returning-couple · run 01

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"
    }
  ]
}

input {
  "count": 1,
  "focus": "next",
  "excludeGroups": []
}

output {
  "result": [
    {
      "taskGroup": "c4bacd65-bbfd-4918-90af-7cc55dd40ec5",
      "taskGroupTitle": "Begin Exploring Venues!",
      "intro": "Nothing gets you into the wedding planning mood like taking a look at some of the stunning venues available to couples in your area. From rustic barns to modern warehouses, there's sure to be something that tickles your fancy. Go on, take a peak!",
      "period": "Aug 2026",
      "monthsBeforeWedding": 10,
      "reason": "on_schedule",
      "supplierType": "venue",
      "doneCount": 0,
      "totalCount": 3,
      "subtasks": [
        {
          "id": "059a1cab-6a79-4b2a-b5ac-be5ab6984fd1",
          "name": "The first step is always the venue, so get into the wedding zone by browsing some of our favourites! Our <Link to='/advice' name='Advice' /> section is a great place to start too.",
          "done": false
        },
        {
          "id": "247345f3-26a7-4732-b4bf-c2b22b6b1ec8",
          "name": "Familiarise yourself with our <Link to='/search' slug='venue' name='Search' /> tool, and take advantage of the different filters available.",
          "done": false
        },
        {
          "id": "e081f485-1012-40bc-ba0e-d6d1e1926f6a",
          "name": "Start saving your favourites in your Shortlist! Don't worry, just ideas is a good place to start for now.",
          "done": false
        }
      ],
      "advice": [
        {
          "slug": "pro-venue-selection-expert-guide",
          "articleTitle": "Venue Selection: The Expert Guide to Finding Your Perfect Wedding Venue",
          "contentLayer": "professional",
          "excerpt": "Your venue sets the tone for everything -- the atmosphere, the menu, the decor, even what your guests wear. It is likely the single biggest decision (and biggest expense) of your wedding planning, so it pays to approach it methodically. This guide gives you the professional framework that wedding planners use to evaluate venues, adapted so you can do it yourselves.",
          "flags": {
            "requires_current_verification": false
          }
        },
        {
          "slug": "pro-creating-wedding-theme-sensory-design",
          "articleTitle": "Creating Your Wedding Theme: A Sensory Design Approach to Atmosphere and Style",
          "contentLayer": "professional",
          "excerpt": "Most couples approach wedding themes the wrong way. They pick a colour, scatter it across everything, and hope for the best. Or they latch onto a literal theme -- \"rustic barn,\" \"Great Gatsby,\" \"winter wonderland\" -- and try to stamp it onto every surface. The result often feels forced, disconnected, or like a party supply shop exploded.\n\nProfessional wedding designers take a different approach. They start with feeling, not theme. They think about atmosphere, not decoration. And they use all five senses -- not just sight -- to create a wedding that feels genuinely immersive and personal.\n\nThis…",
          "flags": {
            "requires_current_verification": false
          }
        }
      ],
      "why": "The venue is the decision everything else hangs off — it fixes your date, your capacity, your catering options and half your style, and the good ones are booked a year or more ahead."
    }
  ],
  "why": "The venue is the decision everything else hangs off — it fixes your date, your capacity, your catering options and half your style, and the good ones are booked a year or more ahead.",
  "alternatives": [
    {
      "groupId": "fc29f542-920b-4d85-9b5d-adc16f5e1c02",
      "groupName": "Research Ceremony & Legal Needs"
    },
    {
      "groupId": "cac1bd5b-5feb-49c2-a785-8636a31191a4",
      "groupName": "Start Your Guest List"
    },
    {
      "groupId": "43a84475-5ae8-4019-8ad5-d402641b6151",
      "groupName": "Outline Your Budget"
    },
    {
      "groupId": "1fe8435a-43b0-4118-9961-32722669ca93",
      "groupName": "Start Spreading the Wedding News!"
    },
    {
      "groupId": "f846e577-bc3e-4cec-b475-9f5cf7a8537c",
      "groupName": "Upload your favourite snap as a cover photo"
    }
  ],
  "projected": false,
  "approximateDate": false,
  "policyVersion": "phase-conditional-v1"
}