Start the wedding planning process after enjoying your engagement and accepting you’re getting married, considering your wedding style and overall theme.
Early stages of wedding planning can feel overwhelming; no single right way to plan a wedding, but using a wedding website can help.
This wedding planner guide helps you stay organised and enjoy the planning process, reducing stress and making it a fun experience.
Use the wedding planning checklist to assist you every step of the way, from setting a budget to planning the honeymoon.
Table of Contents
Why Emerald to Cover Your Dream Wedding?
Emerald has been helping customers with their wedding insurance queries and for well over ten years, and we are known in the market as a quality insurer. Our feefo reviews and feedback are pretty clear. With our friendly and engaged staff, you can get a quote in minutes, covering up to £100,000 of your wedding budget. Others may say that we are the best wedding insurance, but we always recommend that you read the reviews of Emerald to see what others think of us!
You can learn more and get an instant quote HERE – or email us on customerservice@emeraldlife.co.uk, or call us on 0330 113 7109. We are known for comprehensive wedding insurance and often feature among other people’s lists as one of the best wedding insurance providers.
Wedding Planning: Your Step by Step Complete Guide to Planning a Wedding
Follow a step-by-step wedding planning guide covering essential tasks for every couple, including planning a destination wedding and around your special day.
Keep your wedding planning to-do list updated to stay on track and reduce last-minute details, using tools like a seating chart and cloud storage. This will help you create the perfect celebration.
How Long Does it Take to Plan a Wedding?
Average couples take 12 to 24 months to plan a wedding comfortably, considering the time needed to plan a destination wedding. You can get wedding insurance up to 24 months before your wedding day. And you get to try a lot of cake when you create your big day.
Booking popular vendors like venues and photographers requires early planning, as well as considering wedding insurance. Place cards can take. while as well – and your parents will be keen to help as well.
Bespoke wedding dresses can take up to a year to design and order, so it’s essential to start planning early.
Shorter timelines are possible with flexibility and often come with wedding packages or deals, allowing for a stress-free planning experience.
Steps to Planning the Perfect Wedding
Set a Budget – and Stick to it!
Discuss your wedding budget with your partner early in the planning stages, considering factors like wedding insurance and wedding vendors. And set up a team if you want (friends or family) – these events are always easier to create if you have a small group of friends that you trust to help you prepare for the big day.
Clarify financial contributions from family members or others to avoid stress later, using a budget calculator to keep track. Money put in by family members can also be covered by your insurance as part of the protection for your special day.
Use a wedding budget planner to estimate and track your wedding spending, including costs like wedding dresses and suits, venue, photos, events on the big day, dress for others etc.
Discuss Your Wedding Planning Priorities
Identify and discuss your and your partner’s wedding planning priorities together, considering factors like wedding style and overall theme.
Priorities help guide decisions and save money during wedding planning, ensuring a perfect wedding.
Staying focused on what matters ensures your dream wedding includes all key elements, from the wedding ceremony to the reception.
Get Organised
Organisation is key to a smooth wedding planning journey, using tools like a wedding website and wedding planning checklist.
Use tools like a planner book, the wedding app, and printed checklists to stay organised, keeping track of wedding vendors and wedding guests. Take photos of things that you like to create your mood book.
Create and follow a wedding budget plan from the start, considering factors like wedding insurance and honeymoon planning.
Research Different Types of Weddings
Gather wedding ideas and inspiration before booking anything, considering factors like wedding style and overall theme.
Use social media, celebrity weddings, and real weddings for ideas, planning a unique and personalised wedding. Narrow down your wedding style to avoid feeling overwhelmed, using a simple guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Remember, you don’t need to include every idea you love in your own wedding, but prioritize what matters most to you.
Set a Date
This seems simple, but choose your wedding date considering season, weather, and day of the week, planning a destination wedding if desired.
Avoid dates with major events, unlucky numbers, or national holidays, using a wedding website to keep track.
Wedding date impacts budget, venue availability, and supplier bookings, so plan carefully.
Setting a date allows you to book venues, send save the dates, and start planning, providing a comprehensive guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Make a Wedding Guest List
Decide who to invite for the day and evening parts of your wedding, considering factors like wedding style and overall theme.
Manage guest list challenges like plus ones and colleagues tactfully, using a wedding planning checklist to keep track.
Communicate openly with family if they influence the guest list due to financial support, providing a simple guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Find Your Perfect Venue
Choose a wedding venue that fits your budget, theme, and guest numbers, considering factors like wedding vendors and wedding guests.
Venue choice determines your wedding date, location, and maximum guests, so plan carefully.
Consider accommodation, catering options, and evening guest capacity when selecting venues, providing a comprehensive guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Send Out Your Save the Dates
Send save the date cards as soon as your venue and date are confirmed, using a wedding planner if needed. Think about how many guests you can deal with – and start thinking about the seating chart. Think about some of your guests and whether you can delegate jobs – like the seating chart!
Save the dates give guests early notice to keep your wedding day free, planning a destination wedding if desired.
Early save the dates help gauge guest availability and prevent scheduling conflicts, providing a simple guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Choose Your Wedding Suppliers
Selecting wedding suppliers shapes your wedding’s style, theme, and budget, considering factors like wedding vendors and wedding guests.
Start with venue recommendations but widen your search for unique options, planning a stress-free and fun wedding.Compare prices and services to find suppliers that match your vision and budget, using a wedding planning checklist to keep track.
Choose suppliers you feel comfortable with and who understand your wedding style, providing a comprehensive guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Buy Wedding Insurance
Wedding insurance protects your investment in your wedding and honeymoon, considering factors like wedding vendors and wedding guests. Emerald is the choice preferred by many!
Average weddings cost over £23,000, making insurance a wise choice, providing a simple guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Insurance reduces stress by covering unforeseen issues during your wedding planning journey, planning a destination wedding if desired.
Keep all agreements and communications in writing for added security, using a wedding website to keep track.
Arrange Wedding Transport and Accommodation
Plan transport for you, your wedding party, and guests to and from venues, considering factors like wedding vendors and wedding guests.
Research parking, local hotels, and accommodation options for guests, using a wedding website to keep track.
Negotiate group rates for nearby hotels if many guests need lodging, providing a comprehensive guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Provide transport and accommodation details on your wedding website for guest convenience, planning a stress-free and fun wedding.
Send Out Your Wedding Invitations and RSVP Details
Send invitations 3-6 months before your wedding day, using a wedding website to keep track.
Include clear details on location, RSVP instructions, and guest specifics, considering factors like wedding style and overall theme.
Clarify who is invited, plus one policies, and day vs evening attendance, providing a comprehensive guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Clear invitations reduce guest list confusion and awkward conversations, planning a stress-free and fun wedding.
Check Back in on Your Wedding Budget
Regularly review your wedding budget to keep spending on track, considering factors like wedding insurance and honeymoon planning.
Track purchases and deposits consistently using spreadsheets, planner books, or apps, using a wedding website to keep track.
Staying on top of your budget helps maintain control over the wedding planning process, planning a stress-free and fun wedding.
Keep receipts and records organised for easy reference, providing a comprehensive guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Create a Wedding Gift List
Decide when to create your wedding gift list, before or after invitations, considering factors like wedding style and overall theme.
Share gift list details on your wedding website for guest convenience, using a wedding planner if needed.
Buy Your Wedding Rings
Set a budget and choose wedding rings you love together, considering factors like wedding style and overall theme.
Make ring shopping a fun and memorable experience, planning a stress-free and fun wedding.
Wedding rings are a key part of your wedding planning journey, providing a comprehensive guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Sort RSVPs and Create a Table Plan
Follow up on RSVPs to confirm final guest numbers, considering factors like wedding vendors and wedding guests.
Seat guests with friends and family they know for a comfortable atmosphere, planning a unique and personalized wedding.
Consider accessibility needs when assigning seats near exits or facilities, using a wedding planner if needed.
Create a Schedule of the Wedding Day’s Events
Develop a detailed wedding day timeline for you and your suppliers, considering factors like wedding style and overall theme.
Include vendor arrival times, ceremony, photos, meal, first dance, and cake cutting, using a wedding website to keep track.
Share the schedule with key people like photographers, venues, and wedding parties, providing a comprehensive guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Plan a social media strategy to manage photography and guest posts during the day, planning a stress-free and fun wedding.
Arrange the Stag & Hen Nights
Coordinate stag and hen party plans with your wedding party, considering factors like wedding style and overall theme.
Ensure dates and activities suit both you and your partner, planning a stress-free and fun wedding.
Avoid scheduling parties the night before the wedding to reduce stress, using a wedding website to keep track.
Factor any costs or preparations into your overall wedding planning and budget, providing a comprehensive guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Book Your Honeymoon
Plan and book your honeymoon as a fun part of wedding planning, considering factors like wedding style and overall theme.
Consider a minimoon immediately after the wedding if budget is tight, planning a unique and personalized wedding.
Explore affordable honeymoon destinations that feel luxurious, providing a simple guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Emerald can also help with your travel insurance!
Arrange Final Fittings
Schedule final dress and suit fittings about two weeks before the wedding, considering factors like wedding style and overall theme.
Allow time for any last-minute alterations or adjustments, using a wedding website to keep track.
Factor alteration costs into your wedding budget, providing a comprehensive guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Prepare for a stress-free morning by de-labelling and practising bow tie tying, planning a unique and personalised wedding.
Final Week
Take deep breaths; most wedding planning is complete, considering factors like wedding style and overall theme.
Focus on finalising small details and confirming arrangements, providing a simple guide to planning the perfect wedding.
Night Before and Morning of the Wedding
Enjoy your big day after all the careful planning and preparation, considering factors like wedding style and overall theme.
Follow your timeline and delegate tasks to stay relaxed and present, using a wedding website to keep track.
All those wedding invitations, your wedding planner and everything else have led this wonderful wedding ceremony – so enjoy it!
Conclusion – Let Emerald Help You!
As for your wedding insurance – it’s there to help you if things go wrong! You can learn much more and get an instant quote from Emerald HERE – or email us any questions on customerservice@emeraldlife.co.uk – or call Emerald on 0330 113 7109. We are known for comprehensive wedding insurance and often feature among other people’s lists as one of the best wedding insurance providers. We can’t wait to hear from you.