Regardless of the time of year when your engagement took place, most brides and grooms will take 13 to 18 months to plan their wedding. Between coordinating a venue, determining your caterer of choice, selecting the dress and tuxedos (are alternate apparel choices), establishing the guest list and getting invitations in the mail or out via social media and the internet, there are so many things to do. And though this might seem like a lengthy timeline, it can be easy to forget various steps, especially when deciding to plan your own wedding without the help of a professional wedding planner. 

1. A critical step to planning your wedding is to establish a budget . According to a 2018 study by The Knot , the average wedding costs $33,931. Today’s couples are emotionally and financially invested in their weddings, and oftentimes, the funding is stretched to come from extended family members. Regardless of how much money you have to spend, setting a budget is helpful. Budgets help to manage expectations and keep everyone aligned. Even if one of your fathers has a limitless pocketbook, when a budget is extended and extended, it can create discontent with other family members and can stretch the planning process. Taking the time to have a budget conversation upfront with anyone involved in the budgeting process will keep people aligned and will help to avoid disappointment and discontent later on.
2. Determine your bridal party and guest list . Determining your bridal party upfront and securing participation will help ensure that all critical players are available for your big day, and know what will be expected of them. Further, just as the wedding itself can get pretty costly, your bridal party will have a financial investment by deciding to participate in your celebration. From their wedding apparel to the attendance of bachelor and bachelorette parties, bridal showers, and more, participating in a wedding doesn’t come for free. Your bridal party will appreciate the advance notice. And, with today’s modern approach to wedding invitations, taking the time to identify your guest list and get out a save the date card will ensure that those special people in your life will be there for you on your most important day ever.
3. Don’t forget why you are getting married. We’ve all heard of bridezillas and disconnected grooms that either take the day too seriously or not seriously enough. Oftentimes this happens because the happy couple has lost sight of why they have decided to get married. You are choosing to marry and spend the rest of your life together because you love one another and can’t imagine being without that special someone.