Top 10 Wedding Planning Tips Every Bride Should Know

Practical Advice From an Indiana Bridal Shop That Knows What You’re Going Through

Planning a wedding can feel exciting, emotional, and honestly… a little overwhelming. Whether you’ve been dreaming of your big day since you were 10 or you just got engaged last week, these ten tips - pulled straight from our Ultimate Wedding Organizer - will help you plan with less stress and more confidence.

Here’s what we recommend at Columbia City Bridal to all our brides:

1. Start With Your Budget

Before you book a venue or buy a dress, get clear on your numbers. Your budget will shape every decision and keeping it realistic upfront avoids headaches later.

2. Lock in Your Date and Venue Early

Many venues book a year or more in advance, especially for spring and fall weddings. Once you’ve secured your space, everything else can fall into place. It is also important to be flexible with your date because it really depends on availability of the venue.

3. Shop for Your Dress Sooner Than You Think

Whether you’re planning to special order or buy off the rack, we recommend dress shopping 8–10 months before your wedding. This gives you time for alterations, accessories, and that yes moment you’ll never forget.

👉 Need a bridal shop near you with off-the-rack and special order options? Book your appointment here.

4. Get Organized Early

Create a shared calendar or checklist (like the one in our Ultimate Wedding Organizer!) and track key deadlines: vendor payments, final fittings, RSVP dates, etc.

5. Build Your Guest List Before Booking Vendors

Catering costs, venue capacity, and even your chair rental count depend on how many people you invite. Nail this down early to avoid changes midstream. Also, FYI- expct 20% of your invited guests to RSVP "no".

6. Be Honest About Your Priorities

Is it the food? The music? The dress? Decide as a couple what matters most, and allocate more time and budget to those top priorities. It’s your day - make it feel like you.

7. Make Room for the Little Details

The big things like the dress, the venue, and the flowers will shine on their own. But it’s the little, personal touches that make your wedding feel truly yours. Think handwritten notes to your bridal party, a special song playing while you get ready, or a custom hanger for your dress. These thoughtful details don’t have to be expensive - just meaningful. Build them into your day intentionally, and you’ll create moments you’ll never forget.

8. Communicate With Your Vendors

Clear expectations = smoother experiences. Ask questions, follow up, and don’t be afraid to confirm things in writing. Also, we highly reccomend hiring professionals with an actual business filed with the government and is licensed when they are supposed to be.

9. Schedule Self-Care

Planning a wedding can take a toll. Prioritize sleep, hydration, movement, and joy - especially in the final month leading up to your big day.

10. Download the Ultimate Wedding Organizer

We created this guide to help brides like you stay focused, prepared, and inspired. It’s filled with checklists, timelines, and tips to help you plan the things the apps don't tell you about.

👉 Download the FREE Ultimate Wedding Organizer and feel more confident as you plan your big day.

Ready to Start Dress Shopping?

Columbia City Bridal is a private, appointment-only bridal boutique offering wedding dresses in Indiana that can be taken home the same day or special ordered just for you.

👉 Book Your Appointment Today