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