You found the perfect guy. He gave you the perfect ring. Now what (panic!)? Nope! Plan, plan, plan…..but where do you even start!? Don’t worry! Here we will give you a general overview of the important elements you need to cover when you are planning your wedding and when you need to do them. When you work with Perfect Planning Events, Tara will guide you through this process so that nothing gets left undone or left to the last-minute.

A timeline and organization in wedding planning is very important because it allows you time to breath. With a proper timeline all items for your wedding that need to be done get spaced out over the time and it helps assign key tasks to the couple or the wedding planner. Your planner will help to ensure that you are able to get your choice of venue and vendors because your planner will work to book your choices early enough during the planning process. Nothing is worse than not getting the venue of your dreams simply because you waited too long to book it!

Ideally you want at least 12 months to plan and prepare for your wedding day, but if you have less time, don’t sweat it! With a lot of organization, patience, support and help from the pros you can crunch the timeline if need be. Have fun planning your dream day!

8 – 12 Months Before Your Wedding

  • Book your wedding planner!
  • Scope out and book your ceremony site, reception venue and caterer. (Tip: If you are getting married in a church be sure to get your wedding preparation timeline from your officiant should they require special preparation.)
  • Shop for your wedding gown and place the order. (Tip: Pinterest is a great place to start getting ideas of what you like for your gown and every other aspect of your wedding day!)
  • Interview and book your photographer, videographer, ceremony musicians DJ/Band and florist.
  • Finalize your guest list.

6 – 8 Months Before Your Wedding

  • Contact rental companies now if you need rental items such as chairs or tents.
  • Send your “Save the Date” cards.

3 – 6 Months Before Your Wedding

  • Purchase your invitations and order plenty of extra envelopes.
  • Book rehearsal dinner site.

 6 – 8 Weeks Before Your Wedding

  • Mail your invitations. (Tip: before you seal a single envelope, take the whole stack of an invitation to your post office to weigh it to be sure you purchase sufficient postage. And don’t forget postage for the response envelopes!)

1 Month Before Your Wedding

  • Have your final gown fittings for you and your bridesmaids.
  • Contact all of your vendors to make sure everything is in order. Confirm wedding night hotel room and honeymoon travel plans.

3 – 4 Weeks Before Your Wedding

  • Finalize RSVP list (Tip: finalizing your guest list 4 weeks in advance allows time to contact guests who have not responded and to invite guests from a “B” list.)
  • Finalize your seating chart.

1 Week Before Your Wedding

  • Give caterer final guest count.
  • Put together an emergency kit for yourself and your bridesmaids (aspirin, hair pins, extra stockings, safety pins, tampons, mints etc.) and give to the maid of honor to have with her on the wedding day.

Wedding Day

  • Make sure best man has the rings.
  • Relax and have fun!
  • Get married!!

 

 

Blogger:  Jennifer Armstrong, Perfect Planning Events