Booking your wedding venue is one of the most significant steps in the wedding planning process. It’s often the first major decision you’ll make, and it sets the tone for the rest of the celebration. Once you’ve secured your dream venue, the excitement of this milestone might have you feeling on top of the world. However, the process doesn’t end there. There are many important steps to take in the months and weeks leading up to your big day.
Planning a wedding involves many moving parts, and knowing what to do after booking your venue is key to staying organized, stress-free, and on track to create the celebration of your dreams. This article will walk you through the essential next steps after securing your wedding venue, from selecting your vendors to creating a timeline and finalizing the details.
1. Set Your Wedding Budget
Once your venue is booked, it’s time to establish a clear and realistic budget. Your venue will likely take up a significant portion of your wedding budget, so it’s important to allocate funds to other areas wisely.
Estimate the total cost: Make sure you’re aware of the total costs of the venue, including deposits, rental fees, catering, and additional charges for extras like lighting, chairs, or linens.
Allocate funds to other aspects: Beyond the venue, you’ll need to set aside money for things like attire, photography, transportation, entertainment, flowers, and more.
Prioritize spending: Once you’ve allocated your budget, prioritize the areas that are most important to you. For example, if you envision elaborate floral arrangements or a top-tier photographer, allocate funds accordingly.
Having a budget will guide your decisions and keep you grounded as you move forward with the planning process.
2. Create a Wedding Planning Timeline
A wedding timeline is essential for staying on track as you move through the months leading up to the wedding. Having a clear timeline helps ensure that nothing gets overlooked, and it provides a structure for when to accomplish key tasks.
12–18 months out: This is typically when most couples book their venue, select the date, and secure key vendors. Create a list of essential tasks to tackle each month.
6–12 months out: Finalize your vendor list, such as photographers, florists, DJs, or live bands. You’ll also want to start thinking about the wedding theme and any special décor.
3–6 months out: Send out invitations, select attire for the wedding party, and confirm details with your vendors.
1–3 months out: Finalize your guest list, start rehearsing for the ceremony, and make sure everything is in place for the big day.
1 week out: Confirm everything with your venue, vendors, and wedding party, and enjoy the last few days of preparation!
By staying on top of each step in the timeline, you’ll feel more confident as your wedding day approaches.
3. Hire Key Vendors
After booking your venue, the next big task is selecting your wedding vendors. These are the professionals who will help bring your vision to life, from catering to entertainment to flowers.
Caterer: If your venue doesn’t provide catering, you’ll need to find a reputable caterer. Schedule tastings and review menu options to ensure that the catering aligns with your preferences and budget.
Photographer and Videographer: These are some of the most important decisions in the wedding planning process. Book your photographer and videographer early to ensure that they’re available on your wedding date. Consider reviewing their portfolios and scheduling meetings to discuss your style and preferences.
Entertainment: Whether you hire a DJ or a live band, securing your entertainment early is crucial. Discuss your preferences, including song choices, timing, and any special announcements or performances you want incorporated into your celebration.
Florist: Choose a florist who understands your vision and is able to provide the flowers, arrangements, and décor you desire. Be sure to review their portfolio and work out a detailed plan for how floral arrangements will complement the overall wedding theme.
Officiant: If you’re not having a religious ceremony, you’ll need to find a secular officiant. Whether it’s a professional or someone close to you, ensure that they are comfortable with your ceremony style and understand your vision.
Hiring vendors well in advance allows you ample time to meet with them, review contracts, and make any adjustments.
4. Select Your Wedding Attire
Choosing your wedding attire is one of the most exciting parts of the planning process, but it also requires careful consideration and timing. Brides often start looking for their wedding dress as early as 9–12 months before the wedding, especially if custom alterations are involved.
Bridal gown: Start by researching bridal shops and styles that appeal to you. Allow time for fittings, alterations, and customizing your dress.
Bridal party attire: Coordinate with your bridal party to decide on dresses, suits, or outfits that match the theme of your wedding. Be sure to give ample time for ordering and tailoring.
Groom’s attire: Don’t forget to choose attire for the groom and any other important members of the wedding party.
Accessories: Consider shoes, jewelry, and other accessories that complete your wedding look. Don’t leave these to the last minute.
It’s essential to keep the timeline in mind, especially when it comes to alterations. Plan to have final fittings at least a month before the wedding date.
5. Create a Guest List and Send Invitations
With the venue secured, you can start creating your guest list. This step will guide many decisions moving forward, such as the catering, seating arrangements, and party favors.
Determine the guest count: Your wedding venue will have a guest limit, so start compiling your list early. Be mindful of your budget when deciding how many people to invite.
Save the dates: If you’re planning a destination wedding or need to accommodate for travel, consider sending save-the-date cards 6–8 months before the wedding.
Formal invitations: After sending save-the-dates, send your formal wedding invitations at least 2–3 months before the wedding date. Make sure the invitations include all essential details, such as the ceremony and reception times, venue addresses, and dress code (if applicable).
Sending invitations with plenty of time for guests to RSVP ensures that you’ll have enough time to finalize other arrangements, like catering and seating charts.
6. Plan Your Wedding Day Timeline
As your wedding day approaches, it’s essential to create a detailed schedule for the event. A wedding day timeline helps keep things running smoothly and ensures that every moment flows as intended. This timeline includes everything from when the bridal party will begin getting ready to the time the first dance is scheduled.
Here are some key moments to include in your timeline:
Getting ready: Schedule time for hair, makeup, and final preparations.
Ceremony: Include the arrival of the bridal party, the ceremony start time, and any special moments you’d like to include.
Reception: Plan the timing for the cocktail hour, dinner, speeches, dancing, and other key moments like the cake cutting and bouquet toss.
End of the night: Don’t forget to add time for the grand exit, whether it’s a sparkler send-off or a final dance.
Coordinate with your vendors to ensure everyone is on the same page and that the day goes off without a hitch.
7. Plan for Decor and Wedding Design
Decor plays a pivotal role in setting the ambiance of your wedding. After booking your venue, you’ll need to choose a color scheme, theme, and style that complements the venue’s aesthetics.
Flowers and centerpieces: Work with your florist to design arrangements that enhance the overall look of the venue. Discuss centerpiece options, including table arrangements, aisle décor, and flowers for the ceremony backdrop.
Lighting: Lighting can dramatically change the atmosphere of your wedding. Consider adding mood lighting, candles, or string lights to create a romantic ambiance.
Favors and gifts: Decide on small tokens of appreciation for your guests, such as personalized wedding favors or welcome bags for those traveling from out of town.
Incorporating decor elements that reflect your personal style and the theme of your wedding will create a cohesive and memorable atmosphere.
8. Confirm and Review All Details with Your Vendors
As your wedding day approaches, it’s important to confirm all the details with your vendors. Communication is key to ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
Check contracts: Review all contracts with your vendors to ensure that the terms and conditions are clearly understood and agreed upon.
Confirm arrival times: Double-check the arrival times for all vendors, including the photographer, catering staff, and entertainment.
Review menu selections: Confirm the menu with the caterer, paying attention to any special dietary restrictions or requests.
Checking in with your vendors in the weeks leading up to the wedding ensures that there are no surprises on the big day.
9. Enjoy the Final Weeks Before Your Wedding
The weeks leading up to your wedding can be stressful, but remember to take time for yourself and enjoy the experience. Consider taking a break from wedding planning, spending time with your partner, and reflecting on this special chapter in your life.
Take care of yourself physically and emotionally, and remind yourself why you’re going through this process: to celebrate love, commitment, and the beginning of a new chapter.
Conclusion
Booking your wedding venue is just the first of many exciting milestones in the wedding planning process. After securing the venue, the next steps include setting a budget, booking key vendors, selecting attire, and finalizing the details that will make your wedding day unforgettable. By staying organized and following a structured timeline, you can reduce stress and ensure that everything is in place for your big day.
Remember, the planning process should be enjoyable, so take time to savor the experience and celebrate each step along the way. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create the perfect wedding day that reflects your love story.
