Wedding planning is like embarking on a grand adventure, where spreadsheets and tulle become your trusty companions, and you potentially spend countless hours in the quest for the perfect cake. We’ve all heard tales of couples pulling off epic nuptials in the blink of an eye, but if your guest list resembles the population of a small village, well, you might want to schedule more than just a coffee break for your planning.
Here’s your 12-month roadmap as you count down to your big day (sans meltdowns).
Let’s get this show on the road. You’ve said ‘yes’ and the world is a blur of excitement and Pinterest boards. It’s time to lock in a date and a budget—trust us, knowing how much cash you have to work with can save you from spiralling into a pit of financial doom later on. Then it’s time to set the stage for your dream wedding, and make the all important decision: where are you going to hold it? Whether you’re thinking a rustic barn, an elegant ballroom, or a park by the lake, now is the time to choose your venue. Once that’s sorted, it’s time to summon the dynamic duo of memories: the celebrant and photographer (and videographer too if that’s on your list).
Now it’s time to wrangle other vendors, especially the popular ones who have a far busier social life than you do. Make sure you pay particular attention to your catering, because if there’s one thing for certain, no one wants a hangry wedding guest.
You may be known for rocking the ‘I woke up like this’ look, but on your wedding day, you’ll want to step up your sartorial game. This is the time to contemplate your fashion choices—if there’s a wedding dress involved in your day, it’s best to get looking sooner rather than later.
Selecting your bridal party is like assembling a superhero team, perhaps without the secret villains. And start thinking about how you’re going to entertain your guests. Hint: interpretive dance might not be the crowd-pleaser you envision.
Remember when your childhood dream was to build a magical fort in your living room? Well, consider this the grown-up version. It’s time to plan decorations and figure out what event hire items will turn your venue into a wonderland.
Flowers are lovely, and so are well-dressed humans. Time to plan both. Have a chat to your florist, and get measured up for a suit. And now is a great time to book yourself some wheels. If you have guests visiting from out of town, you may also want to book some transport for them. After all, a herd of lost relatives isn’t the kind of entrance you were hoping for.
Walking down the aisle is your red carpet moment, so time to find hair and makeup masters who will give you an A-list look. And you’ll want your cake to be as sweet as your love story, so sort that out too. And don’t forget the rings.
Time to invite the masses, or at least your nearest and dearest. Get those invitations in the mail about now. And while you’re at it, ponder what you’ll say in your vows. After all, it takes time to create heartfelt prose that will leave even your stoic uncle misty-eyed.
Have you thought about where everyone is going to sit on the day? Even military tacticians have been spotted weeping over seating charts, so don’t leave this to the last minute. Test out your shoes and practise that first dance, and while you’re at it, bribe the weather gods to bless your day. And don’t forget gifts for the bridal party (especially if you actually did have any pre-wedding meltdowns. No judgement!)
Ideally, you’re not ripping your hair out at this point. Either way, now it’s time to relax, pamper yourself, and maybe practise those vows again—just in case nerves turn your speech into an impromptu rap. You’ve got this!
So there you have it—your guide through the journey of wedding planning. Just remember, this timeline is like a GPS, but sometimes you’ve got to take those detours and explore the uncharted territory of your own love story. Happy planning!
