Wedding Planning Timeline

Published on Thursday, October 13, 2016

Fit To Be. Bride

Adorn Invitations

Often the initial bliss and excitement of the engagement can be in danger of wearing off quickly and becoming total bewilderment once the wedding planning begins. However – this is where the team at Adorn Invitations comes in…

Our detailed timeline is here to help keep your pretty pennies in your wallet, and your sanity in check! The road ahead may seem long, but with our tips and tricks we have faith that you’ll successfully navigate your way through the mountain of tulle, table settings and ruffles.

It’s time to crunch the numbers

Our number one tip for all of our beautiful brides is to set a budget early and stick to it. Order some takeout, sit down with the amazing guy you’re going to marry and discuss the nitty gritty questions such as how much are you both willing to spend? Can you save this much before the wedding? Are others going to contribute? Once you have a figure in mind, the bellow formula will help you stay right on track and see exactly where your hard earned cash is going. . 

48 to 50 percent of total budget to reception
8 to 10 percent for flowers
8 to 10 percent for attire
8 to 10 percent for entertainment/music
10 to 12 percent for photo/video
2 to 3 percent for invites; 2 to 3 percent for gifts
8 percent for miscellaneous items like a wedding coordinator.
Keep an extra 5-10% of your budget tucked away for any extra expenses like reprinting additional invites.

Get your Trials on

Come prepared to your hair and make up trials, have images for inspiration, an idea on colours and the overall tone you will be going with. A hot tip would be to book your hair and make up trial in on the same day, then plan a night out with the girls. This way, you are not only taking advantage of your fancy up-do and smokey eyes, but your ladies can also take lots of photos, checking out how your look photographs and holds up during the evening!

DIY queen

It only takes a few carefully executed DIY projects to make a massive impact in a wedding space. Often they instantly inject your personality into the room and can save you pennies. If you’re not a craft goddess, go simple. Vases or jars placed around the ceremony filled with flowers from your local market. Create table numbers, each with a different photo on the back (great way to use those pre-wedding photos you have been dying to show off) Pinterest will give you loads of inspiration and offer step by step instructions.

RSVP ASAP

Setting your RSVP date at least 3 weeks out from the big day gives you loads of time to chase up those stragglers. Once your numbers are in, ‘on the day stationery’ such as place cards and seating charts can be ordered. Ordering these too late can cost you, rush order fees may apply and not to mention the added stress, ensuring they will arrive on time. You may also not need to buy as many bonbonniere gifts, hire as many chair covers or pay for those extra couple of meals if you can let your vendors know your final numbers early enough. This cash can go straight to your honeymoon fund. You’re welcome ladies…