I get the wonderful opportunity to meet with many many brides with all different expectations for their wedding day.  Some have all their ideas and visions on their Pinterest boards, organized by category, color, theme, etc.  Other brides come to me with so many ideas and plans in their minds they feel overwhelmed without a direction on which task to start first.  This is where a wedding planner becomes invaluable to a bride and can help “chunk down” those overwhelming tasks with a simple wedding planning check list!  Here is an example that I hope will help you sweet bride!

David Shirk – Unplugged Photography

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Tasks to be complete Six to Nine months before your wedding:

Choose your date

Set your budget

Hire a wedding planner!!  🙂   (Just my own 2 cents worth.. :-))

Begin compiling your guest list for both wedding and rehearsal dinner

Choose ceremony location

Choose reception location

Choose your Bridal Attendants

Contract your Photographer

Schedule your engagement session

Contract your Videographer

Contract your Caterer

Design and order your wedding cake

Contract your Officiate

Begin shopping for and purchase your wedding gown

Contract your Floral Design and Lighting Design

Contract music for the Reception

Contract musicians for the ceremony

Begin to plan your honeymoon

Order your Save the Date Cards

Brandon Gresham – Simple-Color Photography

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Tasks to be complete Four to Six months before your wedding:

 Mail out your Save the Date cards Six months before your wedding 

Contract and arrange for wedding day transportation including a Shuttle Bus and your get-a-way car

Order your invitations

Register for gifts

Purchase wedding rings

Reserve Groom and Groomsmen attire – Get measured

Order Bridesmaids dresses

Purchase your wedding shoes – You will need these for your first fitting

Choose and purchase your wedding favors

Block hotel rooms for out of town guests

Reserve a hotel room for your wedding night

Mail out your invitations Six to Eight weeks before your wedding

David Shirk – Unplugged Photography

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Tasks to be complete Two to Four months before your wedding:

Schedule a trial run for your hair and make up

Finalize menu and room layout with the venue

Finalize Rehearsal Dinner menu and venue layout

Discuss order of service with Officiate

Choose all readings and solos for your ceremony

Choose music selections for your ceremony

Choose first dance music for your reception

Schedule rehearsal with the ceremony site and director

David Shirk – Unplugged Photography

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Tasks to be complete One to Two months before your wedding:

Purchase guest book and pens

Purchase Flower girl basket and ring bearer pillow

Purchase toasting goblets and cake knives

Programs to the printer

Purchase your marriage license (This is only good for 30 days before your wedding)

Send in change of address to your post office

Send in all necessary paperwork to change your name

Final meeting with Floral Design and Lighting Design

Final meeting with venue/walk thru

Final head count to venue

Prepare and send all final payments to appropriate vendors

Jessica Wright Photography

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Tasks to be complete Two Weeks to One Month before your wedding:

 Final dress fitting

Complete seating plan if you are having a seated/plated menu

Prepare all final payments for vendors who need payment the day of the wedding (band/Dj)

Put together gift bags for out of town guests

Plan Bridesmaids luncheon

Schedule mani/pedi

Start to pack for your honeymoon

David Shirk – Unplugged Photography

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Tasks to be complete the Week of your wedding:

Mani/Pedi

Deliver gift bags to hotels for out of town guests

Pick up wedding dress

Groomsmen and Groom pick up men’s attire

Have your rings cleaned

Rehearse the ceremony

David Shirk – Unplugged Photography

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Above all sweet bride, relax and enjoy this wonderful time of your life!!  

Blessings!

Anita