Wedding planning can be a beast of a task. With so many moving parts to plan and organize, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The best advice we can give when it comes to wedding planning is to start as far in advance as possible. Breaking the preparation into manageable pieces helps reduce stress and secure what you and your fiancé truly want for your special day. To help you get ahead on wedding planning, here are eight things to know before you start.
1. Secure your wedding date.
One of the first things you’ll have to consider when it comes to wedding planning is the date. Maybe there’s a special season or month for you and your fiancé, whether it’s your anniversary or a time of year you love. The time of year will affect what’s available regarding venues, vendors, destinations and more. So, you’ll want to pick your date and plan accordingly.
We also recommend discussing your ideal date with family members, especially the ones that may be helping pay for the wedding. This will give them an idea of when the money will be needed and give them time to save. It also will help you prevent your wedding from clashing with other family events around the same time.
2. Discuss your priorities and desires.
Before setting your wedding budget, discussing wants and needs with your fiancé is essential. What are your must-haves? What are your should-haves? What things would you like to include but don’t necessarily have to? These are just a few examples of questions to ask when brainstorming a “wedding wish list” with your partner.
It’s important that both you and your fiancé feel that your needs are acknowledged. After all, this day is about you two.
3. Set your budget.
Budgeting is arguably the most significant piece of the wedding planning puzzle. But having hard conversations in advance can save you lots of hassle in the future. If you have family members or loved ones helping you pay for the wedding, knowing what they’re able and comfortable to pay is essential. If you and your fiancé are paying for the wedding, you will need to know how much you can afford. Including others in your budget planning process also ensures you stick to a realistic and reasonable number.
We know planning and setting a wedding budget takes work. That’s why we created a FREE Downloadable Wedding Budget Planner to help you track your wedding costs in one convenient document.
4. Draft your guest list.
Another important consideration before you start wedding planning is to have an idea of how many guests you will invite to your wedding. This number will affect your choice of venue, vendors, stationery and more. You don’t necessarily need to have your whole guest list completed up front, but having a rough idea of the number of people there will help you start planning.
5. Gather inspiration.
We love a good Pinterest board filled with wedding inspiration. Pinterest is one of our favorite tools for organizing ideas and creating visual wedding plans. You can create a board for every aspect of your wedding, from themes to rings. But you can also gather inspiration organically through other social media platforms, attending weddings and reading magazines and catalogs.
6. Insure your wedding.
As much as we try to keep everything under control, accidents happen. Having special event or “wedding insurance” can help safeguard your investment in your wedding. Say there is extreme weather on your outdoor wedding day, or the bride or groom is ill. Having insurance secures the expenses of your wedding that may be lost due to unforeseen circumstances.
The types of coverage generally are liability insurance and cancellation insurance. Liability insurance covers the costs of a wedding guest being injured at the venue, any damage incurred at the venue and other potential damages. Cancellation insurance protects your investment in your wedding if it’s canceled or postponed for a reason outside your control. Policies may differ between insurance providers, so picking the right one for your event will require some research.
7. Ask for recommendations.
Sometimes vendors and other wedding items won’t work with your budget. Though giving up a vendor you really wanted can be disappointing, you can always ask them for other recommendations. Vendors usually know who’s providing similar services and others’ reputations and pricing options. Even if you don’t need to cut a particular wedding vendor from your budget, you can still ask them for recommendations to make your special day even more magical.
8. Communicate with everyone involved.
Wedding planning is a process you can go through with others. Those who love to organize can be tempted to do the work themselves, but this can lead to more stress than it’s worth. People are around to help you prepare, whether it’s a professional wedding planner or your wedding party members. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and delegate tasks to others.
Once you’ve done this, it’s essential to communicate regularly with everyone involved. Check-in frequently with your fellow planners to ask about progress. Loop your loved ones into important events and news so everyone is on the same page. And lastly, creating a wedding website allows all of your guests to stay updated on the details of your special day. No matter how you choose to do it, communication is key.
Overall, wedding planning can be daunting, but with careful organization and collaboration, it can become a much more manageable and enjoyable process. By remembering these tips, you can confidently start wedding planning to create a magical and memorable day to celebrate your love.
