How to Plan the Perfect Wedding: The Ultimate Guide For A Stress-Free Journey

Congratulations, you’re engaged! This is such an exciting chapter in your life, filled with excitement for what’s to come and dreams for the future. And while you should take time to revel in the joy of a new engagement, now is also the time to start thinking about your wedding. 

But where do you start?! Wedding planning can be a huge undertaking, so it’s important to get organized and start planning in advance. While there are so many decisions to be made when wedding planning, the good news is that with a proper plan you can slowly and surely bring your dream day to life. 

To help you manage this process, we’ve put together this extensive guide for a stress-free journey. From building your wedding planning timeline to choosing your wedding flowers, use this guide as a plan-of-action to help kickstart this exciting process. After all, your wedding is not only about the day itself, but about finding joy during every step of the way. 

So, keep reading for your ultimate guide to planning the perfect wedding!

Getting Started: How to Begin Your Wedding Planning Journey

Before you get into the specific details—like choosing a menu or buying a dress—it’s important to do some preliminary prep work. If you’re starting wedding planning from scratch, here are some initial steps to set you on the right path.

Create A Clear Vision 

The very first step in wedding planning is potentially one of the most fun ones: imagining your dream day. While, of course, you won’t be able to pinpoint the details, this is a time to imagine the general vibe that you’re envisioning.   

What type of venue will it be at? How many people will be there? Will it feel more classic or contemporary? While it’s important to not get too attached to any decisions at this early stage, having a rough guide of what you’re working towards will help to guide the next steps. Plus, it’s fun to start looking at popular wedding color palettes!

Set A Realistic Budget 

While the first step may be incredibly fun, this next one isn’t usually anyone’s favorite. However, taking the time to set a realistic budget at the beginning of planning a wedding is a crucial step for a stress-free (or at least mostly stress-free!) journey. 

 Start to browse price guides and vendor estimates for your area and keep a loose tally. Once you’ve got an initial clue into how much your ideal wedding might cost, sit down with your partner (and potentially family, if they’re contributing) and write a budget plan. While the reality is that extra expenses may arise, and some details may be a different price than you first thought, having a strong budget will help to guide your course. Everyone knows how stressful it can be to overspend, so get ahead of the 

Build Your Timeline 

Once you have a vision and a budget, the next step is to set up a timeline for planning that will help to keep you on track. Make a list of the things you need to book—like a venue or a baker—and set deadlines for when you’d like to have them confirmed by. 

And to keep stress levels at a minimum, try to assign yourself only one or two tasks a week, if possible. And if you’re on more of a time crunch, don’t worry! Planning a last minute wedding is totally possible, and will be quite the adventure. If that’s the case for you, having a clear vision will still be helpful, as you’ll be able to make speedy, confident planning decisions. 

As the planning timeline is so important, keep reading for a more in-depth look at putting yours together!

Crafting the Perfect Wedding Timeline

Scheduling your wedding planning is the key to a smooth, enjoyable journey. Let’s take a look on how to prep in the year, months, and week of your wedding, plus day-of logistics for a day to remember!

Key Milestones in a 12-Month Wedding Planning Checklist.

To help you manage the task of wedding planning, we’ve plotted some key tasks on a 12 month plan leading up to the big day. However, if you’re working on a different timeline, feel free to adjust it to better suit your needs! 

Here’s a general guide for a wedding planning timeline:

Time Before the Wedding Planning Checklist
12 months
  • Set your budget
  • Hire a wedding planner
  • Start venue search (and confirm date ASAP)
  • Make a guest list
11 months
  • Choose your wedding theme and decor color palette 
  • Book priority vendors, like photographer, music, and catering 
  • Choose your wedding party and ask them to be bridesmaids/ groomsmen
10 months
  • Start shopping for your wedding dress 
  • Design save-the-dates and gather addresses (email or home!) 
  •  Book any wedding accommodation or travel
9 months
  • Confirm guest list and send save-the-dates 
  • Order wedding dress
8 months
  • Meet with potential florists or define your DIY vision.
  • Start shopping with your bridesmaids for their dresses
7 months
  • Start planning & confirming extra events, like a rehearsal dinner or recovery brunch.
  • Reserve rental equipment.
  • Book an officiant
6 months
  • Book any transportation needed to/from the ceremony or reception.
  • Shop for the groom’s tuxedo.
  • Start planning a honeymoon.
5 months
  • Book a bridal hair and makeup trial.
  • Choose your wedding cake.
  • Order wedding bands.
4 months
  • Plan a menu tasting with the caterer.
  • Choose groomsmen’s outfits.
  • Order invitations
3 months
  • Send invitations (or e-invites).
  • Choose your wedding menu.
  • Plan ceremony readings.
  • Meet with your officiant.
  • Start any DIY projects
2 months
  • Go for a wedding dress fitting and book any alterations.
  • Buy wedding party gifts or party favors.
  • Send music guidelines or song list to your musicians.
  • Buy any miscellaneous items
1 month
  • Create seating chart and order placecards.
  • Pay vendors.
  • Have a venue walkthrough and confirm arrangements.
  • Break in wedding shoes
1 week
  • Pick up wedding dress.
  • Pack for wedding weekend and honeymoon.
  • Communicate final head count to venue.
  • Attend nail and tan appointments.
  • Write or practice vows
1 day
  • Deliver any paper goods or decor to the venue/ wedding planner.
  • Pack the car for the weekend.
  • Exchange notes with your partner, and get excited for the big day!

Day-Of Wedding Logistics

Once your wedding day has finally arrived, it’s time to relax, enjoy, and be present in the moment. And to allow that to happen, a tight plan is key! Whether or not you have a wedding planner or a day-of coordinator, having an organized runsheet will help the venue, vendors, and bridal party stay on track for a perfect day. 

 Here is an example wedding day schedule that you can tailor to your bespoke celebration! The most important thing is to print out a few copies, and send a version to anyone who may need it, such as your caterers or transportation.

Time Schedule
8 am Wake up and eat breakfast
9 am Hair and makeup
10 am Light snacks while hair and makeup continues, steaming dresses
11 am Finishing touches and detail shots
11:30 am Bridal party portraits
12:15 am First look and pre-wedding portraits
12:45 am Guests arrive
1 pm Wedding ceremony!
1:45 pm Cocktail hour begins
2 pm Family portraits and group shots during cocktail hour
3 pm Wedding reception begins
3:30 pm First course and toasts
4 pm Main meal is served
4:45 pm Cake cutting
5 pm Music starts, and so does dancing!
7 pm Bouquet toss
8 pm Your grand exit, or making your way to the after party

Bringing Your Wedding Vision to Life

While a timeline is an important step in setting planning milestones, it’s not necessarily the most creative or thrilling aspect of this journey. Instead, the venue, design, and vendor decisions are the ones to get excited about! 

Read on to find guidance on making the big, important decisions for your wedding to help you craft your dream day.

Choosing the Perfect Venue 

When it comes down to it, choosing where you’ll get married is perhaps the most important decision of them all—after choosing who you’re marrying, that is! It’s the setting for your vows, your first kiss, and your first dance as a married couple, and will also hold all of your nearest friends and family. 

However, with so many wedding venue options to choose from, it can be hard to decide on the right one for you. When considering your wedding venue, it’s time to tap back into that vision of your wedding. Is it big or small, indoors or outdoors, in the mountains or by the beach? Once you have a general direction, it’s time to start taking clearer action in researching options. 

Whether you’re staying local or planning a destination wedding, try to see as many potential venues as possible. While photos can help guide you, you’ll want to actually “feel” the space! And with so many factors to consider, here is a checklist to help you hone in on your perfect venue:



Location: 
Choosing the area that you’re getting married can help you narrow down your search for a venue. From a countryside chalet to a chic city affair, consider how far you’re wanting to travel.
Budget: 
Of course, your budget may preclude you from some of your favorite venue options. A tip: unless you’re able to totally revise the budget, don’t even visit venues that are too far out of your price range!
Capacity: 
You hopefully have an idea of how many people will be at your wedding by now, which can help you sort through venue options. Some have limits on the number of guests, while some may feel too big for an intimate affair!
Availability: 
Even if you love a venue, it doesn’t mean it’s available. This is why we suggest locking in a venue ASAP! With some luck and flexibility, you can work your wedding date around your dream venue.
Accessibility: 
From arriving at the venue to getting around, consider the accessibility needs of your guests. And don’t be afraid to ask for extra accommodations if necessary!
Reviews: 
Even if a venue looks perfect upon first glance, it’s always worth checking ratings or reviews from past weddings. You don’t want to get locked into a contract with a venue that is difficult to work with.
Extras: 
Don’t forget to ask about things like parking, noise restrictions, on-site accommodations, rain plan, amenities, and any other venue policies.

Designing Your Dream Wedding Decor

Once you’ve finally locked in a venue, it’s time to make it your own. From the ceremony to the reception, decor is your way to elevate any space and show off your unique style. Here are some wedding decor elements to consider:

Choosing a Wedding Theme

From traditional to ultra-modern, and from beachy to ballroom, there are so many themes to inform your wedding style. Start by choosing a wedding color palette and overall theme, and work through each decor choice using them as your guide. And if you feel overwhelmed, check out other weddings for some real bride inspiration!

Consider the Beauty of Faux Florals

When planning a wedding, the wedding flowers can make or break your wedding decor. However, as well as being expensive, it can be hard to know what flowers will be available on the big day, or how many you’ll even be able to afford.

Instead, premium artificial wedding flowers from Ling’s Moment make your dream wedding flowers accessible, affordable, and easy to plan in advance. Simply browse through our range of stunning wedding collections, choose your favorite, and select the pre-made arrangements that will bring your wedding to life. Plus, there are DIY options for those wanting a totally bespoke look!

Choosing Your Vendors

Much like choosing your wedding venue, choosing your vendors can have a huge impact on the feel and flow of your big day. These include catering, the photographer and videographer, a band or DJ, a makeup artist and hair stylist, and your wedding planner. 

Start by searching for vendors, online or in bridal magazines, who are local to your wedding. You can also ask for referrals from friends who have been recently married, too! Once you have gathered the names of a few options, it’s time to schedule a consultation. 

While hopefully everyone is a professional, it’s also important that they all work together to bring your vision to life. Here are some tips for questions to ask during a consultation that can help you find the right fit:

Ask for references:
Rave reviews from previous clients is one of the best ways to tell if your vendors will be a good fit.
Ask for their recommendations:
If you have a vendor you already know and love, like a planner or caterer, ask for their own industry recommendations. In general, they are likely to suggest professional, reliable vendors, and already have experience in working together!
Enquire about what is included in their package:
Every vendor will provide different services, but each should have a contract that clearly outlines what is included in their price. Make sure to read this thoroughly, and ask any questions in advance. These may include questions about travel rates for photographers, song requests for musicians, or advanced cocktail tasting for your bar staff.
Show your inspo:
If you have a clear vision for your bridal look, your wedding cake, or any other detail of your day, make sure to show inspiration pics when interviewing potential vendors. This will help a photographer, caterer, or stylist provide an accurate quote, and hopefully they’ll be able to show you proof of their similar work, too!

Wedding Planning Tips to Make Your Wedding Feel Like You

Once you’ve assembled all the general pieces to bring your wedding together, from venue to vendors, it’s time to have some fun. A wedding is a celebration of your love, so it should feel like a reflection of your unique relationship and style. Even the most classic wedding can be injected with personality and charm, and be made to feel like a truly one-of-a-kind experience!

Consider the Season

While you’ll have already picked a wedding date by now, it doesn’t mean that you can’t lean into the seasonal charm in a way that reflects your lifestyle. If you’re both beach-lovers, then why not plan your wedding ceremony to be barefoot in the sand? Or if you’re lovers of cozy evenings in old libraries, why not plan a winter venue with a roaring fire? No matter the time of the year you get married, don’t be afraid to incorporate natural elements into the planning of your wedding. In fact, this is exactly how you make it your own!

Multicultural Wedding Traditions

One of the best ways to truly make your wedding feel like you is to incorporate any traditional cultural practices into your day. From the Indian Mehndi ceremony to the Mexican Lazo, these traditions are an integral way to show appreciation and honor to your heritage. You could also consider having cultural musicians performing, too!  And while there may be traditional versions of each ceremony, don’t be afraid to make them your own. After consulting with family members or religious leaders, take a moment to think about what each tradition means to you. From sprinkling it into your wedding, to planning a completely traditional ceremony, it’s all about cherishing, celebrating, and revelling in what makes you you.

Personalized Wedding Ideas

When it comes to creating a wedding day that feels truly special and personal, it’s all in the details. From the moment your guests arrive until the moment you drive off into the sunset, consider ways to tell your love story. 

 There are no limits when it comes to personalizing your wedding, but here are some of our favorite ideas:

Custom cocktails:
Choosing your cocktails is a fun wedding detail. Consider choosing a few options that reflect your favorites or features in your history—like your first date! You can also name them something special, like after your pets or the names of the streets you’ve lived on. However you personalize your bar, your guests will love it!
Welcome sign:
Adding a personalized welcome sign is the first detail your guests will see upon arrival, and is a great way to set the mood for a perfect day! From rustic to sleek, there are so many styles to match your wedding decor. But whichever you choose, don’t forget to decorate it with custom sign decor!
Seating chart display:
How you show your guests to their reception seat is also a way to show off your style. Whether you opt for a large, sleek acrylic board, or a rustic handwritten map, use it as a personalized style statement.
Bespoke paper goods:
From invitations to napkins, having your name, initials, or funny details printed on your wedding paper goods is a fun way to add flair. You could also commission custom illustrations—or do them yourself!

Your Wedding Budget: Making Every Dollar Count

We all know that weddings can be expensive. And while having a budget is a crucial wedding planning step, actually making it stretch is a whole other exercise! We’ve gathered a few ways to scrimp, save, and negotiate, to help you plan your wedding on a budget.

Affordable Wedding Ideas

While it can seem like a tough task, it is possible to throw a cheap wedding. Yes, even for $1000! The trick to squeezing out the value of every dollar is to not try and do it all. Instead, make the details that you do decide to invest in really count. Here are some ways to plan your dream wedding, for less.

Throw a micro wedding:
Keeping your wedding intimate, either by eloping or just minimizing the guest count, is one of the best ways to keep costs down. With less heads at the table, you can relieve some of the financial pressure of a big do. Plus, it will feel extra special!
Repurpose wedding decor:
To keep decor costs down, consider styling the same piece twice. For example, your bridesmaid bouquets can become gorgeous wedding table centerpieces on a budget!
Use faux flowers:
While you may not have ever considered artificial wedding flowers, opting for premium faux florals is a simple (and gorgeous!) way to keep costs down. Artificial wedding flowers won’t wilt, can be bought in advance, and can be customized to suit any budget or wedding style. And once you’re familiar with them, taking care of your artificial bridal bouquet and decor is so much easier than you may even realize!

Vendor Selection and Negotiation

When planning a wedding, vendor costs can start to add up quickly. From the venue to the photographer, wedding industry prices are only increasing year on year. Managing these will help you reduce your entire wedding cost, so here are some tips on navigating wedding vendors on a budget:

Get married at home:
Your wedding venue is usually the largest planning expense. In fact, the average price for a venue is $10,700! To cut this down, consider hosting your big day at home, at a family member’s house, or even in a local park. While there can be some more admin involved, it will free up a lot of your budget for things like food and decor.
Find fresh talent:
Experienced wedding professionals, like a videographer or hair stylist, can cost hundreds or even thousands. To keep this cost low, consider looking for newer vendors with more competitive rates. Usually, they will be willing to work for less as a way to build up their portfolio and references!
Negotiate your supplies:
Many vendors, such as bar staff or musicians, will include supplies or equipment rental in their packages. To keep costs down, you may be able to sort out a plan where you provide these yourself, such as unmixed drinks or speakers. That way you can shop around for a discount, or use things you already have at home!

DIY Wedding Tips

When it comes to planning a wedding on a budget, there’s no doubt that doing things yourself is the way to go. From catering to making your own centerpieces, taking your wedding into your own hands can keep costs down. Plus, being hands-on can be an incredibly gratifying experience!

To keep the stress at bay and streamline your DIY wedding, here are some of our favorite tips:

Assign tasks to loved ones:
From your family to your bridal party, don’t be afraid to ask for help. This may look like calling in extra hands to set up the backyard wedding ceremony, or spending the lead up to the wedding handwriting the place cards. Whatever you have on your to-do list, it’s better to share the load!
Consider thrift stores:
The list of supplies for a wedding can feel overwhelming, as can the shopping list. Instead of buying everything new, consider thrift stores or online local marketplaces. Often, brides re-sell supplies like tablecloths or even wedding arches, and you can give them new life! Even better, you can re-sell anything after the wedding, and keep the cycle going.
Use existing decor:
While it can be tempting to buy everything for your wedding, don’t forget what you already have. From decor to flatware, start with what you have at home. You may be surprised at how nice it can look when styled for you wedding!

Real-Life Wedding Case Studies and Examples

So now you know what the wedding planning process is all about, it’s time to start bringing yours to life! But before you do, let’s take a look at some other weddings to kickstart your inspiration. Here are three real Ling’s Moment weddings, showcasing a range of gorgeous color palettes!

Michele & Rocco’s Sunset Terracotta Wedding

Set in the golden light of Arizona, Michele and Rocco’s wedding combined the warmth of Sunset Terracotta florals with gorgeous desert details. Their chic venue felt like an earthy statement, and their passionate decor was the perfect finishing touch. Rustic and modern, take a look at how Sunset Terracotta brought their wedding day to life!

Donna & Drew’s Romantic White & Sage Fall Wedding

On a cozy fall day, Donna and Drew were wed amongst the trees. Their gorgeous wedding combined chic style with a classic White & Sage color palette, adding a fresh feel to the autumnal air. If you’re drawn to subtle retro vibes and jewel-toned accents, you’ll love Donna and Drew’s romantic fall wedding!

Wedding Planning Tools and Resources

Planning your wedding is one of the most exciting journeys you’ll go on, and we’re here to help! To guide you through planning the perfect wedding, we’ve put together some tools and resources to help you stay organized and on track.

And remember, Ling’s Moment is here for all your wedding planning moments. From exploring color palettes to choosing your bridal bouquet, we’re so grateful to be a part of these milestones!

If you have your own Ling’s Moment wedding we’d love to see, please tag us on instagram at @lingsmoment. And until then, happy planning and congratulations!


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