper. Wedding Spot lets you explore venues by location, style, budget, number of guests, and services offered by the site. Popular wedding venue types include:

Once you’ve settled on your top three or four venues, it’s time to find out if they’re available on your wedding date. If they are, the next step is a site visit, either with your wedding planner or with your partner — or both.

Pro tip: Narrow down your search by budget first, then aesthetic and scenery. Choose several related aesthetics and scenery such as outdoor, beach, and waterfront to get the most options for your chosen area. Also, use a tool such as Farmer’s Almanac to estimate what the weather will be like on your wedding day and let that influence your venue decision.

Planning A Wedding In 6 Months Wedding Checklist Printable

If you’re having a Justice of the Peace wedding, followed by a dinner for one or two dozen of your closest family and friends, you don’t necessarily need a theme — it’s already baked in. This is a celebration, and you simply need good food, drink, and loved-ones on hand.

But many couples like to dream up a theme that adds to the magic and fun for you and your guests. Here are a variety of popular themes, with decor and color ideas to match:

That’s just scratching the surface. There’s truly an endless amount of wedding themes out there. A library theme held in a historic library. A pets-welcome outdoor wedding. A fall, pumpkin patch wedding. A

Wedding Checklist Wedding Planning Checklists Wedding Timeline…