How to plan the perfect wedding in a simple way? 10-step guide

Planning a wedding is certainly an exciting process, but it can easily become overwhelming. There is so much to think about! That’s why it is a good idea to stay organized from the start. To help you with that, we have put together a short and sweet step-by-step guide on what to do in preparation for your ceremony, so you can have the best time planning the wedding of your dreams!

1. Decide on your wedding budget

12 months before the wedding

This is probably the most uncomfortable but also the most important part of the wedding planning process. Before you do anything, you should have a general idea of how much you want to spend and who is paying for what.

Sit down with your partner and think about the expenses together. Create a clean and handy spreadsheet to track your budgets. If someone else (e.g., your parents) is contributing to your wedding, include them in the process. Expect these numbers to change as the planning progresses, but it is always good to have a general idea of how much everything will cost.

2. Prepare a guest list and find a venue

12 months before the wedding

You should think about the guest list quite early to give yourself time for possible adjustments. In addition, the best wedding venues are always booked months in advance. Therefore, you should book yours very early. And before you pick a venue, you should know the approximate number of your guests – that way, you won’t choose a venue that is too small or too big for your celebration.

3. Choose a theme and dig for inspiration

10-11 months before the wedding

If you have a themed wedding in mind, this is a good time to start planning it. Even if your ceremony is fairly standard-looking, you may want it to have a certain color scheme or vibe. Open Pinterest and Instagram and start gathering inspiration so you have something to show to your wedding planner (if you have hired one), florist, or decorator.

If you are not sure what colors would suit your celebration, here is a video explaining some most popular wedding color schemes:

4. Book important services

10-11 months before the wedding

Like venues, wedding vendors usually have packed schedules, and it is difficult (or impossible) to find someone at the last minute. This is a good time to book:

Photographers
Filmmakers
Florists
Caterers
Bands
DJs

Remember that the most popular vendors are often booked months in advance.

5. Start wedding dress shopping

9 months before the wedding

It might seem quite early to buy a wedding dress, but 8 or 9 months before the planned ceremony is the ideal time to do it. If you are buying a brand-new gown, it will most likely be custom-made. Your bridal salon will need a few weeks to adjust the dress to your measurements.

6. Send out the Save-the-Date cards

8-9 months before the wedding

Once you have booked the venue and vendors for your wedding, you should have a date ready. Now is the time to notify your guests. Design (or buy) and send Save-the-Date cards, so attendees have plenty of time to plan their schedules.

7. Plan and book additional services

5-7 months before the wedding

Sit down with your partner and think about the little things that will make your wedding special. What should be on the menu? What kind of music should be played? If you have song suggestions, pass them on to the DJ/band you hired. Are you planning wedding transportation, such as a fancy limo? If so, you should book it now.

This is also a good time to research cake shops and hire one to bake your wedding cake (remember, bakers are also often booked in advance!). At this point, you should also start planning and booking services for your honeymoon.

8. Shop for a suit

3-4 months before the wedding

Suits require less time than wedding dresses, but it is still a good idea to buy them in advance. If your suit/tuxedo is custom-made, allow time for tailoring and alterations.

9. Send out the invitations and RSVPs

2-3 months before the wedding

This is the final countdown. Time to send out official invitations for the ceremony – preferably with RSVP cards and pre-stamped return envelopes attached. Your invitation should inform guests of the date and location of the wedding. You can also direct them to a wedding website with more detailed information about the venue and ceremony.

Although we advise you to send out RSVPs months in advance, their return date should be set so that you have a full list of attendees 2-3 weeks before the wedding. This will give you time to make adjustments to your seating and meal charts.

10. Prepare for your big day!

Final week

The last week should be all about you. Relax (to the best of your ability, of course), eat healthy food, and drink water. Color and trim your hair, make a SPA appointment, get a manicure and pedicure. Sort out work-related matters. Try to clear your head as much as possible so you can enjoy your day!

And most importantly: have fun! We know that planning a wedding can give anyone a headache, but we hope this brief guide has helped you tame the subject. Planning can be exciting, and the result – your dream wedding – is certainly worth all the effort.