How to Plan Your Wedding

Both you and your fiance should approve every detail.

The Knot recommends taking at least 12 months to plan your wedding, although many couples take even longer. Planning this event is a complicated process and not something you should try to do alone. Ask your parents and close friends to help complete smaller tasks like addressing envelopes. Focus on making wedding decisions. Create a wedding binder or journal to stay organized; keep track of the tasks you've assigned to other people.

Things You'll Need

• Wedding binder or journal

Instructions

1. Make a budget. Sit down with your fiance to decide how much you're both willing to spend on the wedding. Determine how much assistance you'll be receiving from your parents. Add all these numbers together to get your total budget.

2. Talk to your fiance about what kind of wedding you both want to have and set the wedding date.

3. Select an officiant. If you want to be married in a house of worship, ask a clergy member to officiate who works there.

4. Visit reception and ceremony sites until you find one that suits your taste and budget. Sign a contract with your chosen venue to ensure that it's yours. If the venue doesn't supply tables, chairs and linens, arrange to obtain these from a rental company.

5. Make lists of your closest friends and siblings; agree on how many bridal party members you want. Choose your Maid of Honor and Best Man from your lists. Ask each person you choose to participate. Visit bridal boutiques and tuxedo rental shops to pick the dresses and suits that you want them to wear. Bridal party members are responsible for paying for their own clothes, so give them instructions on how to order the chosen clothing.

6. Shop for your wedding dress and your groom's tux. The Knot recommends ordering your dress between eight and 10 months before the wedding. Order the groom's suit four months before the wedding.

7. Create a guest list with your fiance and parents. Send out invitations two months before the wedding day.

8. Order food, a cake and flowers three to six months before the wedding. Sample the food and ask your florist to show you sample flower arrangements before committing to anything.

9. Hire a band, photographer, videographer and wedding day transportation for you and the bridal party three to six months before the wedding. Sign contracts with each one.

10. Make a seating chart once all the RSVPs have come in. Create a seating assignment card for each guest. Create guest favors once you know how many guests will be attending.

11. Write your own vows or review the traditional wedding vows with your officiant about a month before the wedding. Apply for your wedding license at this time.

12. Confirm your reservations with all your vendors in the weeks before your wedding. Meet with your families and bridal party to rehearse the ceremony and go over the wedding day timeline.

References

• The Knot: Wedding Planning: 12-Month Wedding Calendar
• Brides: How to Begin Planning a Wedding