Wedding Planning Tips

Make sure to confirm any other wedding details (e.g., venue, location, website) you plan to include on your Save the Date Card or Magnet.

If planning a theme-based wedding, use your Save the Date to inform guests so they can share in the theme and dress appropriately.

Tight budget? Read these seven money-saving tips to save big on your Save the Date order.

Find out the names of unknown guests (i.e., significant others, children) so that you can be as personal as possible when addressing invitations.

When writing out your wedding invitations, double-check the spelling of each guest’s name and title.

Devise a system for keeping track of the RSVPs as they start to come in.

Before you send out your Invitations and Enclosure Cards, double-check your directions to the ceremony and reception.

When placing your invitation order, include an extra 25 invitations to account for last-minute invites, keepsakes, and/or mistakes.

The invitation sets the style and tone of your wedding, so allow yourself plenty of time to research trends, brainstorm ideas, and explore invitation package options.

A great source of inspiration is reading wedding blogs like Truly Engaging to see how other couples have personalized their wedding invitations.

Coordinate your Save the Dates, Wedding Invitations, Wedding Programs, Wedding Favors and Thank Yous together for a completely polished look.

Add harmonious depth to your Invitations using coordinating Embellishments such as Envelope Liners, Vellum, Vellum Bands, and Labels & Seals.

Personalize your wedding favors to reflect your personality, wedding formality, and theme.

Remember that wedding favors serve as a “thank you” to your guests, so select meaningful favors that express your appreciation for their presence.

From personalized Favor Boxes to Gift Tags, use your Wedding Favors as an opportunity to share your favorite photos, love quote, or new address.

Using honeymoon pictures for Thank You Cards is a fun way to thank guests while giving them a keepsake of your new life together.

If you’re planning on using any wedding or honeymoon photos for your Thank Yous, develop and decide your photo(s) as quickly as possible so you can be timely with your Thank Yous.

Set up a comfortable spot in your new home to write out your thank you notes, having a certain goal to reach each day.

When writing your Thank Yous, give yourself plenty of time so that you can craft a personalized and thoughtful note to each gift giver.

Instead of writing alone or separately, consider writing your Thank Yous together as a couple. This “together time” is a great way to bond as newlyweds and to lay down a foundation of shared gratitude for your marriage.

Coordinate your wedding look by matching your Thank You Cards to your Save the Dates and Invitations.

Thank You recipients extend beyond those who gave you physical gifts. Remember to send notes of gratitude to anyone who provided a service to you (e.g., hostesses, wedding coordinator, officiate, maid of honor, best man), and any wedding professionals who exceeded your expectations.

Getting good customer service is more likely achieved when the bridal shops are least busy. Consider going out on a weekday or weeknight when there are fewer crowds.

Use a vinyl tape measure to get accurate measurements for your gown.

Try on all the undergarments for the wedding dress to get a true understanding of the feel and weight of your bridal dress ensemble.

Make sure your wedding dress contract states everything that you have purchased, details of the dress itself (including manufacturer), alteration fees, any hidden fees, and a guaranteed delivery date.

Set your maid or matron of honor apart by featuring her in a different color dress or carrying different flowers than the other bridesmaids.

Bridesmaids come in all shapes and sizes. Consider letting them choose their own dress cut/style or color, but within the same formality or general color scheme.

Order all the bridesmaids’ dresses at the same time. Ask the shop attendant about ordering them from the same dye lot for maximum color accuracy.

Make sure your wedding hair complements—​rather than clashes or competes with—​the neckline of your dress. Experiment with hairstyles while wearing a shirt with a similar neckline.

Accessorizing your hair with headpieces like veils, tiaras, flower studs, and jeweled hairpins is a fun way to personalize your look to match your wedding theme or personal style.

When deciding on makeup, consider the weather and season of your wedding. If you are having a summer or tropical destination wedding, use makeup that is waterproof, lightweight and has built-in SPF.

Whether you are hiring a professional or doing your own hair and makeup, make sure to do at least one full makeup and hair rehearsal to ensure you achieve the look you want for your wedding.

To ensure your hair and skin look their happiest (and healthiest!) on the Big Day, remember to eat healthy, get plenty of rest, and nourish your hair and skin with regular trims, conditioning treatments, skin moisturizers, and SPF products.

As you create a list of potential wedding vendors (e.g., photographer, caterer, florist), start with vendors recommended by family and friends.

If you have your heart set on a particular officiate or vendor, book them as soon as you can, as his or her calendar will probably fill up fast.

Talk to your minister or officiate about personalizing the service and discuss any restrictions.

Ask potential vendors for the phone numbers of previous customers and then call them for references.

Consider hiring professional vendors, rather than friends or family, to avoid awkwardness should something not go as planned.

Before signing vendor contracts, read the fine print making sure that the fees, date, times, location, services, and any hidden fees are included.

Reserve your venues as soon as possible after the engagement announcement to hold the date you want. If you have been dreaming about that certain place, act quickly.

When researching venues, consider guests who are in wheelchairs, with seeing or hearing impairments, or have dietary restrictions. Think of ways to prepare for their safety and comfort.

Before you put down a security deposit on a venue, check the written cancellation and refund policies.

Inquire whether the reception site has its own caterer that you must use or if you can bring in your own.

Ask your minister or officiate if there are any venue regulations regarding using your own decorations, writing your own vows, or performing certain traditions.

Before interviewing recommended individuals, gather photography samples of the style you want to help you explain your vision.

Look at the photographer’s portfolio and ask about their experience and why they like shooting weddings.

Know your photography budget and be familiar with the type of package you would like to order (digital, prints, both, etc.).

Request that the photographer’s contract clearly detail the list of inclusions, such as: costs, packages, additional print costs, hours to shoot, overtime fees, as well as proofing and ordering process.

Before you decide on the meal style, consider these important factors: catering budget, anticipated number of guests, reception time, as well as the season and formality of your wedding.

Inquire about the caterer’s specialty dishes and the cost variations within meal styles.

Look through the caterer’s portfolio, then request an in-person food presentation and taste test.

Communicate any allergies and dietary restrictions, including cultural or religious, to the caterer as soon as possible.

Make sure to inform the baker of any allergies you or your guests may have.

Look through the baker’s portfolio and ask to taste samples to ensure it is as scrumptious as it is statuesque.

Personalize the cake by decorating it with heirloom linens or items that have special cultural/traditional meaning.

Make sure you have the specifics about the reception room, flowers, colors scheme, formality and guest count to give to your baker.

Ask your wedding attendants if they have allergies to any flowers so you can communicate that to your florist.

Give the florist access to your overall vision through photos and color/fabric swatches.

Ask to see photos of the florist’s previous weddings to get an idea of their style.

Allow your florist to make flower recommendations reflective of not only your vision but also of color and seasonal availability.

Before you book the DJ or musician(s), ask them about their style, how they interact with guests, and how many breaks they take.

Request to see a live performance and/or video clips of past receptions.

Compile a "play" list as well as a "do not" play list for your musicians so they are aware of the music you want played.

Choose a car or limo service that owns the cars and whose specialty is weddings.

Always ask to inspect the car that you want to rent for cleanliness and excellent condition.

Make sure the contract states everything you are expecting: fees, driver, tipping, inclusions, coverage rates, and the make/model of the car.

If your wedding date is more flexible than your budget, contact vendors for special discounted rates for getting married on a Friday, Sunday, or in the least popular months.

When configuring your wedding budget, consider these likely additional costs: taxes, permits, shipping and handling, etc.

Track expenses and stay on-budget by saving and logging all receipts. (Try our free Wedding Budget Guide to help track your spending.)

As you start planning hotel accommodations for out-of-town guests, reserve a block of hotel rooms. Guests will appreciate the convenience, and the hotel may offer you a discount on the rooms.

Welcome out-of-town guests by giving them a "glad you’re here" bag full of goodies and inviting them to a fun get-together activity of your choosing.

Give guests multiple ways to access accommodation details (e.g., invitation, wedding website) to ensure reserving is easy, convenient, and timely.

Remember to include meals for the other wedding professionals at your reception, and ask if your caterer offers special pricing for their meals.

Create ambiance with lighting at your reception using lanterns, votive candles, or string lights.

Renting or borrowing accessories like lighting, tables, linens, and tableware can often save you additional money.

If you order anything online (e.g., tablecloths for the reception hall), check immediately to ensure that what you received is exactly what you had ordered.

Facilitate the gift ordering process for out-of-town guests by registering for wedding gifts at nationally recognized stores and/or online retailers.

Consider creating an online wedding registry to make it convenient for guests to view your registry, purchase gifts, and have them shipped directly to you.

Supplement your registry with gifts that are meaningful and unique to you as a couple (yet still wedding appropriate). From hiking gear to photography equipment, choose gifts that will bring you closer together as a couple.

Writing your own vows is a unique way to personalize your commitment to one another and give family and friends a heartfelt glimpse into the enduring love you have for each other. For inspiration, read these tips on DIY wedding vows.

Before deciding whether to write your own vows, look into any cultural or religious restrictions, and make sure to clear it with your officiant.

If you want to write personal vows but are nervous or shy, consider co-writing a simple, yet touching vow that the both of you can recite.

When writing your own wedding vows, add warm, sensitive, and even humorous components to describe the life you are about to embark upon.

Design your own wedding website (or use a free service) to introduce your fiancé(e), share your love story, showcase engagement photos, and introduce your wedding party.

Wedding websites are also a great way to inform guests about travel arrangements, hotel accommodations, and gift registries.

Use an online wedding planner to communicate with both guests and your wedding party. Post details for showers, fittings, schedules, as well as links for travel and gift registries.