Anyone who says that planning a wedding is easy, has never planned a wedding. Careful thought and consideration go into planning every aspect of a wedding to make sure that things run smoothly. However, not every bride is a planner and may have no idea where to start when it comes to planning their wedding. If this sounds like you, and you’re planning your wedding without a planner, don’t worry. Here are some basic steps to get you off on the right foot. The first step is recognizing that you are not a planner.

1. Decide on your budget FIRST: Before you do anything, even before you pick a date, decide on how much you and your future spouse are comfortable spending, and how much money you will be getting from your family to help out. This will give you a clear idea of how much you have to spend on each aspect of the wedding, from florals, to photography and of course, the venue.

2. Decide on your venue:  Before you book anything else, decide on your venue. Venues tend to book up faster than other vendors so make sure you book this as soon as possible to avoid missing out on your preferred date.

3. Don’t try for DIY:  If you are not a planner and the thought of orchestrating multiple vendors makes you nauseous, don’t try for a DIY wedding. Yes, these can be less expensive than a ‘regular’ wedding but, they also require a lot more planning and preparation.

Wedding Planning

Photo Courtesy of Luminous Weddings

4. Delegate early:  Don’t wait until the last minute to ask your friends and family for help. Chances are you have a friend who loves weddings and also happens to be super organized– use them. Give them tasks and let them help you while you still have time to prepare. The best way to do this is to figure out what it is you don’t want to plan or deal with and give that task to someone. This way, you can plan what you want to do and won’t procrastinate by avoiding tasks you don’t want to do.

5. Hire a wedding planner: This is the easiest way to go if you have the budget and are seriously not a planner. Find a wedding planner that has great vendor connections and has planned weddings that fit in with your style. Then sit back while your perfect wedding unfolds around you – just note that you will still need to make final decisions!

6. Create a Timeline: Start with a detailed timeline of your whole wedding planning process. It should have information on key dates for booking vendors, sending out invitations, and scheduling fittings. Dividing tasks into doable chunks and putting deadlines for those tasks can really help a person stay organized without stress right before the wedding date. For example, try to book the venue around one year in advance, send out invitations three months prior, and schedule dress fittings six weeks before the big day.

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7. Use Wedding Planning Apps: There are numerous wedding planning apps available that can help you stay organized and manage your tasks efficiently, including the ones on EventSource.ca. These apps contain built-in checklists, budget trackers, and guestlist managers. Research and choose an app that fits your needs and start using it early in the planning process. 

8. Prioritize Your Must-Haves: Discuss with your partner and list your top priorities for the wedding.  Deciding on having a live band, a particular cuisine, a specific photographer, or any other specific aspect will assist in determining how to efficiently distribute your budget. By doing this, you can prioritize what is most important to you and be open to making concessions on less significant matters. If you prioritize a beautiful venue, you may choose to cut back on decorations.

9.Keep your docs all in one place: Keeping all your wedding-related information organized is crucial for a smooth planning process. You can organize all the contracts, receipts, and contact information for the vendors either in a binder or a digital folder (Dropbox, Google docs, etc). 

helpful wedding planning tips for non planners, 3

Photo Courtesy of Amos Photography

10. Attend Bridal Fairs and Open Houses: These events provide great opportunities to meet vendors, see their work firsthand, and get inspiration for your wedding. Plus, there are usually many discounts and special deals that can significantly save you on your budget. So take the time to attend a few and gather as much information as you can to make well-informed decisions. Meeting vendors such as photographers in person can give you a better sense of their style and how they might fit into your wedding.

11. Consider a Wedding Website: A wedding website is also a great way to keep the guests up-to-date on all the details regarding your big day. From venue to schedule, dress code, and even the registry, all these can be included in your website. It can also end up being a fun project that you get to work on with your significant other.

12. Plan for Unexpected Expenses: Set aside a portion of your budget for unexpected (and inevitable) costs that may arise during the planning process. This financial cushion can prevent last-minute stress. Unexpected expenses might include extra decorations, unforeseen vendor fees, or additional attire alterations. A just-in-case fund lets you handle surprises without feeling anxious about staying on budget! Best of all, if you don’t use it, you’ll feel great!

13. Take Breaks: If you allow it, wedding planning can really be quite hectic – especially if planning and organization is not your forté. This helps you stay connected and enjoy your engagement period. Taking breaks allows you to recharge and approach planning with a fresh perspective. Remember, your relationship is the most important part of the wedding, so nurture it along the way.

If you are a non-planner planning a wedding, the first thing you should do is find people who will help you plan and then get clear on what you want. Don’t worry, even if wedding planning isn’t your thing – you can do it!