5 Wedding Planning Tips From the Pros

Planning a wedding can be an exciting yet stressful time. With so many details to coordinate, costs to manage, and expectations to meet, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. To help make the process go more smoothly, we asked wedding planners and coordinators to share their top wedding planning tips for engaged couples. Here are five expert recommendations for streamlining your wedding preparations.

1. Start Planning Early

The earlier you begin planning, the more time you will have to find the perfect vendors and venues at the best prices. Try to kick off planning at least 9-12 months in advance if you will be having a larger wedding. Many popular vendors and venues book up quickly, especially in peak wedding season. Start reaching out to your top choices as soon as you can to avoid limited availability. You will also have more time to space out payments and tasks when you begin early. Rushing to book everything in the last few months can increase stress levels.

2. Prioritize Your Budget

One of the first steps should be setting your overall budget. Determine what you can realistically afford to spend on the wedding and reception. Many couples underestimate costs or do not factor in additional expenses like taxes and tips when initially budgeting. Be detailed and break expenses down into categories like attire, flowers, and photography. This helps you see where to trim costs if needed. Get quotes from vendors as you check availability. This will give you an accurate picture of potential costs in your area. Adjust your budget accordingly to stick within your target spending amount.  

3. Hire a Day-Of Coordinator

Consider hiring a wedding coordinator for the actual day, especially if you don’t have a wedding planner. A day-of coordinator handles all the vendor setup, troubleshooting and timeline management on your big day. This allows you and your loved ones to relax and enjoy everything you have planned. Coordinators can also assist with tasks like distributing final payments and tips to vendors. Having someone to orchestrate the event and communications that day reduces stress levels.

4. Keep Everything Online

Creating a wedding website is a convenient way to share all the important details and updates in one place. You can include information about your love story, the wedding party, event schedule, accommodations, registries, and more. Modernize your wedding with a personalized website that eliminates the need for printing and mailing paper invites, RSVP cards and programs. Your guests can RSVP, access registries, get directions and learn about local activities all on your site. You can even customize the design with your wedding colors and photos for a personal touch. Your guests will appreciate this modern approach.

5. Plan a Wedding Weekend, Not Just a Day

Consider organizing additional events surrounding the wedding to allow more quality time with those who travel to attend. Many couples host welcome dinners, day-after brunches or cocktail hours to bring everyone together in a relaxed way. This fosters community and gives out-of-town guests more opportunities to socialize outside of the main reception. You can make these casual, low-key affairs. Events like a farewell brunch on a Sunday help transition guests out of wedding mode and offer one more chance to connect.

Planning a wedding is a big undertaking, but staying organized and getting help where you can will lead to less stress and more enjoyment. Remember to savor this special time in your lives. Before you know it, your Big Day will be here! Leveraging these insider tips can take your wedding planning up a notch and set you up for success.