Many people find wedding planning difficult because it takes time and patience.
But most couples also prefer to be involved in the process. How can you make sure you avoid mistakes with the plans? When you start, it helps to have a wedding planning checklist in hand. It plays as your guide while you go through each step until your wedding day!
If you want to know how to get started with one, here are seven essential items you have to put on the list.
Decide on the Budget and Theme
First, you have to set a fixed budget. A wedding can be costly, so you must only spend within acceptable means.
The rest of your decisions for the wedding will also rely on your budget because it cuts down your options. That could make it easier to decide unless you have a specific vision. At the same time, you can also start thinking of the theme.
Finalizing it with your budget is good, so you don’t spend too long deciding on colors or styles.
Prepare a Guest List
One mistake people tend to make while planning a wedding is preparing and finalizing their guest list too late. Many suggest drafting your guest list when you decide on a wedding date.
If your wedding is a year away, you should finalize it in 6 months or more to consider guests who need to travel or take a leave from work. Remember that once you have your guest list, you should base your venue capacity on the number of attendees.
Confirm with your guests who will attend before you send out final invitations. You would want at least a number of those who will come and an estimate of who might.
Finalize Booking
Finalize booking venues, caterers, and other essentials at least five to three months from your wedding day. Although it still seems early, it allows room for adjustments if you need to make last-minute arrangements. At the same time, booking earlier will allow you to secure your spot.
So, try to decide on your final places early on. It should include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Wedding venue
- Photographer or videographer
- Reception venue
- Meal menu
- Officiant
- Transportation
- Hotel rooms
- Hair and make-up
If you have a wedding planner, they are usually in charge of completing these tasks. Some of them also manage the guest list and RSVPs.
Shop for Attire
Shopping for your attire is one of the most challenging parts of wedding plans. Anyone would want to look their best on their wedding day, so it makes sense if you take a while to decide.
If you want to take time to think about what to wear, start shopping and fitting as early as six months away. There’s still time to resize or adjust the style or material. When you decide what to wear sooner than expected, you can focus on the rest of the items on your checklist.
Shopping for attire can also include deciding on what the guests will wear. It also means whether you will provide some of their outfits, like for the bridesmaids or best men.
Send Out Invitations
Some might think it’s a given, but sending out invitations is easier to overlook than it seems. If you want to ensure they reach your guests on time, include it in your wedding planning checklist.
When you send out the invitations, it’s a way of confirming who you expect to see on your wedding day. But remember that not everyone will be nearby. Send invitations three or two months before the wedding to ensure everyone has time to prepare.
When you confirm RSVPs, you can send the final headcount to your organizer or planner so they can complete other arrangements.
Make Final Purchases
When you reach the two to one-month away mark, it’s time to make final purchases.
That includes rings, attire, party gifts, accessories, flowers, and more.
If you have pre-wedding parties planned, you also purchase them during this time, like a bachelor party koozie and others. During this time, you should also pay vendors in total so there won’t be any issues later. You can even deliver and pick up your marriage license along the way.
As much as possible, try to clear your wedding expenses at least a month before your wedding day.
Confirm with Organizers
If you only have a month until your wedding day, it’s time to check in with organizers to see if everything is ready. You can confirm the final details with each of them during this time. You can also let them know if there are changes to the initial plans.
Include all the services you will avail of on your wedding checklist. That way, you can quickly go back to it for final arrangements.
If you have a wedding planner, you can ask them for an update on the services and places if you want to make sure.
Prepare a Wedding Planning Checklist to Guide Your Plans
A wedding planning checklist makes preparing for a wedding run smoother.
It includes everything you need to remember, including the essentials. One of the best wedding tips you can get is to list everything once you start planning. That way, you can ensure everything goes smoothly before, during, and after the wedding!
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