How to Plan a Wedding
Need some tips on how to plan a wedding? I get it, it can feel overwhelming, especially at the beginning. I'm a wedding photographer based in Los Angeles, California and I have some tips to help make the process easier.
Below, I am going to cover EVERYTHING you need to know about planning a wedding.
If you have any questions about wedding planning or wedding photography, you can always reach me HERE.
Here we go!
Before I dive in, if you are in the middle of planning your wedding, I highly recommend downloading my WEDDING PLANNER.
This printable includes everything you need to stay organized and stress free during the wedding planning process.
Steps to Plan Your Wedding
1. Set Your Wedding Photography Budget
This is going to be the very first step in planning your wedding.
I'll be blunt, when it comes to planning a wedding, thing adds up. If you don't have a clear budget in mind of how much you'd like to spend on your wedding, things will begin to just add up out of nowhere, until sooner than later, you realize you're spending $50,000 on a wedding in which you only intended to spend $35,000.
It's important to set a very clear amount with how much you feel comfortable spending, as this will help determine priorities.
2. Set your Priorities
Once you have your budget, determine what you both value most? For us it was great food, live music, florals, and a killer wedding photographer. For you, it may be amazing videography, a gorgeous desert table, and a ceremony in a specific church that costs a bit more.
Know what you both value. This will help you to allocate funds accordingly.
3. Set your Style
Pinterest is great for this. This helps you to hone in on the overall vibe of your day so that the mood flows. Some ideas are bohemian and free spirited, sophisticated and black-tie, whimsical and ethereal. Know the the overall mood you want your event to have.
This will also help you to narrow down vendors. For example, if you're going for a "whimsical and ethereal" mood, it would make sense to hire a "light and airy" or "fine-art" wedding photographer. Whereas if you're going for a "dramatic and sexy" mood, a "dark & moody" photographer may be better suited.
4. Delegate
We made the mistake of not doing this when wedding planning and it caused unnecessary stress. Don't be afraid to reach out to family and friend and put them in charge of certain things.
5. Create a Checklist
Or checkout our checklist that is very detailed by what tasks should be done by certain times. You can download it, print it, and use it from the comfort of your home.
6. Choose Your Date or Season
When you start looking at venues, it's good to have an idea of what season you'd like to get married in. Otherwise, too many date options can be overwhelming. Keep in mind, some months are more popular than others.
For example, September is always my most popular wedding month, followed by October. Fall in California is very popular because it's not soo hot, but is still pleasant and warm. With that said, if you'd like a September or October date, those usually need to be booked well in advance.
Off season is usually considered December - February.
7. Decide Your Guest Count + Guest List
The 7th tip on how to plan a wedding is deciding on your guest count. Your guest count will be your largest determining factor as far as pricing goes. It's important to have a rough idea of what number you'd like it to be so you can start creating your guest list.
8. Research Venues
If you're getting married in California, I have written down my personal favorite wedding venues HERE.
Some things to investigate are restrictions, guest count minimums or budget minimums, pricing, packages, whether you have to use their vendors or if you can select your own.
My suggestion would be to ask A LOT of questions and look at least 8 different venues in person before selecting one. It's good to see what's out there and have options!
9. Decide if You'll be Having a Wedding Party
Here's the thing with wedding parties, it definitely adds more planning elements. Things to consider are bridesmaids dresses, groomsmen suits, bridesmaids bouquets, etc.
Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to do this. A lot of couples choose to forgo the wedding party, while others have just a maid of honor and best man, while others want a gigantic wedding party. Do what feels right for you both!
10. Book Your Vendors
The venue is usually booked first, with the wedding photographer as second. My suggestion is to book all vendors within a 6 months to a year out to ensure they have your date available.
11. Secure Your wedding Attire
The dress is usually bought around 9 months before, leaving some time for fittings and alterations. The groom attire is usually purchased around 5 months before.
12. Create a Wedding Website & Registry
You can include all relevant wedding day details here. For your registry I recommend using Honeyfund. They are easy to use and have a lot of options for creating one's dream registry.
13. Select Your Invitations
Some like to send save the date cards, which are usually send 9 months before the wedding for destination weddings and 6 months before local weddings. Invitations are usually sent 2 - 3 months before the big day. RSVPs should be returned no later than 1 month before the wedding day.
14. Prepare Transportation
This is a step that usually gets forgotten, but is so crucial to have. Depending on the venue, you may need transportation to get from the ceremony site to the reception. If your guests are traveling from out of town, or the location is tricky to get to, group transportation is always very thoughtful.
15. Purchase your wedding bands
This can always be a fun thing to do together.
16. Decide if you'd like Pre-wedding Events
Things like an engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette, bachelor party, rehearsal dinner, etc. are festivities that can be so much fun.
17. Consider a Wedding Day Coordinator
Please, please, please make sure to hire a day of coordinator. I am telling you, it will have such an impact on your wedding day. At weddings without a coordinator, I see everyone going up to the bride and groom directly with all of these questions, leaving the couple overwhelmed and stressed.
The coordinator will act as your liaison and handle all of the logistics. He or she will keep track of the vendors, keep an eye on the schedule and help you with all those last minute details.
18. Legalize It
The officiant usually helps with this process, but make sure to take some time actually get your marriage license/documents.
19. Determine Toasts & Readings
Decide who you'd like to give a toast or participate in your ceremony. This is a great way to make your VIP people feel included.
20. Create a Playlist
Music can make such an impact on the mood of your wedding day. Make sure to select specific songs for the first dance, parent dances, ceremony. etc.
21. Write Your Vows
Personally, I think it's SO lovely when custom vows are a part of the ceremony. Definitely gives it a heartfelt sentiment.
22. Pack Your Belongings
Some things to pack beyond your attire are your: steamer, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, hair comb, scissors, fashion tape, sewing kit, pretty hanger (for photos of your dress hanging), getting ready robe, lint roller, tissues, hygiene products, etc.
23. Schedule Beauty Appointments
This include things like getting your nail and/or hair done if you'd like, etc.
24. Enjoy Your Day
It passes by in the blink of the eye. Know that its expected for the unexpected to often happen at weddings, it's a normal part of the process. Try to take it all in, have fun, relax, and be present.
Alright, so that's it. Those are my tips on how to plan a wedding!
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