Essential wedding planning guide and timeline

Saying that your wedding day is one of the biggest events that you will be a part of is an understatement. There are expectations attached to it for both the bride and groom. These will often need to be married before the actual marriage. 

This is why there is a lot of planning involved. It is best done in advance leading up to the big day. There is a good reason why the wedding planning industry has an annual growth rate of 1.5% in the US. Although there has been a 12% downturn in the use of wedding planners. Weddings still need to be planned. The last thing that you need hanging over your head is what has yet to be done. 

Fortunately, it can be done. This article will provide you with an essential wedding planning guide and timeline. It will make the planning easier, and reduce the chances of things falling through the cracks and kick you off for what to do in the first month of wedding planning.

How to plan a wedding

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task. If you approach it from the right angle with a lot of time to spare, it will reduce the amount of stress involved. It means getting the right things and the right people to work together. Do not be afraid to delegate some tasks. You don’t have to do it alone. Refer back to this wedding planning guide and print off our checklist to know it’s all under control.

Where to start when wedding planning

The first thing to do when planning your wedding is to get the bride and groom’s ideas for their wedding. The unmet expectation of either one can be a cause for contentions later on. You can begin by writing down what they both want then diving these things into categories. Let’s look at this below.

If you are planning a last minute wedding, read our dedicated guide for more information.

Budget

How much are you looking to spend on your wedding? There is never a right time to have this conversation. Leaving too late may have you in a position where you have great ideas that cannot possibly be achieved on your budget. Having it too early is often just as difficult, as you may not be aware yet.

One way to go about it is to consider your financial position. Based on your financial position, how much can you use or save up towards the wedding? This can be a determining factor when you get to choose the date. You would look for a date that allows you enough time to gather the resource that you need. 

Your budget should never be stagnant, it should be adjusted upward or downward as you learn new information. 

Rings

Go through some online websites with large stock such as Wedding Rings Direct and visit some jewellers to see if something catches your eye. You do not have to purchase it immediately. Create a shortlist of the rings that you like, where they are sold, and for how much. The price can then feedback to your budget. 

It is best to have the ring choices figured out as soon as possible.

Colours

Colours may not initially seem important, but they are one of the most prominent features of any wedding. This is what people will see and remember. Start by picking the main colours that you would like to have. A maximum of three colours would be ideal. The more colours you choose the harder it is to fit everything together. 

Once you know the colours, make use of a colour wheel to figure out if all of the colour complement one another. Where there are clashes, decide which colour should be removed.

Flowers

I have attended many weddings that didn’t have flowers and those that have had flowers. You want to have flowers. They add so much life and character to everything around them. Using the colours that you picked earlier, start looking at flowers that have these colours. 

The main thing to bear in mind is that if you are going to be using real flowers you will need a supplier that is nearby or one that has means to deliver them to you on the day. Receiving them too early may leave you with wilting flowers at the wedding. 

Cake

The wedding cake tends to become the centrepiece of the day. It is of utmost importance that you get it right. This is one of the things that will be prominently featured in the videos and photos for life. 

There are two aspects to take into consideration. The taste and the look of the cake. Both of which are very important. Take your partner cake tasting. Most cake makers that specialise in weddings will be happy to offer you this service. In some cases, you will not need to pay for it. They provide you with a buffet of cakes to try out. 

It is often a process of elimination. Push aside the ones that you don’t like as much until you have the very best. If you have a vision for what the cake should look like, these are the right people to run your ideas through. They will help you get a clear idea of how practical it is to do what you have in mind. 

Venue

Wedding venues can be booked for years in advance. If you are late, you may find yourself having to look for alternatives or change the date of your wedding. Get in as soon as possible. They will usually require a deposit to be made in advance. As soon as booked, get the save the date out to make sure the important people can be there.

You want to request a tour of the venue. It helps visualise where things would be on your big day. In some cases, you may even realise that it is not the ideal one. 

Bridesmaids & Groomsmen

If you have a lot of friends this can be a challenge. You cannot have all of them as your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Some feelings may have to be hurt. One way to decide is by choosing the people who you interact with the most. They are the ones that will be in your life afterwards anyway. 

There are members of your family that simply cannot miss out on this. Your siblings for instance. Out of the people that you have shortlisted, choose the ones that are closest to you to be your best man and chief bridesmaid. There are some responsibilities that come with these roles. Pick someone who can handle them.

Dates

Although the dates are important to you. They can be difficult to settle on because of how many others are involved. The venue would have to be available for the chosen date. Your family and friends would also have to be available for that date. Choose them as soon as possible and start booking things.

Guests

The first thing to do is to decide how many people you would like to invite to your wedding. This can be determined by the size of the venue or your budget. You also want numbers that can be accommodated by the caterers. 

Catering

Food is certainly one of the reasons some people will come to your wedding. What would you like to eat on your big day? Start with writing a list of options. Once you are happy with it visit some caterers in the areas to find the best one. When you find the right one for you, book as soon as possible.

Wedding checklist

(also available in date order here)

1. Venue
   1. Decide the venue [1-2 years before the wedding]
   2. Take a tour of the venue [1-2 years before the wedding]
   3. Find out the cost of the venue [1-2 years months before the wedding]
   4. Book the venue [1-2 years before the wedding]
   5. Send out save the date notifications.
2. Cake
   1. Go cake tasting [6-12 months before the wedding]
   2. Choose a taste that you like [at least 6 months before the wedding]
   3. Pick a look that you like [at least 6 months before the wedding]
   4. Find the best supplier [at least 6 months before the wedding]
   5. Order the cake [3-6 months before the wedding]
   6. Follow up on delivery times [1-2 months before the wedding]
   7. Follow up on the delivery date, location and time [30 days before the wedding]
   8. Confirm delivery is scheduled [1 week before the wedding]
3. Flowers
   1. Pick flowers that fit into your chosen colour scheme. [6-12 months before the wedding]
   2. Find a florist that can deliver them to you.  [at least 3 months before the wedding]
   3. See the flowers if possible.  [at least 3 months before the wedding]
   4. Decide their patterns, designs, and placement at the wedding.  [at least 3 months before the wedding]
   5. Order the flowers  [1-3 months before the wedding]
   6. Follow up on delivery times [1-2 months before the wedding]
   7. Follow up on the delivery date, location and time [30 days before the wedding]
   8. Confirm delivery is scheduled [1 week before the wedding]
4. Rings
   1. Visit jewellers [6-12 months before the wedding]
   2. Choose the rings [1-6 months before the wedding]
   3. Get measured for size [1-6 months before the wedding]
   4. Order the rings [1-3 months before the wedding]
   5. Collect the rings [at least a month before the wedding]
5. Clothing
   1. Find a dress and suit that you like [6-12 months before the wedding]
   2. Visit wedding and suit dress suppliers [6-12 months before the wedding]
   3. Get fitted for the dress and suit [6-12 months before the wedding]
   4. Order the dress [6-12 months before the wedding]
   5. Order the suit [6-12 months before the wedding]
   6. Collect the dress [1-2 months before the wedding]
   7. Collect the suit [1-2 months before the wedding]
   8. Inspect the dress [1-2 months before the wedding]
   9. Inspect the suit [1-2 months before the wedding]
6. Guests
   1. Decide the number of people you want at the wedding [6-12 months before the wedding]
   2. Write down the people who MUST be invited [6-12 months before the wedding]
   3. I have listed everyone I wanted to from work [6-12 months before the wedding]
   4. I have listed everyone I wanted to from family [6-12 months before the wedding]
   5. I have listed every friend [6-12 months before the wedding]
   6. I have had others check the list [6-12 months before the wedding]
   7. Get invitations designed [6-12 months before the wedding]
   8. Send out invitations [6-12 months before the wedding]
   9. Follow up RSVPs [1-2 months before the wedding]
7. Bridesmaids & Groomsmen
   1. Choose the number of bridesmaids & Groomsmen [6-12 months before the wedding]
   2. Choose the people [6-12 months before the wedding]
   3. Tell the people [6-12 months before the wedding]
   4. Decide what roles they play [6-12 months before the wedding]
   5. Agree on what they will wear [6-12 months before the wedding]
   6. Check that they can make it [6-12 months before the wedding]
8. Dates
   1. Find dates that are suitable for you [1-2 years before the wedding]
   2. Are the dates suitable for key guests? [1-2 years before the wedding]
   3. Is the venue available for these dates? [1-2 years before the wedding]
   4. Settle on one day [1-2 years before the wedding]
   5. The venue is booked for that day [1-2 years before the wedding]
   6. Rehearsal meal venue [1-2 months before the wedding, although perhaps sooner if the party size looks large]
9. Catering
   1. Decide the cuisine to be served [6-12 months before the wedding]
   2. Find potential caterers. [6-12 months before the wedding]
   3. Visit and taste the food [6-12 months before the wedding]
   4. Settle on your menu [6-12 months before the wedding]
   5. Settle on your favourite caterer [6-12 months before the wedding]
   6. Order the food [6-12 months before the wedding]
   7. Follow up on delivering dates, location, time [1-2 months before the wedding]
   8. Final check with the caterers. [1 week before the wedding]

Wedding planning guide and timeline – Conclusion

Between the ideas discussed in the post and the checklist, we are sure that you are well on your way to planning an incredible day. 

If you ever find yourself starved for inspiration, wedding shows are the place to be. Find the ones that are within travelling distance to you. Attending them will open your eyes to possibilities. You will also be able to meet potential suppliers for some of the things that you want at your wedding. If you are lucky, there may be some discounts on offer too.

And of course don’t forget to plan something special for when you arrive home.