Hello! I can tell you first hand what all the moving pieces are to make a wedding come together. Whether your having 40 people or 200, there are still things that slip thru the cracks! I have put together a checklist to ensure nothing is forgotten and you will have the best wedding ever ( we both know your wedding will be the best ever, duh.) WHEN YOU’RE NEWLY ENGAGED ❏ You’re engaged! Have some bubbly and bliss out! ❏ Tell people the big news. ❏ Avoid jumping right into planning if you can possibly avoid it: just enjoy this recent change! ❏ Sit down and figure out what your wedding priorities are. ❏ Come up with a wedding mission statement. ❏ Have an engagement party, or a super casual engagement toast. ❏ Decide if you want to elope and ditch the rest of this list (really!) 12 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING ❏ Launch your master wedding plan. ❏ Sit down and have your first (of many) guest lists chats (and don’t forget to ask your parents for their list) ❏ Figure out your target wedding budget. ❏ Narrow your venue search (ceremony and reception) to your favorite options. ❏ Hire a wedding planner or day of coordinator. Trust me, you will want to when you see the rest of this list! I'm overwhelmed reading this and I do this for a living! 11 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING ❏ Begin touring your preferred reception and ceremony venues (ask questions!) ❏ Book a venue. ❏ Begin your wedding photographer search: set-up meetings, and book. 10 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING ❏ Start shopping for wedding attire. Make appointments at bridal and clothing shops as needed. Remember traditional wedding dress shops will have long lead times on ordering dresses. ❏ Research what kind of food you want to have, and begin to interview and book caterers. ❏ If you don’t want a caterer, start to investigate self-catering or having a potluck wedding. ❏ Once you’ve booked your wedding photographer, shoot engagement photos (especially if you’re using them for save the dates) ❏ Finalize your guest list before sending save the dates. ❏ Create a basic version of your wedding website, especially if you want to include it in your save the dates. Look on the knot- it’s completely free and easy to set up! No, I mean really, you can do it on your phone. ❏ Design and order your save the dates. 9 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING ❏ Send your save the dates. ❏ Research wedding invitations and associated paper goods. ❏ If you want to DIY your wedding invitations, come up with a plan now. ❏ Hire at minimum: a day of coordinator to run the show. A wedding is kind of like a Broadway production. Hire a stage manager! 8 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING ❏ Check out local florists and make appointments. ❏ Decide what kind of music you want to have. Do you need a DJ? A band? A DIY music plan? ❏ Begin thinking about your officiant: who will it be? ❏ Daydream about wedding cakes, and discuss what kind you’d like. ❏ If you want wedding showers or parties, peruse these ideas, and ask a friend if they’ll plan it for you. 7 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING ❏ Book a florist, if you’re using one. ❏ If you’ve decided on a band or DJ, book one now. ❏ If you want a videographer, book one now. ❏ Research hair and make-up artists if needed. ❏ Begin researching honeymoon destinations (because you KNOW you need a beak) 6 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING ❏ Think about rehearsal dinner options. ❏ Start to plan any extra events associated with the wedding (after party, brunch, welcome party) ❏ Finalize your guest list. ❏ Set up a meeting with your officiant to discuss the ceremony and start marital counseling (if relevant) ❏ Start thinking about your vows and ceremony plan. ❏ If you’re having a friend officiate your wedding, now is a good time to ask them about doing so. ❏ If you’re not having a friend officiate your wedding, make sure you’ve booked someone (or the church/shul/mosque/ temple) ❏ Set up your wedding registry. ❏ Have a meeting with everyone who is helping and make sure they all understand what is expected. ❏ Find a baker for your wedding cake, and if you can schedule cake tastings, do so! Plus whom doesn’t want to try cake! 5 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING ❏ Book that honeymoon! ❏ If someone in your wedding is wearing suits, start figuring out if you want to rent or buy ❏ Check out wedding rings and decide what you want. ❏ Decide if you need party rentals and figure out what you need and put together an order (adjustments can be made later, so book now!) ❏ If you need a wedding tent, research and reserve one. ❏ Schedule your hair and make-up trials, if you’re hiring a stylist (also make sure you coordinate with your wedding parties or friends) ❏ Reserve hotel blocks for your wedding (or have your wedding planner do it) ❏ Make wedding night reservations as needed. 4 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING ❏ Finalize rehearsal dinner and book anything you might need to still book. ❏ Buy your wedding rings. ❏ Order wedding invitations. ❏ Make sure your passport is up to date if you’re leaving the country for your honeymoon. ❏ Book wedding transportation. ❏ Create a spreadsheet for RSVPs and guest list addresses. ❏ Talk to whoever is planning your bachelorette party and/or any wedding showers. 3 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING ❏ Address and mail your wedding invitations (double check the postage!) If you are having a destination wedding send sooner! ❏ Think about what ceremony extras you might need (a chuppah, aisle runners, etc.) and buy or rent them. ❏ Start planning out your wedding ceremony script. ❏ If you’re DIYing anything for your wedding, start now or cross it off your list. ❏ Schedule dress fittings as needed. ❏ Make wedding night reservations as needed. ❏ Research your local marriage license, civil union, and domestic partnership rules. 2 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING ❏ Begin working on your wedding vows. ❏ Make sure everyone in your wedding parties have bought what they’re wearing. ❏ Figure out what you’re wearing to your rehearsal dinner. ❏ Put together a list of what you want to pack for your honeymoon, if you’re taking one. SIX WEEKS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING ❏ Start wearing your shoes around the house as needed. ❏ Make sure you’re updating your gift registry and spreadsheets as gifts arrive, and send thank you notes now if you can. ❏ Confirm that out of town guests are set up at hotels and lodging. ❏ Figure out if you want a guest book, and make it happen if so (also: test your pens!) ❏ Write thank you notes for your shower gifts. ❏ Finalize your vows. ❏ Make sure your wedding outfits are still on point. ❏ Finalizing your menu with your caterer. ❏ Finalize your wedding ceremony. 1 MONTH BEFORE YOUR WEDDING ❏ Put together your seating chart. ❏ Create your escort cards or table numbers. ❏ Finalize your ceremony outline. ❏ Create a wedding timeline (your wedding planner or day of coordinator will do this) ❏ Make any necessary nail and spa appointments ❏ Confirm all vendor payments (and tip amounts) ❏ Create your wedding playlist, if you’re doing the DIY DJ route. ❏ Make sure your wedding party knows any critical information as it pertains to the rehearsal dinner or wedding day. ❏ Give your DOC a copy of the vendor contract information, delivery schedule, and set up times (or work with them to gather that information) ❏ Schedule a final dress fitting. ❏ Print wedding programs if you’re having them. ❏ Confirm all rentals and/or adjust your rental order. ❏ Sit down with your DOC and walk through all the details for your wedding day. ❏ Get a marriage license. TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING ❏ Check with guests who haven’t RSVPed. ❏ Confirm head counts, menus, vendor meal requests, and delivery with your caterers and bakers. ❏ Confirm your photo requests, required family, and timeline with your photographer. ❏ Make sure that everyone who is delivering something to the wedding (rentals, flowers, etc.) has a confirmed, final timeline. ❏ Send a transportation schedule to transport providers. ❏ Make sure any clothing you want cleaned or pressed is taken care of. ❏ Ensure that there is a plan for wedding venue set up and breakdown. ONE WEEK BEFORE YOUR WEDDING ❏ Pack an overnight bag, and include: your toothbrush, birth control/condoms, something to sleep in, an outfit for the next day, honeymoon luggage, and your passport. ❏ Get your wedding manicure/pedicure (if it’s happening at all) ❏ Make sure a copy of your honeymoon plans is left with family and friends. ❏ Put your final payments + tips for vendors in labeled envelopes and give this to your DOC or someone else to manage. ❏ Get your wedding day “oh shit kit” put together (aspirin, make-up, safety pins, mints, snacks, etc.) ❏ Pick up your dress (if it wasn’t delivered to you) ❏ Try on your entire wedding ensemble. ❏ Give all your vendors the DOC number to call, just in case (note: not yours!) ❏ Hand over all your planning docs (including a copy of the vendor delivery schedule, set up. times, and phone numbers) to your day of coordinator and take a step back to enjoy this thing! 1 DAY BEFORE YOUR WEDDING ❏ Rehearse your ceremony with your officiant and wedding party. ❏ Confirm your honeymoon transportation, airport drop-off, etc. ❏ Set your alarm (and a back-up) ❏ Print out your vows (or memorize them) ❏ Don't forget to have fun! Feel free to email me and I will send you a copy in printable PDF form. xoxox, Erin
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AuthorErin is a Event Planner based out of Asheville, NC Archives
April 2020
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