Wedding season is officially upon us! Generally peaking in late spring through early fall, the season is an exciting time spent with loved ones while planning one of the biggest days of your life. And while this is of course a very happy time, it can also be extremely stressful. I should know, I’m currently in the trenches of planning my own wedding this summer!  

Don’t get me wrong, I know there are so many things to look forward to… but planning a wedding while juggling a full-time job, maintaining a social life, making sure you’re getting enough exercise, sleep, and eating right, amongst other stressors like managing finances, can feel overwhelming. As soon as my fiancé and I got engaged in 2023, we knew we were in for a longer(ish) engagement. We made this decision based on a few factors: 1) we could take the time to enjoy our engagement era, 2) we could figure out what kind of wedding we wanted (i.e., big, small), and 3) we could save some money. Did you know, according to the 2019 Global Wedding Report, the average cost of a wedding in Canada was almost $22,000?  

I think the fact that my fiancé and I chose to have a longer engagement contributed to having a relatively stress-free wedding planning process. Today, I’m excited to present my wedding planning checklist, which I used to make sure I could relish my engagement period while, well… maintaining my sanity.    

1. Manage Your Loved Ones’ Expectations  

As soon as you get engaged, there can be a lot of pressure from your family and loved ones to get moving on things right away. Being bombarded with questions like, “So, when’s the wedding?” or “Are you going to start planning?”, can add a layer of unnecessary existential dread, potentially leading to you delaying wedding preparations even further.  

My biggest piece of advice is to acknowledge the questions but remember that this day is for you – no one else. That means you have the right to proceed with the wedding planning timeline at your own speed.  And if that means staying in your engagement bubble for two years like I did, so be it! Work on saving your money so you can have your dream wedding.  

2. Secure the Big Things First 

After enjoying a few months of being newly engaged, my fiancé and I wanted to start checking some of the bigger items off our wedding checklist. First up: the venue. 

We knew we wanted a wedding venue that was close to our home, and that could host both our ceremony and reception. We also had a clear vision of the vibe we wanted (classic, elegant, timeless), and decided against hiring outside catering, which really helped us focus our search.  

Once we found our dream venue, we started researching Toronto-based wedding photographers. I recommend shopping around and meeting with a few people to make sure their photography style matches your vision. Overall, you want to click with your photographer – you are spending the entire day with them after all!  

Booking these two big things right away allowed us to take a breather and get back to enjoying our engagement. 

3. Brides: Go Dress Shopping Early 

Some might not agree with this, but I found my wedding dress more than a year in advance of my wedding. I wanted to make sure there was more than enough time to order it and have my alterations done.  

Dress shopping can also be overwhelming, so starting early can be a good way to break up your appointments and give you more than enough time to make your final decision.  

4. It’s Okay to Keep Things Simple and Do It Yourself! 

Although social media can be a great destination for inspiration, it can also set unrealistic expectations or leave you feeling frustrated when something turns out to be way out of your budget.   

Remember – no one is paying as close attention to the little details as you are. So, chances are, if you aren’t going to miss it, neither will your guests.  

With that being said, social media can also be a very helpful tool. TikTok and Instagram have a huge community of fellow couples who are also planning their weddings. If you find something online that you like, try to DIY it! I have made so many things on Canva and printed them at a print shop. Reach out to the community online for tips and tricks!  

5. E-Vites Are Your Friend 

There are so many great websites out there for you to use to create your Save-the-Dates and wedding invitations. This will save you time and effort from having to mail each invite out, and is an eco-friendly option, too.  

Most of these services can also host your wedding website, which you should create to host all the information your wedding guests could possibly need. This will help mitigate last-minute questions on your big day. You can also store your guest list and track RSVPs here!  

I would recommend sending your save-the-dates out eight months in advance, followed by your official invites four months in advance.  

6. Look To Your Friends & Family for Help 

This time in your life is special – and your family and friends want nothing more than to be included in every single moment. Make sure to look to them in hard times, when you need a hand, advice, or a shoulder to cry on.  

For couples diving into DIY projects, organize a DIY Day! Gather your loved ones for a fun-filled day of crafting and activities to prepare for your big day. Remember – planning a wedding should not be solely on you and your partner’s shoulders. Lean on your support system!  

7. Consider Getting Wedding Insurance

A lot of time and effort goes into planning a major event like a wedding, so it’s important to consider being protected should something unexpected happen. For example, if your wedding has to be postponed or cancelled, having insurance, like WeddingGuard (not available in Quebec), can help. Visit Allstate’s website to learn more about  event insurance! 

So, if I can offer you one final piece of advice: remember – this is your special day with your partner. No one else’s opinion matters! As long as you have created a wedding that you are proud of and that you’ll cherish for years to come, that’s all that matters.  

Happy wedding planning!    

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