Where to start with planning your wedding - The 8 Step Guide

Your wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of your life. But the thought of planning it can be overwhelming. With so many details to consider, it's easy to feel lost and unsure of where to start. That's why we put together this guide to give you 8 things you can do to kickstart your wedding planning process and make it as stress-free as possible.

1. Set a budget

You might have a picture in your mind of what you want your dream wedding to look like, but none of that matters if you can't afford it. Sit down with your partner and discuss what you're comfortable spending. On average, Australians spent round. $50,000 for a 100 person wedding but this budget can be less or more depending on vision, location and priorities Once you've decided on a budget, stick to It - we recommend tracking what you spend and always referring to your budget before making any important decisions.

2. Identify your priorities

It’s important to have this conversation right at the very start. Sit down with your partner and chat about what’s important to each of you for your wedding. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are some questions to get the conversation started…

• How do you picture your wedding day - What time of year is it? How big or small were you thinking? Where do you want to get married?

  What do you want to prioritise - Having lots of guests? Amazing food? Beautiful Styling? Epic wedding photos and video?

• Are traditions important to you - Do you want to get ready separately? Will one of us walk down the aisle to the other or should we do a first look? Will we have a wedding party? Do you care about cutting a cake or a first dance?

Your ideas and vision for your wedding may change as you get further into the planning process, but try to work out what are the non-negotiables and what will matter most to you on and after the day, then write these things down.

3. Set a date

This might seem obvious, but the date you choose will have a big impact on the rest of your planning. Keep in mind things like the weather, holidays, and any major events happening in your area. Once you've chosen a date, you can start looking for a venue. If you’re not sure what date to pick, start by selecting the time of year you want to get married in. Is it Summer? Spring? Winter? First decide on the season and then look at the calendar to select 2-3 potential dates that fit around your schedules and potential public holidays.
As you begin the venue hunt, you may have to be flexible on the date to get your dream venue but having an idea of what time of year you’re aiming for will be important. Bear in mind that prices are generally higher in the spring/summer months due to high-demand.

4. Create a guest list

Now you may have touched on this when discussing your priorities but its a good idea to get on the same page when it comes to your guest list and who you’e inviting early on. Your guest list will determine how big your wedding will be, which in turn will impact things like your venue, catering, and decorations and most importantly…your budget. Start by making a list of everyone you want to invite, and then prioritize those guests based on how important they are to you. Creating a A-list of those your definitely inviting and a B-list of maybes is a good way to start.

5. Select your wedding style

Before you begin looking at venues or making any decisions for your big day, its important that you are both on the same page when it comes to the look, feel and overall aesthetic of your wedding. Do you have a colour scheme in mind? How do you want your day to feel? Is it modern or rustic? Relaxed or formal? Whether you want something elegant and classic or fun and whimsical, choose something that reflects your personality as a couple. Consider your own tastes and interests, there’s no reason why you can’t inject your own personalities into the day. Aside from the legal parts of your ceremony there’s very few things you have to do or have to have to get married. Why not design a day that truly reflects who you are and includes the things you love.

6. Find a venue

With the number of guests, budget and your priorities sorted, its time to begin the venue hunt. As the backdrop to your celebrations, finding the right venue that fits your wants, needs and style will be important. Not only will the venue you choose set the tone for your entire wedding, it’ll also determine determine everything else you’ll need to plan and organise. For example, if your venue included catering and beverages that’s one less thing to organise but if it doesn’t, you’ll have additional elements to plan for.

Some wedding venues will offer an all inclusive service, this might include ceremony and reception spaces, catering and furniture, while others are more of a blank canvas, ready for you to style how you wish, whereas if you choose to get married on a private property, you will need to bring in everything from a marquee and chairs to cutlery and porta-loos. All options have pros and cons, it will all come down to how you’ve envisaged your wedding and what you can comfortably afford.

7. Find your VIP wedding Vendors

With a much clearer idea of what your day looks like, its time to start finding the amazing team to help you make this day a reality. You might have already started saving some potential vendors or have a feed full of people’s work you love. If you have an idea of who you want to work with, nows the time to start reaching out and finding out if they’re the right fit. If you have your heart set on a particular vendor it’s a good idea to be flexible with your date and enquire early. When contacting your dream team, mention that you have a few possible dates or even the month or season when you would like to get married, that way you can cross check which dates work for your priority vendors and your venue and lock in the date that works best. This way your chances of securing your absolute dream team are much higher.

8. Send out save the dates

Once you have your venue and date chosen, it's time to let your guests know so they can plan accordingly. Sending out save the dates will give your guests plenty of notice and ensure that they don't plan anything else on your wedding day.

Save the dates can be sent 12 months before your wedding to give your guests a heads up to mark it in their calendars. Formal invitations are sent much closer at 3-4 months prior with the need to know details.

Still need help?

Wedding planning doesn't have to be overwhelming. By following these 8 steps, you'll be well on your way to planning the wedding of your dreams. Remember to stay true to yourself as a couple and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. With a little bit of planning and a lot of love, your wedding day is sure too be everything you’ve dreamt of and more.