Planning your wedding in six months or less and the steps needed to start the process.
Seems overwhelming? well with these tips hopefully I can take that overwhelming feeling into a confident secure more excited feeling?
Obviously you can take your time and you don't have to do all these things with in a short amount of time, but regaurdless of the time you have to plan these will be helpful for you in your wedding planning journey!
6 Months before your wedding <3
First things first you wanna decide on a wedding date- You can't really get the ball rolling until you do. So find a date that seems fitting for you and your lover and start counting down the days!!
Next you'll definetly want to create a budget- Two of the most important things to figure out with this is who is paying and how much will they spend? Dream according to those answers.
Dream in themes- Now that you've figured out the hard part with budgeting think more along the lines of the "Big Picture". Do you envision yourself out in the country with a rustic romance or do you see yourself in the moutains....maybe even a tropical beach scene. What do you picture? what location best represents your love?
Select your wedding party- bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, and ring bearer(s). Start thinking about their apparel too.
Make your guest list- This already? yes actually because the guest list is commonly known as the rosetta stone that will unlock the secrets to the language of wedding planning.
Launch a wedding website or even facebook invite- Somewhere you can have updates to keep the guests in the loop often.
Search for and order your dress- A good idea: Pull images from pinterest or magazines anywhere you can look at the dresses and get a feel for what style you like before stepping foot into a store. Although you may have a style you like, but end up with some completely different than what youhad in mind!
Book venues for your ceremony and reception- Sign your contracts, send in your deposits and take some time for yourself in this process you've DONE SO MUCH. <3
Hire a caterer- So many options to choose from serving stations, buffet style, or a sit-down intimate kind of vibe for dinner. Your caterer should assit you in all of these things all while helping you build a reception menu.
Contact Photographers & Videographers- Most photographers will want to book an engagement session with you for the sake of getting a feel for what they're like and what to expect etc! Your photographer will really be able to get to know you as a couple as well in return leading to more of your beautiful personality shining through your wedding album!
Book an offciant- You could also simply ask someone close to you like your cousin, besfriend, or brother to get certified online and have someone special be able to pronounce you man and wife!
Order and send save the dates- You also have the option to go paperless by using an online service such as paperless post.
4-5 Months before your wedding <3
Open registries- Make sure to include some things your soon to be hubby would want like a grill or toolset! It will be alot more enjoyable for the both of you.
Send guest lists and shower hosts- This will be nice touch to celebrate getting married to the love of your life!!
Purchase wedding bands- A vital ingredient for any wedding ceromony! If you so choose allow extra time for personal touches like engraving etc.
Book Entertainment- Will live musicaians perform during your ceremony or wil a soundtrack guide you down the isle? Will a DJ be there to have everyone up and dancing along with making big and special annoucements. Who ever or whatever you end up choosing you have some inquiring to do!
Determine the recpetion menu- Confirm with your caterer about food allergens and anything else that was requested.
Order Wedding Cake- Crucial information your baker will need: Number of guests invited, reception time and location, and your perferred flavor profile.
Order Wedding Favors- If your choosing the route of a destination wedding an option you could do is get goodies for welcome baskets. My tip for you would be to choose items that are:
A.) Representaive of your wedding location and add a touch of local flair.
B.) Favorite items of "his and hers" variety
C.) Practical additions in light of your destination.
Online shopping will save you some time if you need it!
Plan your honeymoon!- All the places you can go with your honey! definetly take the time to think of somewhere you two can go and escape and engulf in eachothers love!
2-3 Months before your wedding <3
Write thank you notes- When you attend your bridal shower its a nice touch to send out for your guests who attended!
Reserve space for rehearsal dinner- If someone else is taking care of the arrangments, simply offer to provide help as needed.
Book a florist- Garden roses or Hydrangeas? So many options here and its okay to be unsure, but try not to set your sights on anything out of season.
Make a reception Playlist- If you've hired a DJ nows the time to converate back and forth about which music will be best and which songs are a must!
Get your dress fitted- At least once, but you may need twice or maybe even three times make sure to bring your wedding shoes to ensure proper hemline.
Book a hair and make up artist!- Don't forget to schedule a trial run.
Plan the order of the ceremony- Nows a good time to also figure out if you and your fiance are writing your own vows.
Submit a newspaper annoucement- Six weeks is standard for giving notice of changing your last name.
1 Month before your wedding <3
Get your marriage license- Allow at least 24 hours for processing.
Check and maybe even double check RSVPS- Follow up with invited guests who have not responded yet.
Confirm- Confirm with every vendor on your list and essiential details wanted/needed. Try to send in as many final payments as possible.
Assign Reception seating- If you've got some family drama its a good way to avoid it by choosing seating wisely.
Purchase gifts for bridesmaids- Maybe a bottle of wine!?
Attend your bachelorette party- WOO celebrate the finish line is in sight!
Week Of Your Wedding <3
Create Wedding week timeline- You know the schedule by heart, but does everyone else? A good caution to do is to print out a time line and hand it to everyone involved.
Pick up your dress!- By this point everything should be fitted correctly. You can always ask your tailor to for a heavy duty plastic bag to keep everything protected.
Photographer Check- A good thing to do for your photographer is create a list of " Can't miss" moments regaurdless of filling out a questionairre just to ensure these important moments are being captured!
Reconfirm- Send in your absolute, 100% no chance of changing head count to the caterer or at least 3 days before your big day!!
TIP: If your choosing to do tips pre determine what amount. Seal the tips in envelopes and have your weddding planner or a trusted family member to distribute them. If you don't have the means to do so always remeber if your vendors were amazing and even if they weren't REVIEWS go a long way and they are so apperciated by them its right up there with a tip for most. Even if they didn't do the best of job provide your constructive cristism soley so they can improve and be better at what they are doing.
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