Papilon Design · Wedding Planning
Just got engaged? Congratulations! After the first hugs, celebrations and sharing the happy news with family and friends, one question soon follows: “So, where do we start?”
Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times in life, but with so many decisions, arrangements and details, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. From choosing a date and venue to finding the perfect invitations and finishing the decorations, every step takes a little care and organisation.
To make preparing for your wedding in 2027 as simple and relaxed as possible, we have put together a practical guide to take you through the whole planning process, step by step.
Whether you have a year to plan or just a few months, you can adapt this timeline to your needs. The most important thing is to set your priorities early and leave enough room to enjoy the preparations.
12 months before the wedding: lay the foundations
The first steps in planning a wedding are often the most important. The decisions you make at this stage will influence almost everything that follows.
Set your budget
Before making bookings, agree on how much you are comfortable spending on the wedding. Consider the main costs, such as the venue, food, music, photography, outfits and decorations.
It is also worth setting aside a small part of the budget for unexpected costs that may come up during the preparations.
Draw up an initial guest list
You do not need a final list straight away, but it is important to know whether you are planning an intimate wedding for 40 people or a larger celebration with 150 guests.
Your guest count will influence the venue, food and drink costs, and the number of invitations, thank-you cards and other details you will order later.
Choose your date and venue
Popular wedding dates, especially Saturdays from May to September, are often booked well in advance.
If you already have a favourite restaurant, estate or other venue in mind, ask about availability as early as possible.
Find inspiration for your wedding style
Romantic, minimalist, rustic, modern or elegant?
Collect photographs of floral arrangements, decorations, invitations and other details you love. This will gradually help you shape the visual style of your wedding.
Our tip: You do not need to choose every detail straight away. Start by defining the atmosphere and a few colours you would like to use. This will make choosing invitations, flowers and decorations easier later on.
9 to 12 months before: book your key suppliers
Once you have chosen your date and venue, it is time to book the services that tend to fill up fastest.
- Photographer and videographer. Find people whose photography and filming styles you love.
- Music or a DJ. Book a band or DJ who can create the atmosphere you want.
- Restaurant or catering. If you have not yet booked a venue or arranged the food, do so as soon as possible.
- Wedding ceremony. Depending on whether you are planning a civil or religious wedding, find out about the required documents and available dates.
- Your witnesses and wedding party. Choose the people you want by your side on your special day.
If you would like to surprise them in a special way, a personalised gift can be a lovely way to ask them to take on this important role.
Find inspiration among our Maid of Honor & Me posters.
6 to 9 months before: choose your style and wedding invitations
Your wedding is now beginning to take on its own distinctive look. It is time to turn ideas into concrete decisions.
Find your wedding dress and suit
Finding the perfect wedding dress or suit can take time, especially if you need to allow for orders, fittings or alterations.
Starting early gives you time to compare different styles.
Choose your colours and decorations
One or two main colours and an accent shade are often enough to create a harmonious wedding look.
Your chosen palette can tie together floral arrangements, table decorations, invitations and other details.
Find your perfect wedding invitations
Invitations are often the first detail that gives your guests a glimpse of the wedding you are planning. Their design can therefore be a starting point for the rest of your printed stationery.
If you love simple, elegant designs, the Minimalistic 1 invitation could be an interesting choice.
Couples who prefer a natural look and softer details may like to explore the Natural design.
For something different, the Layers invitation, made up of three connected pieces, offers a fresh approach to a classic invitation.
For a more decorative finish, consider the Pearl design, with decorative pearls and a wax seal.
Find more inspiration in our full collection of wedding invitations.
Our tip: When choosing invitations, think beyond their appearance. Check how much information they need to include, whether the format suits you, and whether you would like matching menus, table signs and thank-you cards later.
Think about save-the-date announcements
If you are planning a wedding during the holiday season or have guests travelling from abroad, it is useful to announce the date in advance.
Digital invitations can also be practical for these announcements, making it easy to share information with guests.
3 to 6 months before: invitations and important details
As the date approaches, it is time to finalise your guest list and prepare everything you need to send your invitations.
Finalise your guest list
Check that you have all the information needed to deliver your invitations, including postal addresses or contact details for digital invitations.
If you are still unsure about the final guest count, now is a good time to review the list with your partner and family.
Order your invitations in good time
Although invitations are usually sent a few months before the wedding, it is best to arrange their production earlier.
Allow enough time to choose the design, personalise it, proofread the text, and have the invitations printed and delivered.
Remember that the number of guests is not necessarily the number of invitations you need. Couples and families living at the same address usually receive one shared invitation.
If you are unsure how many copies to order, read our guide, How many wedding invitations do you really need?.
Choose your invitation wording
Would you prefer traditional, romantic, modern or slightly humorous wording?
Your invitation text should reflect your style while clearly sharing all the important information: your names, the date, time and venue, and the RSVP deadline.
If you need inspiration, explore our wedding invitation wording ideas.
Arrange the menu and other important details
Discuss the food and drink options with your restaurant and check what adjustments are available for guests with special dietary requirements.
This is also a good time to start thinking about table decorations, guest thank-you gifts and other personalised details.
Plan your honeymoon
If you are planning a trip after the wedding, research destinations, check your travel documents are valid and consider making bookings.
2 to 3 months before: send invitations to your guests
One of the loveliest moments in the preparations has arrived: it is time for your guests to receive their invitations!
Wedding invitations are usually sent two to three months before the celebration. If guests are travelling from further away or abroad, it is advisable to let them know earlier.
Be sure to include an RSVP deadline on your invitations.
It is usually practical to ask guests to confirm their attendance around four weeks before the wedding, taking into account your restaurant's deadline for the final guest count.
This gives you enough time to arrange seating and prepare personalised details.
Our tip: Before sending your invitations, check all the information once more, especially the date, time, venue and RSVP contact details.
1 month before: final arrangements and decorations
The big day is getting closer! It is time to confirm arrangements and focus on the details that will complete your wedding look.
Confirm guest attendance
Contact guests who have not yet replied and agree the deadline for your final guest count with the restaurant.
Prepare your seating plan
Once you know who is coming, you can start assigning guests to tables.
A well-designed wedding seating chart will help guests find their places easily.
You can also prepare table signs that coordinate with your invitations and other decorations.
Order your final printed details
Coordinated printed elements can make the whole venue feel more elegant and cohesive.
For example, you can carry your invitation design through to your wedding menus, table signs or thank-you cards.
Small gifts for your guests are another thoughtful detail.
Personalised wedding thank-you cards are a lovely way to thank guests for being part of your special day.
Whether you choose classic thank-you cards, small gifts or personalised labels, the most memorable details are those that suit your wedding style.
Our tip: Although final information is often confirmed during the last month, it is best to arrange the design and production of printed details earlier. This helps you avoid a last-minute rush.
Confirm the day's schedule
Agree the timing and all important details with your photographer, videographer, musicians, restaurant and other suppliers.
If you are planning a hair and make-up trial, make sure it takes place early enough to allow for any changes.
1 week before: final checks and a well-earned rest
Almost all the important decisions are now behind you. A few checks remain, along with the most important thing: making time to rest and enjoy yourselves.
- Check arrangements and contacts. Keep the day's schedule and all supplier phone numbers in one place.
- Prepare the rings and documents. Check that you have everything needed for the ceremony.
- Arrange collection and setup of decorations. Agree who will set out menus, table signs, the seating chart and thank-you gifts.
- Choose someone you trust. A witness, bridesmaid, sibling or friend can coordinate smaller details so you can relax.
- Make time for yourselves. Try to get enough sleep and spend some time together without discussing wedding plans.
And remember: not every detail needs to be perfect for your day to be unforgettable.
What if you have less than 6 months to plan your wedding?
There is no need to worry if you have decided to organise a wedding on a shorter timeline. Although a year is a practical planning window, a beautiful, well-organised wedding can also come together in a few months.
The most important thing is to set your priorities.
First, check venue availability, agree on a date and book your key suppliers. Then focus on the guest list, outfits, invitations and other details.
If time is limited, consider simpler invitation designs that do not require many additional elements or special finishes.
For example, classic minimalist invitations can be an elegant choice for many wedding styles.
Just be sure to check current production and delivery times before ordering.
To finish: a few tips for stress-free wedding planning
- Do not try to do everything at once. Break preparations into smaller steps and focus on what matters most right now.
- Keep all your arrangements in one place. Use a notebook, planner or shared digital spreadsheet to track what has been agreed and what still needs attention.
- Set aside part of your budget for unexpected costs. Small extra expenses can add up, so a financial buffer is always useful.
- Remember the little details. Invitations, thank-you cards and decorations often give a wedding its personal touch.
- Enjoy the preparations. Wedding planning is not just a to-do list; it is also a special time for creating memories together.
Let your wedding reflect your story
Every wedding is unique, just like the couple planning it.
Whether you dream of a large, lavish celebration or an intimate wedding with your closest loved ones, what matters most is that every detail reflects you, your wishes and your shared story.
At Papilon Design, we believe small, carefully chosen details make a big difference.
Explore our wedding invitations, thank-you cards and other personalised products, and find inspiration for your special day.
If you need help choosing a design or coordinating the details, get in touch. We would love to help bring your ideas to life.
And if you are still looking for invitation inspiration, read our article “Wedding Invitation Trends 2027” to discover styles that could shape the new season.