Planning a wedding is a major feat filled with countless decisions, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! In this article, you’ll find our top 30 tips to make your big day a breeze.
From budgeting hacks to choosing the perfect venue, we’ve included handy tools and resources to help you every step of the way.
Plus, don’t miss our wedding planning checklist to keep everything organized!
How Touch Stay can help you plan your wedding:
- Centralized information hub: Touch Stay offers a centralized platform for organizing and sharing all of your wedding details. Create a personalized wedding guide that includes venue information, schedules, vendor contacts, and other important details, giving both you and your guests easy access to the information you need.
- Customizable templates: Use our customizable templates to create beautiful, branded wedding guides that reflect your unique style. These templates can be tailored to include information like dress codes, travel details, and activities, making it easier for guests to stay informed and engaged.
- Interactive features: Engage your guests with interactive features such as RSVP tracking, event reminders, and links to your wedding website. Touch Stay’s interactive elements ensure that guests are well-informed and can easily manage their plans.
- Streamlined communication: Improve communication with your guests through Touch Stay’s messaging and notification features. Send updates, reminders, and important announcements efficiently, reducing the need for individual follow-ups and ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
- Eco-friendly solution: Embrace sustainability by opting for a digital wedding guide through Touch Stay. Reduce the need for printed materials and contribute to a more eco-friendly celebration while still providing a comprehensive and stylish resource for your guests.
Ready for some fantastic tips that will help you on your way to tying the knot?
1: Start early
Starting your wedding planning early is essential for a stress-free experience. Begin by setting a wedding date and creating a timeline that outlines key milestones, such as booking the venue, selecting vendors, and sending invitations.
Early planning allows you to secure your desired venue and vendors before they are fully booked.
Additionally, using a wedding planning app like The Knot can help you manage your tasks efficiently. These apps offer features like budget trackers, guest list managers, and reminders to keep you organised throughout the planning process.
2: Set a budget
A well-defined budget is a must to prevent overspending or spending on the ‘wrong’ things. Start by determining your overall budget and then break it down into categories such as venue, catering, attire, décor, and entertainment.
Remember to account for hidden costs like tips, taxes, and delivery fees! Tools like Truly Engaging can assist you in tracking your expenses and staying within your budget as well.
3: Embrace your unique style
Infuse your wedding with your personal style rather than every trend you see. Whether it’s through custom invitations, personalised décor, or a unique theme, make your wedding a true reflection of who you are as a couple.
Brainstorm things that have special meaning to you both, like favourite colours, hobbies, or experiences. For creative ideas and inspiration, explore Pinterest’s wedding boards, which offer a wealth of visual ideas to help you bring your vision to life.
Personal touches make your wedding more memorable and meaningful to you and your guests.
4: Consider a non-traditional venue
Choosing a non-traditional venue can add a distinctive flair to your wedding and create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.
Think about locations that have special meaning to you or offer a unique atmosphere, such as an art gallery, a botanical garden, a historic home, or even a beach.
Unconventional venues often provide a blank canvas that allows for creative décor and personalised touches. Check out Unique Venues to explore various exciting options that can make your wedding stand out.
5: Create a wedding app with Touch Stay
A wedding app through Touch Stay is a modern and efficient way to keep your guests informed about every detail of your big day. The app can include essential information such as the venue address, event schedule, dress code, and RSVP options, all in a user-friendly format. You can also share your love story, photos, and important updates directly with your guests.
Touch Stay’s customisable app ensures that your wedding details are presented in a stylish and engaging manner, making it easy for guests to stay informed and involved.
6: Find wedding suppliers who get you
Choosing wedding suppliers who understand and align with your vision is extremely helpful for making a successful event. Take the time to meet with potential vendors, ask for recommendations, and review their portfolios.
Look for suppliers who are enthusiastic about your ideas and who offer a personalised approach to their services.
Whether it's a florist, photographer, or caterer, working with people who truly get your style and preferences ensures that your wedding day reflects your unique vision and personality.
Have a look at this guide on how to find quality wedding vendors to learn more.
7: Read all contracts fully before signing
Before signing any contracts with vendors (or in general), carefully review all terms and conditions. Make sure you understand the details, including payment schedules, cancellation policies, and any additional fees.
If something is agreed upon verbally, ask the vendor to put it in writing to avoid any confusion later. Clear and thorough documentation helps protect your interests and ensures that you and your vendors are on the same page.
Taking the time to read and understand contracts helps prevent the surprises and disputes you see going viral online.
Here are 9 tips to negotiate a wedding vendor contract with ease.
Source: Unsplash
8: Document everything with your vendors
In the same vein, keep thorough records of all communications and agreements with your wedding vendors. This includes contracts, payment receipts, and any verbal agreements.
For tips on managing vendor contracts, check out WeddingWire’s vendor management advice.
To learn more about good communication, read this guide on 7 tips to communicating with your wedding vendors.
9: Meet your vendors in person
Whenever possible, meet your wedding vendors in person before finalising contracts. This face-to-face interaction establishes good rapport and allows you to discuss your needs and expectations in detail.
It also provides an opportunity to see their work firsthand and ask any lingering questions.
You might find some vendors more important to meet than others – for more insights, have a look at this Reddit thread on the topic.
10: Make a new email address specifically for your wedding
Create a dedicated email address for all wedding-related communications. This helps keep your planning organised and guarantees your important messages don’t get lost among your personal emails.
Use this email address for correspondence with vendors, RSVPs, and any other wedding-related inquiries.
Not sure if this is right for you? Read this wedding email address do’s and don’ts to make an informed decision.
11: Assign tasks
A wedding is far too much to plan alone! Delegating tasks will alleviate stress and keep your mind clear.
Find reliable friends or family members who can take on specific responsibilities (depending whether or not you’re using a wedding planner), such as sending out invites, managing the timeline, or overseeing décor setup.
Be clear about your expectations and provide any necessary instructions to those helping you. Effective delegation helps prevent last-minute issues and allows you to fully immerse yourself in your special day.
If you have trouble giving away tasks and are a do-it-yourselfer, be sure to look at these 10 wedding planning tasks to delegate.
Source: Unsplash
12: Opt for sustainable choices
Embrace sustainability by incorporating eco-friendly options into your wedding planning. Choose recycled paper for invitations, opt for digital RSVPs, and select seasonal, locally-sourced flowers to reduce environmental impact.
Another good idea is to use reusable decor items and minimize single-use plastics. Sustainable choices both benefit the environment and align with growing trends towards green living.
For inspiration and more eco-friendly ideas, visit For Better or Worse.
13: Choose comfortable attire
When selecting your wedding attire, prioritise comfort alongside style. Opt for shoes you can dance in all night and a dress or suit that fits well and feels good.
You don’t want discomfort to overshadow your big day! It’s a good idea to try on your chosen outfit multiple times and break in your shoes before the wedding.
Guides for Brides has a nice list on how to feel comfy and confident on your wedding day. Suit-wearers, here are some do’s and don’ts on wedding attire.
14: Work to a realistic timeline
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither are weddings. Break down tasks into manageable chunks, set deadlines, and track your progress.
This timeline should include everything from booking vendors to sending invitations. Tools like Trello or Asana can assist in managing your planning tasks.
Check out our wedding planning timeline to get a better idea of which milestones you need to hit and when.
15: Don’t buy anything early on
Avoid purchasing major wedding items, like your dress or decor, too early in the planning process.
Your vision for the wedding might evolve as you progress, and buying items too soon might result in unnecessary expenses or mismatched choices.
Instead, focus on finalising your overall theme and vision before making large purchases.
Not sure what to buy or when? Have a look at this guide.
16: Don’t get stuck on the small details
Focus on what truly matters to you and your partner, and avoid overcommitting to non-essential details. It’s not worth getting caught up on the fact that the tablecloths are ivory instead of eggshell!
Prioritising what’s most important will make your wedding planning more manageable and enjoyable.
Task prioritisation can be difficult – here are some great tips on how to do it.
17: Be flexible and versatile
Wedding planning can be unpredictable, and flexibility is key to handling unexpected changes smoothly.
Be open to adjusting your plans if needed, whether it’s due to vendor issues or changes in your preferences.
Embracing a versatile approach will help you navigate any challenges that arise and keep you and your future spouse happy.
A major part of going with the flow is being able to relax – here’s the truth about wedding anxiety.
18: Personalize your vows
Your vows are supposed to be meaningful and deep, not written by AI or ripped off from a movie. Writing your own vows allows you to share your unique journey, values, and promises in a way that resonates deeply with both of you.
Start by reflecting on your relationship and the qualities you cherish in your partner. Include things like fun anecdotes or moments that shaped your story.
For help with crafting your vows, check out this vow writing guide with examples.
19: Incorporate a fun guest activity
Keep your guests entertained and engaged with some fun activities that add a personal touch to your wedding.
Some popular ideas include a DIY photo booth with props and backdrops for memorable and candid photos, or a guest book with unique prompts to capture fun messages and advice from your loved ones.
Engaging activities create lasting memories for both you and your guests, and can also serve as great icebreakers and conversation starters, making your wedding a lively and enjoyable event for everyone.
20: Choose a signature cocktail
Adding a signature cocktail (or mocktail!) to your reception menu can be a delightful way to reflect your personalities and preferences.
Work with your caterer or bartender to create a custom drink that embodies your tastes, whether it’s a unique twist on a classic cocktail or a completely original concoction.
You might name it after a meaningful moment in your relationship or include ingredients that have special significance.
Check out this guide to making a signature cocktail to get inspired!
21: Create a wedding day timeline
A detailed wedding day timeline is essential for keeping everything on track and your guests informed about where to be. Draft a comprehensive schedule that includes key moments such as the ceremony start time, reception activities, and vendor arrivals.
Share this timeline with your bridal party, vendors, and anyone involved in the coordination of your day. To streamline the process, consider using planning tools or apps that offer timeline templates.
You can also create a wedding brochure to be handed out as guests arrive, giving them both information and a nice keepsake.
22: Plan for transportation
Arrange transportation for yourself, your partner, and your guests to make sure everyone arrives at the venue on time and safely.
You might consider organizing shuttle services, arranging for car rentals, or coordinating carpools. However, this might not be applicable to all – if guests are arriving themselves, be sure to include detailed instructions on how to get there via several modes of transport. Transportation, and other essential details can easily be included in your Touch Stay guidebook.
The Knot has some good insights into wedding transport costs here.
23: Plan for special dietary needs
It’s important to plan for special dietary needs in case of allergies or religious purposes. Communicate with your caterer about offering a variety of menu options that cater to different dietary restrictions such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-friendly choices.
Collect dietary preferences from your guests in advance, so you can provide a diverse menu that everyone can enjoy.
24: Plan for unexpected weather
If your wedding is outdoors, have a contingency plan for unexpected weather. You could look into renting a tent or choosing a venue with indoor options to guarantee that your plans aren’t disrupted by rain or other weather conditions.
Discuss potential weather scenarios with your venue and vendors to make sure you’re prepared.
For more tips on handling weather challenges, visit this guide from Brides on outdoor wedding planning.
25: Treat your wedding party as honored guests
Show appreciation and respect to your wedding party! They’re there to support you on your special day, so treat them as honored guests rather than servants.
Provide them with thoughtful gifts, acknowledge their contributions, and make sure they feel valued.
Check out Zola’s 10 ways to thank your bridesmaids for ideas!
26: Be careful when telling your plans
Weddings tend to bring out strange reactions from people, and while it’s great to share your excitement with friends and family, be mindful of how much you disclose about wedding plans.
Avoid discussing every detail or inviting unsolicited opinions, as this can lead to unnecessary stress and conflict.
Instead, focus on sharing key updates and keeping communication positive and constructive. Set boundaries to keep your planning process enjoyable and manageable.
If you’re running into problems, there are plenty of guides on how to deal with difficult family members.
27. Prepare an emergency kit
An emergency kit can be a lifesaver on your wedding day. Include items like a needle and thread, safety pins, stain remover, pain relievers, and extra makeup.
Having these essentials on hand can help address any unexpected issues that arise and keep you looking and feeling your best throughout the day!
One Fab Day has a great guide on the matter here.
Source: Etsy
28: Create a thank-you plan
Show appreciation to your guests with a well-thought-out thank-you plan. After the wedding, send personalized thank-you cards or a heartfelt post-wedding email to express your gratitude.
You might include a photo from the event or a personal note to make each message special.
Timely thank-yous help acknowledge your guests’ presence and contributions, and they leave a lasting positive impression..
29: Make a post-wedding checklist
Once your wedding day is over, a post-wedding checklist will help you wrap up loose ends. This checklist should include tasks such as returning rental items, organizing and sending out thank-you notes, and managing your wedding gifts.
For a post-wedding checklist template, check out Wedsites’ guide on post-wedding tasks.
30: Enjoy the process!
Lastly, remember to have fun! Celebrate milestones, savor the moments leading up to your big day, and try not to get overwhelmed by the details.
Taking time to relax and appreciate the journey makes the experience more enjoyable and less stressful.
Remember, your wedding day is the culmination of your efforts and the beginning of a new life with the one you love most, not something to fight and stress about.
Source: Unsplash
Conclusion
As your celebration approaches, it can be easy to get lost in all the spreadsheets, table arrangements, difficult family members, and other minute details.
Planning the wedding of your dreams is only the start of your journey as a married couple – make it one that both of you can look back on fondly, regardless of the highs and the lows.
