Planning your dream wedding is an unforgettable adventure filled with love, creativity, and countless details that make your celebration uniquely yours. From envisioning your perfect day to bringing it to life, the process can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be! This step-by-step guide will simplify your journey, helping you navigate each milestone with confidence and ensuring your wedding is as magical as the love story it celebrates.
Early Planning (12-24 Months Before)
- Venue and Major Vendors: Secure your venue, caterer, and photographer/videographer as soon as possible. Popular locations in major cities can book out 16–18 months in advance. Consider visiting venues in person or virtually to see how they align with your vision.
- Budget Considerations: Establish a realistic budget that covers all aspects of your wedding.
- Example Budget for Vendor Services: To help you better visualize how to allocate your budget across different vendor services, here’s a sample breakdown for a 150-person wedding with a $50,000 budget. Adjust these percentages and amounts based on your event type, priorities, and local pricing:
- Venue (including rental) 28%
- Catering and Bar 20%
- Photography/Videography 10%
- Entertainment (DJ/Band) 10%
- Floral 8%
- Wedding Attire (Dress, Suit) 8%
- Rentals & Décor 5%
- Planner or Coordinator 5%
- Lighting and AV 4%
- Stationery and Signage 2%
- Miscellaneous/Contingency 4%
- Example Budget for Vendor Services: To help you better visualize how to allocate your budget across different vendor services, here’s a sample breakdown for a 150-person wedding with a $50,000 budget. Adjust these percentages and amounts based on your event type, priorities, and local pricing:
This budget includes estimates for each category, but the percentages can shift depending on your priorities. For example, if photography is a top priority, you might allocate 15% of your budget to that and adjust other areas accordingly.
- Guest List: Draft your initial guest list. This helps in selecting a venue that accommodates your desired number of guests.
- Wedding Styles: Discuss your wedding vision with your partner, focusing on themes, styles, and priorities.
- Engagement Party: Celebrate your engagement with family and friends.
Make Arrangements (9-12 Months Before)
- Registry: Create your wedding registry on site(s) of your choosing. Start your registry early so guests can begin gift-giving for your bridal shower and ahead of your wedding. Common ones are Amazon,Target, Walmart, Crate & Barrel, and Williams Sonoma.
- Custom Wedding Website: Use this as a central place for guests to find photo galleries and details of your love story as well as your wedding information, such as information about the venue, dress code, transportation, and hotel accommodations. Common free wedding website hosting platforms are Zola, Love Bird, and Minted.
- Wedding Attire:
- Bridal Gown: Start shopping 9-14 months before the wedding. This allows time for alterations and accessorizing.
- First Fitting: Schedule around 2-3 months after ordering.
- Suit/Tuxedo: Can be purchased 4-8 months before the wedding.
Wedding Details (6-9 Months Before)
- Book Remaining Vendors: Secure Event Rentals & Décor Vendors, Officiant, Entertainment (DJ or Live Music), Limousine Service, Florist, and Makeup & Hair Stylist. Use a resource like Unique Venues Marketplace to search for and connect with quality event vendors.
- Wedding Party: Officially ask your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Consider personalized gifts or keepsakes for them.
- Save-the-Dates: Send out save-the-date cards 6-12 months before the wedding. Include the date, location, and accommodation options if needed.
- Engagement Photos: Schedule a photoshoot with your wedding photographer
- Bridal Shower: Typically hosted by the maid of honor or close friends, the bridal shower should be planned about 6-8 months before the wedding. This timing allows guests ample notice and helps to spread out the wedding events over a longer timeframe.
- Honeymoon Planning: Choose your destination, Book flights and accommodations, Research travel and accommodation options
Getting Close (2-6 Months Before)
- Finalize Guest List: Get your invite count so you can order your wedding invitations. Sites like Mintedor Zola have lots of variety and customization options.
- Invitations: Send mailing invitations 10-12 weeks out; or if they are digital, send them 6 weeks out. If you need guests to provide their food choices on their wedding response cards, you should include the menu options on the invitations themselves. You can also add a menu choices card to the back of the RSVP card.
- Bachelor/Bachelorette Party: Schedule these parties about 2-3 months before the wedding. This allows for a bit of down time before the big day while ensuring that most guests can attend. Consider the budgets for each, the number of attendees, and how extravagant the celebration will be. Whether it's a beach trip to Cancún, a getaway to Nashville, or a weekend celebration in your local city.
Final Preparations (1 Month Before)
- Confirm Catering: Once you have final numbers on your guest’s meal choices, contact your caterer to confirm your order.
- Confirm Final Payments: For your venue and vendors.
- Seating Arrangements: Use seating chart tools to simplify this process. Factor in family dynamics and guest preferences for the reception.
- Write Custom Vows: Write personal ceremony vows that reflect your relationship and commitment.
- Welcome Bags: Create thoughtful, personalized welcome bags for guests.
- Marriage License: File for your marriage license about 10-14 days before your wedding. it can take 3-6 days for your license to be approved. Marriage licenses expire at different times for different states. They can expire after 30, 60, or 90 days. Be sure to check the requirements for your state.
- Create Wedding Song List: There are tons of wedding playlists and templates to guide you with enhancing your vision and ambiance you want to create for your special day. Reference this templatefor a wedding song checklist to help!
Wedding Week Prep
- Hair Color: Schedule hair appointments 1–2 weeks before the wedding to ensure your color looks fresh.
- Nails Done: Get a manicure and pedicure a day or two before.
- Spray Tan: Schedule your spray tan 2–3 days in advance to avoid streaks.
- Stress Relieving Practices: Incorporate yoga, meditation, or light exercise to stay calm and centered.
- Honeymoon preparation: Pack for your trip early so you’re not stressed last minute. Have your passport (if international) and any other documents packed.
- Rehearsal Dinner:
- Welcome Party: Some couples choose to host a welcome party the night before the wedding if most guests are staying in hotels for the weekend or if more people live nearby.
Day-Of Preparation
- Getting Ready Timeline: Allocate sufficient time for hair and makeup (about 1.5-2 hours for the bride), plus time for dressing, any first looks, and pre-wedding photos.
- Emergency Kit: Prepare a kit with essentials like safety pins, pain relievers, and makeup touch-ups for any last-minute needs.
- Hydration and Snacks: Stay hydrated and snack lightly to maintain energy throughout the day.
Additional Tips for Wedding Success
- Delegate Tasks: Assign trusted friends or family members to oversee minor details like guest books, gift tables, and ushering.
- Hire a Day-of Coordinator: If you don’t have a full planner, a coordinator ensures everything flows smoothly on the day.
- Practice Speeches: Have your toasts or speeches ready and rehearse them to reduce nerves.
Wedding planning is a deeply personal journey that requires organization, creativity, and patience. By breaking down the process into manageable steps and staying true to your vision, you can create a celebration that reflects your unique love story.
Remember, the most important element is not perfection, but the commitment you're celebrating with your loved ones.