When you start wedding planning, you soon realize that there’s a lot to get done. Planning is like a snowball. Once you start jotting down tasks in a notepad, the number of jobs grows by the second, and before you know it, you’ve got a to-do list as long as your limbs. The good news is that once you’ve cracked the priority jobs, you’ll have a framework on which to build. If you’re looking to plan a wedding with serious wow factor, here are some essential jobs to get ticked off that list.

Choosing a venue

Perhaps the most exciting part of wedding planning is choosing a venue. Before you make any bookings or pay a deposit, make sure you’re completely happy with the venue you’ve chosen. Even if you think you know exactly what you want, and you’ve had a vision of banquet halls decked out in floral arrangements and glittering beads in your mind since you were tiny, be open-minded, explore your options, and don’t write anything off. You might find that you change your mind when you actually visit different venues and you get a feel for the location and an insight into the kind of event you could host. Think about your party size, do some research online, and arrange to go and have a look at different venues. Shortlist any that take your fancy and book another viewing. Weigh up the pros and cons, go with your head and your heart, and make a decision based on how you feel, rather than what you think others would prefer. It’s your wedding day.

Sending out save the dates

As soon as you’ve got a date in mind, and you’ve booked your venue, send out those all-important save the dates. The more notice you can give your guests, the better, especially if you have chosen a weekend in the summer or a public holiday. If you’re on a mission to save money, you can notify people via a wedding website, create an event on social media or text or email the information.

Adding your own unique spin

Every couple has a list of jobs to work through, which usually involves organizing transport, ordering a cake, booking caterers, hiring entertainment and of course, choosing outfits for the big day. When you’re tackling these tasks, put your own stamp on your celebration, and add personal touches to make your wedding stand out. Channel your individual taste and style, and don’t be afraid to veer off the traditional route to offer your guests something a little different. From personalized signs, menus, and table names to quirky food choices, dresses with a difference and entertainment that is guaranteed to blow your guests away, don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.

Booking a photographer

If you’ve got your heart set on an incredible wedding photographer, book early. Photographers take bookings months, even years in advance, so start looking as soon as you’ve got a date in mind. Browse portfolios, look for a photographer that specializes in the style of photography you like and arrange some meetings so that you can get a better idea of what to expect.

If you’re in the throes of planning a wedding, you might feel like you’re never going to reach the end of that ever-growing list of jobs. Once you’ve ticked off the essentials, the rest will fall into place, so don’t panic!