Wedding planning timeline

12+ Months: Draft a Guest List

If deciding who's coming (and who isn't) threatens to either bankrupt you or start a war with your families, many wedding planners recommend scaling back and honing in on the people who really matter.

"Look at extending invitations not as a social obligation, but as being surrounded by those you love and who love you," says Todd Fiscus of Todd Events. When couples are on the fence about someone, he suggests imagining you're hiring a car to take friends to dinner at a great restaurant followed by a night out dancing.

How long to plan a wedding after engagement

Ask yourself whom you would most like to spend that kind of evening with instead of including "all the people you work with and everyone at your church."

12+ Months: Set a Budget

Before you begin any sort of planning, it's crucial to determine how much you're willing to spend.

While tradition deems the bride's parents responsible for wedding costs, modern day celebrations rarely stick to that rule. Instead, sit both y

when to start planning a wedding

when to start planning a wedding after engagement