Planning Your Dream Wedding Date: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. It is important to start early and be flexible, especially when it comes to deciding on a date. While there is no right way to plan a wedding, there are several key steps to consider. Firstly, it is advisable to create a wedding website to keep your guests informed and involved. Secondly, budgeting is crucial, and it is important to be realistic and factor in contributions from others. This will impact your choice of date and venue, so it is worth researching and comparing rates. It is also a good idea to prioritize the aspects that are most important to you and your partner, whether that is the date, venue, photographer, or entertainment.

Budgeting and saving

Determine Your Budget:

Start by setting a realistic budget that you and your partner are comfortable with. This will be the foundation of your planning and will guide your decision-making process. Consider your financial situation and how much you can reasonably afford to spend.

Prioritize Your Spending:

Identify the three most important aspects of your wedding that you want to splurge on. This could be the venue, a specific date, a particular photographer, or a live band. Prioritizing these details will help you allocate your funds effectively and allow you to compromise on less important elements.

Create a Wedding Checklist:

Break down your planning into a structured checklist to make the process more manageable and less stressful. Include tasks such as researching and booking vendors, sending out invitations, and planning auxiliary events. Give yourself enough time to complete each task, and consider using online tools or a wedding planner to stay organized.

Research and Compare Vendors:

Shop around for vendors, including caterers, photographers, venues, and entertainment. Compare prices and services offered to find the best value for your budget. Booking early can help you secure your preferred vendors and avoid last-minute rush prices.

Save on Style Elements:

To save on style and décor, consider borrowing vintage items from family and friends. Wearing heirloom pieces or borrowing jewellery and veils can add sentimental value and reduce costs.

Trim the Guest List:

The number of guests you invite significantly impacts your budget. Reducing your guest list can help you save money on food, drinks, and décor. A smaller wedding can also allow you to allocate more funds per guest, enhancing their experience.

Consider the Date and Location:

Certain dates and locations can be more expensive due to popularity or travel considerations. Choosing a less popular date or an off-peak season can help you find better deals and avoid inflated prices.

Stationery and Website:

Allocate a small portion of your budget for stationery, including save-the-date cards, invitations, and thank-you cards. Creating a wedding website can also help reduce stationery costs by providing essential information to your guests in a centralized location.

Entertainment and Extras:

If your budget allows, set aside a small percentage for guest entertainment, such as live music, dancers, or interactive experiences. Transportation is another cost to consider, especially if you want to provide shuttle services for your guests or hire a special getaway car for the newlyweds.

Remember to give yourself enough time to plan and be flexible, as unexpected expenses may arise. Enjoy the process, and don't be afraid to ask for help from a wedding planner or consultant if needed.

Selecting a date

• Season and weather: Consider the time of year and the typical weather patterns for your desired location. Do you want a summer wedding with warm weather and outdoor activities, or do you prefer the cosy atmosphere of a winter wedding? Think about how the season will impact the overall vibe and theme of your wedding.
• Venue availability: Your desired venue may have limited availability, especially if you're eyeing a popular location or date. It's crucial to reach out to your top venue choices early in the planning process to inquire about their availability on your potential wedding dates.
• Guest availability: Consider whether your desired date could impact the ability of your guests to attend. For example, a weekday wedding might be more challenging for guests with work commitments. Additionally, certain times of the year, such as major holidays, might be more difficult for guests to attend.
• Budget: The date can impact your wedding budget in several ways. For example, weekends are typically more expensive than weekdays, and certain seasons may have higher price points. Consider your financial priorities and how the date fits within your overall budget.
• Vendor availability: In-demand vendors, such as photographers, bands, or caterers, may be booked more than a year in advance. If having specific vendors is important to you, be sure to reach out to them early and consider their availability when selecting your wedding date.

It's a good idea to have a few ideal dates in mind when starting your wedding planning. This will give you some flexibility when booking your venue and vendors. Keep in mind that weekends at popular venues tend to fill up quickly, so deciding on a date as early as possible is advisable.

Once you've confirmed your wedding date, it's time to start planning your stationery and sending out "save-the-date" cards. These are typically sent out nine months in advance for a destination wedding and four to six months ahead for local weddings.

Choosing a venue

• Start by researching and exploring your options. Scour local listings, visit potential venues, and book early to secure your preferred location.
• Consider the date and season of your wedding. Weekends at popular venues fill up fast, so decide on a date as early as possible. If you have a dream venue in mind, check their availability first and then choose the best dates.
• Determine your budget and guest count. These figures will impact the venue you can afford and the capacity of the venue you need.
• Think about the style and theme of your wedding. Do you want a barn, a ballroom, or something unique? Choose a venue that aligns with your vision and creates the desired atmosphere.
• Look for venues that offer extras or packages. Some venues may include catering, in-house planners, or other services that can save you time and money.
• Be flexible and willing to compromise. You may not find a venue that checks all your boxes, so prioritize the most important aspects and be open to alternatives.
• If you have specific vendors in mind, such as a photographer or band, consider their availability when choosing a date and venue. In-demand vendors may be booked more than a year in advance.
• Don't forget to ask questions and read reviews from real couples who have used the venue. This will help you make an informed decision and avoid any surprises.

Creating a wedding website

When creating your wedding website, consider using a platform that specializes in wedding websites, such as Zola, WithJoy, The Knot, Minted, BasicInvite, Wedding Wire, Wix, or SayIDo. These platforms offer various features, such as registry platforms, budget tools, and customizable designs. For example, Zola offers free wedding websites with features such as RSVP and registry management, password protection, custom domain names, and wedding planning tools. WithJoy is also a popular choice, known for its seamless registry and RSVP features, while The Knot has an excellent budget tool but has been known to have some technical issues.

When designing your wedding website, consider matching your website design to your wedding theme, invitations, and paper decorations. This can help create a cohesive look and feel for your wedding. You can also include your engagement photos, wedding details, and fun stories on your website.

Additionally, you can create custom pages for each guest or couple, where you can communicate booking information, group flights, room blocks, and payment details. This can be especially useful for destination weddings or when you have guests travelling from out of town.

Sending out invites and save-the-dates

Once you have a venue and a date, it's time to start thinking about sending out your save-the-dates and invites. Save-the-dates are a good idea if your wedding is more than four to six months away—they give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location, so they can make sure they're free to attend. They can also be a good place to include a link to your wedding website, where guests can find accommodation information and registry details. It's becoming more common to send save-the-dates earlier, especially if you're getting married at a popular time of year or in a far-flung location. But if your wedding is less than four to six months away, you can skip the save-the-dates and send out your invitations straight away.

Traditionally, save-the-dates were sent out six to 12 months before the wedding, but this has crept earlier in recent years, with some couples sending them out 18 months to two years in advance. If you send them too early, though, your wedding might be too far away to stay on your guests' radars, and they may put off making plans to attend. So, it's best to keep it to under a year if you can.

The next step is the official wedding invitation, which should go out six to eight weeks before the big day. This will include more details than the save-the-date, such as the ceremony time and venue address. You'll also want to include information about accommodation, dress codes, and travel arrangements, especially if your wedding is abroad or guests are coming from far away. In this case, it's recommended to send out invitations at least four to six months in advance, so guests have time to make the necessary arrangements.

You should request RSVPs no later than one month before the wedding, to avoid any last-minute hiccups. This will give you time to follow up with anyone who hasn't responded and ensure you have final numbers for your vendors.

Frequently asked questions