Planning Your Wedding
You’ve got that shiny ring on your finger and you’re thinking to yourself, “Where do I even begin?”
It used to be that one person rents a tux, the other buys a dress and they say, “I Do.” That’s getting married. A wedding is an entirely different animal. Today’s brides have a vision of what they want their wedding day to look like. From Pinterest-worthy venues to Tik-Tok-inspired centerpieces, every little detail has been well planned out. Planning a wedding is almost like conducting a symphony where every vendor or aspect of the wedding represents a section of the orchestra. Everything has to work together seamlessly and effortlessly in order for the big day to go off without a hitch. Seem like an insurmountable task? It can be overwhelming, but with the right amount of organization and planning, you too can be just like the wedding pros who do this for a living
Here’s a wedding checklist to keep our brides organized and on task.
18 month checklist
15-18 Months Before
Decide on the area you would like to have your wedding and choose a wedding date
Decide on what you want your wedding theme to be
Create a wedding budget with your fiance and family (knowing that you will probably go over budget when all is said and done)
Start figuring out your guest list from both sides of the family
Begin researching ceremony and reception venues in the area
Start researching and scheduling tours at your wedding venue(s)
Begin looking into photographers, videographers, florists, and caterers in the area
12-15 Months Before
Book your reception and ceremony wedding venues
Make sure to book your key vendor like wedding photographer, videographer, or caterer
Select the people that you want to be in your wedding party
Finish creating your guest list
Order "Save the Date" cards
10-12 Months Before
Start researching and shopping for your wedding dress
Start creating your wedding registry (Amazon, Etsy, or Target)
Buy your wedding attire and have your partner buy their wedding attire
Book your florist and decide on how you want your bouquet, your bridesmaid’s bouquet, and your groomsmen’s boutonnieres.
Book your DJ or your band
Send out your save the date cards
8-10 Months Before
Start looking at where you and your fiancé want to have your honeymoon
Book your bakery for your wedding cake and for your dessert menu
Book your officiant
Order tables and chair rentals if your venue does not already provide them
Start researching hair and makeup ideas
4-8 Months Before
Have everyone in your wedding party get everything they need for their wedding attire
Book the location that you will be staying at for your honeymoon, and if you are flying to get there go ahead and book your plane tickets
Order your wedding invitations
Buy you and your fiancé wedding rings
Book your rehearsal dinner venue
Purchase your wedding favors
Buy any extra items or decor for your wedding ceremony and reception
Start planning your bridal shower or bachelorette party if you want to have one
Book any necessary transportation for your wedding day
2-4 Months Before
Send out your wedding invitations and make sure to include RSVP instructions and deadlines
Purchase gifts for the wedding party and for both of the parents
Finalize the wedding cake and dessert menu with the quantity needed
Create your seating chart along with assigning table numbers
Finish the program for the ceremony
Create a song playlist for your reception
Plan and book a place to have your rehearsal dinner
1-2 Months Before
Finalize all details with your wedding vendors and confirm your wedding day timelines with them
Go ahead and prepare your wedding vows if you are writing your own
Reach out to guests who have not responded
Make sure to pay and confirm all final payments with your wedding vendors
Go ahead and pack ahead of time for your honeymoon and make a checklist of items still need to pack for your trip
Ensure that you have all the necessary documents to obtain your marriage license
Go ahead and get your marriage license
Mail your rehearsal dinner invitations
The Week of Your Wedding
Confirm all details with your wedding vendors, the wedding party, and the officiant
Assign any last minute tasks or responsibilities with trusted friends or family members
Run through the ceremony with your wedding party and officiant
Put money aside to tip your vendors
Go out and pamper yourself before your big day with a massage, manicure, or pedicure
Day Before Your Wedding:
Take a deep breath, attend your rehearsal dinner, and get a good night’s sleep
Your Wedding Day:
