1. Choose a wedding date:
Select your wedding date 6 months to 12 months in advance. This will give you time to make arrangements for all the vendors, venue, décor , transportation etc. Following points should be kept in mind when choosing your wedding date.
- For a budget wedding select a date which is off-season.
- Make sure it does not clash with major event on that date.
- For destination wedding -availability of tickets, hotel rooms and venue availability should be checked first.
2. Decide your budget:
Budget is an essential part of wedding planning. It should be decided before making any arrangements for your wedding. After you decide your wedding budget, you may want to make a practical percentage break-up of how much money you are planning to spend. Following is a good example of how you should divide your wedding expenditure:
| Wedding and reception (food + venue) | 45% |
| Photography and Videography | 15% |
| Décor, sound and light | 15% |
| Accommodation and transport | 10% |
| Attire | 5% |
| Entertainment | 5% |
| Stationery | 2% |
| Gifts & Favors | 2% |
3. Choose a wedding theme:
Before making arrangements from the vendors you will need to decide a theme. This will allow you to coordinate your décor, floral arrangement, stationery and attire according to your theme. Some of the popular wedding themes for 2023-24 are:
- Bohemian
- Retro
- Bold and Bright
- Burlap and lace
- Modern minimalist
- Jewel toned
- Glitter and Glamor
- Simple floral
- Destination (eg. Stamp, Maps, beach etc.)
- Vintage
4. Guest list:
To prepare your guest list, it is important to first find out the minimum and maximum capacity of your venue. Now prepare and excel sheet with following information for each guest.
- Name
- Phone number
- Address
- Email Id
Once you have finalized your guest list you can send a save the date card to your guests. You can also create your wedding website now and keep updating it as the event details are final.
5. Select your venue:
Venue selection is very crucial.
- Consider the location and facilities when selecting your wedding venue. You may want to have facilities such as ball room, lawn, beach view etc. You should Check these facilities by visiting the venue physically
- Try to have your venue and guest accommodation close by so that your cost of transportation is reduced and venue is easy to reach
- Once you have shortlisted the venues you like, ask for a quotation to compare the cost and finalize the venue.
6. Book your vendors/ service providers.
Following is a list of the vendors you will need to arrange.
- Wedding Planner
- Venue- Hotel/resort
- Florist
- Photographer/ Videographer
- Caterer
- Attires -Bride, Groom, Bridesmaids etc.
- Light and sound
- Hair and make-up artist
- Wedding stationery- Invitations, RSVP cards, wedding day stationery
- DJ/ musician
- Bartender
- Photo booth station
- Gifts and favors
- Flight tickets for destination wedding
- Apply for marriage lisence
- Consider getting a wedding insurance
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