Photos by: Starling Studios
If it’s wedding year and you’re planning a wedding in Columbus Ohio, you may already feel like you’re behind. But coming from a Columbus Ohio Wedding Planner…
You’re not.
As a Columbus Ohio wedding planner, we see this every year—couples overwhelmed by advice, timelines, and opinions before they’ve made the right foundational decisions.
You don’t need to do everything right now.
But there are three things you must do if you want a calm, seamless wedding day.
This is your wedding year checklist—simplified and actionable.
1. Build Timeline Buffer (Earlier Than You Think You Need)
One of the most common wedding regrets we hear from Columbus couples?
“Everything felt rushed.”
The fix is simple: start earlier than feels comfortable.
Actionable timeline tips from a Columbus wedding planner:
- Start hair and makeup 30–45 minutes earlier than recommended
- Gather your stuff that goes with you before your photographer arrives — Hell, even pack the luggar cart!!
- Add 10–15 minutes of buffer to all transitions (travel, photos, ceremony start)
Columbus weddings often involve travel between hotels, churches, and venues—buffer is not optional. A realistic wedding day timeline creates calm, protects your experience, and allows space for the unexpected.
PRO TIP: We have tools like Aisle Planner that we use to curate your (very lengthy) timeline. =)
Luxury weddings feel relaxed because they are planned that way.
2. Hire a Wedding Coordinator (Your Family Cannot Do This)
This is where we’re very direct.
Your family and friends cannot and should not run your wedding day.
They will miss cues.
They will feel stressed.
They will not enjoy your wedding the way you want them to.
What a Columbus Ohio wedding coordinator should manage:
- Vendor arrivals and setup
- Ceremony timing and cues
- Reception transitions
- Questions, issues, and problem-solving—without involving you
At minimum, couples planning a wedding in Columbus should hire a month-of or wedding day coordinator. This ensures your venue logistics, vendor team, and timeline are handled professionally—so your people can simply be present.
This is one of the most important investments you can make.
3. Decide What Doesn’t Matter—and Stop Re-Deciding
Not every detail deserves the same energy.
Couples who enjoy their wedding day the most are not the ones who perfected every detail—they are the ones who trusted their plan.
Actionable planning guidance:
- Choose three priorities (guest experience, photography, food, etc.)
- Everything else gets a “good enough” decision
- Once a decision is made, stop revisiting it
Second-guessing adds stress, not value. Momentum matters more than perfection—especially during wedding year.
Wedding Year Planning in Columbus, Simplified
If you do nothing else this year, do these three things:
- Add buffer to your wedding day timeline
- Hire a professional Columbus wedding planner or coordinator
- Protect your energy by deciding what doesn’t matter
That’s it.
Luxury wedding planning in Columbus isn’t about doing more.
It’s about doing the right things—early.
If it’s wedding year for you, you’re not behind.
You’re right on time. 🤍
Photos by the amazing Tessa, owner of Starling Studios
