After you’ve created a preliminary wedding guest list, the next item on your wedding checklist will be to create a preliminary wedding provider list.

Write down or – if you really want to save time and reduce your stress – use Wedding Planning Software (for Windows PC’s) to record contact details including names, address, phone and cell numbers, and emergency numbers.

Finding reliable wedding vendors who can provide what you require at a reasonable price will be your goal in this part of your wedding timeline.

This budget wedding planning guide will help you as you select and negotiate with wedding vendors – and could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Plus, it includes FREE Wedding Planning Software for entering wedding vendor information and contact details – a real time saver.

This next item on your wedding checklist as you’re planning your wedding will be especially important – preparing your wedding guest list.

Your wedding guest list will also play a major role in your wedding budget – the more guests you invite, the more expensive your wedding will be.

Three things to consider in drawing up your wedding guest list are: (1) who is paying for the wedding  (2) your wedding budget and (3) the wedding venue.

Those who will be contributing to the cost of the wedding will have a say in how big the wedding guest list is and who should be invited.

The smaller your wedding budget, the fewer people you’ll be able to invite to the wedding.

Keep in mind, also, that you might invite some people to the wedding but not to the wedding reception.

The wedding venue will also determine the size of the wedding guest list.

If you’re having a romantic beach wedding in a tropical location the guest list may be smaller.

If your wedding is local then the size of the facilities will determine how many people you’ll be able to invite.

Ultimately, you’ll have to limit who you invite to your wedding so start with those you are the most important and closest to you.

Also keep in mind that some people you invite won’t be able to attend. In general, overestimate your guest list by roughly 10% to account for declines.

The easiest way to keep track of your guest list, responses, accompanying guests, and accommodation requirements is with wedding planning software that comes FREE with this wedding budget planning guide.

Once you’ve drawn up a preliminary wedding guest list, check it off your wedding check list.

You’ll be “firming up” your wedding guest list later as you continue through your wedding timeline.

Your next item on your wedding checklist or wedding to do list as you work through your wedding timeline will be to create a wedding party list.

This will be your bridal party and will consist of those who are especially close to you.

You’ll have to decide whether you want friends, family, or both in the bridal party.

Choosing your MOH and bridesmaids will be an important task and may require tact since you don’t want to offend anyone – especially when you choose your MOH.

You’ll want people who will support you and be willing to help you throughout your wedding planning.

Your MOH, in particular, must be someone who is reliable and who you can count on every step of the way…up to and including your wedding day.

And you want people who will be available – especially when you need opinions, suggestions, and help with making arrangements for various parts of the wedding and the wedding reception.

People who live out of town or who have other obligations that would interfere with their duties won’t usually be the best choice.

Choose your bridal party wisely and once you’ve finished this task, check it off your wedding check list.

Wedding Checklist: 18 – 12 months before your Dream Wedding

Once you’ve selected your wedding date and noted it down on your wedding check list, it’s important that you start planning your wedding as soon as possible.

Refer to your printable wedding checklist and start selecting a wedding ceremony and wedding rehearsal venue as well as wedding service providers.

You might, for example, want to have a romantic beach wedding, in which case you will have to make travel and hotel arrangements after consulting with your travel agent.

It’s very important that you don’t delay choosing a location since many wedding venues and wedding service providers are often booked up many months – and even a year or more – in advance.

You don’t want to feel rushed and make unwise decisions and costly mistakes.

On the other hand, you don’t want to delay and risk being disappointed because the venue or service provider wasn’t available for the date you wanted.

As detailed as our checklist is, this Wedding Planning Guide is even MORE detailed.

Click on the following link for a Detailed Wedding Planning Guide and Checklist that includes a comprehensive Wedding Planning Timeline, budget checklists, photographer checklists, wedding etiquette, KEY questions to ask wedding vendors, wedding planning tables and charts, money saving tips, order of events, bridal party duties, and more.

Wedding Checklist: 18 – 12 months before your Dream Wedding

Wedding Planning on a Budget

After you’ve selected your wedding date, you’ll want to refer to your wedding checklist for things to do first.

One thing you’ll need to do is establish a wedding budget.

Your wedding budget will depend on where your dream wedding will take place, how formal it will be, and what style you choose.

This is the point in your wedding timeline where a tiny investment could save you hundreds – even thousands – of dollars in wedding costs.

This Budget Wedding Planning Guide will not only steer you through your wedding timeline, but it will also show you ways to save money in many areas of your wedding planning…just like this bride did. Plus it has FREE Wedding Planning Software (Windows PC’s only) which will make your wedding planning so much easier. (Click on the link to find out how much she saved on her wedding budget.)

Establishing a wedding budget will be an important step in controlling costs as you follow your wedding checklist and timeline.