Planning a wedding means hundreds of decisions, from the date and budget to the flowers, the dress and the honeymoon. This guide brings together everything we have published about weddings, in the order you will need it, so you can plan the day step by step and find inspiration for every detail.
A simple wedding planning timeline
- 12 months before: set the budget, choose the date and the size of the guest list, and book the venue.
- 9 to 10 months before: book the photographer, caterer and music, and start looking for the dress.
- 6 months before: send save-the-dates, plan the decor and flowers, and book the honeymoon.
- 3 months before: send invitations, order the cake and rings, and plan the ceremony.
- The final month: confirm every vendor, finalise the seating plan and timeline, and take time to rest.
Plan the big day
- How to plan the wedding of your dreams: date, budget, venue and the dress
- How to plan a perfect wedding on a budget
- Tips for planning your own wedding
- Steps for preparing for a wedding
- Tips for stress-free wedding organizing
- How to plan a themed wedding: theme, arch, invitations and venue
- How to make your wedding ceremony truly unique: personal vows, music and family traditions
- Tips for brides who don’t have a dream wedding vision
- Why you need a wedding website
Outdoor and beach weddings
- Beach wedding ideas: details, aisles and seating
- Beach wedding ceremony settings
- Rustic DIY ideas for an outdoor wedding: seating charts, weather plans, flowers and lighting
- Guest comfort tips for an outdoor wedding
- How to make a rustic wedding more comfortable: shade, rain plans and seating
- How to handle challenges at an outdoor wedding: weather, pests, sound and lighting
- Summer outdoor wedding decorations
- Pool wedding decorations
Seasonal wedding ideas
Spring and summer
- Your guide to a spring wedding: table settings, centerpieces and photo backdrops
- Pastel wedding decorations for spring
- Lemon ideas for a spring wedding
- Sunflower wedding decorations: bouquets, arches, aisles and cakes
Fall and winter
- DIY fall wedding decorations
- Autumn wedding colours: orange and grey, purple and orange, and gold
- DIY winter wedding decorations
- Ideas for a winter wedding party
- Winter wedding cakes
- How to pull off an epic holiday wedding
- Christmas wedding decorations
DIY decorations on a budget
- Budget-friendly DIY wedding ideas: twine candles, book table numbers and rope-wrapped vases
- Burlap wedding decorations
- Rustic wedding decorations
- DIY wine bottle centerpieces
- Wedding centerpiece ideas
- DIY wedding table numbers: wood logs, cork, burlap and candles
- Unusual ways to use wedding flowers
- A guide to artificial wedding flowers
- Wedding bar inspiration
Invitations, cards and favors
- Handmade wedding invitations: punched edges, ribbons, gilded edges and envelope liners
- How to design a wedding card with a free template
- DIY wedding greeting cards
- Wedding favors your guests will actually want: lip balm, limoncello and cookie buffets
The bride’s look
- Trendy wedding dresses
- How to find the best wedding dress for you
- Wedding dress styles for plus size women: trumpet and A-line gowns
- Accessories for looking stunning on your wedding day: pearls, headpieces, veils and clutches
- Essential wedding accessories: jewelry, veils, shoes and a purse
- Wedding headpieces
- Unique wedding bouquets
- Spring bridal nail designs
- Things brides should do before the wedding: sleep, skin and hair care
- How to make your wedding party look less matchy: palettes, textures and accessories
Cake and rings
- How to choose the ideal wedding cake
- Beautifully designed wedding cakes
- Which engagement ring style suits your personality
- Big mistakes to avoid when choosing a wedding ring
- Trends in men’s wedding bands
For the groom
Photos and video
- How to choose the right wedding photographer
- Photo booth vs. wedding photographer
- Things to remember when hiring a wedding videographer
Guests and gifts
- Things you should never do at a wedding
- Wedding gift ideas for a newly married couple: personalised prints, champagne flutes and picnic baskets
- Top wedding gift ideas
- Unique wedding anniversary gifts
Honeymoon and destination weddings
- Expert tips to plan the perfect honeymoon
- Romantic honeymoon destinations: Dubai, Hawaii, the Maldives, Mauritius and Morocco
- Luxurious honeymoon destinations: the Maldives, Kenya, India and Bora Bora
- Honeymoon destinations in Greece: Athens, Santorini and Mykonos
- Why Cape Town is heaven for honeymooners
- A romantic honeymoon in Dubai
- The best places for a Caribbean destination wedding: Antigua, Aruba, Jamaica and St Lucia
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should you start planning a wedding?
Most couples start 12 to 18 months ahead. Popular venues and photographers book up a year or more in advance, especially for summer Saturdays.
How can I save money on my wedding?
Keep the guest list small, choose a Friday, Sunday or off-season date, make some decorations yourself, pick seasonal flowers and consider a venue that includes catering.
What should be decided first when planning a wedding?
Start with the budget, then the guest count and the date. These three decisions shape every other choice, from the venue to the menu.
Browse more inspiration in our wedding ideas category.
Written by
Ideas, guides and real budgets for home, garden and travel, published on World inside pictures since 2013.
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