Start Planning Your Wedding
Wedding planning feels more manageable when you know what to tackle next. Find your starting point, work through the big decisions, and use the guides below to build a celebration that feels like you.
Find your wedding planning starting point
Just engaged?
Enjoy the moment, then get organized. Start with the early decisions and conversations that help you move forward together.
Planning a year ahead?
See how the main tasks fit together, from setting your budget and booking your venue to preparing for the wedding day.
Getting married in six months?
Use a shorter planning schedule to focus your next steps and keep the major decisions moving.
Prefer a checklist you can keep beside you? Visit the printable 12-month checklist page.
Your first five decisions
Before you dive into the details, work through these five decisions together. Expect to revisit your budget, guest count, and venue shortlist as you gather real quotes.
1. Agree on what matters most
Talk about the atmosphere you want, your non-negotiables, and how you will make decisions together. A shared set of priorities gives you something to return to when options start competing for your attention.
Have the planning conversations
2. Set a working budget
Agree on what you can spend and confirm any contributions before committing to bookings. Map out the main expenses, including room for charges that may sit outside a venue or caterer’s headline price.
3. Estimate your guest count
Build an initial guest list before touring venues. Your working headcount helps you compare capacity, catering estimates, and the kind of celebration each space can comfortably host.
4. Choose a date or season
Think about weather, travel, family commitments, and how flexible you can be. Keep a few possibilities open while you check venue availability.
Work through your date options
5. Compare venues with a clear brief
Take your budget, guest range, and priorities into every tour. Ask about inclusions, catering arrangements, access for setup, and the backup plan for outdoor spaces.
Take these questions to venue tours
Pro Tip: Keep venue quotes in one shared document and compare what each includes. A lower starting price may leave rentals, staffing, or other essentials to arrange separately.
Plan the details
Already have the foundations in place? Jump to the part you are working on now.
Your planning team
Work out the support you need and prepare for conversations with the people helping you bring the day together.
Ceremony and reception
Think through how guests will move between the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, then work on the seating arrangements.
Invitations and RSVPs
Give guests clear information and collect the details you need to organize the celebration.
Final preparations
Put the schedule in one place and follow up on the responses you still need before confirming arrangements.
Keep planning with these guides
Create your wedding website
Give guests one place to find the details they need as your plans come together.
Build your wedding registry
Work through your wish list together and choose items that fit the life you are building.
Make planning feel more manageable
When the decisions start piling up, take a step back and find a more workable pace.