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Wedding Planning FAQs For Couples
Ideally, start 12 to 18 months before your chosen date. This gives you enough time to secure the venue and your top-choice vendors, many of whom book out a year ahead. It also allows for flexibility with design decisions, guest list changes, and budget adjustments along the way.
Begin by defining your budget, guest count, and wedding style, whether that’s a country estate, modern city loft, or beach ceremony. Shortlist venues that fit your vision and offer packages that include essentials like catering and rentals. Always visit in person, check accessibility for guests, and ask about hidden costs such as corkage or service fees.
Costs vary greatly by country and scale, but most couples spend between €10,000 and €30,000. Expect around 40% for venue and catering, 15% for photography and video, and 10% for attire. The rest typically goes toward décor, flowers, entertainment, and stationery. Setting a clear budget early prevents overspending later.
Your venue should always come first, as it determines your date and overall theme. Once confirmed, lock in your photographer, planner, and caterer. These professionals tend to book quickly, especially for popular months like May through September.
If you both have demanding schedules or are planning a large or destination event, a wedding planner is worth every cent. They manage timelines, budgets, and vendor coordination, often saving you money through industry contacts. Even a day-of coordinator can make a big difference by handling logistics and solving problems quietly in the background.
Start by writing down everyone you’d like to invite, then divide the list into “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves.” Consider your venue’s capacity and per-guest costs before finalizing numbers. Remember that each additional guest impacts catering, seating, and even transport, quality time with your closest people is often better than quantity.
Most weddings last 8 to 10 hours, from ceremony to last dance. A smooth timeline includes prep time, ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, speeches, and dancing. Build in buffer time for hair, makeup delays, and photos so you’re not rushed. A relaxed timeline always makes the day feel more enjoyable.
Send save-the-dates about 8 to 12 months before the wedding, especially if guests are traveling or booking accommodation. Invitations should follow 2 to 3 months before, with an RSVP deadline about 3 to 4 weeks before the big day. This ensures you have time to finalize seating, catering, and guest logistics.
You can reduce costs by hosting your wedding on a weekday or during off-peak seasons, keeping your guest list smaller, or choosing a venue that allows you to bring your own wine or décor. DIY touches like invitations or table settings can also add charm while keeping expenses low.
- 12 months: Choose your venue, book planner, photographer, and videographer.
- 9 months: Buy your wedding dress, confirm entertainment, and finalize catering.
- 6 months: Send save-the-dates, book florist, and plan décor details.
- 3 months: Schedule menu tastings and confirm the event timeline.
- 1 month: Finalize seating, confirm vendors, and enjoy your bridal shower or bachelor party.
Couples often book vendors before setting a firm budget, forget to consider weather and lighting, or overload the schedule. Another big mistake is not delegating tasks, you can’t manage everything on your wedding day. Having a few trusted people or a planner helps you focus on enjoying the moment.
Create a detailed wedding-day timeline and share it with vendors and your bridal party. Appoint someone you trust, a planner, coordinator, or friend, to handle questions so you’re not interrupted. Do a quick rehearsal the day before and keep emergency items (pins, tissues, water, snacks) nearby. Preparation makes all the difference.