How to Plan Your Wedding Day - A Free Guide
So, you're engaged! Congratulations! Now comes the exciting, sometimes daunting, task of planning your wedding. But don't worry, it doesn't have to be stressful. This free wedding planning guide will walk you through everything you need to think about, step-by-step, to make the process enjoyable and manageable. I’ve also made a downloadable PDF version that gives you a full comprehensive tick-list for you to use below!
Where to Even Begin?
Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, but the key is to break it down. There's no single "right" way, but this guide offers a helpful framework to keep you organised and make sure you don’t miss anything important.
How Long Does it Take to Plan a Wedding?
Most couples take 12-24 months to plan their wedding. This time-frame allows plenty of time to book popular venues and vendors, especially if you have your heart set on a specific date or provider. However, if you’re flexible, you can definitely plan a wedding in a shorter time-frame, especially if you're considering a smaller celebration or elopement. My wife and I got married last October, and we managed to plan the whole thing in just over 7 months, so I can confirm it is possible!
Your Step-by-Step Guide
This guide covers all the major tasks you need to consider, from setting a budget to the big day itself. And whilst the decisions are all your own, I’ve slipped in a few of my own personal recommendations of vendors that I know. Let's get started!
Setting Your Wedding Budget
This is the foundation of your wedding planning. Sit down with your partner and have an open conversation about finances. How much can you both contribute? Will anyone else be helping? Knowing your budget early prevents financial stress down the road. During this process, it helps to do a little research into the average costs of local venues and vendors, to make sure you aren’t accidentally setting any unrealistic expectations. Once you set the budget, make sure you know how flexible you’re willing to be with certainly elements that you think are important.
Defining Your Wedding Priorities
What's most important to you both? A grand venue? Live music? A specific vendor? Discuss your priorities and write them down. This will be your guide when making decisions and helps you stick to your budget.
Getting Organized
Organization is key! Whether it's pen to paper, a wedding planning app, or a detailed spreadsheet, find a system that works for you. Keep everything in one place and easily accessible, so you can always check on your lists and make changes any time.
Explore Wedding Styles and Themes
Browse magazines, websites and social media for inspiration. What kind of wedding do you envision? A rustic barn wedding? A glamorous manor affair? Choosing a theme or colour scheme early makes supplier decisions much easier.
Creating Your Wedding Checklist
A comprehensive checklist is your best friend! I have a pre-made one here, free to download, or create your own personalised one. It helps to break down tasks into smaller steps, to make the process less daunting (and more satisfying to tick off!).
Setting the Date
Your wedding date impacts almost everything else. Consider the season, day of the week, and any potential conflicts. Popular dates get booked quickly and can often make a big difference in the overall price. And remember, no date in any season is guaranteed to have that sunny weather you want! (but if you want to see what the weather has been like over previous years in your location, use this site)
Compile Your Guest List
Who do you want to share your special day with? Discuss the guest list with your partner, start by listing out every potential guest and whittling it down until you feel comfortable. Be clear about who is invited to the full day or just the evening reception.
Finding Your Perfect Wedding Venue
Once you have a budget and a date in mind, start venue hunting! Visit potential venues and consider factors like capacity, catering options, location and accommodation. Google is your friend, but you can also search sites like: Hitched, Bridebook, The Wedding Secret and Coco.
Sending Save-the-Dates
Let your guests know your date and location as soon as your venue is booked. This gives them plenty of time to plan. Formal invitations will follow later. Even before booking it in, it might be worth checking that the date you're thinking will work for the few most important family/friends.
Choosing Your Wedding Suppliers
Photographer, Videographer, Hair, Make-Up, Caterer, Florist, DJ – the list goes on! Research and book your suppliers early, especially the popular ones. Read reviews, look at previous work and ask questions to potential suppliers before making any decisions. If you’re having your food provided from your venue, you will get the chance to do a menu tasting with them to make sure you’re happy or make decisions. Remember to consider all potential allergies and dietary requirements.
Reviewing Contracts and Getting Wedding Insurance
Before signing any contracts, carefully review them to make sure you’re confident about the details. Wedding insurance is a must-have to protect your investment in case of unforeseen circumstances, ask around for recommendations (I personally chose this company).
Making it Legal
Don't forget the legalities! Research the requirements for obtaining a marriage licence in your area. Often your venue will offer to book in your ceremony with the local registry office, but you will also need to complete a legal preliminary meeting in person at your local registry office (which may be different to the registry office that is local to your wedding, if you are marrying in a different county than you live in). This is something you book several months before the wedding.
Choosing Your Wedding Party
Maid of honour, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen – choose the people who will support you throughout the planning process and on your big day. Try your best to not feel pressured by anyone to make decisions you aren’t comfortable with. It can be hard to choose sometimes, but trust your gut.
Arranging Wedding Transport and Accommodation
Think about how you and your guests will get to and from the ceremony, reception venue and accommodations. If necessary, arrange transportation and make sure to book accommodation for yourselves first, then help close (particularly older) family members book theirs as early as possible.
Sending Wedding Invitations
Send your invitations as early as you like, but at least 6 months before the wedding allows people enough time to plan. Include all the essential information, such as date, time, location, what part they are invited to, RSVP details, and make sure to include all accommodation and transportation details/ options necessary.
Shopping for Your Wedding Attire
Your wedding dress or suit is a big decision! Start shopping early to allow plenty of time for alterations. Don't forget the bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen attire, give yourself the time to look at options in shops and online, so you don’t feel rushed into making decisions.
Creating a Wedding Gift List
A gift registry makes it easier for guests to choose gifts you'll actually love, or if you’d prefer to just ask for donations towards your honeymoon, find the nicest and easiest way to make that happen.
Choosing Your Wedding Rings
This is an exciting step! Set a budget and search around and find rings that you both love, you’ll be wearing them forever! Whether it’s traditional bands and something completely different, make sure to get your finger size checked in a jewellers.
Deciding Your Music
Music plays an important role on the day, you’ll want to choose music that is important to you for things like the ceremony entrance, signing of wedding documents, ceremony exit, wedding breakfast entrance/ background and of course your first dance! If you’re choosing a DJ, it’s often helpful to create a Spotify playlist of music you’d like for the party for them to work with, you may also want to make a playlist for the venue to use in the background during the day.
Managing RSVPs and Creating a Table Plan
Once you've received your RSVPs, create a seating chart. Consider who would enjoy sitting together, and make sure everyone seems comfortable in the space you have available. Often venues will have a table plan and layout for you to make use of.
Creating a Wedding Day Schedule
A detailed timeline of your wedding day will keep everyone on track. Your venue will be able to give you a rough idea how they usually approach this, but it should be flexible to meet your needs. Share it with your vendors and wedding party, so everyone knows the plan.
Deciding on Toasts, Speeches, and Readings
Who will be giving speeches? Will there be any readings included in the ceremony? Give people plenty of notice.
Planning Stag and Hen Dos
Your wedding party will likely take the lead on this, but make sure the dates and activities work for you, don’t let friends or family sway you into doing something you won’t enjoy.
Thinking About Your Honeymoon
Start planning your post-wedding getaway! Whether it's a mini-moon or a longer trip, the longer you have to think about it the better. If you are relying on donations from guests, then the booking stage will have to happen after the wedding day, but it’s still good to get some ideas of the trip you’d like to do.
Writing Your Vows
If you’re having vows, personalising them makes the ceremony feel even more special and unique.
Finalizing Details with Your Venue and Suppliers
In the month leading up to your wedding, confirm all the details with your venue and suppliers. Vendors like photographers and videographers will message you to get your final timeline and work out the last few details.
Adding the Finishing Touches
Think about the little things that will make your wedding unique, like wedding favours, small details, decorations.
And so there it is - a full run down of everything it takes to plan a wedding. Make sure to download the Free PDF Version that gives you a full, comprehensive tick-list. Perfect for printing out and keeping tracking of your plans!