First of all congratulations on your engagement! You are now thinking of your wedding day (besides another million things) and you have probably never organised or been involved in the organisation of a wedding day and are seeking some help! This article aims to help you prepare for your special day!
First things first: Planning a wedding can feel pretty overwhelming at times. While you may decide to hire a professional organiser to help manage their wedding plans, there may be reasons why you might want to act on your own. It certainly is possible to plan the wedding of your dreams on your own.
Planning your wedding can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. With so many details to consider, it's important to have a clear understanding of the wedding planning process before diving in. This includes setting a budget, creating a timeline, and deciding on the type of wedding you want - whether it's a simple or extravagant affair.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the planning process, consider hiring a wedding planner. They can help you stay organized, provide expert advice, and take care of many of the details. Additionally, using a wedding planning checklist is an essential tool to keep track of all the tasks you need to complete before your big day. This can help you stay on schedule and ensure that nothing is forgotten.
To create the perfect wedding that reflects your personalities and style, take some time to explore different sources of inspiration such as Pinterest boards and bridal magazines. This will help you find what resonates with you and your partner.
As you begin planning your own wedding, remember that having a solid plan in place is key. From choosing your own wedding photographer to selecting the perfect wedding bands, each step in the planning process should be carefully considered within your overall timeline.
By following these tips for successful wedding planning, brides everywhere can enjoy their special day without any added stress or worry about missed details. So start planning today and make sure that every aspect of your dream wedding comes together perfectly!
Before I delve into the checklist of things which you need to review, you should consider the following general points:
DEFINING YOUR WEDDING VISION AND STYLE
Determine Your Wedding Vision
Before you start planning your wedding, it's important to have a clear vision of what you want your special day to look like. This will help guide your decisions throughout the planning process and ensure that everything comes together cohesively. Start by thinking about the overall theme, mood, and atmosphere you want to create.
Consider what kind of environment you want for your guests. Do you envision an outdoor ceremony surrounded by nature or an indoor event with elegant decor? Think about the time of day and season in which you'll be getting married, as this can also impact the overall feel of your wedding.
Another important consideration is the size and scope of your wedding. Do you want a large celebration with all of your family and friends or something more intimate? This decision will impact many aspects of your planning, from venue selection to catering options.
Define Your Wedding Style
Once you have a vision in mind, it's time to define your wedding style. This is where you can really let your personality shine through! Are you drawn to a specific color palette or design aesthetic? Consider incorporating these elements into your decor and attire choices.
Think about whether you want a traditional, formal wedding or something more casual and relaxed. There are no right or wrong answers here - it's all about what feels most authentic for you as a couple.
You may also want to consider any cultural or religious traditions that are important to incorporate into your ceremony or reception. These can add depth and meaning to your celebration while also honoring family heritage.
Keep Your Vision in Mind
As you make decisions about vendors, decor, and other details, always keep your wedding vision in mind. This will help ensure that everything comes together cohesively and creates the atmosphere you're hoping for.
Don't be afraid to make adjustments along the way if needed - after all, weddings are complex events with many moving parts! However, always stay true to your overall vision for the day. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed or unsure of your choices.
One way to keep your vision in mind is to create a visual mood board or Pinterest board. This can be a helpful tool for communicating your ideas with vendors and ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
Incorporating Your Wedding Vision into Every Detail
Once you have a clear wedding vision and style, it's time to start incorporating these elements into every detail of your celebration. Here are some ideas for how to do this:
Choose invitations and save-the-dates that reflect your chosen color palette and design aesthetic.
Select flowers and decor that match your overall theme and create the atmosphere you're hoping for.
Consider incorporating personal touches, such as family heirlooms or special mementos, into your ceremony or reception.
Work with your caterer to create a menu that reflects your taste preferences and fits with the overall vibe of your wedding.
Choose music that matches the mood you want to create - whether that's an upbeat dance party or a more relaxed ambiance.
Remember, every decision you make should be guided by your wedding vision and style. This will help ensure that everything comes together seamlessly on the big day.
Timing
The first step is making sure to give yourselves plenty of time for wedding planning. A longer timeline is your friend here—aim for around a year or two, if possible. The earlier you are the more choice of suppliers you have, especially if you are getting married in a peak month like June!
Also don’t forget to involve your significant other in this step, as well. Your wedding should represent both of you, together as a couple.
Setting and Sticking to Your Wedding Budget
Determine Your Overall Budget
Setting and sticking to your wedding budget is one of the most important aspects of planning your big day. Before you start planning anything, sit down with your partner and decide on a realistic budget for your wedding. This will help you avoid overspending and keep your expectations in check.
When setting your budget, it's essential to consider all the costs associated with planning a wedding. These include venue rental fees, catering costs, decorations, attire, photography, music, transportation, and more. It's also important to factor in any unexpected expenses that may arise during the planning process.
Prioritize Your Expenses
Once you have a budget in mind, make a list of all the things you want to include in your wedding and prioritize them based on importance. This will help you allocate your funds accordingly and avoid overspending on less important items.
For example, if having an open bar is essential to you but not having professional videography isn't as important, allocate more funds towards the bar and less towards videography.
Research Costs
Do your research to find out how much things typically cost in your area. This will help you set realistic expectations and avoid surprises down the line.
You can use online resources or ask recently married friends for their insight into what they spent on each aspect of their wedding. This information can be invaluable when creating a realistic budget that meets both yours' and your partner's needs.
Track Your Spending
Keep track of all your expenses as you go along to ensure that you're staying within your budget. This will also help you identify areas where you might be overspending and make adjustments as needed.
There are many tools available online that can help with tracking expenses such as spreadsheets or apps like Mint or EveryDollar. You can also create a simple spreadsheet yourself using Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
Be Prepared To Make Trade-Offs
Remember that sticking to a budget often requires making trade-offs. If you find that you're overspending in one area, be prepared to cut back in another area to stay within your overall budget.
For example, if you're spending more than anticipated on catering, consider cutting back on decorations or opting for a less expensive venue. It's important to prioritize what's most important to you and make adjustments accordingly.
The complete checklist
Note: The timelines depicted below are subjective! I like to prepare early for everything so… maybe what appears here as 12 months maybe 6 months for someone else.
18 to 12 months before
Establish a date (or at least a month for your wedding)
Start thinking about the type of wedding you would like to have
Make a potential Guest List
Consider if you want to do things yourself or hire an organiser
Choose Your Wedding Party
Select the Venue and Ceremony location
Select the Caterer
12 to 6 months before your wedding
Hire Vendors Who Book Up Quickly, Including Your Photographer, Band, DJ, and Videographer
If you are getting married in a Catholic ceremony, attend to a marriage preparation course (Kana)
Start shopping for Wedding Dress
Book Hotel-Room Blocks for Guests if necessary
Check if additional lighting is necessary at the venue
Meet With Potential Florists
Hire the Ceremony Musicians
Book Transportation
6 to 3 months before your wedding
Send a “notice of intention” to marry to your local registrar (it is a legal requirement and you must send the notice at least three months’ ahead).
Research makeup artists and hairdressers (and nail technicians!)
Buy the wedding rings
Order your bridesmaids’ dresses
Order your wedding shoes and accessories
Start Looking at Invitations
3 to 1 months before your wedding
Fix appointments for alterations and fittings (even bridesmaids!)
Make sure Best Man and Groomsmen’s suits are fitted
Send the wedding invitations
Purchase gifts for your loved ones
Fix appointments for food and wine tasting and also decide on your wedding menu
Add personal touches to make your wedding unique
2 to 1 week before your wedding
Confirm the schedule for the day and create a timetable for your bridesmaids, etc (re makeup on the day, etc)
Select and communicate the songs for the first dance, the reception entrance and processional and/or recessional options.
Communicate with all suppliers including the photographer and videographer the finale schedule
Confirm with the caterers the headcount
Confirm with the florist the decorations and deliveries
and finally … relax and have fun!!! Trust that everything will go well and remember that all suppliers are there to make your day memorable. 🧡
Don’t forget to bookmark this page to get back to it when you need!
Confirming Details with Vendors and Managing Last-Minute Plans
Reviewing Contracts and Confirming Details with Vendors
When planning a wedding, it's important to keep track of all the details related to vendor communication and follow-up. One of the most crucial aspects is reviewing all vendor contracts and confirming details at least a few weeks before the wedding. This will help avoid any last-minute surprises that could potentially ruin your special day.
It's essential to have a clear understanding of what each vendor is responsible for, as well as their fees and payment schedules. Reviewing contracts ahead of time can give you peace of mind knowing that everything is in order. If there are any discrepancies or changes that need to be made, make sure to communicate them with your vendors as soon as possible.
Keeping Track of Tasks and Deadlines
In addition to reviewing contracts, it's also important to keep track of all tasks and deadlines related to vendor communication. This includes following up on emails, phone calls, and meetings with vendors leading up to the wedding day.
One way to stay organized is by creating a detailed timeline or checklist that outlines all necessary tasks and deadlines. This can include things like finalizing guest counts, confirming delivery times with vendors, and making payments according to agreed-upon schedules.
Having a Plan for Last-Minute Changes or Emergencies
Despite careful planning, unexpected issues may still arise in the days leading up to your wedding day. Having a plan in place for managing last-minute changes or emergencies can help alleviate stress and ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Consider designating a point person who can handle any unexpected issues that may arise on the day-of. This person should be someone you trust who has good problem-solving skills and can make quick decisions under pressure.
Additionally, make sure you have contact information readily available for all vendors involved in your wedding so that you can quickly reach out if needed.
Examples of Last-Minute Plans
Here are some examples of last-minute plans you may need to make:
Weather-related changes: If you're planning an outdoor wedding, it's important to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather. This could mean moving the ceremony indoors or renting tents for outdoor spaces.
Vendor cancellations: In the event that one of your vendors cancels last minute, have a list of backup options ready to go. This could include reaching out to other vendors in your network or contacting a wedding planner for assistance.
Guest cancellations: If you have guests who are unable to attend at the last minute, be prepared to adjust seating arrangements and catering orders accordingly.
It's not uncommon for couples to experience last-minute changes or emergencies on their wedding day. According to a survey conducted by WeddingWire, 30% of couples reported experiencing at least one unexpected issue on their wedding day. However, those who had a plan in place were more likely to feel less stressed and enjoy their day despite any hiccups.
In addition, many wedding planners recommend confirming details with vendors at least two weeks before the wedding day. This can help ensure that everything is in order and prevent any surprises from popping up at the last minute.