Planning a wedding should be easy. I mean, it’s just a big party, right? A big party where you happen to get married. Ok - it’s kind of a big deal! You’ll need to figure out a venue, food, music. Then there’s vendors, decorations and clothes. If you’re not hiring a planner, you’ll need to figure it all out on your own. Everything from your first look to your last dance. There’s a lot of tasks, some of them big, some of them small. But here’s the good news - everything you need to do can be broken down into 4 easy steps:

1. Build a Framework For Your Wedding

Choose your wedding date and time.
Set your budget.
Decide how many guests you’ll invite.
Choose your style, wedding theme or inspiration.

2. Choose Your Wedding Venue and Menu

Consider a ballroom or banquet hall.
Consider an alternative venue.
Choose your ceremony venue.
Research and compare venues.
Compare pricing for rentals.
Decide on your menu.
Compare catering options.
Decide how you’ll serve beverages.
Plan your ceremony.
Plan your reception.
Set up your wedding day timeline.

3. Book Your Vendors

Choose your officiant.
Hire a day-of coordinator.
Find a photographer.
Plan your flowers.
Schedule your hair and makeup.
Hire a DJ or make a playlist.
Choose a cake baker.

4. Buy Your Wedding Items

Wedding rings.
Marriage license.
Wedding dress & accessories.
Menswear & accessories.
Wedding invitations.
Thank you cards.
Postage stamps.
Cake knife & server.
Guest book & pen.
Favors for guests.
Gifts for bridal party, parents and each other.

Each step will take some time to figure out, but if you stay organized, you can do it. Take your time, do your research and decide what’s best for you. Follow along with the list and check off each item as you finish it. By the time you reach the bottom, you’ll have everything you need for a fantastic wedding.

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This is an excerpt from the book - How to Plan a Wedding: A Guided Wedding Planner and Organizer. The full planner is packed with checklist, worksheets, tips and tricks to help make your wedding planning simple. Check it out on Amazon: