The Planning Process

I cannot stress enough to get organized. Get yourself a 3 ring notebook with some dividers with some pocket inserts. Make sections for your ceremony, the reception, the food, music list, for your contracts and payments schedules. Over the next 12 months your going to have a lot of paperwork to deal with. Having a notebook makes it easier for you to have everything at your finger tips when out and about. Always be prepared.

Never pay with cash. If you can, use a credit card. If you have a disagreement or a no show the best way to get refunded is to stop payment and you cannot do that with cash.

Take a deep breath….your going to need it! Start early to finish early and be stress free in the last few weeks leading up to your big day. Here is your 12 month check list.  And hey congratulations!

 12 Months Before

• If your getting married allow yourself at least 1 year to plan your wedding. Don’t wait to do all your wedding planning in the last 6 months. This is why most couples fight. Your only creating undo stress for yourselves. Be realistic. No event this important can be planned in 6 months.
• Discuss your top priorities. You and your finance need to sit down and discuss what is your top priorities are for your wedding. Is it the food, the location, DJ or band. For my husband it was about having the reception catered. He didn’t want me to be cooking and chopping the day of the event. I however, didn’t want to spend half our budget on the food. In the end he was right to push to get it catered.
• Set your budget and stick to it. Set your budget low with the understanding that you will probably go over it by a few hundred dollars. Even the best planner encounters some surprises along the way. But don’t get crazy!
• Research, select and reserve the ceremony site, reception site, bakery and catering company. It’s important that you get these 4 things booked right away. Remember your not the only one getting married next year and if you have chosen a popular month – June, July and September you better move quickly.
• Interview, select and reserve your photographer, videographer, DJ or Band and florist.
• If you haven’t by now selected your best man and MOH (Maid-of-Honor) do so. Grab your MOH and mother and start looking for the gown of your dreams and make that final purchase. Also decide on your wedding party’s attire. Don’t forget shoes, jewelry and a headpiece.
• Decide if your going to have a theme wedding. Theme weddings can be a lot of fun. Our wedding was surrounded by “sand and sea” or “beach theme”. We chose aqua and white for our colors. Incorporated shell shells and coral and even our honeymoon was in Belize.

Four to Six Months

• Cake – make an appointment to discuss your cake and do a tasting.
• Pre-marriage counseling – make an appointment with your clergyperson.
• Marriage License – research the cost of your marriage license and when you can get it.
• Complete your guest list. I used iDo Wedding Couples Software to put my guest list, table assignments, keep track of my budget and print a seating chart. Click on the link to see more features.
• Order invites and program.
• Select wedding rings.
• Reception – start ordering everything you need for your receptions. See the rest of my site to help you find the best deals on line. If you have access to our reception hall, visit it often. I recommend taking digital pictures so you can look at them when you have an idea or questions – like where are all the wall outlets! Map out your room.
• Transportation – reserve your transportation for the day of the wedding.
• Schedule a consultation with your hair and makeup artist.
• Honeymoon – start researching and booking your honeymoon.

 Three Months Before

• Wedding Gown – check on the status of your wedding and bridesmaids gowns
• Register at a bridal register. You will want to include cards in your Bridal invitations so people know where you have registered.
• Decide if a wedding website is for you. This is a great way to communicate to everyone who is coming to your wedding and to keep them updated.
• Finish ordering your decorations for the reception. You want to be done with this by now so you don’t have to worry about what you might have forgotten later.
• Catering – call the catering company and set a date and time for tasting.
• Flowers – set a date and time to finalize your flowers and floral arrangements.
• Start planning your schedule for the day of the wedding. Who is going to manage the things that might go wrong. Layout a timed schedule for the entire day.
• Music – meet with your DJ or band and finalize your music list.
• Design your wedding program and invitations.

 Two Months Before

• Address invitations and have them ready to mail
• Reconfirm your honeymoon plans
• Schedule a blood test if required
• Put final touches on decorations
• Have your MOH plan your shower and send invites
• Make an appointment to get your nails and eyebrows waxed.
• Arrange the final fitting on the bridal gown and bridesmaids’ dresses.
• Have you gotten our marriage license yet?
• Set your rehearsal date and time.
• Have the groom make arrangements for the rehearsal dinner.
• Have the groom and best man rent their tux’s.

 Final Weeks

• You should have your gown and bridesmaid’s dresses by now
• Send out your invites 6 weeks before you get married
• Start calling people 2 weeks before the wedding if you haven’t gotten an RSVP yet.
• Make final payments to all your vendors. Remember to use a credit card just in case you need to get your money back.
• Call all your vendors for a last minute check in.
• Have the groom check on pick up date and time for tux’s
• Pack up your toasting glasses, unity candle, guest book and have it in a plastic tub ready to go to the church.
• Pack your shoes, jewelry, anything your going to be wearing the day of your wedding. Don’t wait to the last minute to pack and forget something.

Finally – your on your way to becoming the Mrs!