Your wedding is likely to be the most important event you’ll ever have to plan, so the task can seem pretty daunting. No matter what sort of wedding you have in mind, you’ll need to plan out a lot of things to make it happen, but breaking everything down into a checklist can make the process seem a lot easier.
Step 1: Figure Out How Much You Can Spend
There’s no sense in going dress-shopping or looking at venues if you can’t afford what you’re looking at. The first thing you need to do is figure out your overall budget for the wedding. If your parents will contribute toward the cost, figure out how much they’ll give you and add that in. But remember that letting them pay also gives them a say over what they’re paying for, which can force you to compromise on what you want for your wedding.
Step 2: Consider Your Overall Vision and Priorities
Would you rather have a rustic wedding on a farm, a black-tie affair at a country club, a destination wedding on the beach, a courthouse ceremony followed by a backyard barbecue, or something else entirely? Consider your budget, your tastes, and which elements of the wedding are most important to each of you. Then, you can start figuring out things like your wedding colors and theme.
Step 3: Start Working on the Guest List
You don’t need to have your guest list nailed down right away, but you do need a general idea of how big the list will be. Will you invite only your closest relatives or everyone in your extended family? Will you invite all of your acquaintances or just your closest friends? Do you want an adults-only affair or a kid-friendly bash? Whether your guest list will include 20 people or 200, you need to have a rough idea of the potential headcount before you can choose a venue.
Step 4: Choose Your Wedding Party
Decide who you want for your bridesmaids/men, groomsmen/ladies, maid/matron/person of honor, best man/woman, etc., and ask them to take on these roles.
Step 5: Choose When You Want to Get Married
Setting a wedding date usually depends on the availability of your venue, so you probably can’t set a date in stone just yet. But you should have a rough idea of the season or month you’re shooting for as well as when all of the major players (you, your parents, and the wedding party) can make it. If you have your hearts set on getting married on one specific date, you can make a firm decision on that now, but know that you may be limiting your options for venues.
Step 6: Find Your Venue
Make appointments to look at different venues that fit your budget, the size of your wedding, and the overall aesthetic you’re going for. Then, make your decision, sign the contract, and put down a deposit.
Step 7: Arrange a Block of Hotel Rooms for Your Guests
Hotels will usually set aside a group of rooms for your wedding guests to reserve, sometimes at a reduced rate. If there’s a hotel attached to your wedding venue, talk to their event coordinator to set this up; otherwise, find a hotel near your venue and do it yourself. Don’t forget to make your own reservations while you’re at it: If you need a room for one or both of you, either before or after the wedding, book it now.
Step 8: Make Your Wedding Registry
Pick a couple of retailers with a good selection of the types of things you’ll need for your marital home, then make your registry, being sure to include items at a range of price points.
Step 9: Make a Wedding Website
Plenty of wedding-focused websites offer a platform for couples to create their own wedding sites. Here, you can put all of the information guests need to know, including information about your room block, links to your registries, and directions to the venue.
Step 10: Choose and Book Your Vendors
Most couples need around a dozen vendors for their wedding, including photographers, caterers, musicians, florists, DJs, and other professionals. And don’t forget about the officiant!
Step 11: Finalize the Guest List
Make a final list of who is definitely getting invited to the wedding, taking into account the size of your venue. Never invite more people than your venue can hold, even if you think some people won’t come; you never know who might say yes.
Step 12: Get Invitations Printed
Pick out or design your invitations and have them printed. If you have lots of time before the wedding, include matching save-the-date cards and mail these out first, as soon as you can, to give your guests plenty of notice to block off their calendars for your big day.
Step 13: Buy/Rent Your Wedding Attire
Go shopping for yourself and the members of your wedding party to pick out the perfect outfits. Leave yourself plenty of time, especially for bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses, which will need to be altered for a perfect fit.
Step 14: Pick Out and Purchase Your Wedding Rings
Choose a band for each of you that suits your style and is comfortable to wear. Leave yourself enough time to have your bands created or sized for a perfect fit.
Step 15: Plan for the Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner
It’s customary for the groom’s family to host the rehearsal dinner, but no matter who’s taking it on, someone needs to book a venue and hammer out all of the details well in advance.
Step 16: Plan Your Honeymoon
If you want to begin married life with a fabulous vacation, make your travel plans now.
Step 17: Enjoy the Pre-Wedding Festivities
You won’t need to plan a bridal shower or bachelor or bachelorette parties yourself, but you will need to make sure that you can attend as the guest of honor.
Step 2: Consider Your Overall Vision and Priorities
Would you rather have a rustic wedding on a farm, a black-tie affair at a country club, a destination wedding on the beach, a courthouse ceremony followed by a backyard barbecue, or something else entirely? Consider your budget, your tastes, and which elements of the wedding are most important to each of you. Then, you can start figuring out things like your wedding colors and theme.
Step 3: Start Working on the Guest List
You don’t need to have your guest list nailed down right away, but you do need a general idea of how big the list will be. Will you invite only your closest relatives or everyone in your extended family? Will you invite all of your acquaintances or just your closest friends? Do you want an adults-only affair or a kid-friendly bash? Whether your guest list will include 20 people or 200, you need to have a rough idea of the potential headcount before you can choose a venue.
Step 4: Choose Your Wedding Party
Decide who you want for your bridesmaids/men, groomsmen/ladies, maid/matron/person of honor, best man/woman, etc., and ask them to take on these roles.
Step 5: Choose When You Want to Get Married
Setting a wedding date usually depends on the availability of your venue, so you probably can’t set a date in stone just yet. But you should have a rough idea of the season or month you’re shooting for as well as when all of the major players (you, your parents, and the wedding party) can make it. If you have your hearts set on getting married on one specific date, you can make a firm decision on that now, but know that you may be limiting your options for venues.
Step 6: Find Your Venue
Make appointments to look at different venues that fit your budget, the size of your wedding, and the overall aesthetic you’re going for. Then, make your decision, sign the contract, and put down a deposit.
Step 7: Arrange a Block of Hotel Rooms for Your Guests
Hotels will usually set aside a group of rooms for your wedding guests to reserve, sometimes at a reduced rate. If there’s a hotel attached to your wedding venue, talk to their event coordinator to set this up; otherwise, find a hotel near your venue and do it yourself. Don’t forget to make your own reservations while you’re at it: If you need a room for one or both of you, either before or after the wedding, book it now.
Step 8: Make Your Wedding Registry
Pick a couple of retailers with a good selection of the types of things you’ll need for your marital home, then make your registry, being sure to include items at a range of price points.
Step 9: Make a Wedding Website
Plenty of wedding-focused websites offer a platform for couples to create their own wedding sites. Here, you can put all of the information guests need to know, including information about your room block, links to your registries, and directions to the venue.
Step 10: Choose and Book Your Vendors
Most couples need around a dozen vendors for their wedding, including photographers, caterers, musicians, florists, DJs, and other professionals. And don’t forget about the officiant!
Step 11: Finalize the Guest List
Make a final list of who is definitely getting invited to the wedding, taking into account the size of your venue. Never invite more people than your venue can hold, even if you think some people won’t come; you never know who might say yes.
Step 12: Get Invitations Printed
Pick out or design your invitations and have them printed. If you have lots of time before the wedding, include matching save-the-date cards and mail these out first, as soon as you can, to give your guests plenty of notice to block off their calendars for your big day.
Step 13: Buy/Rent Your Wedding Attire
Go shopping for yourself and the members of your wedding party to pick out the perfect outfits. Leave yourself plenty of time, especially for bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses, which will need to be altered for a perfect fit.
Step 14: Pick Out and Purchase Your Wedding Rings
Choose a band for each of you that suits your style and is comfortable to wear. Leave yourself enough time to have your bands created or sized for a perfect fit.
Step 15: Plan for the Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner
It’s customary for the groom’s family to host the rehearsal dinner, but no matter who’s taking it on, someone needs to book a venue and hammer out all of the details well in advance.
Step 16: Plan Your Honeymoon
If you want to begin married life with a fabulous vacation, make your travel plans now.
Step 17: Enjoy the Pre-Wedding Festivities
You won’t need to plan a bridal shower or bachelor or bachelorette parties yourself, but you will need to make sure that you can attend as the guest of honor.
Additional Resources
- How to Set a Wedding Budget That Works for You
- Wedding Planning Checklist and Timeline
- How to Pick Your Perfect Wedding Venue
- Wedding Planning Timeline and To-Do List
- Top Things to Consider When Booking a Wedding Venue
- 30 Wedding Planning Mistakes to Avoid
- Wedding Insurance for Your Special Day
- How to Organize Your Wedding Processional
- Expert Advice: Choosing Your Wedding Priorities
- Wedding Invitation Etiquette Tips
- Classic Wedding Traditions Find a New Groove
- Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding
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