The Complete Guide to Planning a Wedding

It’s no secret that wedding planning can be stressful. There are a million things to think about, from the big details like finding the perfect venue and hiring a photographer to the smaller details like what favors you’ll give your guests. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this complete guide to wedding planning, we’ll walk you through everything you need to do to ensure your big day is perfect.

Set Your Wedding Budget—and Stick to It

First, let’s start with the basics. When it comes to wedding planning, you need to keep a few key things in mind. First, you need to set a budget. It helps you determine how much you can spend on each aspect of your wedding, and it will also help you keep track of your spending.

Construct a List of Wedding Day Priorities

After you’ve set your budget, it’s time to start thinking about what you want on your wedding day. What’s most important to you? Is it a fairytale venue? A killer band that will keep everyone on the dance floor all night long? An expertly crafted menu? Prioritizing your must-haves will help you choose where to spend your money—and where to cut back.

Start Shopping for Your Wedding Dress

There’s no need to wait until you have your venue booked or your bridesmaid’s dresses chosen to start shopping for your gown. Many bridal salons recommend starting the process early as it can often take several months for a dress to be ordered and delivered. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to pick out your accessories! Veils, shoes, jewelry—it all needs to come together to create your wedding-day look.

Choose Your Wedding Party

This is one of the most fun parts of wedding planning! Start by making a list of people you’d like to ask, then start narrowing it down based on who you think will say yes (and who you really want by your side on your big day). Once you’ve got your final group, it’s time to pop the question!

Book Your Venue and Vendors

Now that you know how many people will be attending your wedding, it’s time to start hunting for the perfect venue. Keep your guest list in mind as you search for a space that can accommodate everyone comfortably. Once you’ve found the one, book it! Then, it’s time to move on to other key vendors like your photographer, band or DJ, and caterer.

Send Out Your Wedding Invitations

This is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning! Start by ordering your invitations (you can usually find great deals online), then sit down and address them. Don’t forget to include a response card to get a headcount for catering purposes.

Start Planning Your Menu

If you’re having a sit-down dinner, now is the time to start thinking about what you’d like to serve your guests. Work with your caterer to create a menu that will please everyone (don’t forget to ask about dietary restrictions!). If you’re planning on doing a buffet or stations, start collecting ideas for what you’d like to include.

Plan Your Wedding Ceremony

It’s time to start thinking about the details of your ceremony! If you’re getting married in a church, talk to your officiant about what you need to do to make it happen. If you’re having a non-traditional ceremony, start planning out the logistics of how it will all come together.

Choose Your Wedding Day Attire

This is one of the most fun parts of wedding planning! Start by picking out your dress (if you haven’t already), then choose the rest of your wedding day attire. Don’t forget to accessorize!

Start Planning Your Wedding Reception

Now that you have your venue booked and your guest list finalized, it’s time to start thinking about the details of your reception. Will there be a buffet? Sit-down dinner? Stations? Start planning out the logistics of how it will all come together.

Create Your Wedding Day Timeline

One of the most important parts of wedding planning is creating a timeline for your big day. This will help you stay on track and ensure that everything runs smoothly. Start by making a list of everything you need to do, then start slotting them into place. Don’t forget to leave some wiggle room for unexpected delays!

Finalize All the Details

Now that you have all the big stuff taken care of, it’s time to think about the smaller details. What type of favors will you give your guests? What kind of flowers do you want? How will you transport everyone from the ceremony to the reception? Start crossing items off your list so you can relax and enjoy your big day!