1. Agree on the wedding you both want
Before any booking, talk about size, feel and priorities. A wedding for 40 in a restaurant and one for 150 in a barn are different projects. Each of you names the three things that matter most — the food, the photos, the music, the people — so later decisions have something to lean on.
2. Set the budget
Decide what you can spend and who contributes, then split the total by category before you fall in love with anything. The free budget calculator does the split; the budget breakdown guide explains each line.
Agree on one total, not a range. A range always ends at its upper end.
3. Draft the guest list
A rough head count comes before the venue, because it decides which venues fit. Write everyone down, count heads rather than invitations, and keep an A list and a B list. The guest list etiquette guide covers plus-ones, children and colleagues; the free guest list template adds it up.
4. Choose the date and book the venue
The venue fixes the date, the size and often the caterer. Visit a few, ask what's included, and book as soon as one fits your list and budget. Fridays, Sundays and quieter months widen the choice and often lower the price.
5. Book the vendors whose calendars fill first
Photographer, caterer and music get booked early on popular dates; officiant, florist, cake and transport can follow. Ask the same questions of everyone — here is the list — and keep each quote, contract and payment date in one place.
6. Wedding party, attire and rings
Ask your wedding party early so they can plan too. Order attire with time for alterations — made-to-order outfits can take months — and buy the rings a month or more ahead.
7. Save-the-dates, then invitations
Save-the-dates usually go out 8 to 6 months before, invitations 8 to 6 weeks before, earlier for a destination wedding. The free invitation timeline gives the dates for your day.
8. Collect replies
Set the reply-by date 4 to 3 weeks before the wedding, ask about meals and dietary needs on the same card, and chase late replies by phone. Online RSVPs keep the count for you.
9. Plan the day itself
Build the day hour by hour from the ceremony time — the free wedding day timeline starts you off — then do the seating chart once the replies are in. Share the plan with your vendors and the people helping on the day.
10. The final month, and after
Final fittings, the marriage paperwork, a walk-through at the venue, the final head count to the caterer and your vows. After the wedding: thank-you notes, reviews for vendors you loved, and a name change if you're making one.