When you get first engaged it can feel like your wedding to-do list is growing by the day. There’s the venue to book, suppliers to research and endless decisions to make. Before you start to panic, remember that not every wedding task needs to be tackled straight away. Some tasks are much easier to complete when you have final guest numbers. Today we have five planning tasks you don’t need to sort until you have all those RSVPs back and know exactly who will be celebrating with you on your wedding day.
Here are five wedding planning tasks you can put off until your guest numbers are more or less final.
Featured image: DRene Plunkett Photography
1. Ordering your on the day stationery
While you can start browsing invitation designs as soon as you like, there's no need to order your wedding day stationery too early.
Your guest numbers will determine how many menus, place cards and other printed items you'll need. Waiting until your list is settled means you won't end up with boxes of unused stationery – especially if you've chosen something personalised. Of course, it’s never to early to finalise the design and scheme, but wait before placing your final order.
2. Creating your seating plan
The seating plan is one of those wedding jobs that can be tricky enough without trying to do it before you know who's actually coming!
There's little point spending hours deciding who should sit where while you're still waiting for RSVPs. Guests may decline, accept, bring a plus-one or change their plans, leaving you back at square one. You can make a rough plan if it helps, but save the serious table-arranging for after your RSVP deadline.
3. Ordering wedding favours
Planning to give your guests a little something to take home? Whether it's personalised candles, sweet treats or a small keepsake, you won't know how many you'll need until your guest list is final.
This is particularly important if your favours are personalised or made to order. Waiting means you can order the correct quantity and avoid unnecessary expense. And if you decide somewhere along the way that favours aren't really your thing or the budget is blown, that's okay too!
4. Confirming food quantities
You may have chosen your wedding menu months in advance, but there's no need to finalise exact quantities until you have a clear idea of your final numbers.
Your caterer will need an accurate guest count closer to the wedding, particularly if you're offering guests a choice of meal. Your numbers may also affect decisions about evening food or additional treats.
5. Finalising your wedding cake
Your guest count may also influence the size of your wedding cake.
You can certainly start looking at designs and meeting cake suppliers early, but there's no need to decide on the exact number of tiers until you know roughly how many portions you'll need. Of course, your cake doesn't have to feed every single guest. If you're serving other desserts you may decide that a smaller cake is perfect. Your final numbers will help you and your cake designer work out the best option.
Remember, it's okay to have a few bits and pieces to sort in the last few weeks before your wedding day, try not to panic and everything will come together perfectly!
