Wedding Planning Made Simple: What to Do and When to Do It
Plus how to stay on track — even if you’re short on time!
Whether you are planning a small wedding or a big one, it can feel like a full-time job, especially at the beginning, when everything seems important. If you’re asking yourself, “What do I do first?” or “Am I behind already?” — you’re not alone.
This guide breaks the process into realistic planning phases so you can take things one step at a time — with confidence, not chaos.
Want something to keep by your side as you go?
[Grab your free printable wedding checklist here!]
Phase 1: Set the Stage
This is your “big picture” moment. Before anything else, start with:
- Your budget — it’s the foundation for everything
- A rough guest count — venues and costs depend on this
- Your dreams — talk about your wedding vibe, season, and priorities
- Begin looking at venues and available dates
- Consider whether you want a wedding planner or to go the DIY route
* This is a great time to start saving ideas to a vision board or Pinterest.
Phase 2: Book the Essentials
Once your date and venue are secured, it’s time to lock in the major vendors:
- Photographer
- Videographer (if using one)
- Caterer
- Entertainment (DJ, band, live music)
- Officiant
- Begin dress and attire shopping — some dresses take time to arrive!
These are the people who tend to book up fastest — especially in popular seasons.
Phase 3: Make It Personal
Now it’s time to make the day feel like you.
- Choose your wedding colors and overall style
- Think about decor, rentals, signage, and florals
- Finalize wedding party attire and details
- Plan your registry, honeymoon ideas, and guest accommodations
- Start looking at invitation options or save-the-dates
This is also when you can plan your engagement photos, bridal shower, or bachelorette if you’re doing them.
Phase 4: Focus on the Details
Now that most of the big things are set, you can start to finalize:
- Menu + cake tastings
- Beauty appointments (hair, makeup, trials)
- Ceremony outline and vows
- Transportation plans
- Your wedding day timeline
- Seating chart ideas + place cards
This phase is when things really start coming together!
Phase 5: Final Touches
As the big day gets close, your focus shifts to checking off last details and confirming everything:
- Guest count + seating chart
- Vendor communication + delivery times
- Final dress fitting
- Print your timeline + share it with your wedding party
- Pack your day-of kit
- Enjoy a little self-care time
Want a Planning Checklist That Adapts to Your Timeline?
Whether you have 12 months or 12 weeks, my printable wedding checklist is flexible, and practical. It’s designed to guide you through all the major steps at your own pace. Not every task will apply — and that’s totally okay! Cross out the stuff that doesn’t matter to you.
[Click here to download your free checklist now!]
Planning on a Shorter Timeline?
Only have a few months to pull it together? You’ve got this. Take a breath — it’s tight, but totally possible. The key is to movie fast, stay focused, and let go of perfection.
The secret is to simplify and combine phases. Use the 6-month wedding checklist as your starting point, then cut what’s not essential and combine tasks wherever you can. You don’t need a long timeline — you just need a clear plan.
Focus on:
- Locking in your venue and key vendors immediately
- Choosing outfits that are off-the-rack or easy to tailor
- Sending digital invites or skipping traditional paper timelines
- Letting go of “shoulds” and focusing on what really matters to you
Time’s short, but your day can still be beautiful — and honestly, a tighter deadline can help you skip the fluff and make faster, stress-free decisions.
