Your Guide to a Joyful Wedding Planning Journey
Posted in Planning, Finance & Legal by Jacqui Neumann
STEPHEN MICHAEL PHOTO & FILM
From ‘Yes’ to ‘I Do’.
Congratulations on your engagement, lovebirds! What an exciting chapter you are about to embark on! For some couples, planning a wedding is exhilarating and fun, while others find it stressful and overwhelming. The key to making sure that you enjoy the lead-up to your big day – is getting organised. Give yourself enough time to save, plan and recruit the right team to help you create the wedding of your dreams.
Here are 13 of our top tips to kickstart your wedding planning journey:
- Take time to celebrate being engaged
Don’t rush through your engagement in your haste to dive headfirst into planning your wedding. This stage of your relationship deserves to be cherished. Give yourselves permission to hide out, just the two of you, dreaming and building anticipation for married life together. If you want to, host a party with your favourites people. I also encourage you to consider documenting your newly engaged status with a photo shoot. This is a milestone you’ll want to remember forever. - Align your overall wedding vision together
Sit down together and paint a picture of what your ideal wedding looks like. Don’t get too bogged down by the nitty gritty details at this stage but do agree on what your most – and least – important priorities are. List the elements that are most important to you and be willing to make some compromises on the rest. Gather ideas and inspiration from sources like Instagram, Pinterest, or bridal websites but always stay true to your personality, preferences and unique style. - Draw up a budget – and stick to it
Talking money matters may feel unromantic but running the wedding budget gauntlet is great training for handling your finances together as a married couple. Being disciplined about sticking to your budget provides some necessary boundaries as wedding costs can easily spiral out of control and here’s some encouragement for you: honouring your budget can be surprisingly satisfying! You’ll find some more guidance on how to draw up your wedding budgets in our Wedding Wallet Wisdom article. - Get organised with our Wedding Blueprint
Stay on top of your wedding preparations by getting your thoughts, ideas, lists, and budgets organised in a single spot! To assist you with this, Marriage Meander has developed a Wedding Planning Blueprint, which includes a 12-month Countdown Checklist. Sign up for our email list and you’ll receive a dose of weekly wedding planning wisdom and some awesome (free) wedding planning printables to help you stay on track and tackle tasks like a pro. - Assemble your wedding squad sensibly
Selecting your wedding party is more than just a formality – these individuals will be your closest allies throughout the planning process and on your big day. Think carefully about who you want by your side, balancing emotional support with practical assistance. Consider their capacity to help with pre-wedding tasks and their ongoing role in your life as a married couple. Consider their capacity to provide the support you require in the lead-up to your wedding and whether they are likely to remain significant role players in your married life ahead. - Curate your guest list
It is important to iron out how many guests you will be inviting to your wedding before you start setting up site visits with potential wedding venues. Chat to your other half and key family members to put together a wish list of invitees. Once you have a draft guest list outlining all potential invitees, it’s time to start the culling process and make decisions about whether to include ‘Plus Ones’, work colleagues, or children. May I gently remind you that this is your wedding. Don’t feel pressured to invite guests based on others’ expectations. If you’ve always wanted a humdinger of a thrash with 200 guests (and you can afford it without going into debt) then have at it! But if a small, intimate gathering with your nearest and dearest is your vibe, then please do that. - Lock in your date and venue early
Popular dates and venues can get booked at least a year in advance so picking a date and should be one of the earliest tasks on your To Do list. Should you pick your date or venue first? It depends. If you have a fixed date, be ready to flex on venue choices because popular venues book up quickly. But if you've found the perfect venue, choose a few potential dates to increase your chances of securing it. - Why a wedding planner could be your best decision
Don’t underestimate the value that a wedding coordinator can add to your special day. A professional planner can help you avoid making costly mistakes, guide you in your selection of flowers and décor, and stay on top of deadlines. Even if you plan to handle most of your wedding preparations yourself, it's advisable to think about hiring a day-of coordinator. They can take care of all the nitty gritty details on your big day so that you can relax into your role as Bride! If you're looking for recommendations, we have some fantastic planners in our Marriage Meander portfolio. - When choosing your suppliers, prioritise comfort and compatibility
When selecting service providers, look beyond their expertise and professionalism – ensure you feel at ease with them, too. You'll be spending a lot of time with these professionals, so it's crucial that you share a comfortable rapport. Arrange an informal meeting or video call to get to know them better and see if their personality aligns with your vision. A good vendor relationship can significantly reduce stress and enhance your overall wedding experience. - Read the fine print
Before you put pen to paper on any contracts, be sure to read and understand all the particulars. This includes crucial information such as dates, venue, times, deposits, additional charges, colour choices, quantities, and cancellation policies, among others. It's essential that every service is accurately outlined in your contract to ensure both parties are on the same page. A contract should outline what happens if either party cancels, not just the client. Carefully read policies pertaining to a change in the scope of the service provided, which may result in the rate being revised. This is standard practice in the wedding industry but the onus is on you to familiarise yourself with each supplier’s terms and conditions. For instance, if your catering estimate is based on a minimum of 100 guests, but your final count ends up being 60 guests, this could impact the per-head catering cost. - Make time to connect with your partner away from the wedding craziness
As your wedding day approaches, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos of planning. Make sure to carve out special moments for just the two of you, away from the wedding hustle. Use this time to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company without the stress of wedding details. If possible, take a few days off work before the big day to unwind, address any last-minute details, and indulge in some self-care, such as a relaxing massage or a spa day. These moments will help you stay grounded and remind you of the joy and excitement of your upcoming celebration.
- Your wedding day is a beautiful start, not the end-all
I know you want your wedding day to be sensational but don’t lose sight of the fact that the real celebration begins after the wedding. Embrace the quirks and hiccups that are bound to unfold on your wedding day; they're the first brushstrokes on your newlywed canvas! The real treasure is the life you’re building together. - Delegate Post-Wedding Responsibilities
If you're jetting off on your honeymoon right after the wedding, designate friends or family to handle returns of rented items like suits, décor, and vehicles. Don't forget to send your dress for cleaning as soon as possible. Also, ensure someone is taking care of your pets, plants, and home chores, so you can relax and savour every honeymoon moment!