Wedding Planning Checklist: How to Plan Your Wedding Step By Step without a Planner

Becoming engaged is one of your life's most exciting moments until your wedding day arrives.

You want everything to be ideal since you are officially spending eternity with the love of your life. The issue is that perfection requires a great deal of preparation. With a wedding coordinator, that might be easier. But don't worry; we've got you covered if you need help knowing where to start.

To ensure a smooth preparation, refer to our unique wedding planning checklist below. Additionally, learn essential tips from couples who organize their wedding day independently!

How do you plan a wedding without a wedding planner?

What is the connection between your trek down the wedding aisle and a thousand-mile excursion? Both of them begin with a single step. Just look at Emily and Jackson, the Flowersarch couple.

Jackson stated on our show, "I would advise you just to go out and do it." Nothing is worse than merely glancing at a Pinterest board and speculating about what might occur. Invest a small amount of time and funds to create scale models.

What is meant by creating a "scale model"? One couple had to go to the craft store and work with flower samples and vases to figure out what they wanted, creating tiny proof-of-concepts. Combining these separate components into a broader wedding display is more straightforward when handled on a smaller scale.

You can use this concept for almost any significant wedding-related design choice.

How much time do you need to plan a wedding?

The average couple plans their wedding for 15 months, according to actual wedding research by The Knot. However, that is only an average and not a hard-and-fast rule. While some couples can have their weddings in as little as three months, others plan it years in advance.

Because of this, we have separated our do-it-yourself wedding checklist into three stages: the preparation stage, the main stage, and the final stage. These sections may be applied to any timeframe.

Part 1: Preliminary planning

The initial steps you should take are included in this stage since they set the groundwork for subsequent planning phases. At this point, researching your possibilities is more important than making firm judgments.

Create your budget

Yes, sadly, arithmetic is a part of wedding preparation. Although tasting wedding cakes is undoubtedly more enjoyable, your budget will determine which bakers you may first hire. (Unless you are prepared to pay for the wedding cake with a payday loan.)

Decide how much you want to spend on the ceremony and reception in advance by sitting with your fiancé. Include your family in the conversation and decide who will cover what if you intend to enlist their financial assistance.

Generally speaking, budgeting an additional 10% for unforeseen costs and emergencies is wise. Being overprepared is preferable to being over budget!

What is a reasonable budget for a wedding?

According to data from Brides, the average couple spends about $29,000 on their wedding day in 2023, but that's only an average.

A wedding day might be planned for a fraction of that, such as $10,000, $5,000, or even $1,000. Did we also mention that our blog contains breakdowns for various wedding budgets? For a more thorough guide, check them out.

Gather wedding inspiration and choose a theme.

The exciting part is choosing a wedding theme when the budget has been decided. Yes, you now have a legitimate excuse to create Pinterest boards for your wedding.

You can see trends that will inspire your wedding's general theme as you gather pictures that appeal to you. After that, you and your spouse can choose a specific theme for your wedding.

More help choosing your wedding theme

If you're having trouble deciding between several options, think about the following to help you make a decision:

• The season: Which would you prefer—walking down the aisle amid soft spring flowers or swirling fall leaves? Take inspiration from the natural world and the current season for your theming.
• The colour palette: One of the most critical factors in establishing the mood is the wedding colour palette. While a Burnt Orange and Blue colour scheme can produce a more free-spirited look, a deep palette of Burgundy and Black, for instance, can capture a melancholy vibe.
• Close-by holidays: Are there any holidays approaching the date of your potential wedding? Use seasonal accents in your wedding décor, such as orange roses for Halloween or evergreen garlands for a Christmas wedding.

Tip: Check whether you can preorder samples of some wedding décor, such as flowers. Before deciding on a style, you can see your wedding colour scheme in person.

Research and tour wedding venues

"Finding your venue is probably the most important thing to do first," suggests Emily, Flowersarch's bride. Your venue is ultimately the most expensive aspect of your wedding day, and it will affect other aspects of your planning, such as your wedding theme and the providers you can choose.

While many variables can influence the perfect venue for your wedding, consider the following aspects while evaluating your alternatives.

• Location: What is the distance between your residence and the venue? Will you require hotel rooms and airline tickets, or can you and your visitors drive or use the bus?
• Availability: Are any dates open at your venue during the season you are considering?
• Versatility: Does your location have distinct spaces for your ceremony and reception? What about areas for hosting a cocktail party or getting ready? You should also review the venue's rainy-day strategy if you choose an outdoor location.
• Aesthetic: Your venue's general atmosphere is also quite important. Getting married in a rustic greenhouse can have a different vibe than a medieval manor house.

Scout your wedding vendors.

You'll likely want to bring along a few wedding vendors. These may consist of:

• Photographer and videographer for weddings
• Baker and caterer
• Artist for makeup
• Hairdresser
• A reception performer, such as a band or DJ

Even though it's not technically required at this exploratory stage, having a wedding date and location in mind helps you focus on vendors who can meet your requests.

Tip: Abby and Nick, a couple from Flowersarch, advise asking your venue for suggestions if you need help determining where to begin. They could save time and money by locating a single business offering a bundle deal on several services.

Book an engagement photoshoot.

Okay, so your wedding doesn't officially include an engagement picture shoot. However, it's a good idea to record the occasion for future generations while you enjoy the excitement of a new engagement.

Additionally, the pictures will make excellent images for your engagement announcement and wedding website and be used on social media and in your wedding scrapbook. Additionally, you might wish to hire your engagement photographer for your wedding if you get along with them.

Send an engagement announcement.

You can publish your engagement announcements on social media or send them out in the mail if you have a favourite photo from your engagement photo shoot.

You can mail an engagement announcement to a non-wedding guest, so don't panic if your guest list still needs to be finalized. That is the purpose of invitations!

Make a guest list

Make a draft list of your most essential visitors in advance for wedding guests and invitations so you can estimate the final number of guests on your wedding day.

After researching potential locations, Flowersarch bride Emily advises creating a guest list to facilitate this phase. This can assist you in figuring out whether your ideal venue can hold everyone or if you'll need to make concessions.

How many people should be on my guest list?

A typical wedding has about 117 people, but based on your idea and budget, some weddings may have more or less. For instance, couples that desire a more intimate or less expensive ceremony frequently choose to have a micro wedding with 50 guests or less.

Select your wedding party.

When creating your initial guest list, you must consider who will accompany you down the aisle! Your vision and the magnitude of your wedding will determine how big your bridal party should be. However, you might want to fill the following positions:

• A maid of honour
• A best man
• Bridesmaids
• Groomsmen
• The flower girl
• The carrier of rings

Decide with your fiancé how many guests you want to have at your wedding and who you want to invite.

Tip: Getting your wedding party members on board before other guests is brilliant. Some might assist you later with specific wedding-related tasks, such as creating do-it-yourself projects.

Make a wedding website.

A wedding website serves as the "home base" for your wedding day. However, it isn't technically required. For your visitors, your website can act as a central source of information, offering details such as

• Directions to the location of your wedding
• Links to your registry of gifts
• A collection of your wedding and engagement pictures
• An electronic guest book

You can add more resources and information for your guests as you finish the planning steps.

What can I use to build a wedding website?

Making a wedding website doesn't require you to know how to code. You can quickly create your own by using the following services:

• The Knot
• Minted
• Joy
• Zola

Part 2: Main Planning

You've prepared yourself. You can now start scheduling suppliers and creating detailed plans. At this point, everything comes together, and the magic happens.

Book your venue

Now is the time to reserve your location and decide on your wedding date after you've finished your exploration. How far ahead of time must this be? The location, popularity, and schedule of your wedding can all affect that. However, most couples take this step six to twelve months before the wedding.

Send invitations

Once your venue is reserved, it's time to send out save-the-dates and complete your guest list.

Some couples may decide to hire a professional, such as a calligrapher. However, several online services are available for printing invitations or sending digital devices if you want to save money or go the do-it-yourself way. Among our favourites are:

• Minted
• Zazzle
• Evite
• RSVify

Find your officiant

You have most likely already gathered your bridal party by this point. However, an officiant will also be required to lead your ceremony. The following are potential candidates for this position:

• A religious official with ordination, such as a rabbi or preacher.
• A civil official, such as a magistrate or justice of the peace.
• A friend or relative. An ordained wedding officiant can be easily obtained online for free or at a nominal charge in places that do not need it.

Book a photographer or videographer.

The photographer is arguably the most important of all the wedding suppliers. They are the ones who provide the recollections of your special day, after all.

Many photographers and videographers provide wedding-specific packages for a set price, while some can also bill by the hour or the number of images they take. Our blogs on budgeting have also discussed ways to cut costs on this item!

Create a wedding registry.

Are your loved ones organizing a bridal shower for you? The time to set up an online gift registry is now. You're ahead of the game if your wedding website is already running. Simply provide the link and point your visitors there.

Tip: You don't even need to use another service because some wedding website builders come with registries built in.

Find your wedding flowers.

Without flowers, is a wedding day truly complete? We don't believe so. You can order flowers from an online retailer like Flowersarch or schedule a florist to provide floral beauty for your special occasions.

Because they ship beautifully and are simple to incorporate into any wedding planning timeline, we at Flowersarch have a soft spot for fake flowers. You won't have to worry about flowers wilting if you order them months or years before your wedding. Additionally, you can use them as decorations in the future to constantly remember your wonderful day.

Grab other decor items.

You could wish to add more to your wedding décor and your bridal flowers. Depending on your vision, you could require additional goods such as:

• Arches made of wood.
• Linens and curtains
• Table runners and tablecloths
• Pots for flowers or vases
• Platforms or trays for displays

Tip: If money is tight, consider joining a Facebook group for secondhand weddings. You can receive adorable décor without over budget because members will sell off wedding goods they no longer need.

Make DIY projects

Now is also a great time to prepare your do-it-yourself wedding projects if you're creative. It's a fantastic opportunity to add your unique touch to your wedding décor and a great way to save money. 

Tip: Try asking your bridesmaids and maid of honour to assist you with crafting to make the process run more smoothly. Along with creating pre-wedding memories with your closest friends, your projects will proceed more quickly. Win-win!

Schedule tastings with caterers

If your venue does not offer on-site catering, you should set up samples with potential caterers. We know it's a difficult job, but someone must do it.

When selecting a caterer to hire, some things to think about are:

• Buffet or full-service: Will your caterer just serve the food for a buffet, or will they offer a "full service" meal with wait staff, similar to a sit-down restaurant? 
• Location: What is the distance between your venue and your caterer? The likelihood that your meal will remain hot and fresh for your visitors increases with their proximity.
• Other courses: Besides your main course, can your caterer provide additional wedding food, such as hors d'oeuvres for a cocktail hour?

Book a baker

You'll also need to hire a baker for the wedding cake, the sweetest treat at your reception. In addition to ensuring your favourite baker can produce the desired appearance, you should confirm that they can supply the flavours you have in mind.

Additional tastings? With a tasty dessert this time? Oh, phew. The difficulties of organizing a wedding never stop!

Shop for your wedding attire.

Now is the moment to accept the dress! Your budget will ultimately determine where you shop for wedding clothes. You can schedule appointments at speciality bridal or menswear stores or look for an internet store that can deliver your wedding attire directly to your home.

Depending on your schedule, there are different dates on which you should buy your clothes. However, if you want adjustments, ensure your seamstress or tailor has enough time to do the task.

Book a hair and makeup stylist.

Of course, with some assistance from Instagram and TikTok, you can always make yourself feel fabulous. However, hiring a hairstylist and makeup artist can help you feel and look like a princess if you want the treatment.

Make sure you are satisfied with your final wedding look by scheduling a trial session before making a final reservation.

Find your wedding entertainment.

A Bluetooth speaker will work fine if you want to play music at your wedding reception. However, now is the perfect moment to hire a DJ or live band to play the music for your happily-ever-after if you want to make your celebration more enjoyable.

Book hotels & transportation (if needed)

You'll also need to make travel arrangements and reserve hotel accommodations for you and your family if you're having an out-of-town wedding.

Abbey and Garret, a couple from Flowersarch, arranged their destination wedding at a hotel to streamline the process and save their guests from making extra travel arrangements to get to the location.

Take care of other rentals.

Additionally, you might need to rent additional tables and chairs for your wedding ceremony and reception. Your wedding location might be able to assist with some of these things. However, feel free to contact a local rental firm that can bring them to your location.

Get your wedding bands.

In addition to your brand-new engagement ring, you will require wedding bands for the ceremony. Give yourself ample time to arrange for any personalized embellishments you desire, such as engravings.

Get favours for your guests.

Consider ordering favours to distribute during your wedding reception to show your sincere gratitude to every one of your guests. Here are a few adorable wedding favour ideas:

• Tiny flower arrangements
• Cookies and candies are examples of edible treats.
• Products that promote relaxation, such as scented candles or bath bombs. (Perhaps keep some for yourself.)

Book your honeymoon plans

Although this isn't a wedding preparation suggestion, you might also want to use this time to make final honeymoon arrangements. After all this preparation is finished, you will undoubtedly deserve to relax.

The Flowersarch couple Sarah and Channing advise making reservations at an all-inclusive resort because they don't demand any more preparation on your part; all you have to do is arrive and unwind. It sounds like the ideal way to unwind after wedding planning!

Final planning stages

Now that the majority of your wedding has been planned, it's time to finalize any last-minute details so that everything goes smoothly on your wedding day.

Get your marriage license

Naturally, you will require a marriage license to make things genuinely official. Some states impose a waiting time for marriage licenses, but you don't have to sign it until your ceremony. To ensure you have it prepared and ready for your ceremony, find out how far in advance you must apply based on your local rules.

Make a schedule for your wedding day.

Dylan and Maria, a couple from Flowersarch, advise creating a wedding day timeline for your bridal party and providers to ensure a seamless ceremony and reception. This made it easier for everyone involved in their wedding to keep in sync and adhere to the timetable, providing their unique cruise ship wedding went off without a hitch.

Tip: If an activity takes longer than you anticipate, like taking your wedding photos, give yourself extra time than you think you'll need so you don't feel pressured.

Double-check with your vendors

Ask each of your wedding vendors to confirm that they have received their money and have everything they need ready as the wedding day draws near. If you haven't already, this is an excellent opportunity to let them know your itinerary.

Finalize your vows

Put the final touches on your vows now if you have decided to write them yourself. Practising to avoid stumbling over your words during your ceremony can also be beneficial. However, nobody would hold it against you if you did get a little speechless. When you marry the love of your life, it is challenging to avoid crying.

Write a note for your partner.

We recommend composing a passionate note for your partner to read as they prepare for the wedding as a last finishing touch. Use a waterproof pen if any of your happiness spills onto the paper.

How to plan a wedding step-by-step: Conclusion

We hope this do-it-yourself wedding planning checklist will help you through the process! Asking your loved ones to help out is something to think about if you ever feel overburdened by making all of the reservations yourself. What else is family for, after all?

The Flowersarch blog and podcasts offer further wedding-related ideas and guidance. You can also rely on us to deliver the most excellent no-wilt wedding decorations and flowers to streamline your planning and add a wonderful touch to your special day.