Planning a wedding without a wedding planner might sound a little overwhelming but it’s very doable. Whether you want to stick to a budget or just love being in control, this guide will walk you through how to plan your own wedding and still enjoy the process and the day!
Why Plan Your Own Wedding?
There are plenty of reasons couples choose not to use a wedding planner:
- You like to be in control and want to make sure the day reflects you as a couple
- You have a tight budget
- You enjoy a bit of DIY.
Whatever your reason, this guide is here to help you stay on track.
1. Set a Realistic Budget
Your budget will determine everything, from your guest list size to your dress and theme.
Tips:
- Break your budget into categories (venue, food, attire, flowers, etc.)
- Carefully prioritise what’s most important to you and your fiancé and spend your money on those things - try not to be influenced by trends or what everyone else is doing
- Always leave a buffer for unexpected costs (there’s almost always a last minute expense you didn’t see coming)
- Use a wedding software to stay organised (we recommend our wedding planning software. It’s used by wedding planners around the world, so you know it’s trusted and will make planning a whole lot easier!)
2. Create a Wedding Timeline
This is essential as it will save you from any last minute chaos and ensure you know exactly what needs to be done and when. Create your own or use the timeline tool in our wedding planning software.
To get started…
12 Months Before:
- Set your budget
- Choose your date
-
Book your venue
- Send out a ‘Save the Date’
6–9 Months Before:
- Lock in your vendors
- Decide on your wedding attire
-
Book your hair and make-up
3–5 Months Before:
- Send out the invitations
- Finalise the menu
- Final headcount
1 Month Before:
- Final dress fitting
- Confirm vendor arrival times
3. Stay Organised
Put everything into our software so you can keep track of it all in one place! It will save you many sleepless nights trying to remember everything on your to do list and makes it easier to stay organised and on track. Just dedicate 10 minutes a day to updating your task list and checking your wedding emails, and you will feel so much more in control and far less overwhelmed.
The software features:
- Guest list
- Vendor contacts
- To-do lists
- Budget updates
- Seating arrangements
- More!
4. Delegate Where You Can
Even if you’re not hiring a planner, you don’t have to do everything alone. Family and friends often want to help, you just need to ask! Some of the things they could help with:
- DIY projects (some great DIY tips here)
- Coordinating vendors
- Setting up on the day
- Offering advice (if they planned their own wedding too!)
5. Clear Communication
Without a planner acting as the middleman, it’s up to you to communicate clearly with vendors. Keep everything in writing and confirm details well in advance.
6. Give Yourself Time to Enjoy the Process
Without a planner, it’s easy to get wrapped up in logistics. But make sure you set aside some time to:
- Have a date night without wedding talk
-
Indulge in a little self-care before the big day
Planning a wedding without a wedding planner takes effort, but it’s also incredibly rewarding! It means your day will be uniquely you and with the right tools and mindset, you can create a day that reflects your love story perfectly - on your terms.