What a wonderful time it is to be engaged and to dive right into the exciting stages of wedding planning! Being able to bring your dreams to life and create a romantic, genuine celebration of your union with your partner is incredibly rewarding and beautiful. It can also be a little daunting knowing where to begin, what to look for or even how to get all of your ideas in order. Unfortunately, life doesn’t stop to provide us with additional planning time either, so it can often be challenging trying to find the time and energy to juggle everything yourselves.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to include your friends and family in the planning process to get that extra help and support when required. Here are some tips for how to involve your loved ones in your wedding planning!

1. Ask your loved ones for their advice & input.

Gather around your friends and family and ask them to offer their input on different aspects of the wedding, such as the theme, decorations, and menu. Particularly in the earlier stages of planning, you might have one million different ideas running through your mind. By bouncing these ideas off of other people (and especially those who know you so well), you’ll be able to begin narrowing down your options and start to get a clear, more realistic idea of what your day can look like.

By doing this, you can start to create a celebration that is truly personal and might even bring up ideas that you wouldn’t have previously thought of. By considering their advice, you’ll be able to craft a wedding that is special, unique, and representative of you and your partner!

2. Host a Wedding Planning Event.

Honestly, who doesn’t love an excuse to throw a party, am I right?

Come together with your closest friends and family members and host an event that will make wedding planning easier and more enjoyable for everyone. Designate a “DIY wedding” night where everyone can have fun and be creative while helping you prepare for the big day. It’s also a beautiful way to share in anticipation with those you love.

For example, you can have a craft night where everyone can make decorations, favours, and even your wedding invites if you’re feeling extra creative! You could also have a tasting night where you can try different food and drinks that you may want to serve at the wedding. There would be nothing better than spending an afternoon trying out multiple cake samples! Not only will this event help you with the planning process, but it can also be a great way to build excitement and bond with your loved ones as you prepare for the special day. Also, what a beautiful memory to look back on and cherish in years’ time.

3. Delegate Your Wedding Tasks.

Rather than attempting to manage every detail yourself, don’t be afraid to delegate some tasks to your family and friends. This can include anything from refining the guest list to organizing the rehearsal dinner, setting up the venue, helping to create decorations, confirming a menu, and more.

Assigning tasks to others can help lighten your load as you plan your special event, and can allow you additional time to focus on the many other tasks on your list. It can also provide your loved ones with a sense of involvement in the process. Don’t forget to thank them for their help – it will make them feel appreciated and proud to have participated in such an important occasion.

If you have friends or family who live far away, they can still help with tasks such as helping you research venues, organising bachelor/hens parties or sending out invitations. Something as simple as confirming everyone’s postal details can make such a huge difference to your workload! No matter how near or far, there are plenty of ways for your loved ones to get involved and make the day extra special.

4. Give Them a Role Within Your Wedding Day.

Consider asking some of your loved ones to give a reading during the ceremony or make a toast at the reception. This will provide them with a meaningful role in the wedding and make them feel included. It’s a great way to show them how much you appreciate them and their support, and it will make them feel special and honoured to be part of such a momentous occasion.

From a first look before the ceremony to dancing to a beloved song during your reception, there are so many ways to include your loved ones and give them an extra special moment during your wedding day. Additionally, it will serve as an opportunity for them to express their love and well wishes for you and your spouse.

Allowing them to be part of the wedding in this way is a gesture that will be remembered and cherished for years to come! If you’re thinking of opting for an elopement or intimate wedding and are a little stumped at how to include your friends and family on a smaller scale, check out our blog post about it here.

5. Utilise The Skills of Your Loved Ones!

This is such an important point and one that I feel can often be overshadowed by the excitement of planning your big day. Take advantage of the varied skill sets held by your friends and family when planning your wedding!

From baking to building, don’t underestimate the handy skills of your nearest and dearest and don’t be afraid to ask them to lend a helping hand. If you’ve got a creative cousin who can draw and paint, ask them to design something for your invitations or thank you cards. If you’ve got a sibling who can play an instrument, see if they would be up for playing something special at your wedding or even help put together a playlist for you.

Utilizing the talents of your loved ones will not only make your wedding special and give it that added personal touch, but it can also be a fun way to get everyone involved in the celebration and create memories that will last a lifetime

There are numerous ways that you can involve your loved ones in the planning process and really help to support each other in this exciting new chapter! Your wedding day will be a big and beautiful celebration of your love and commitment to one another, and it’s an incredibly exciting time. By involving your family and friends, you’re able to share and enjoy that excitement right up until the moment you say, “I do.” (And beyond!)