Ultimate wedding planning guide: All you need to plan for a wedding

Congratulations, on your engagement! If you’re ready to dive straight into planning for the big day, we’re here to help with the ultimate wedding planning guide. Wedding planning can feel overwhelming, but with a little guidance and a solid plan, you’ll actually be able to enjoy it.

When to start planning a wedding

You should begin laying the foundations for planning your wedding at least 12 months before the anticipated date. Key considerations such as budget, timeline, and overall aesthetic must be considered. When it comes to financing the big day, see our guide on how to budget for a wedding. Take into account what is important to you, and why and also what you want your wedding to look like. These core principles will make later planning decisions much smoother. Here you should also decide whether to hire a wedding planner to help you realise these ideas or to go down the DIY route, each with their own benefits.

What needs to be planned for a wedding

1. Create a wedding guest list (10-12 months out): Having your friends and family there to see you on your special day creates great memories for all. Unfortunately, making room for everyone can be difficult due to venue restrictions. Because of this, the guestlist should be all but finished as early as possible to get an idea of the numbers for later considerations such as the cost of food and drinks for your budget. The easiest way to do this is to take the available capacity for your chosen venue and divide it between both parties (generally 50/50) so that both sides get to bring their nearest and dearest.
2. Choose a wedding venue (10-12 months out): Whether it’s a garden or a grand ballroom, make sure when choosing a wedding venue that it fits your vision, and your guest count. This will need to be booked well before the big day as the venue itself plays a key role in later decisions. Selecting a venue can take some time. Visit a few places, ask lots of questions, and don’t rush the decision.
3. Decide on wedding attire (7-9 months out): It's time to say “yes” to the dress, or suit, or jumpsuit, or whatever makes you feel your best. Making sure both you, and your guests look sharp will make for great photos to look back on for years to come. Putting aside a few days to visit different boutiques will see you find the perfect look for your special day. Also be sure to allow plenty of time for any alterations to be done once you have made your decision. After making your own purchase, putting together a clear dress code for guests to follow will see your ideal aesthetic come to life.
4. Consider extras (3-6 months out): Now for the fun stuff, flowers, food, and music! This final touch can help bring your wedding to life. Great food and music are the last piece in the puzzle to make for a day you’ll never forget. Similarly, using a skilled photographer will make those moments last forever.
5. Send invitations (2 months out): Once all plans are in place, it is now time to share the good news. Crafting your personal invitations creates a warm, personal feel to start the countdown in style. Allow plenty of time for guests to RSVP to ensure that all those who mean so much have enough time to plan around the date. Use these RSVPs to put together the final seating arrangements.

If you’re looking to finance your big day, then an Avant Money Personal Loan can help you get that dream wedding.

You’ve got enough on your plate, why let finances add to the stress? With Avant Money personal loans, you can borrow over €30,000 at Ireland’s best fixed rate from just 6.7% APR*, giving you the freedom to say “yes” to your dream day. Enjoy flexible repayment terms from 1 to 7 years, no early repayment fees, and no hidden charges.

The quick and easy online application means you can get started right away. Whether being used for the dream venue or making sure all those who matter are there on your special day, Avant Money is here to help.

*Rates and loan terms are correct as of 24th March 2026 and are subject to change (Source: CCPC.ie, not including Green Loans). The Maximum APR (Annual Percentage Rate) on all Avant Money loans is 19.9%. Minimum loan term is 12 months, and maximum term is 120 months. Loan terms vary depending on the purpose of the loan. Terms greater than 84 months up to a maximum of 120 months are only available for Refinance and Home Improvement loans of €20,000 to €75,000.

Representative example: On a €30,000 loan over 5 years, at a fixed rate of 6.5% (6.7% APR) you will pay €586.98 a month. The total cost of credit would be €5,219.07 and the total amount repayable would be €35,219.07.

Lending criteria, terms and conditions will apply. Personal Loans are available to residents of the Republic of Ireland over the age of 18 and are subject to repayment capacity and financial status. Proof of income and a credit reference agency search will be required to help us approve your request. Personal Loans are unsecured and not available for business purposes, house purchase or investment.

Our interest rates vary depending on the value of your loan and credit profile. We will assign you the appropriate interest rate once your application has been reviewed. To find out more about the loan values and applicable interest rates, check out our rate table at Avant Money Personal Loans.

Bankinter S.A., trading as Avant Money, is authorised by the Banco de España in Spain and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for consumer protection rules.