Planning A Wedding: How Far In Advance Is Necessary?

Planning a wedding can take as little as nine months, but the average couple takes about a year. The last two weeks before the wedding will include confirming big-impact items, such as flowers, playlists, and menus, as well as attending final attire fittings, making deposits, and delivering catering numbers. The majority of your plans should be finalised before your wedding week, though you may need to field last-minute changes. It's important to set your budget early on, as this will help with all of your decision-making.

Budgeting and setting expectations

Planning a wedding can take as little as nine months, but the average couple takes about a year. So, when it comes to budgeting and setting expectations, it's best to start early.

The first step is to set your budget. This will help guide all of your decision-making. It's important to be realistic about what you can afford and to prioritise the aspects of the wedding that are most important to you. For example, if you want a live band, you may need to cut costs elsewhere, such as on the flowers or catering.

Next, create a guest list. This will help you determine the size of the venue you need and give you an idea of catering costs. It's also a good idea to start thinking about potential dates. If you have your heart set on a particular venue, you may need to be flexible with the date, as popular venues can book up quickly.

With your budget and guest list in hand, you can start researching venues and vendors. This is where a lot of your budget will go, so it's important to shop around and get quotes from multiple places. Don't forget to factor in costs for things like catering, drinks, and entertainment, as well as any additional expenses such as transport or accommodation for your wedding party.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help. Wedding planners can be a great resource, even if you're not hiring one full-time. Many offer consultation services or can create a customised planning timeline for you. Friends and family can also be a great source of support, whether it's helping with DIY projects or just offering a listening ear when the planning gets stressful.

Creating a guest list

Planning a wedding can take as long as a year, but it is possible to plan one in nine months. It's important to set your budget early on, as this will help with all of your decision-making.

Once you have a rough idea of numbers, you can start to think about the specific people you'd like to invite. Family and close friends are usually at the top of the list, but you may also want to consider inviting colleagues, neighbours, or other acquaintances. If you're having a small wedding, you may need to be more selective about who makes the cut.

It's a good idea to give yourself plenty of time to create your guest list, as it can be a time-consuming process. You'll also need to consider that some guests may not be able to attend, so you may want to have a backup list of people you can invite at short notice.

Finally, don't forget to keep track of your guest list as you send out invitations and receive RSVPs. This will help you finalise numbers for catering and other logistics closer to the wedding date.

Narrowing down potential dates and venues

When it comes to choosing a date, consider the time of year and any potential conflicts. For example, you may want to avoid major holidays or popular vacation times when guests may have other commitments. It's also important to be flexible with your date, as some venues may be booked up to a year in advance.

As for venues, it's essential to consider your budget and the number of guests you plan to invite. Some venues may have minimum guest requirements or specific packages that you need to be aware of. It's also a good idea to ask about any restrictions or requirements the venue may have, such as noise ordinances or catering policies.

To make the process easier, create a shortlist of potential venues and dates that fit your criteria. From there, you can start reaching out to venues to check availability and schedule visits. It's important to book venue tours early, as popular venues may be booked up with other couples looking to get married around the same time.

Remember, the earlier you start planning, the more options you'll have, and the less stressful the process will be.

Finalising the day-of schedule

In the last 14 days before your wedding, you will need to confirm big-impact items such as flowers, playlists, and menus, as well as attend final attire fittings, make deposits, and deliver catering numbers. It is important to count your wedding day creatives when giving your final catering numbers.

The majority of your plans should be finalised before your wedding week, but you may need to make last-minute changes, such as tweaks to the seating chart or finding replacement menu items. If you have taken on any DIY projects, such as framed family photos or a guest book, plan to drop these with your planner or venue in the days before your wedding.

To help you finalise your day-of schedule, it is important to set your budget early on in the planning process. This will help with decision-making and finding places where you can shrink or expand your expectations. It is also important to create your guest list early on, as this will impact your venue and catering choices.

Confirming big-impact items

It's a good idea to finalise your wedding attire early on in the planning process, as this will help you to prioritise your attendants' outfits. Room blocks are another important consideration that should be done early.

The majority of your plans should be finalised before your wedding week, although you should be prepared to make last-minute changes if needed. For example, you may need to tweak the seating chart if a guest falls ill or find replacement menu items if your farm-to-table harvest doesn't go as planned.

If you're taking on any DIY projects, such as framed family photos or creating your own guest book, plan to drop these with your planner or venue in the days leading up to your wedding.

Frequently asked questions