I got engaged very recently and have been trying to figure out our wedding plans. From our budget, to our guest list, where we are going to live, our honeymoon, etc.
I figured I can make a list here to help me (and others) have an idea on where to start. I hope this is helpful for a future bride/groom 💍✨
12 - 10 months
Define a budget
Notes
This should be your first step. Determine how much you want to spend and how much money do you have to start before you plan anything else
Look at different venue options
Notes
See what fits in your budget and what they offer
Set a date
Notes
Look for a range of dates. (See what’s available at that time, weather, seasonality)
Type of wedding
Notes
Is it going to be an elopement, a destination wedding, a religious wedding, a symbolic wedding
Make a preliminar guest list
Notes
Make a list of all the people you want to invite, give it a second look and determine how important they are to you or how much you want them to be there, based on that cross people out or put them in a second list
Secure the venue
Notes
It’s one of the first things you should do, someone else could get the date that you wanted
Make a drive or shared folder with your fiancé (and wedding planner if you have one)
Define the concept and style of your wedding
Notes
Is it going to be black tie, a garden wedding, a beach wedding. Choose the color palette of you wedding, decore style
Have a bank account dedicated for wedding expenses
9 - 8 months
Hire your photographer and videographer
Hire your DJ, live music or group
Book your catering
Notes
Food, drinks, dessert, snacks
Book your officiant or the priest
Define if you will have a wedding weekend
Notes
If you have the budget and time to plan an ice-breaker, brunch, after party