I Asked ChatGPT To Help Me Plan a Wedding. Here's What Happened.

Let's face it, AI is taking over the world. Whether it's ChatGPT helping you formalize an email or generating life-like (but still creepy) photos of whatever you want - AI is here to stay. But an it replace a wedding planner? We asked ChatGPT to plan a wedding for us. The exact prompt we used was "Can you give me an overall idea of what wedding planning should look like? Dates, timelines, etc. Make it detailed." Here's what it gave us - copy and pasted directly from ChatGPT, even the emojis. At the end of this blog are our thoughts.

12+ Months Before the Wedding – Start with the Big Picture

1. Set the Foundation

✅ Set Your Budget – Determine who is contributing and how much. Prioritize spending based on your must-haves.

✅ Draft a Guest List – Have a rough idea of how many people you’ll invite (this impacts venue choices and budget).

✅ Pick a Wedding Date or Season – Be flexible with options in case venues are booked.

✅ Decide on Your Wedding Style & Vision – Classic, rustic, modern, romantic, formal, casual, destination, etc.

✅ Hire a Wedding Planner (If Needed) – They help with vendor bookings, logistics, and managing the wedding day.

✅ Research & Book Your Venue – Choose a ceremony and reception location that fits your style and guest count.

9-12 Months Before – Lock in Key Vendors

2. Secure Your Dream Team

✅ Book Photographer & Videographer – The best ones book up fast, so secure them early.

✅ Book Caterer – If the venue doesn’t provide catering, select a caterer and set up tastings.

✅ Book Entertainment – Whether it’s a DJ, live band, or musicians, confirm their availability.

✅ Choose Your Wedding Party – Ask your bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid of honor, and best man.

✅ Book Officiant – Whether a religious leader or a friend officiating, confirm them early.

✅ Shop for Your Wedding Dress – Wedding gowns can take 6-9 months to arrive, so start shopping now.

✅ Research & Reserve Hotel Blocks – If guests are traveling, reserve accommodations.

✅ Take Engagement Photos – Great for Save-the-Dates, wedding website, and announcements.

✅ Create a Wedding Website – Include key details like venue, date, and travel info.

6-9 Months Before – Design & Details

3. Start Bringing Your Vision to Life

✅ Send Save-the-Dates – If it’s a destination wedding, send them even earlier.

✅ Book Hair & Makeup Artists – Schedule trials to find your preferred look.

✅ Select & Order Bridesmaids’ Dresses – Ensure time for fittings and alterations.

✅ Choose & Order Groomsmen Attire – Whether renting or buying, confirm outfits.

✅ Plan Your Honeymoon – Book flights, hotels, and any special activities.

✅ Register for Wedding Gifts – Choose items from multiple stores for variety.

✅ Choose Invitations & Other Stationery – Design and print menus, place cards, programs, etc.

✅ Book Rentals – Chairs, linens, dinnerware, tents, and other décor elements.

✅ Confirm Transportation – Book limos, shuttles, or any needed transportation.

4-6 Months Before – Finalize Vendors & Details

4. Nail Down the Essentials

✅ Order Invitations – Finalize wording and design before printing.

✅ Finalize Ceremony & Reception Plans – Decide on music, readings, and order of events.

✅ Schedule First Dress Fitting – Bring shoes and undergarments for adjustments.

✅ Book Cake Tasting & Order Wedding Cake – Choose flavors and finalize design.

✅ Finalize Menu with Caterer – Taste and confirm food and drink selections.

✅ Order Wedding Bands – Ensure time for resizing if necessary.

✅ Plan Seating Chart Layout – Think about group dynamics and venue layout.

✅ Plan Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties – Work with your wedding party for ideas.

2-4 Months Before – Personal Touches & Invitations

5. Fine-Tune Every Detail

✅ Send Wedding Invitations – Include RSVP details and meal choices if needed.

✅ Begin Writing Vows – If writing your own, start early to avoid last-minute stress.

✅ Create a Wedding Day Timeline – Detail getting-ready time, ceremony start, and reception flow.

✅ Purchase Wedding Accessories – Shoes, jewelry, veil, undergarments, and hairpieces.

✅ Order Wedding Favors – Personalized gifts or thank-you notes for guests.

✅ Plan Reception Playlist – Include must-play and do-not-play songs for DJ/band.

✅ Confirm Transportation Logistics – Double-check arrival times and routes.

1 Month Before – The Final Countdown

6. Tie Up Loose Ends

✅ Apply for Marriage License – Check state/county requirements and deadlines.

✅ Confirm Final Headcount – Share numbers with caterer and rental vendors.

✅ Finalize Seating Chart – Assign tables based on RSVPs.

✅ Have Final Dress Fitting – Ensure the perfect fit and pick up your dress.

✅ Break in Wedding Shoes – Wear them around to avoid discomfort.

✅ Prepare Tip Envelopes for Vendors – Arrange gratuities in advance.

✅ Pack for Honeymoon – Make sure all travel documents are in order.

1-2 Weeks Before – Last-Minute Prep

7. Prepare for the Big Day

✅ Confirm All Vendors – Reconfirm dates, arrival times, and responsibilities.

✅ Delegate Day-of Tasks – Assign someone to handle gifts, guest book, etc.

✅ Create an Emergency Kit – Include safety pins, tissues, stain remover, and pain relievers.

✅ Practice Walking in Your Dress – Get comfortable with the fit and shoes.

✅ Steam or Press Wedding Attire – Ensure everything looks picture-perfect.

Wedding Week! 🎉

8. Enjoy the Moment & Relax

✅ Get Your Nails Done – Treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure.

✅ Hold a Rehearsal & Rehearsal Dinner – Walk through the ceremony and celebrate with close family.

✅ Give Wedding Party Their Gifts – Thank them for being part of your day.

✅ Do a Final Check on Vows & Speeches – Read them aloud for practice.

✅ Rest, Hydrate, & Enjoy the Moment!

Wedding Day! 💍

9. The Big Day is Here!

✅ Eat a Light Breakfast – Stay energized for the day ahead.

✅ Get Ready & Enjoy the Process – Hair, makeup, and getting dressed.

✅ Take a Moment with Your Partner (Optional First Look) – A private moment before the ceremony.

✅ Walk Down the Aisle & Say “I Do” 🎉

✅ Dance, Celebrate & Soak in Every Moment!

After the Wedding – Post-Wedding Checklist

✅ Send Thank-You Notes – Express gratitude to guests and vendors.

✅ Preserve Your Dress – Get it professionally cleaned and stored.

✅ Review & Order Wedding Photos – Create an album or prints.

✅ Update Your Name (If Changing It) – Social security, bank accounts, driver’s license, etc.

✅ Return Rentals & Settle Final Vendor Payments

✅ Enjoy Your New Married Life! ❤️

Our Thoughts as Wedding Planners

While we don't entirely disagree with the timeline they've set, this list is 67 individual checklist items. This is just a basic list of task list items that go into planning a wedding. What about RSVP tracking, selecting table linens, or getting wedding day insurance? Those are just a few items that we could list that aren't included here. We are cognizant that a wedding planner is not in everyone's wedding budget but we highly recommend at least having a coordinator that can assist you starting a few weeks out from your wedding and on your wedding day.

We also understand that not all of theses items can be completed by a wedding planner. We can't draft your guest list or have your dress preserved for you but we can take over all vendor communication for you. Just recently, a bride wanted to book a special appearance by Raymond, the Tampa Bay Rays mascot, as a surprise for her future husband for their wedding reception. To complete this process, it seemed as simple as filling out a form on their website. However, at this time, their booking link wasn't working. Luckily, due to my extensive history of planning events in the Tampa Bay area, I had a contact over at the Rays and was able to get in touch with them to start the process. From there, there was 10 emails back and forth to secure the date and set expectations before we were actually able to book Raymond for the wedding. On top of this, we also had to work with the venue to ensure that there were accommodations for Raymond to change in and out of his costume.

All this to say, a seemingly simple task can turn into something much more complicated and complex than originally anticipated very quickly. It is quite literally our job to take care of this for you. We will do all the legwork and send you an email at the end of it with a nice pretty bow saying "you're all taken care of, here's how to make payment." You come to us with all the ideas and we've got you.

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