The 4 Quarters of Wedding Planning
Dividing your engagement into four key sections to better help you plan
Wedding Planning can be a daunting task, and while some are fortunate enough to have a wedding planner to help guide the process, statistically most couples plan their own weddings. If you’re one of those couples, we find it much easier if you consider your engagement as a whole, and break it up in to four specific quarters.
For example, if you are engaged for a year, your four quarters would each be three months long. Tackle each quarter of the wedding planning process, in order, and you’re sure to take these more bite-sized pieces with ease.
Quarter 1: The Foundation
Budget Planning Once you have a vision, it's time to set a realistic budget. This will guide your decisions throughout the planning process, helping you prioritize what's most important to you. Along with budgeting, set a guest count because the two go hand in hand. Your guest count is THE number one thing that will ultimately affect your budget; couples average about $200/guest (aka a guest count of 100 should plan for, at minimum, a $20k wedding).
Research and Inspiration Start gathering inspiration from wedding blogs, magazines, and social media platforms like Pinterest. Create mood boards to visualize your ideas and preferences, which will serve as a guide for your wedding's aesthetic. And very importantly, research what things cost and what vendors perform what roles.
Select the venue and wedding party: Once you’ve outlined your budget and vision, you can begin to finalize a guest list, choose your wedding party and book your venue. Don’t send out save the dates until that venue is officially booked because only then is your date truly official.
Quarter 2: Organize your team
Vendor Coordination Secure your essential vendors, including caterers, photographers, florists, planner/designer and/or rental company, coordinator, hair and makeup team, cake baker and entertainment. Research reviews, schedule meetings, and finalize contracts to lock in your preferred choices.
NOTE: Heatherly Event Design clients receive access to a preferred vendor list and those with Full Service Planning or Partial Planning can request customized vendor contacts. Additionally, Partial Planning clients receive access to our Travel team to begin securing room blocks and honeymoon travel plans.
Begin Shopping for Attire: Start shopping for your wedding attire, including bridal gowns, groom's attire, and bridal party outfits. Allow plenty of time for fittings and alterations to ensure a perfect fit.
Quarter 3: Develop The Details
Décor and Design Focus on the finer details that will bring your wedding vision to life. Select décor elements like centerpieces, linens, lighting, and signage that reflect your style and theme.
Invitations and Stationery Design and order your wedding invitations, RSVP cards, and other stationery. Ensure they match your wedding's aesthetic and include essential information for your guests.
Timeline and Logistics Create a detailed timeline for the wedding day, outlining the ceremony, reception, and any other events. Coordinate with vendors to confirm arrival times and setup details to ensure a seamless flow of events.
Quarter 4: Refine the Plan
Finalizing Details Review all contracts, confirm final guest counts, and make any last-minute adjustments to your plans. Schedule final meetings with vendors to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner Host a rehearsal to walk through the ceremony and finalize any remaining details. Follow it with a rehearsal dinner to relax and celebrate with close family and friends.
Wedding Day It's finally here! Enjoy every moment of your wedding day, from getting ready with your bridal party to exchanging vows and dancing the night away. Trust your vendors and coordinators to handle the logistics, allowing you to focus on celebrating your love and starting this new chapter together.