Not sure what wedding planning tasks to do right now? This post will help you out.
Wedding planning isn’t always straightforward. Yes, sometimes you know exactly what to work on next. Maybe it’s your guest list. Or booking a venue. Perhaps you need to find a photographer, or take care of some DIY projects. Or it’s time for your bachelorette party or dress fittings. Some things are just really clear.
That said, there will come a point in every wedding planning journey where you’re in a sort of “in between” spot. The place where many things are taken care of, and it’s too early to take care of other items. This spot is an opportunity for you and your partner. Take advantage of this time.
Wedding Planning Tasks To Do When You’re Not Sure What To Do
This post is going to share wedding planning tasks to do when you’re not sure what to do. Think of it as a go-to list of tasks to tackle when you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed. The wedding planning tasks in this post are not that difficult to accomplish. They will help you feel in control, and like the momentum is still there for your wedding. You’ll see.
Let’s get into it!
REVISIT AND REFINE YOUR BUDGET
When it comes to wedding budgets, some people set and forget. Don’t let this be you.
Your budget is the foundation for all of your wedding planning decisions. It’s important to keep your budget up to date and accurate. As you gather more information about how much things cost, update your budget. If you aren’t sure about the cost of something, do some research and get accurate for your wedding size and location. Allocate a little extra until you know your real price, and don’t forget about gratuities and extra charges.
Staying on top of your budget will put you in control of your wedding planning, and can be done at any point.
UPDATE YOUR GUEST LIST
I’m a big fan of creating your guest list before you do anything else, wedding-planning wise. Guest count affects venue choice, catering, and costs, so it’s an important factor.
That said, you can’t just create a guest list and leave it. You need to make updates. This may mean that you add some names to it. Or, you take some names off. Before you send out invites, of course. You can also create a B-list for guests you aren’t sure of. For guests you know you want to invite, start to collect addresses. Just get things dialed in, to help yourself later on.
Not sure how to create a B list? Check out this post.
GATHER INSPIRATION AND SAVE IT SMARTLY
Researching is such a fun wedding planning task. Take advantage of down-time to get your inspiration saved and organized.
Gathering ideas can help you make future decisions about style, colors, or mood. I recommend pinning ideas to a Pinterest board by categories (hair, table settings, flowers). Additionally, you can follow local vendors on Instagram or Pinterest for realistic and do-able inspiration. Saving screenshots is fine, too, it’s just not as helpful as a full online board.
Not sure where to start with Pinterest? Check out this post.
RESEARCH AND SHORTLIST VENDORS
Coming up with possible vendors can be a tedious wedding planning task, but you can’t really plan a wedding without creating a list of some sort.
Many vendors book out early, so this step can be done as soon as you want. It’s one of those wedding planning tasks that you can take care of as soon as you get engaged, with zero commitment. In order to research and shortlist vendors, you’ll want to start with reading reviews, looking at social media photos, and comparing pricing. If you’re ready to book, reach out to vendors about pricing and packages. For vendors that seem promising, schedule intro calls or meetings to see if you vibe.
To stay organized with this, create a shared doc with your fiancé and planner where you can take notes and save details about your research.
MAKE A “WANT TO DO” VS. “NEED TO DO” LIST
Are you a list person? I definitely am.
Making lists can help us gather our thoughts and set a plan. Lists allow us to prioritize. They reduce decision fatigue and stress. I love lists!
That said, if you need to work on your wedding and aren’t sure what to do, make a wants versus needs list. To do this, you start by writing out every single task or idea you have. Then you assign them as a “want” or a “need”. When you are done, you focus on your needs, and then if you have time, space, and budget, allow the wants to come through.
Remember to visit this list regularly to stay on track.
CREATE OR UPDATE YOUR WEDDING WEBSITE
Have you started your wedding website yet? It not, you should!
Wedding websites are such an amazing tool for engaged couples. They allow a one-stop place for guests to look up information, allowing you to direct everyone to it rather than answer the same questions over and over. And the best part is that you can create it in just a few hours, for free.
For your wedding website details, add what guests need to know about your wedding. This may include hotel room blocks, frequently asked questions, and a dress code. Customize your website to reflect your style, and don’t worry if it’s not perfect.
Need tips on your wedding website? Check out this post on websites, and this post on FAQ’s you should include.
PLAN OR BRAINSTORM CEREMONY DETAILS
Ceremonies are where it’s at. And, they are one of those wedding planning tasks that you can design at any point.
Often, ceremonies, and how they will flow, get overlooked in the early stages of wedding planning. However, they can be really fulfilling to curate. I mean, the ceremony is the whole point. It’s where you and your partner will take vows, get sentimental, and showcase your love. It’s never too early to design how your ceremony will go.
So, think about it. What readings, music, or rituals might you want to include? Will you write your own vows? Do you have an officiant who can help you design your ceremony? Start a document and begin to outline your vision.
Need help with your vows? Check out “I Do”, my free wedding vows guide.
OUTLINE YOUR WEDDING DAY TIMELINE
Do you know what time you’ll start getting ready on your wedding day? How about when your first dance will be? What time will you go home?
All of these questions can be answered by creating a wedding day timeline.
Here’s the thing. Your timeline does not have to be perfect on the first try. It can be really high level, and even have holes in it. This is a great wedding planning task to take care of, though, because even a rough schedule can make your wedding feel more real and manageable.
To get your wedding timeline started, simply break your day into blocks. Start with getting ready, followed by pre-ceremony activities, ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Factor in the time it will take to get ready and travel. When you’re ready, share your timeline with your partner, friends, and vendors for feedback. Setting your timeline will help everyone plan easier.
If you need more details on your wedding day timeline, check out this post.
TACKLE A SMALL DIY PROJECT OR DETAIL
Small wins can build momentum and help you feel accomplished.
Even if it seems early, a small DIY project or a tiny detail completed can feel like you’re working towards something. Start by designing signage, writing escort cards, or even assembling favors. Order stamps, ring boxes, or vow books so you don’t have to worry about them later on. Keep everything together and organized so you can pull them out when you need them. All the tiny things can really add up as you get closer to your wedding, so getting them out of the way when you have time will feel great and reduce stress.
HAVE A PLANNING DATE WITH YOUR PARTNER
Are you and your partner planning your wedding, together?
If not, set a planning date. This is time for you both to discuss your wedding plans, what need to get done next, and to make decisions.
To be honest, this can be really fun. Grab some drinks and talk through your choices together. Share ideas, look at photos, and check in with each other. Celebrate any progress that has been made. Talk about what you’re looking forward to, and just connect. This is one of those wedding planning tasks that is often overlooked, but can feel really awesome.
WEDDING PLANNING TASKS TO TAKE CARE OF WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO
Friends, it’s okay to take a breather from wedding planning from time to time. And, it’s okay to keep working on wedding planning tasks, even when you’re not sure what to do. Some tasks can be taken care of at any point, so crossing them off your list will feel amazing and help you stay in control of your progress. Wedding planning is all about small, intentional steps that you can celebrate along the way. You’ve got this! Happy wedding planning!
More On Wedding Planning From Hummingbird Wedding Advice
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How To Plan A Beautiful Wedding Under $10K
Did you find this post helpful, inspiring? PIN it to your Wedding Planning Board on Pinterest!
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