The Complete Guide to Planning a Wedding

Set Your Wedding Budget and Stick to It

Your wedding budget will be the driving factor for many of your decisions, so this should be one of the first things you tackle. If any family members will be contributing to your big day, chat with them about what they’re comfortable spending. If you’re footing the bill yourself, be sure to take a hard look at your finances and prepare for any life changes you may need to make. And once you’ve landed on that magic number, make sure you stick to it.

Construct a List of Wedding Priorities

Sit down with your partner and determine what the three most important aspects of your wedding will be. Is it the venue or a specific wedding date? Locking in a certain wedding photographer or having a live band? Prioritize those details and be willing to compromise on the rest. This will help you stay within your budget, and allow you to focus your efforts on what really counts.

Determine Your Wedding Style

Find a few resources of bridal inspiration you like best—Pinterest, Instagram, magazines, trusty bridal sites (including Brides, of course!)—and start researching. Have a good sense of the type of wedding style you want before you begin meeting with potential vendors.

However, make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself with all of the wedding inspiration that’s out there. Instead, limit the amount of time you spend looking at photos and ideas in one sitting. Making a list of your likes and dislikes, as well as wants and do-not-wants, can also help you better review inspiration images.

Get Organized

You can use checklists, spreadsheets, Word, Excel, Google Docs—anything, really—as long as you can gather all your thoughts, budgets, numbers, etc., in one place. There are also some great online tools and apps out there that can keep you organized.

Involve Your Significant Other

Don't feel like you're in this wedding-planning process alone. Consult with your partner along the way, as their opinion is bound to be invaluable. Even if they're only involved in some aspects, it'll be way more enjoyable to make joint decisions together. Working toward a common goal not only further bonds your relationship, but also helps you grow as a couple.

Buy a Wedding Planning Book

For couples who opt to take on the wedding planning process sans a professional planner or coordinator, a traditional etiquette manual and guidebook (such as The Wedding Book) is a wealth of information and expert advice. These books include tips, tricks, and examples of timelines and checklists, helping minimize any stress you might start to feel.

Create a Master Checklist

Check out our master wedding-planning checklist and timeline to keep yourself on track and tackle tasks like a pro. (Feel free to adapt it to suit your own needs as necessary.) This will help you visualize and prioritize your goals without becoming too overwhelmed.

Think About Dates (and Seasons)

Choose a few ideal dates for your wedding and try to be flexible, if possible, so you’re not constrained when attempting to book your preferred venue and vendors. Take into consideration external factors, such as how popular those dates might be for other to-be-weds (which can make availability scarce and prices higher), if the dates would be difficult for your guests to attend, and the price differences of them between seasons.

Select a Theme

Whether it’s specific wedding colors, seasonal or style-based inspiration, or an actual theme (like the Roaring Twenties or festival chic), sometimes it's helpful to choose a concept to design your wedding around. Once you have an aesthetic in mind, it'll be easier to make decisions about your design.

Consider Having an “On-Site” Wedding

In wedding lingo, an “off-site” wedding is one where the venue doesn’t have a commercial kitchen and where you need to bring everything in—think places like a park, a public beach, or even an open field. In contrast, having an “on-site” wedding—somewhere like a hotel or restaurant—will greatly simplify the planning process, as they'll likely have a range of catering offerings available, as well as access to the basics, including designated space, chairs and tables, and possibly even an on-site coordinator to assist you.

Start Working on Your Guest List

Making decisions about your guest list can be a complicated process and one that will depend largely on your venue and budget. Before you begin, sit down with your partner and key family members to put together a wish list of wedding guests. You will also need to decide whether you’re inviting children and who will be allotted a plus-one.

Talk to Other Married Couples

Have you recently attended a wedding that you really enjoyed? Ask that couple for advice and insights. They probably have some expert tips and tricks they learned along the way that they'd be more than happy to share with you. Sometimes, friends and family are the best resources.

Research Your Venue Options

Be sure to investigate prices, packages, and any restrictions (including minimum budget spend or guest count) from several different wedding and reception venues before you sign on the dotted line. Even if there's a venue and a package price that you really like, keep looking at additional options. Ask around and see what other venues are charging before agreeing on a price.

Book Vendors You’re Comfortable With

When it comes to booking wedding vendors, it's essential to not rush into any decisions. Consider at least a few different options to make sure these important wedding-day partners understand your vision and can also work within your budget. Wedding vendors are the nuts and bolts to ensuring your day is ultra-memorable and everything runs smoothly, so make sure they're a team of people that you trust.

Read Every Contract Closely

Before you sign on any dotted lines, be sure to closely review every detail of any contracts you arrange with your wedding vendors—including date, location, times, deposits, additional fees, colors, and quantities. Everything has to be in the contract because if it isn't, or if it's written incorrectly, you will not be protected if it's not executed properly.

Additionally, be wary of clauses that prevent you from reviewing the vendor after their service (red flag), extreme cancellation policies, or if the terms seem one-sided. Specifically, a contract should outline what happens if either party cancels, not just the client.

Carefully read any policies regarding changes in the scope of service, as well, which means that rates could be revised if there are any significant changes made. (Such policies are standard practice in this industry, but you need to ensure you are aware of the terms.) For instance, if your contract requires catering for a guest list of 50 people, but you later decide to invite 100, you would be responsible for paying an increased rate. Similarly, a venue might have a minimum guest count required, which can be problematic if the RSVP total is lower than the original estimate.

Choose Your Wedding Party Wisely

The friends and family you ask to join your wedding party are there for emotional and tactical support throughout the planning process and on your big day. Consider who you want standing next to you during this monumental occasion and if they are capable of performing the duties required of their position throughout the process. Make sure to consult with your partner to decide what size wedding party works best for the two of you.

Book Hotel Room Blocks

Whether you're having a destination wedding or a local celebration, chances are some guests will need a place to stay the night of your nuptials. It's a thoughtful gesture to take this into consideration and set up a hotel block for them at one or several choice establishments. This will ensure all your wedding attendees are in the same general vicinity, and many hotels can even provide a discounted rate depending on the number of rooms requested.

The best part? There are often benefits for couples who opt to reserve a block. Some hotels offer incentives like a free room to the couple, complimentary breakfasts, or even spa credits, so be sure to inquire about any extras.

Shop for Wedding Attire

Finding the perfect wedding gown is a process all its own, and we recommend starting your search right after you pick your venue. Try to complete your dress purchase nine months before your big day, as this will give you enough time for fittings and alterations. Shopping for wedding-party ensembles should also begin about seven to eight months before your wedding date, whereas groom and groomsman attire can be scheduled around the five-month mark. Don't forget that you will also need outfits for any pre-wedding events such as brunches and showers.

Make a Wedding Website

Avoid getting endless emails and text messages from guests by putting up a simple wedding website where they can see all of the essential details. Include important information like dates, times, locations, dress codes, registries, transportation and lodging, a day-of itinerary, and health and safety requirements. In general, everything that appears on the invitations should be present on the welcome page of the website.

Build a Registry

You and your partner should begin creating a wishlist of potential gifts you'd like to receive from guests early on in the planning process. If traditional gifts aren't quite your thing, opt for more creative registry ideas to fund things, such as your honeymoon or a downpayment on a new house, or ask guests to make a charitable contribution in lieu of a present. Most importantly, the registry information should be displayed on your wedding website or on an invitation insert—never on the wedding invitation itself.

Recruit More Hands on Deck

Never forget: You’re not in this alone. Your bridal party, family members, and your soon-to-be spouse are all ready to help in ways that suit their strengths. But you have to ask, and sometimes, delegate. On your big day, know that you'll need some extra hands to attend to tasks that you won't be able to do, such as dispersing checks to vendors. Never feel bad about asking as long as you're also understanding of their choice to decline, should they choose to.

Craft Strategically

DIY wedding décor elements can be cost-effective and add some incredibly personal touches to your wedding day. But a word to the wise: Don’t go overboard, or you’ll end up with more work than you know what to do with. Plenty of DIY projects can be done well in advance, including favors and welcome bags. However, for things like wedding-day flowers or food, professional help is often best.

Take Some Time Off—Together

For the sake of your own sanity, make sure you schedule some time for you and your partner to just be together and do anything but plan a wedding. Trust us, you’ll need the break. If you can, take the week before your wedding off from work to ensure that all last-minute details are completed—and to help make the days leading up to the big day that much less stressful.

Pick Invitations and Save the Dates

Once you've confirmed your venue and wedding style, start planning your stationery. Save-the-date cards typically go out nine months before the wedding date for a destination wedding and four to six months ahead of time for local nuptials. Invitation suites then follow six to eight weeks before the big day. As far as RSVPs, you should request those no later than one month before the celebration so there are no last-minute hiccups.

Hire an Officiant

Finding the right officiant to preside over your nuptials can be a deeply personal journey for couples. Whomever you choose will not only dictate the event but will also usher you into your union, setting the tone for the rest of your lives together. If you're booking a clergy member or justice of the peace (rather than having a friend or family member officiate), it's important to thoroughly do your research, obtain reviews or recommendations, and ask the right questions.

Add Some Personal Touches

Whether it's familial or cultural customs that have a special meaning to you—or a tradition that the two of you want to start for future generations, don't be afraid to incorporate some heartfelt, personal touches into your wedding-day festivities. Remember, this is your day!

Organize Transportation

There are three categories of wedding transportation to take into consideration. Depending on the venue, you may require transportation for yourselves and your wedding party to get to the ceremony. You will then need a vehicle to take you and your new spouse to the reception, while the wedding party takes the aforementioned transportation. If your venue is in a remote location or you have guests attending from out of town, it is thoughtful to also book group transportation to take them between the ceremony, reception, and their hotels. For a personalized touch, get creative with types of transportation that really speak to the surroundings.

Purchase Wedding Bands

Take a moment to just enjoy what's left of your engagement and fiancé(e) status by heading out to shop for your wedding bands. If you haven't already, this would also be the time to insure your engagement ring and add the wedding bands to the policy.

Account for Pre-Wedding Events

Between engagement celebrations, showers, brunches, and bachelor/bachelorette parties, there is no shortage of pre-wedding events that take place in the months leading up to your big day. And while most of these festivities are traditionally hosted by a close friend or family member, you will need to participate in a small portion of the planning. At the very least, the guest lists for these events will need to be created by you and passed on to the generous hosts.

Understand What You Don't Want

Your wedding should be all about the two of you as a couple, so if certain traditional aspects make you uncomfortable, feel outdated, or simply aren’t your style, then don't include them on your wedding day. Traditions are lovely but only when they're meaningful to you.

Don't Forget the Rehearsal Dinner Details

Much like other pre-wedding festivities, the rehearsal dinner may or may not be hosted by someone other than you. Regardless of this fact, you will need to partake in the planning process. Much like the wedding, the rehearsal dinner will need a venue, guest list, catering selection, and invitations. If you're having a destination wedding or wedding weekend, this can either be tied into the welcome party or remain completely separate.

Consider a Day-Of Coordinator

Even when a full-service wedding planner isn’t in the cards, hiring a professional to oversee the day-of details can be a game-changer. They'll keep track of vendors for you, keep an eye on the schedule, and help with any last-minute details and on-site tasks. Just don't leave the booking until the last minute, because even though this is a day-of coordinator, they are typically hired six to eight months in advance.

Create a Social Media Strategy

Whether you want your guests to share moments of your wedding day with the world or prefer to host an unplugged wedding, having a strategy is key. Hashtags, signage, and photo booths are a great way to get guests to share the celebration on social media. On the other hand, if you don't want your guests snapping shots or taking videos during the ceremony, have your officiant make a quick announcement before the proceedings begin.

Make It Legal

In the midst of all the planning and endless small details, don’t forget to actually reserve time to get your marriage license. Start researching and gathering the necessary documents early on, but keep in mind that marriage licenses are typically only valid for a couple of months—and destination weddings often have their own stipulations—so plan accordingly.

Postpone Honeymoon Planning

Simultaneously planning a wedding and your dream honeymoon is not only expensive but also very time-consuming, especially if the two of you are doing everything yourselves. Therefore, it may be a good idea to postpone honeymoon planning just a bit. Consider spacing out your wedding and honeymoon to really appreciate everything, rather than being too drained from the planning process to fully enjoy the post-nuptial getaway.

Allocate Toasts and Readings

Wedding toasts, typically reserved for select VIPs, are traditionally distributed between the rehearsal dinner and reception, though some couples choose to have everything take place at one event. You and your partner are responsible for notifying toast-makers of their obligations, accepting requests to speak, and organizing the order. Opting for readings in the ceremony, whether traditional, cultural, or literary, is another great way to honor important people in your life who aren't part of the wedding party.

Finalize Setup Details

As your wedding date approaches, check in with your venue to find out when your vendors can arrive for setup. The earlier the better, but in some cases, venues may have other events going on the same day. Be sure to pass along the information to your vendors so that everyone is on the same page.

Build a Playlist

Regardless of whether you're having a live band, DJ, or manning the turntables yourself, you'll need to outline all of the key songs that absolutely must be played during the nuptial festivities. Just as important: Don't forget to also create a list of the songs you definitely don't want to hear.

Write Your Vows

Take off your wedding-planner hat for just a moment and consider your future with your partner. Indulge yourself in a few moments of solitude to gather your thoughts and put pen to paper as you begin to write your vows. Make sure to include some actual promises in your notes rather than just creating a love letter to your beloved.

Produce a Schedule of Events

Creating a comprehensive wedding-day schedule ensures everyone's on the same page about timing and location(s) and can help to make sure the day's events run smoothly. Include things like hair and makeup appointments, when vendors will arrive, timing for transportation to/arrival at the ceremony location, timing for the couple's arrival to the reception, speeches, the first dance, and when the cake will be cut, etc. Send copies to your vendors, maid of honor, and key family members who should be in the know.

Consider Hosting an After-Party

If you and your partner want to keep the celebration going after you've said "I do," consider hosting an after-party for close family and friends. You can keep things small and have everyone meet you at a hotel bar, or plan a second event where you and your squad can dance until the sun comes up. Do what works best for you and only plan what you have the capacity to endure.

Say Thanks

Gratitude goes a long way, so be sure to arrange for small gifts for your wedding party and anyone else who played a big role in your wedding-planning journey—including friends who pitched in to help with all of your wedding DIY projects and, of course, parents or other family members who have been there for you and supported you along the way. And don't hesitate to give them a special little shoutout during your wedding toast.

Don't Forget to Tip Your Vendors

It may be easy to forget about your budget once every detail is locked in and secured, but if you haven't allotted cash for tips, your budgeting journey isn't quite over yet. Check out our comprehensive list of vendors to tip for an in-depth guide on what to do and how much to give.

Focus on the Big Picture

Be present in the moment and feel the love—you’re getting married! Try not to worry about the minutiae details. By the time your big day rolls around, try to relax, enjoy all of the time with your loved ones, and remember to eat. Ask any married couple—it will fly by.