11 Wedding Planning Duties You Can Delegate

While we absolutely endorse hiring a wedding planner for your big day, we also understand that not everyone can tack on that added expense. But even if you’re planning your wedding solo, we want to assure you that you don't have to tackle everything on your own! Here are 11 wedding planning duties you can delegate to lighten that load, along with a bonus “pro tip” that’ll help your special day run seamlessly.

Finding your wedding venue can feel like a monumental task, but don’t feel like you have to do it alone! Researching venues on HereComesTheGuide.com is a responsibility you can share—and it’s something that anyone can do on their device from the comfort of their couch. 

Give your venue-hunting helpers some guidelines, including your desired geographic location, a budgetary range, an estimated guest count, the style of venue you’re looking for, and anything that’s high on your priority list (e.g., Outdoor ceremony space? In-house catering? On-site accommodations? etc.)

And, of course, they can help you by recommending vendors as well. Ask your nearest and dearest what professionals they used for their own weddings, or what their picks are for the best floral designer, dress boutique, or baker in town. You may find that asking your personal network for recommendations is the best way to go.

If someone offers to plan your bach party or throw you an engagement party or wedding shower, we say let them! These pre-wedding events can be incredibly fun, but also incredibly time-consuming when it comes to booking the location, planning out the logistics, and figuring out any travel. Leaving this planning task in one of your favorite people’s capable hands will free you up to focus on the wedding day itself.

You don’t need to be the only one tri-folding wedding programs, tying ribbons on centerpieces, or stuffing tissue paper into welcome bags! These types of crafting projects can be assigned to your talented friends and family members. 

Give them instructions on how to assemble the paper goods or other DIY undertakings, and then trust them to bring those projects to fruition. Or, if you don’t want to delegate these things entirely, simply recruit a bit of extra help and make an occasion out of it! Because there’s nothing more fun than a wedding crafting party with great people and a couple of bottles of wine.

If the thought of licking 100 postage stamps makes your jaw involuntary clench shut, enlist someone to help you with those invitations! Duties can range from assembling the invitation suites to stuffing envelopes to physically dropping the stack in the mail. 

If you’re using snail mail for wedding RSVPs, you’ll need to track them manually. But who says you need to do this yourself? If you have someone who wants to help, ask if they wouldn’t mind keeping track of the responses. 

Assign them to organize accepts and regrets (and meal choices) in a shared Google Sheet or your wedding RSVP tracker of choice. This way, you’ll have eyes on the responses without the added stress of having to keep track of them yourself.

If you’d like to delegate a step further, this person can also track down people who didn’t write their names on the RSVP cards and follow up with any non-responders after the deadline.

Getting your guests from point A to point B doesn't have to be your personal headache! Delegate the task of coordinating transportation to a savvy friend or family member who loves logistics.

Give them the rundown of your needs—whether it's shuttles from the hotel to the venue, a vintage car for your grand exit, or even just a list of reliable taxi services for out-of-towners. This could also include airport pickup of your VIP out-of-town guests.

Your transportation coordinator (fancy title, huh?)  can then research options, get quotes, and create a seamless plan to keep everyone moving. 

Hoping to host a multi-day celebration? Lots of couples are opting for wedding weekends that last 3–4 days, with multiple events occurring within that time frame. Perhaps it starts with a welcome party to kick off the weekend, followed by recreational activities the next day, the wedding day itself, and a final farewell event on the last day.

If you don’t have a wedding planner, we recommend delegating the task of planning guest activities to a trusted friend or family member who knows the local area well. 

Fill them in on the types of activities you'd like to offer—from a welcome happy hour to a morning-after brunch—as well as suggestions for local activities and attractions. Your designated activities planner can research options, make reservations if needed, and even put together an itinerary for your welcome bags. They'll get to flex their hosting muscles, and you'll get to actually enjoy those extra events instead of stressing about planning them.

If you’re getting ready with your wedding party on the big day, ask someone to be in charge of providing the group with light bites and beverages. Whether it’s wedding-morning mimosas and spa water or a hearty charcuterie, it’ll be nice to have someone in charge of making sure you all are hydrated and fed on that busy morning!

From returning suit rentals to dropping off your reception items at the venue, there will be a bit of back-and-forth that naturally occurs in the weeks leading up to and after the wedding. Do yourself a favor and ask someone to be in charge of any wedding-related pickups and dropoffs.

Assign one or more people to pack up your gifts, envelopes, and belongings after the reception. Make a list of things that you’d like them to round up for you. This could include personal items but also wedding accessories like your guest book, toasting flutes, and cake-cutting utensils. And don't forget about the top tier of your cake, if you want to save it for your first anniversary! 

Make a plan for gift storage in advance and give this person whatever access they may need—whether to your honeymoon suite, a safe place at the venue, or loading them into the trunk of the car.

While many venues take care of cleanup for you, others may not! Check your venue contract and enlist some help here from your crew if you'll be responsible for stacking tables & chairs or taking out the trash at the end of the night. You want to be sure to get your deposit back!