WEDDING PLANNING: THE ULTIMATE WEDDING PLANNING CHECKLIST
All you need to do a year before until the actual wedding day
We created an organization plan with to-dos every month so that you don’t miss anything! Grab paper and pencil and let’s go!
12 – 10 months before the wedding
- Wedding date
The first thing that belongs on the wedding agenda is to set your wedding date. It would be good to have flexibility regarding dates because there may not be availability in the church.
- Church closure
You set the date and now it’s the church’s turn. If you have a particular church that you want to get married, you have to book the date early because that date you have decided may not be free. Alternatively, it is advisable to visit candidate churches in order to see the availability of dates and to be informed about the policy it maintains. (e.g. Some priests are particularly strict with dress).
- Wedding budget
A key place on the wedding planning list is its budget. In order not to find yourself in unpleasant surprises, it would be good to calculate from the beginning how much you can spend for the wedding. Ask your parents if they can help and in what time range so that there is a proper organization.
- Groomsmans
If you haven’t already done so, it’s a good idea to find the best man you want to marry you. Inform them in time so that they too have time to prepare and not wonder at the last minute what the obligations of the groomsmens are!
- Research on the reception area
An equally important chapter in the wedding preparation book is the wedding reception. Do an extensive research before choosing the space that suits you best. Especially if you want to organize and decorate the reception table yourself, the place where the wedding party will take place or you would prefer a more alternative wedding reception, then you need to look for it a lot to have a spectacular result.
9 – 8 months before the wedding
- Wedding guest list
The wedding calendar is getting smaller and smaller. Time to decide whether you want to have a closed or open wedding. Jointly define the list of your guests to move accordingly in your finances. There are, in fact, online guest list forms that will make it easier for you.
- Wedding theme
If you have said that you will do the wedding planning yourself then it’s time to find the wedding theme that suits you. There is a huge range of ideas and colors for DIY wedding decoration from which you can make your own wedding color palette.
- Photographer and Music
The wedding planning list also includes researching your wedding photographer and music. The photographer will capture all those moments that you will remember for a lifetime and music is what will raise the mood at the reception. First choose if you want a DJ or an orchestra and discuss together the kind of music you want for the wedding. This requires a lot of research to make the right choice.
- Church decoration and flower decoration
Next on the list of wedding to-do is church decoration and flower decoration. At this point you can either find yourself what you need from materials for church decoration or hire a professional to organize them as you want. In any case, you must arrange in time both the decoration of the church and the flower decoration.
- Bridal rehearsals (for the bride)
The wedding dress is number one on the wedding agenda for a bride, so go out on time to find the style that suits you and to be informed about the prices that fluctuate. Get the people you trust for their opinion and start dress rehearsals!
- Honeymoon
If you are planning a honeymoon why not look for it now? Find the place, accommodation and tickets to save money for sure. If we are talking about a transatlantic trip, you have to run for papers such as a visa!
7-6 months before the wedding
- Selection of invitations
Your wedding invitations can’t be missing from our complete wedding guide! You can either move to more classic options e.g. in a paper envelope or find alternative ways to inform your guests. That’s up to you!
- Wedding rings
The same goes for wedding rings. There, around 6-7 months before the wedding, it is a good time to choose your wedding rings.
- Wreaths and wedding sets
Agree with your maid of honor or groomsmans what budget she has for the decoration, the wreaths and the wedding set. If you want something much more expensive than you can afford, you can catch up. You can also check out ready-made best man packages that offer ready-made solutions more economically.
5 months before the wedding
- Wedding choreography
You are now close enough to the date to start classes for a very beautiful wedding choreography. It is good to have time for lessons to be done calmly and to be able to modify with your teacher some movement that may be difficult or confusing. The dance of the newlyweds is the most romantic and sensual moment at the wedding reception. It is a tradition and all eyes are on the couple. So don’t neglect it, it won’t be done properly if it gets on the last minute list of things.
- Close pending issues
And somewhere here you must have booked the reception area, the photographer and the music. This will allow you to go further on the wedding list and deal with new organization issues.
- Wedding cake tasting and menu
Once you have booked the reception area, the tasting is next. Good fun but also food plays an important role for your guests. So, choose a menu with some alternatives to cover all your guests and their preferences. The same applies to the wedding cake and the sweets you may have at the candybar.
- Marriage procedures
In order to proceed with a marriage, some documents and procedures are needed. These are your marriage announcement, fee, birth certificates, celibacy certificates, and their validation by the Archdiocese. Finally, you must bring all this to the church where you will be married.
- Bridal bouquet (for the bride)
Don’t forget to choose the appropriate bridal bouquet. It must be in harmony with your wedding dress and the rest of the wedding decoration.
- Guest accommodation
If some of the guests live outside the area, it would be good to work on where they will stay on your wedding days.
4 months before the wedding
- Bridal makeup and hairstyle (for the bride)
Since you have thought that you more or less want your wedding dress to be if you have not already chosen it, choose the bridal makeup and hairstyle you will have. It will definitely take two rehearsals before you choose the finish.
- Groom’s suit
The wedding dress may attract all the attention, but let’s also give the attention it deserves to the groom’s clothing. She may find them a little dark when it comes to choosing a suit and need your help!
- Transportation to church and reception
Next on the list is the transfer of the bride to church. Book in time the means that will transport the bride and arrange its decoration. You can always choose an alternative idea for transporting the bride to church!
3 months before the wedding
- Distribution of invitations
It’s time to join the invitation marathon. Unravel your guest list together, then start writing them down. Don’t be late to send them so that your guests can arrange their program accordingly!
- Bridal shoes (for the bride)
Once you have found the wedding dress, makeup and hairstyle you have to choose the bridal shoes you will wear. Make sure they are comfortable enough so you don’t have a hard time on the wedding day!
- Favors
If you do not want to buy ready-made wedding favors, search and get all the necessary materials for favors and make them yourself. There are many ideas for DIY favors that will excite even the most demanding! By making the favors yourself you can have an original result in a much more economical way. In fact, if you have company, it will prove to be a very fun process!
2 months before the wedding
- Marriage announcement
In addition, publish your wedding ad in a local newspaper.
- Groom man’s gift
Find out what the groom man would like best for as a gift. For your convenience you can ask him directly what he really needs.
- Bachelorette organization (for the bride)
This piece is a women’s affair. Discuss with your maid of honor and friends what you could do for a bachelorette party and what bachelor accessories you want. Usually the organization of the bachelorette belongs to the obligations of the maid of honor, however it would be good to discuss with her before organizing it, what you would prefer for this day.
1 month before the wedding
Having entered the final stretch and once the invitations have been distributed, invite your guests to let you know if they will be able to attend. So you will adjust the reception space accordingly. Verify that everything has been organized as it should, you have decided on a wedding dress, makeup, hairstyle and the groom has settled on the suit.
2 weeks before the wedding
There is now very little time left. Pick up the wedding dress and the groom’s suit. Check the music list, find out if all the details are going well and organize your bachelorette party.
1 week before the wedding
You have made up all the details and now on the wedding planning list belongs relaxation and pampering. Do some spa, manicure, pedicure and other such beauty care related activities. Do not leave haircuts and hair dyes for the last minute. In case you don’t like something, there should be a small amount of time to fix it!
The day before the wedding
It would be good to take a relaxing bath to rest. Also, sleep well because a beautiful but exhausting day awaits you.
The wedding day (for the bride)
Eat small and good meals and leave in the hands of experts. Be the bride you’ve dreamed of since you were a child and exchange vows of eternal love with the man of your life.
Take deep breaths and live every moment, remember that it is the day that will accompany you for the rest of your life! And if something goes off plan, don’t let it spoil your special day! After all, a new life begins, yours!
