Championship rings *and* wedding rings: We talked to some of the pros who made it happen.
Updated Feb 09, 2026Exactly How to Plan a Wedding From Start to Finish
Step 1: Bookmark this page, because it's going to become your new best friend.
Photo: Pierce Lifestyle Photography, Stocksy,Design: Tiana Crispino
"But I don't know how to plan a wedding!" If that intrusive thought has crossed your mind, let me stop you right there. This is one of the most exciting times in your life, and The Knot is here to help you crush wedding planning. Because, if you're reading this, there's a good chance that you're engaged and need to learn how to plan a wedding—and that's where I come in to help.
As a wedding editor who has worked at The Knot for over six years, I live, breathe and dream weddings. I know our tools inside and out, and I have a finger on the pulse of the latest wedding trends. I also know that wedding planning is a huge task. With so much information and inspiration at your fingertips, you're probably wondering, "How do I plan a wedding that's uniquely my own?"
If you didn't already know, The Knot has all the tools you need to take your wedding from inspiration to action, including advice on how to find wedding vendors and tips on making the day memorable. But figuring out exactly how to start wedding planning can be daunting. To give you even more clarity on how to start, I've curated the ultimate wedding planning guide. I tapped wedding vendors and The Knot Editors to share their advice on the most important tasks for you and your partner to tackle. Here, I compiled the essential steps to plan a wedding from start to finish. I also encourage you to use Your Wedding Plan, accessible through your account on The Knot, which is a personalized dashboard that will help you seamlessly track your progress and check off every planning task.
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
Of course, there's no "right" way to plan your wedding, because your special day should be as unique as your relationship. But the wedding planning steps below offer a helpful, big-picture look at how to get rolling on your wedding plans. TL;DR: Consider this wedding planning 101, and class is now in session. In this easy, no-fuss wedding planning guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about how to bring your big day to life. So, what are you waiting for? Let's get started with your wedding plans.
First 10 Wedding Planning Steps:
Make a Checklist | Sign Up For Free Tools | Define Your Vision | Gather Inspiration | Establish Your Priorities | Set a Budget | Make the Guest List | Consider Hiring a Planner | Discuss a Season & Dates | Research Venues | See the Rest
1. Familiarize Yourself With a Full Wedding Planning Checklist
The 50 steps I've outlined here broadly outline how to plan a wedding, but we also have a comprehensive planning checklist for when you're ready to really dig into the minutiae. Our in-depth wedding planning checklist includes each and every task you need to complete, down to the smallest detail. Once you've gotten a handle on the big picture here, your next step is to dive into your to-do list that'll quickly become your wedding planning BFF. But don't worry about memorizing it all. In addition to reading our guide linked above, click the button below to create an account on The Knot and use our free wedding planning checklist, which is tailor-made to keep you on track with your unique planning timeline.
Photos: maksim-yakovlev, FotografieLink, Liudmila Chernetska, Loknath Baba, opolja, Andreua, Design: Natalie Romine
2. Sign Up For Free Wedding Planning Tools & Apps
I might sound like a broken record, but let me say it again: I highly recommend that you make an account on The Knot and download our app. Our free tool—yes, free!—has everything you need to plan your wedding from the palm of your hand. With your account, you'll be able to keep track of your guest list, register for gifts, book and message vendors, buy stationery, manage your budget *and* find inspiration, to name a few things. It's the easiest way to say goodbye to wedding planning stress.
The Knot Editors' Tip: At the start of your planning journey, make a new email account solely for wedding correspondence. Not only will this help streamline communication with vendors, having one account for all your wedding-related emails will help you stay organized and save your personal inbox.
Design: Tiana Crispino
3. Define Your Wedding Vision
Before you dive into the granular decisions for your wedding plans, start thinking about the big picture. "I always ask my couples to describe their perfect wedding day," says Mary Thornton, founder of New England-based planning company Mary Thornton Events. The pro, who has more than 20 years of wedding planning experience, encourages to-be-weds to consider their must-haves: "Is it casual? Formal? Large? Small? Do you prefer formal and elegant, or do you want a fun, casual dance party? Once that decision is made, the other ones fall into place."
The best way to begin wedding planning is simply to start discussing it with your partner. "The first step to take is to sit down together and talk about what makes you excited," says New York-based wedding planner Jesse Reing. "Starting on a positive note will help as you begin the process." Ask yourselves these questions: Will you have a big or small wedding? Will your party be outdoors or inside? Will it take place at home or at a special destination? Will you choose a specific theme, or are you inspired by a certain wedding style, like modern, classic, romantic, vintage, rustic or all-out glam?
To help identify what you want, take our fun, interactive Style Quiz that eliminates the guesswork from creating your dream wedding vision. After swiping on photos you like and don't like, it'll match you with bookable venues and local pros that fit your style. You can also create a digital vision board in your account with your results, which will help you easily communicate your vision with your vendors.
Photos: Apollo Fotografie {Photo + Video}, Key Moments Photography LLC, Stocksy,Design: Tiana Crispino
4. Gather Inspiration
Speaking of a vision board, the next wedding planning step is to make just that. After identifying the general vibe, gather wedding inspiration that aligns with your chosen aesthetic. When you start hiring vendors, it's helpful to have a mood board that highlights your favorite wedding ideas, as well as the aesthetic you'd like to hone in on. Take your time gathering wedding inspiration during this stage of the wedding planning process. Don't forget to check out magazines (like The Knot Magazine), social media and real wedding photos. I also recommend browsing our yearly wedding trend report for fresh, of-the-moment ideas.
While you can go old-school and make a physical mood board, you can also save images from our site to "Your Favorites" in your account on The Knot. This is an efficient way to bookmark nuggets of inspiration to come back to when you're ready to discuss them with your vendors.
Prioritizing these details will help bring together the story of your wedding, which is what'll leave your guests thinking, Wow, that was totally them. "The aesthetic of your wedding is everything," says Cathleen Holloway, founder of Texas-based design and event company Holloway Events. "As we always say, the beauty is in the details."
The Knot Editors' Tip: Make a burner Instagram account to explore wedding ideas and save inspo. Doing so will help you further curate your vibe, and it'll help you take a mental break when needed. By separating your personal Instagram from your wedding Instagram, you can easily unplug and return to your "normal" feed as needed.
Design: Tiana Crispino
5. Establish Your Wedding Priorities
Creating a priority list is another essential step when beginning to plan a wedding. "This is one of the starting conversations I have with my clients," says Holloway. "Everyone has different priorities when planning a wedding. For example, a client who's a self-proclaimed foodie will want to have the best food at their wedding, while a client who's obsessed with flowers will prefer lush displays included in their wedding plans. We categorize our must-haves and our wish list items and work from there on planning the wedding."
Establishing your priorities and expectations is a key part of the wedding planning process for two reasons. Not only will this guide budget allocation, it'll also help you and your partner remain aligned on what's most important to both of you while allowing you to compromise. This is key for minimizing disagreements and conflict along the way. "It's essential to discuss upfront what each person's role will be and their related expectations," explains Damali Peterman, conflict resolution expert and founder of BreakThroughADR.
If you feel overwhelmed, Peterman advises to address the concern respectfully, and as soon as it arises. "I often see frustration arise with couples when there's a breakdown in the communication, or if a miscommunication goes unaddressed," she adds. "Maintaining a frequent and open line of communication and leaning into difficult conversations will greatly minimize stress associated with wedding planning."
6. Set a Wedding Budget
Ah, yes: the wedding budget. While it's not one of the more glamorous wedding planning steps, it is an essential task to tackle early. After all, your budget influences everything, from the vendors you hire to the size of your guest list and even the day of the week you get married. Simply put, setting a realistic wedding budget is one of the first steps to planning a wedding. Once you've taken time to daydream about what you want your day to look and feel like, setting a wedding budget should come next. After all, you can't move forward with subsequent decisions until you know what you can afford to spend.
One thing to note, though, is that you'll also need to think about your guest count as well, since your wedding size and budget go hand-in-hand. "The wedding budget and the guest list determine the rest of your planning, like where you'll get married, what kind of food you'll serve, whether you'll have a band or DJ, among others," Thornton explains.
The Knot Editors' Tip: While you can use a spreadsheet to track your expenses, you might prefer the intuitive interface of The Knot Budget Advisor. Thanks to our extensive data on national wedding costs, you can use this to see a breakdown of average prices in your area. Our free tool reveals what other couples in your destination spend, and you can toggle different vendor selections to get an estimate of what your total wedding spend can be, helping you easily and efficiently prioritize spending.
Design: Tiana Crispino
7. Make the Guest List
As mentioned above, your guest list dictates many components of the wedding, from what size venue you need to how much you'll have to spend on vendors. The reason we suggest building your guest list concurrently with your budget is because the two affect each other. Would you rather have quality one-on-one time with each guest, or throw a once-in-a-lifetime rager for all your friends and family? This will dictate the number of people you invite. Keep in mind that including more guests in your wedding plans means higher prices, as catering costs are generally calculated on a per-head basis. So, in addition to location, your budget will have a big influence on the size of your guest list.
If your parents will be contributing financially to the wedding, traditional etiquette indicates they have a say on the invitees. Work with them (or any other contributors) to determine who will receive an invitation. And, if you're not sure how to create your guest list without drama, use this helpful guide as a resource. (Remember: Only invite those who you truly want to celebrate with.)
8. Consider Hiring a Wedding Planner
If you have room in your wedding budget, I strongly recommend hiring a wedding planner or a coordinator early in your wedding planning timeline. A professional can help you learn how to plan a wedding under your specific circumstances and needs. Alternatively, you can also hire a part-time consultant or coordinator to devise a wedding blueprint—including the budget, your schedule and lists of good vendor and site choices—before you launch solo into the preparations. Another option is a day-of wedding coordinator, who will make sure everything goes smoothly on your wedding day.
While you can plan your own wedding, having the expert guidance of a planner or coordinator will make your experience more enjoyable and stress-free. "There's a difference between filling in a spreadsheet and looking at Pinterest photos versus actually planning and executing a wedding," says Thornton. "A planner has worked on hundreds of weddings and has a depth of knowledge that is so beneficial. Figure out what your budget is for a planner and see if you can make it work because you won't be sorry."
9. Discuss Your Ideal Wedding Season & Dates
The question of how to start planning a wedding can be tricky to answer. Many details have to be planned concurrently, as they all affect each other. You can't finalize a wedding date without an available venue, but you need to know your own general availability before looking at venues. Similarly, you need to know your general budget and guest count before finalizing your venue, but those figures may be impacted by date and venue. Start the task of picking a wedding date early on, with the understanding that you need to leave room for flexibility before you officially sign on the dotted line.
The Knot Editors' Tip: Venue prices may fluctuate based on the season and the day of the week you're considering. Our data finds that the most popular time to get married is the fall, and weekends are the most in-demand days. If you're looking to save some money, be open to a date out of peak "wedding season," or on a day during the week, like Friday (or even Thursday).
10. Research Venues
Remember that bit about multiple tasks happening at the same time because of the domino nature of them all? Well, now's the time in your wedding planning journey to research venues and start taking site tours. It may still be a bit of time until your venue is finalized, but proper research and exploration is key to ensuring you pick a location you adore as part of your wedding plans.
11. Book Your Venue
Your ceremony and reception space will become the backdrop for virtually all your wedding photos—not to mention, they'll have the biggest impact on your budget and the overall vibe of your soiree. So, once you've found a venue you love, lock it in ASAP. Securing your venue means you have a date, which means you can really start moving on the rest of your wedding plans.
In years past, securing your wedding date and venue at least one year in advance was recommended. Now, it's recommended to complete this step as soon as possible when wedding planning. Because vendors and venues quickly fill up, it's good to get a head start by planning proactively.
12. Hire Priority Wedding Vendors
If you just can't imagine getting married without a certain band or a photographer whose work you love, act fast. Many in-demand wedding vendors are hired more than a year in advance, and once they're booked, they're gone. This is especially relevant for couples planning 2026 and 2027 weddings. Since vendors fill their schedules quickly, we recommend reaching out to your priority pros as one of the first steps to planning a wedding. You can even do so if you're choosing between a few wedding dates, as this will help you pick the day based on your must-have pro's availability.
So, who should you hire first? In addition to your venue, as noted above, consider key pillars of your vendor team, like photographers, florists, caterers, rental companies, videographers and hair/makeup stylists first. You'll have more time later in your wedding planning journey to work with fashion designers, stationers and niche entertainers (like a live painter or reception dancers). Pull up your account on The Knot and head over to The Knot Vendor Marketplace. With this tool, you can discover local pros in your area, request quotes and book directly from the palm of your hand.
The Knot Editors' Tip: Sending the same email over and over can get redundant, which is why we've created these wedding inquiry email templates that you can *literally* copy word-for-word. And one more thing: Don't forget to close the loop with vendors you don't end up booking. Our app makes it easy to send them a quick message letting them know you're moving in a different direction.
13. Create a Hotel Room Block
Wondering where all your out-of-town guests will stay? Work to secure hotel room blocks at a few nearby hotels so guests can book their accommodations with ease (and at a discounted rate). Plus, having all of your guests consolidated to just a couple of hotels will make things like transportation logistics and welcome bag deliveries simpler. While you don't need to do this as soon as you book your venue, don't wait too long. It's recommended to book your blocks nine to 12 months in advance of the wedding date.
14. Take Engagement Photos
It's time to pivot to a wedding planning step that's a bit more creative. While your wedding will start an exciting new chapter, don't skip over savoring your time as a to-be-wed. Before you know it, your engagement will be over and you'll be married. I encourage all engaged couples to take engagement photos. Not only will a session help you soak up this time in life (pro tip: plan a date night around the photo shoot), the results are practical as well. Taking engagement photos will help you get comfortable in front of the camera before the big day. You can even use this wedding planning task as an opportunity to vet a potential photographer, or get to know the pro you've hired. What's more, many couples put engagement photos on their save-the-dates and wedding website, so you'll want to have some great shots on hand.
15. Plan an Engagement Party
Another part of savoring the process while planning a wedding is to celebrate with an engagement party. After all, why wait until the big day to gather your pals? An engagement party is a fun way to kick off your planning and toast to your upcoming nuptials. It's also a great setting for friends and family to meet and get to know each other if they haven't had a chance to do so previously. While this is sometimes hosted by a family member, you and your fiancé can also take the lead if you'd like.
16. Discuss Financial Expectations
Communicating with key stakeholders and asking for help as needed is a critical part of planning a wedding. While allocating your wedding budget, it's necessary to sit down with your families and figure out if anyone is going to contribute financially, and how much. This number will affect every decision about how you plan your wedding, along with the purchases you make, so be intentional about setting aside this time to discuss expectations. While it may feel uncomfortable at first, having this budget discussion early on will keep you and any financial contributors aligned on your values and goals moving forward, thus preventing miscommunication or confusion.
17. Organize Your Planning Materials
There is one ultimate hack to keeping your sanity while planning a wedding: organization. In addition to utilizing The Knot App and The Knot Checklist discussed above, you can also keep essential documents in a virtual, sharable space (like Google Docs) so you, your partner and your family members can share access and edit things together. But for those who prefer physical materials, you can never go wrong with a good, old-fashioned wedding notebook. After all, you'll need a place to store physical receipts, contracts, brochures and other items from vendors. Just remember, when it comes to planning your own wedding, you can never be too organized. The key is to find the method that works for you.
18. Choose Your Wedding Party
Now, it's your turn to propose to your close friends. While having a wedding party isn't necessary, many couples want to be surrounded by bridesmaids and groomsmen as they celebrate their biggest milestone yet.
Remember, the earlier you pop the question, the better. Your wedding party is agreeing to spend their money and donate their time to you, so be considerate and kind by informing everyone about all your plans, anticipated costs for attire, bachelor and bachelorette parties and more. Your wedding day will feel much more special thanks to your best man, maid of honor and the entirety of your crew.
19. Make Your Wedding Registry
There's no such thing as making your wedding registry too early. With engagement parties, showers and well-wishing relatives in your future, everyone will appreciate your foresight. After all, weddings and gifts are synonymous. Although presents are optional for some wedding events, your loved ones may want to give you something to commemorate the occasion. We recommend setting up your wedding registry through The Knot so guests don't have to ask (or guess) what you'd like. The best part? You can add any item from any store to your wish list, as well as experiences, gift cards, cash funds and more.
The Knot Editors' Tip: Remember this for after your wedding day. The Knot offers a registry completion discount, which means you can take 20% off eligible, unpurchased items off your wish list, valid up to six months after your wedding date.
20. Create a Wedding Website
Your wedding website is equally as important as your registry. While you have this wedding planning guide to instruct you, a wedding website is a helpful tool for guests. It houses all the relevant details about your wedding day, like the date, time, dress code and transportation logistics you've arranged, including hotel room blocks or shuttle services. Beyond that, it's a place to show off your favorite proposal and engagement photos, as well as local recommendations for those who will travel to your nuptials. (This is especially important if you're hosting a destination wedding.) Create your wedding website early, and update it frequently as you finalize more details. Then, include the link on your save-the-dates and on an insert in your formal invitations so guests know how to find it.
The Knot Editors' Tip: A cohesive wedding design is something that'll really impress your guests. Thanks to our comprehensive suite of templates, it's easy to find a website template that matches your invitations, your signage and your stationery.
21. Ask For (Solicited) Advice
The moment you get engaged, you'll be met with an onslaught of wedding planning advice...even if you don't ask for it. While it surely comes from a well-meaning place, it can be hard to know what to trust, especially if you get conflicting input. Early on, decide which trusted confidants you want to allow to have a voice in the planning process. While this crew should definitely include your wedding planner and other vendors, it could also be your parents or close friends who've already planned their weddings. Once you settle on your decision committee, stick to it even when more outside advice comes in.
The Knot Editors' Tip: Online communities, like Reddit forums and Facebook groups, can offer insight and inspiration from fellow to-be-weds. In some threads, you might even be able to snag wedding freebies or buy gently-used wedding decor for a fraction of its usual cost.
22. Insure Your Wedding
Mark my words: The peace of mind that wedding insurance will give you and your fiancé is worth it. Beyond that, we also recommend getting quotes for your engagement ring and wedding rings too. You can purchase a jewelry protection policy as an extension of your renter's or homeowner's insurance (which would reimburse you for a set amount of cash if you lose the ring), or through a company that specializes in jewelry insurance (which might offer more coverage than a standard homeowner's policy by replacing a lost or stolen ring).
23. Start Thinking About The Guest Experience
According to The Knot Real Wedding Study, when asked what was most important to couples during their planning process, 75% of respondents said they wanted guests to be well taken care of and to have a good time. Think about what that means to you. Do you want welcome bags waiting in their hotel rooms? Favors inspired by a local delicacy? An oyster shucker for cocktail hour? Surprise performers to light up the reception? Now's the time to plan details that'll enhance the guest experience so that you can budget and hire accordingly.
24. Complete Your Vendor Team
Next on your list of steps to planning a wedding? Filling out the rest of your vendor team. According to our data, couples hire an average of 14 vendors to make up their wedding vendor team. Even after you've hired your biggest vendors, like your venue, caterer and photographer, there's still some work to be done. You'll need to hire the rest of your wedding vendors, like a wedding officiant, transportation company, photo booth, etc.
25. Shop for Wedding Attire
One of the most exciting outcomes of successfully learning how to plan a wedding is shopping for attire. Begin your search by browsing wedding dress and suit ideas online, and don't forget to save your favorites to take them with you to your appointments. (Psst: Consider browsing Real Weddings photo galleries on The Knot, and click the heart icon in the upper right corner of the photo to save inspiration to "Your Favorites" in your account.) Then, learn the lingo before setting foot in a store. If you're shopping for a wedding dress, read up on silhouettes, necklines, trains and hues that you're interested in trying. If shopping for a suit, consider whether you want a traditional suit or a sleek tuxedo. You'll also have to decide whether you'll buy or rent your outfit.
When it comes to wedding attire, we recommend shopping as early as you can. Custom orders, as well as tailoring, can take months. Plus, you'll need additional time for touch-ups and alterations. It's recommended to buy a wedding dress eight to 10 months before the wedding date; suits can be purchased four to five months in advance, but an extra month or two should be added to the timeline for custom designs.
This is also a good opportunity to start thinking about your wedding's dress code. If you have a particular level of wedding attire formality in mind, whether it's black tie, semi-formal, cocktail or casual, it's time to nail that down and add it to your wedding website.
Photo: Lauren Mihae Photography
,Suits: SuitSupply
26. Design & Send Stationery
As your big day draws closer, you'll need to alert guests with beautiful wedding invitations. But, believe it or not, your stationery suite includes more than just save-the-dates, formal invites, postage and RSVP cards. Consider what you want all of your paper goods to look like, from place cards, menus, ceremony programs and favor tags. Each plays a role during the day, and having a consistent design among all will make your wedding look seamlessly cohesive.
This is one wedding planning task that Reing suggests tackling sooner, rather than later. "With the process of gathering addresses, choosing an invite, customizing language, waiting for them to be printed, assembling them and putting on postage and heading to the post office to send them out, it takes quite some time, not to mention accounting for postal service delays."
The Knot Editors' Tip: Follow this wedding invitation timeline: Save-the-dates should be sent six to eight months ahead of the ceremony (or nine to 12 months ahead for a destination wedding). Formal invites should be sent six to eight weeks before a standard wedding, and eight weeks before a destination wedding.
27. Establish a Self-Care Routine
One of the best things you can do for yourself during your wedding planning journey is establish a solid self-care routine. You deserve to treat yourself, after all, because planning a wedding is no joke. While cosmetic treatments are certainly not necessary for your wedding, you may be interested in experimenting with things like teeth whitening kits, sunless tanners, facials, hair removal treatments or hair coloring. At the very least, book yourself a well-deserved massage. It's recommended to start any new procedures early on, giving yourself time to find what works for you and makes you feel your absolute best. (Read: You don't want to try a new skincare product the week before your wedding day in case it doesn't react well with your skin.)
28. Consider Premarital Counseling
Beyond cosmetic rituals, think about prioritizing your mental health and your relationship during this season. Now is a great time to attend premarital counseling to set yourselves up for success as a married couple. And, if you're feeling overwhelmed by wedding stress or "planxiety," it won't hurt to talk to a therapist or licensed professional who can offer the help you need.
29. Schedule Vendor Appointments
Booking your wedding vendors is a major step in planning a wedding, but signing the contract is only the beginning. Once you have your team assembled, you'll need to meet with each pro to iron out the details. Plan to partake in site tours with your planner to discuss the reception layout, catering tastings, attire alterations and even hair and makeup trials. Additionally, you'll want to start working with your music vendor on the playlist for the wedding.
30. Start Marriage Prep
Beyond the logistics of planning a wedding, part of your focus during your engagement needs to be on planning for your marriage. After all, figuring out how to plan your wedding together is a great way to set yourselves up to successfully problem-solve again in the future. "This is a great time to set precedents as a couple in regards to how you want to make decisions in your marriage," Reing says. "Take that seriously and start to show yourself as a united front in your circle to set yourself up for success."
Connect with your partner and make sure you're both on the same page about future plans and the shape that you want your marriage to take. Never assume that they see things the same way you do. Asking questions is the best way to really dig in and prepare for your life as a married couple.
31. Shop for Wedding Rings
One of the biggest moments in this step-by-step wedding planning guide has finally come: It's time to buy your wedding rings. It's generally recommended to get your bands anywhere from three to six months before your wedding date. This gives you plenty of time to try on styles and add customizations to your order, if desired.
32. Shop for VIP Gifts
While planning a wedding is about you and your partner, there are a lot of people who are helping bring the big day together. As such, no wedding planning guide would be complete without the reminder to show gratitude and buy gifts for close loved ones. Whether it's a small thank-you note to your nephews for serving as ushers or a gift basket for your maid of honor, a display of gratitude is a must.
33. Plan Your Honeymoon
Hear that? It's paradise calling. While you're certainly wrapped up in how to plan a wedding, don't forget your honeymoon too. You and your S.O. will want to enjoy some much-earned R&R after the big day, so think about what kind of honeymoon you'd like to take, and when. You don't have to set foot on a plane immediately after your wedding reception ends, though can if you'd like. At the very least, consider taking a minimoon first before a full-blown honeymoon at a later date. After all, don't you want to ring in newlywed life with a hot tub and a chilled glass of champagne?
To be sure you have enough time to plan your postwedding getaway, stay on top of key deadlines for renewing your passports, booking flights and securing lodging and extra activities. If the thought of planning a vacation on top of your wedding sounds like an added stressor, you might want to work with a honeymoon travel agent. Not only will they hook you up with VIP perks and benefits, most of their services are free too.
The Knot Editors' Tip: Consider putting your wedding expenses on a credit card that offers points or cash back, and save those earnings to help fund your honeymoon. Or, if you have a travel credit card with miles accumulated, use them to upgrade your honeymoon flights…becaue your newlywed vacay will feel so much better in first class.
34. Designate Key Roles
Who's going to take home all of your wedding cards and gifts at the end of the night? Will you have a reader during the ceremony? What about ushers to guide wedding guests to their seats? Who do you trust to deliver vendor tips? Beyond your bridesmaids and groomsmen, there are some other wedding roles that you'll need to designate ahead of the big day as part of the steps to planning a wedding. Be sure to ask them in advance so they have time to prepare ahead of the date.
35. Add Personalization
Here's where you can really make your wedding day shine. Paying attention to thoughtful, personalized details is what's going to make your guests walk away thinking, "Wow, that was so them." The best part? The sky is literally the limit when it comes to making your wedding uniquely yours. "A lot of my clients caveat their hopes and desires with, 'Is it okay to do that?' or 'Do other people do it that way?'" says Reing. "We're lucky to live in a time where weddings no longer have to follow a playbook. The way I answer questions like that is, 'Some do…but what would make you feel best?''
If you love astrology, hire a tarot card reader to surprise guests during your reception. Or, if your first date was spent over tacos and margaritas, make that the center of your wedding menu. If you're movie buffs, consider naming your reception tables after your favorite flicks. You can even serve a signature cocktail named after your pets if you'd like. The options are endless when it comes to how you can personalize your wedding day. If you want yours to be a memorable affair, focus your attention here. (Psst: If your idea of personalization includes writing your own wedding vows, you'll want to avoid leaving those to the last minute.)
36. Collect RSVPs
While you already have a guest count target in mind, you won't actually know how many wedding guests you're having until the RSVPs start to roll in. As they do, you can start working on tasks like creating a seating chart. At this time, you might also decide to extend some invitations to your B-list if you have extra space. Friendly reminder: This wedding planning step will be so much easier with an account on The Knot, as our Guest List tool allows you to easily track guest responses and send quick reminders with message blasts.
37. Don't Forget the Little Details
The art of learning how to plan your wedding lies in the details. From gathering unity ritual supplies to buying day-of stationery and securing a cake knife, it's important that you take stock of all the loose ends you need to organize, gather or purchase before the wedding day. Do you want some amenities for guests in the bathrooms? Do you need blankets or fans to keep guests comfortable? Do you want a collection of vintage family wedding photos on display at the reception? These are the kinds of questions to be asking at this stage of your wedding planning journey.
38. Make a Wedding Emergency Kit
We can talk for hours about how to plan a wedding—but sometimes, things go awry. While the little details mentioned above are things you're aware of, you also need to be prepared for unexpected things to pop up. What happens if your wedding dress rips? Or the best man gets a splinter? Or your mother gets a stress-induced headache? Preempt the worst-case scenario by creating a fully stocked emergency kit that has everything you could possibly need at a moment's notice.
39. Create a Wedding Day Timeline
Do the groomsmen know where to be and when? Do your aunts know to hang back after the ceremony for extended family portraits? Having a timeline for key wedding stakeholders will ensure things go smoothly. While your wedding planner likely has a production timeline for their vendors, this timeline is separate from that but just as important.
40. Communicate With Your Wedding Pros
Consider this the golden rule of wedding planning: There's no such thing as over-communicating with your vendors, according to the pros themselves. "Be sure to have a clear idea of what you want and communicate to everyone," Thornton recommends. It's for this reason that having a planner or coordinator can be a major benefit, especially when you need to streamline dialogue between everyone in the final weeks before the wedding. "Wedding planners know exactly what you need, and they can relieve the pressure of back and forth with vendors," Holloway advises.
Whether you've enlisted a planner or you're handling it yourself, aim to have regular communication with your pros. This will keep everyone aligned on timing, logistics and expectations, and it'll eliminate miscommunication and confusion. When it comes to planning your wedding day, there's no such thing as being too communicative.
41. Prepare Vendor Tips
As the big day draws near, you'll need to tie up loose ends, from giving the catering company a final headcount to ironing out transportation details. You should make sure to double-check details like vendor arrival times and confirm that their meal needs will be met. Perhaps most importantly, though, is preparing tips for your vendors. While tips aren't expected for all pros, it is common for many. Plus, it's a thoughtful way to thank your team for excellent service.
The Knot Editors' Tip: Make your life easier on the wedding day by giving prepared tip envelopes to a trusted friend or family member ahead of time. Ask them to ensure all tips are distributed before the end of the night. This is one of those wedding duties that'll be at the back of your mind, so designate someone to help out.
42. Apply for a Marriage License
Getting married comes with paperwork. Before the wedding date, you'll need to apply for a marriage license. This is your ticket to becoming legally wed, and it's one planning task not to leave until the last minute. Then, after the wedding day, you'll need a marriage certificate, which proves you're legally married. Both documents need to be notarized, but specific timing guidelines vary by state and county. "It's important to do your research on the timelines and deadlines for the location or county where you're getting married so you understand what you need and when," says Pat Kinsel, founder and CEO of digital notary site Notarize. "If you're not sure, contact the city or town clerk where you are getting married to get confirmation on the timeline and deadlines for documentation."
Marriage licenses are only valid for a short period of time in some states, so it's vital to complete this wedding planning task in a timely manner. "In most cases, your marriage license needs to be obtained within a certain time period before the wedding and may not be officially filed within a certain time window as well," Kinsel adds. "For example, if you're getting married in New York, a marriage license is only valid for 60 calendar days beginning the day after it is issued, and the marriage ceremony may not take place within 24 hours from the time the license is issued. Meanwhile, some counties in California allow you to obtain the license up to 30 days prior to the wedding and the official license must be filed within a few days or weeks." Additionally, you and your partner should discuss other legal matters, like name changes and how you'll handle finances after getting married.
43. Enjoy a Wedding Shower
Don't get too swept up in the steps to planning a wedding. This time in your life is worthy of celebration, so party accordingly! The months leading up to the big day are full of additional wedding events. Often, a couple's close friends, family members or wedding party will take the lead on hosting numerous prewedding parties, notably a wedding or bridal shower. You'll be surrounded by your nearest and dearest as they help you welcome this new life milestone, so be present and soak up the joy of every single wedding event.
44. Go on Your Bach Trip
Next up on the list of prewedding parties to enjoy in the midst of planning a wedding? A bachelor or bachelorette party to bid adieu to your single life. Amid the hustle and bustle of navigating how to plan your own wedding, you deserve a little break with your besties. A bach party is a great way to kick back, relax and celebrate with your crew.
45. Plan a Rehearsal Dinner (& Welcome Party)
Kick off your wedding weekend with an epic rehearsal dinner. A rehearsal dinner is a great way to spend some extra time with your wedding VIPs before the excitement really begins. After the wedding ceremony rehearsal, enjoy an intimate dinner with your family and wedding party before celebrating the wedding you worked so hard to plan.
Additionally, if you have a lot of out-of-town guests coming to your wedding, you might want to have a welcome party with a bigger guest list than the rehearsal dinner. This is a great way to set the mood with guests and enjoy the result of all your hard wedding planning work. The welcome party and rehearsal dinner could be on different dates, or the welcome party could follow right after the rehearsal dinner on the same day. It's up to you, but just remember: more parties means more special memories you'll cherish.
46. Plan an After-Party
Wanna keep the good times rolling after the reception comes to an end? Consider adding an after-party to your wedding plans. The best thing about an after-party is that, unlike planning a wedding, there are absolutely no rules or expectations, so you can make the late-night gathering take any shape you see fit. See what options your venue offers, or scope out a hotel bar or local watering hole to keep the vibes high.
47. Plan a Day-After Brunch
What comes after the after-party? The day-after brunch and recovery day, of course! Many couples, especially those planning full wedding weekends, choose to add one final event to send off their guests in style. This is a nice way to wrap up the weekend and spend a little extra time with loved ones before they jet home. Plus, if your guests are feeling a bit hungover from the wedding, they'll be grateful to have a tasty breakfast before traveling.
48. Take A Break…Seriously
At this point in the checklist, we've covered exactly how to plan a wedding. But here's one planning task you won't find everywhere: Take time to actively not plan your wedding too. Planning your nuptials is a big undertaking; it may as well be the first big test of your marriage. It's a long (but rewarding) gauntlet of compromise, sacrifice and stress management.
Before your wedding, take time as a couple to do anything but wedding planning. Have regular date nights with no wedding talk allowed. It's more important than ever to prioritize your relationship and continue dating each other. It will help you remember why you're doing all of this in the first place.
49. Express Gratitude
You did it! You made it to the end of your wedding planning journey. But you didn't come all this way on your own. Take time to express gratitude to everyone, from family to vendors, who helped make your wedding day a reality. In addition to giving tips and writing thank-you cards for vendors, leaving positive reviews online is a great way to express your appreciation.
50. Plan Your Postwedding To-Do List
Let me fill you in on a little secret: The steps for how to plan a wedding don't actually end on the wedding date itself. Before you say goodbye to your wedding era once and for all, create a to-do list of all the items you need to deal with after the day. From completing your name change paperwork to writing thank-you cards and preserving your attire, there are a few loose ends you'll need to tie up after the wedding to fully complete your wedding planning adventure.
Hannah Nowack and Kim Forrest contributed to the reporting of this story.
