budget-first · run 01

input {
  "actions": [
    {
      "type": "[Wedding] Update wedding field",
      "payload": {
        "name": "budget",
        "value": {
          "budget": 30000
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

input {
  "actions": [
    {
      "type": "[Wedding] Update wedding field",
      "payload": {
        "name": "guests",
        "value": {
          "guests": {
            "estimate": 100
          }
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

input {
  "actions": [
    {
      "type": "[Wedding] Set wedding date",
      "payload": {
        "date": {
          "y": 2028,
          "m": null,
          "d": null
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

input {
  "topic": "planning-timeline"
}

output {
  "topic": "planning-timeline",
  "content": "# Planning Timeline (Coach Reference)\n\nA phase-by-phase map of when wedding decisions should happen, adapted from the\nBridebook checklist for use by an AI coach. **Do not recite this to a couple.**\nUse it to work out what's appropriate *now* for their stage, what's coming next,\nand what's overdue — then surface only the relevant slice.\n\n## How to read this for a couple\n\nThe timeline is anchored to **months before the wedding**, not calendar dates.\nTwo parameters change it:\n\n- **Timeline length.** The default assumption is ~18 months, but the real average\n  UK engagement is ~24 months and 20% of couples plan in under 12. The early\n  phases compress or stretch; the last ~3 months are fixed and timing-critical.\n- **What's already done.** Always check the couple's actual progress (live\n  checklist/app data if available) before assuming where they are.\n\n**The ordering logic matters more than the exact month:**\n- Venue is the foundation — capacity, catering, date and style all flow from it.\n  Don't push later decisions before the venue is booked.\n- Suppliers are ordered by how far ahead they book out and how much else depends\n  on them (photographer → florist → stationery). See `supplier-booking.md`.\n- Budget is set early and re-checked at the 3-month mark.\n\n## Phase 1 — Foundations (≈18–13 months out, or \"as early as possible\")\n\nThe vision-and-budget phase. Nothing else can be done well until these are set.\n\n- Announce the engagement; (optional) engagement party.\n- **Set the budget** — total, family contributions, contingency. (`budget.md`)\n- **Start the guest list** — even a rough number; it drives venue size and cost.\n- Decide the rough vision/style and region.\n- Insure the engagement ring (immediate, low-effort).\n- **Start the venue search** — research, shortlist, book viewings. (`venue.md`)\n- **Book the venue and set the date.** This is the gateway to everything else.\n- Decide on wedding insurance.\n- Research ceremony & legal requirements (civil vs religious, notice of marriage).\n- Start a gift list.\n\nCoach focus at this stage: budget + venue. Reassure that it's fine — even\ncorrect — to not be thinking about details yet.\n\n## Phase 2 — Core booking (≈13–7 months out)\n\nLock in the suppliers that book out earliest, and make the big fashion calls.\nOrder roughly by scarcity (see `supplier-booking.md` for lead times and costs):\n\n- Photographer (books furthest ahead) → videographer.\n- Choose the wedding party.\n- Wedding dress (long lead time for order + fittings) → bridesmaid dresses →\n  menswear.\n- Florist, cake maker, caterer (if not venue-provided).\n- Reception music (band or DJ), ceremony music.\n- Hair, makeup & beauty stylists.\n- Stationery — save-the-dates first; design invitations.\n- Any specialists (celebrant, toastmaster, entertainers).\n- Wedding website / digital presence (47% of couples make one).\n- Send save-the-dates.\n\nCoach focus: keep momentum, book in scarcity order, watch the budget as real\nquotes replace estimates.\n\n## Phase 3 — Detail planning (≈7–4 months out)\n\nShift from booking to refining and the creative decisions.\n\n- Décor and DIY projects, signage, table styling.\n- Plan the honeymoon (book travel, check documents).\n- Ceremony details — readings, unity moments, personal touches.\n- Hen/stag plans.\n- Start the seating plan.\n- Favours and wedding-party gifts.\n- First-dance song.\n- Start writing speeches and vows.\n- Send formal invitations.\n\nCoach focus: this is where couples either feel creative or overwhelmed — help\nthem sequence it and protect the budget.\n\n## Phase 4 — Final countdown (3 months → 1 week, timing-critical)\n\nThese are fixed to the date regardless of timeline length.\n\n**3 months before:** budget review (`budget.md`); hair & makeup trials; final\ndress & suit fittings; print supplementary stationery (order of service, menus,\nplace cards, table plan); buy wedding rings; weather plan B for outdoor elements.\n\n**1 month before:** confirm every booked supplier; finalise seating plan;\ndelegate day-of roles to the wedding party; buy day-of essentials/emergency kit;\nself-care.\n\n**1 week before:** rehearsal; final celebrations; collect rings; pack for\nhoneymoon; deliberately take a no-wedding night off together.\n\nCoach focus: confirmation and calm. Most of the work is done — your job now is to\ncatch loose ends and reassure.\n\n## Phase 5 — The day and after\n\n- The wedding day itself (see day-of logistics article via `article-index.md` if\n  the couple wants a run-sheet).\n- After: thank-you notes, name changes, photo delivery, supplier reviews.\n\n## Compressed-timeline guidance (<12 months)\n\nWhen the runway is tight, be honest and prioritise ruthlessly. Non-negotiable\nearly moves, in order:\n\n1. Budget + guest count (an afternoon's conversation — do it immediately).\n2. Venue and date — the hardest thing to secure on short notice; flex on day of\n   week and season to widen availability (also cheaper — see `budget.md`).\n3. Photographer and any must-have suppliers — accept that the absolute\n   first-choice names may be booked; have backups ready.\n4. Everything else slots into the fixed final-3-months structure.\n\nReassure them: short engagements are common and entirely workable — it just means\nfewer parallel options and faster decisions, not a worse wedding.\n\n## Source\n\nAdapted from `references/knowledge-base/articles/tools/tool-wedding-planning-checklist-guide.md`\nand the 2026 UK Wedding Report. The live Bridebook checklist distributes ~250\ntasks across ~64 groups, parameterised by country and timeline; this reference is\nthe coaching layer on top of that.\n",
  "articles": [
    {
      "slug": "the-ultimate-wedding-planning-checklist-every-step",
      "title": "The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist: Every Step from Engagement to Wedding Day"
    },
    {
      "slug": "how-to-plan-a-wedding-our-step-by-step-wedding-planning-guide",
      "title": "How to Plan a Wedding: Our Step-By-Step Wedding Planning Guide"
    },
    {
      "slug": "priority-to-dos-once-youre-engaged",
      "title": "Priority To-Do’s Once You’re Engaged"
    }
  ]
}