With the majority of the country inside of their homes right now, I am still thinking of ways to serve my clients! Brides, take advantage of this downtime, this is the time you can use to focus on your wedding and planning down all the little details that take months and months of work! I typed up a very detailed checklist and timeline for you to have and review. It doesn't have to go in this order, I know my wedding was planned in a shorter timeframe, but this is just so nothing feels rushed and you can accomplish every detail of planning without it being too overwhelming.
Now have fun planning, stay healthy, and make sure you're washing your hands!!! I can't wait to see you at the wedding even if I'm there in this full suit! xoxo
12 months
Choose a date
Talk Budget
Decide Wedding Style
Make a guest list
Explore ceremony and reception venue options
Start assembling a dream team of wedding pros
Choose wedding party
Create wedding website
Begin browsing save the date designs
Begin researching wedding dress styles
Create a wedding style mood board
11-10 Months
Hire Vendors
Reserve ceremony and reception venues
Purchase wedding dress, veil, undergarments
Choose bridal party attire and accessories
Book officiant
Engagement photo session
9-8 months
Mail save the dates
Find hotels for traveling guest
Browse wedding invitation designs
Refine guest list
Create gift registry
Begin planning honeymoon
7-6 months
Reserve rentals
Hire ceremony music
Book transportation to and from venues
Research wedding day hair and makeup styles
Meet with officiant to discuss run down of ceremony
Choose cake style and schedule tastings
Decide groomsmen attire
Personalize and order wedding invitation sample
Purchase wedding bands
Order wedding invitation suite
Order thank you cards
5-4 months
Order wedding cake
Meet with florist
Schedule dress fittings
Book honeymoon flights and hotel
Book room for wedding night
Prepare a playlist for DJ/band
Finalize guest list
Compile rehearsal dinner guest list
Book rehearsal dinner venue
Order rehearsal dinner invitations
3 months
Hair and makeup trail
Book photo booth rental
Finalize readers and readings
Finalize honeymoon plans and ensure all documents are in order
Plan reception seating
Purchase toasting flutes, serving pieces, guestbook, flower basket and ring bearer pillow
Finalize reception menu with caterer
Order menu cards
2 months
Mail wedding invitations
Begin writing vows
Review ceremony details with officiant
Finalize seating arrangements
Buy wedding party gifts
Apply for marriage license
Purchase gifts for guests
Lay out the content for wedding programs
Finalize fittings for wedding party and parents
Create wedding day timelines and send to vendors, officiant and wedding party
Decide on something old, something new, something blue if doing
Book spa and beauty treatments for you and bridal party
1 month
Final dress fitting
Pick up marriage license
Call vendors to confirm date, time, and location
Confirm honeymoon reservations
Pick up wedding rings
Order wedding programs
Write thank you notes as gifts are received
2 weeks
Begin breaking in wedding shoes
Make arrangements for the caring of pets and plants while on honeymoon
Follow up with guest who have not RSVP'd
Give final guest count to caterer
Send playlists to DJ/band/ceremony musicians
Get haircut and freshen up color
Update registries
Send directions to wedding day transportation driver
Delegate someone to return tuxes, rentals, and tend to wedding dress
1 week
Prepare wedding day emergency kit
Give photographer and videographer your image and video request
Give readers their scripts
Prepare final payments to vendors and cash tips for service personnel
Lay out wedding clothes and gather all accessories
Day Before
Treat yourself to a mani/pedi and massage
Attend a wedding rehearsal
Have fun at rehearsal dinner
Thank everyone around you
Get to bed at a decent hour
Wedding Day
Eat a good breakfast
Stay off feet as much as possible
Allow plenty of time to get ready
Drink water
Take dress and veil out of the bag and have steamed if needed
Lay out all item you want to be captured by your photographer
Give officiant fee and wedding rings to best man
Exchange notes with fiance
Relax, smile, and soak up every moment of the big day:)
Beyond The Wedding
Ensure tuxes and all rental have been returned
Get wedding dress to cleaners
Send out thank you cards no later than 3 weeks after wedding day