Planning a wedding can be a daunting task. There’s the cost–in 2018, the average wedding costs more than $30,000–but it’s more than that too. Planning requires you to be organized, to keep track of many different details, and to be in touch with many different people at once. 

If you’ve had friends or family who have gotten married before you, they all probably have advice on how to start wedding planning. Even though their intentions are good, hearing conflicting opinions from different people ends up hurting more than helping. 

Whether you want a large wedding or a small one, stress-free wedding planning is possible. Below, we’re sharing some wedding planning 101 tips to get you started, so you can have the wedding of your dreams, without having nightmares. 

Read on to learn more!

1. Set Your Budget

If you’re wondering how to coordinate a wedding that you’ll actually enjoy, the first thing you need to do is set a budget. Weddings are an amazing day for a couple and their friends and family, but you shouldn’t sink deep into debt while planning. 

Identifying your budget from the beginning will make it easier to make certain decisions later on. You’ll be able to eliminate venues, caterers, dresses, and more just based on how much they cost. 

Very few couples have an unlimited budget, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great wedding. Knowing where you stand financially will help you identify realistic options to create your dream wedding. 

2. Target a Date

There’s no hard rule on how long to plan a wedding. Some couples want to be engaged for just a few months, while others take more than a year to plan. Regardless of where you fall, you should start talking about potential dates soon after you get engaged. 

Popular venues can get booked up months or even years in advance, and summer months are especially popular for weddings. Having a target date in mind can help you narrow down your search. 

Once you have your date, you’ll also know exactly how to plan a wedding reception, your ceremony, and more to use your time efficiently.

3. Pick Your Wedding Party

Who you choose to be in your wedding party can impact the planning process in a significant way. Knowing how to plan a small wedding or a big wedding successfully can come down to who you surround yourself with. 

Choose friends and family members who will help you stay calm no matter how hectic things get. After the wedding, don’t forget to send them free thank you cards to thank them for all their support.

Want More Ideas on How to Start Wedding Planning? 

Planning your wedding should be an exciting time that you can share with the people closest to you. You and your fiance should be able to enjoy the process of planning for the big day as much as you enjoy the wedding itself. 

This guide on how to start wedding planning can help you make important decisions early so that the rest of your planning is as stress-free as possible. Enjoy!

Don’t forget to bookmark our site to never miss any of our latest posts!