Wedding Planning Check List
We all know that your wedding is the most important day of your life. If you want to ensure it’s exactly what you want you will need to plan accordingly. I recommend using a timeline to keep you on track and help alleviate the feeling of being overwhelmed. Breaking down your planning into a monthly timeline is one a great way to make sure you don’t forget anything as well as ensure you have top pick of venue, cater, photographer, D.J and florist. Here is just a snip-it of the timeline I suggest to my brides.
Year to 9 month
- BUDGET: Before you can make any others choices you must pin down the exact amount you have to spend. I recommend knowing you absolute max budget and working at least $5k under that. This will give you some wiggle room should you need it.
- Cater/Venue: As you will want to ensure a specific date at the location of your choice your venue is definitely one of the first things you should book. If the venue will not be catering the wedding it is as important to hire the caterer of your choice to make sure they are available and can work accordingly with the venue to plan your perfect day
- Guest list: It’s a good idea to start thinking about this early as there will probably be a lot of family input and change before a finalized version can be agreed on
9-6 month
- Save-the-date: This is a good time to let your guest know you’re going to be saying “I do” so they can plan and budget for travel and gifts.
- Florist: It’s good to shop around but by at least 6 months you should nail down who you want to use and know what the floral expenses will be.
6-4 month
- Invitations: It’s time to order those invites! Keeping on task with this item is very important. You can’t have a wedding without guests and knowing how many people are truly attending is paramount for both the caterer and venue. This means it’s important to order them with enough time to make changes and still get them out should something go wrong with the printing.
4-2month
- Purchase Bridal Party gifts: These girls have done a lot for you through all your craziness over the last couple months, make sure you have selected gifts that truly express your appreciation.
8-6 weeks
- Invitations: f you have not already done so, it is imperative you send out your invitations. Even though your guests have already received their “save-the-date” it is very important that you know how many people are truly attending, especially if “plus-one” was an option. Your caterer will need to know exact details so that rentals, staff, and food can be arranged accordingly.
6-2 weeks
- Make the final checklist: Are all your final orders in and are they correct? Did you order décor and does the appropriate vendor have it? Have you finalized a seating arrangement and layout of the reception? Is the dress ready? Does he have the rings? Now is the time to make a detailed and organized checklist and go through it weekly until the date of the ceremony to avoid missing anything.
Last week
- Wedding Attire: Not only should you make sure you have your dress but you should double check with the entire wedding party that they have their attire in a safe place and that it fits.
- License: You can not apply for your wedding license more than 30 days prior to your wedding date but it can be prepared in a minimum of 48hrs so about a week prior to the date is a good time to apply.
- Dress Rehearsal: Take a deep breath, this is just the run through. But it is a great time to catch any last minute revisions.
DAY OF
- RELAX AND ENJOY!
As the time of your wedding approaches, there will be many more things you WILL absolutely need to do and other things that I would highly advise considering. My biggest recommendation is to hire a caterer, like myself, who is also well versed in event planning. They will keep you on track, work with your other vendor, help reduce your budget by using pre-established contacts and will help to alleviate some of those weddings anxieties . If you would like more wedding tips and suggestions give me, chef Heather, a call!
