Your wedding day schedule should include hair and makeup appointments, transportation to/from the venue, a timeline for your ceremony, and more. It’s a good idea to share this schedule with key family members and vendors.
Create two categories for your guest list (A and B). Guests in category A are those who you know you want to share your special day with, while those in category B would not devastate you if they were unable to attend.
1. Set Your Budget
Figuring out your budget is one of the first and most important steps in planning your wedding. This will help you make smart decisions and stay on track throughout the process.
List your top three nonnegotiables (that means the things that can’t be sacrificed!). From there, make a list of your priorities. This is where you’ll allocate your budget to various items like flowers, music and décor.
2. Create a Budget Spreadsheet
A wedding is a formal ceremony where two people become married. During the ceremony, couples exchange promises that they will uphold in their marriage.
The ceremony is often followed by a reception where guests celebrate the newlyweds. Some couples choose to have a ceremony only or a ceremony with a limited celebration (cake and punch). This allows them to invite more of their friends and family members.
3. Schedule a Meeting with Your Vendors
With your RSVPs rounded up, give your venue and caterers the final headcount and details of any dietary requirements. Also, send over your wedding playlist to your DJ and create a seating plan so they know where everyone will be seated.
Start adding some DIY touches to your day like personalised signs or flower crowns. This is a great way to save money while keeping your wedding personal.
4. Schedule a Meeting with Your Vendors
While creating a budget may be one of the least enjoyable parts of wedding planning, it’s still important to get it done. It will help you determine where to splurge and where to save.
It’s also important to communicate your vision to your vendors. This will avoid disappointment on the day of your wedding. Using group dances can instantly pack the dance floor and give shy guests an opportunity to mingle.
5. Schedule a Meeting with Your Vendors
Ensure the venue can accommodate the number of people you plan to invite (do this six to eight months before). Also talk to them about any rental items that will be needed, like tents, tables and chairs.
Many brides want to hand-select their vendors, making sure they are all a good fit. However, this can often add to the overall cost of the wedding.
6. Schedule a Meeting with Your Vendors
Your wedding day will be a busy one, so it’s important to make sure everyone involved in your big day has everything they need. This includes sending final numbers and your seating plan to your caterer and creating a table list.
It’s also a good idea to touch base with your vendors and confirm arrival times for the day of your wedding.
7. Schedule a Meeting with Your Vendors
Your vendors need to know how many guests you’re inviting. This will help them determine if the venue is right for you and also give them an idea of how much food and drinks you’ll need to order.
Knowing your budget will allow you to determine what you want to splurge on and where you might want to cut back. This will save you a lot of heartache later on in the wedding planning process!
8. Schedule a Meeting with Your Vendors
Budgeting is generally one of the least enjoyable parts of wedding planning. However, it is essential to complete it early on so that you can have peace of mind and focus on the fun aspects of planning.
Finalize your guest list and create save-the-dates (to be sent out six to eight months in advance). Make sure your guests know if they need to bring an ID for the bar.
9. Schedule a Meeting with Your Vendors
When meeting with vendors, make sure you have all of the important details to share. This will save time and ensure they deliver exactly what you’re hoping for on your big day.
Also, remember to talk about capacity if you’re considering an event venue. It’s important to know how many people you can comfortably invite so you don’t overcrowd your wedding.
10. Schedule a Meeting with Your Vendors
It’s important to have several potential wedding dates in mind. This will help when choosing a venue and other key wedding elements.
Create your guest list and send save-the-dates. Make sure your venue can accommodate all of your guests.
Determine how many tables your venue can seat (keeping relationships and family dynamics in mind). Figure out who sits where, this will be important for your planner to know.
