The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist: From 'Yes' to 'I Do'
Congratulations! You've said 'Yes' and now it's time to start planning your dream wedding. From choosing the perfect venue to saying 'I do' surrounded by loved ones, every step of the journey should be filled with excitement and anticipation. To help you stay organized and stress-free throughout the planning process, we've compiled a comprehensive checklist of 26 essential tasks to take you from engagement to happily ever after!
Set a Budget: First & most importantly, establish a realistic budget that accounts for all wedding expenses, including the venue, catering, attire, photo & video, DJ, etc. Also keep in mind how big of honeymoon you may want to go on.
Choose a Date: Select a wedding date that works for you and your partner, taking into consideration factors like season, availability, & special significance. (like a year anniversary from you meeting)
Create Your Guest List: It’s time to create a list of family and friends you want to invite to your special day, keeping in mind the capacity of your venue and your budget. I recommend setting a guest limit & creating a bigger list to start out with and then slowing making the list smaller before sending wedding invitations.
Select Your Venue: The one we’ve all been waiting for! It’s time to pick the perfect setting for your ceremony and reception, whether it's a picturesque landscape, elegant ballroom, or rustic barn. When booking a venue, keep in mind this is your wedding, pick a place you love and that holds significance to you & your partner. Also, look into the venue’s “ day of coordination” if they have it, it is totally worth it to have the peace of mind the day of knowing that the coordinator will be doing everything.
Shop for Wedding Attire: I put this early in the checklist because it’s important you see what’s out there now but also be considerate of when you booked your venue. It’s time to start looking for the perfect wedding dress, suit, and accessories for you and your partner, as well as attire for your wedding party.
Hire a Wedding Planner (optional): Consider hiring a professional wedding planner to help you with the logistics and coordination of your big day, the only reason I put optional is because most venues nowadays have the option to add a day of coordinator to your booking packages.
Book Your Photographer: Capture every special moment with a photographer that you & your spouse click with. You want your day to be fun & your photogrpaher will be a big part of your wedding.
Book Your Videographer: Having a film to watch & show you family as you get older will be one of the most cherished moments you’ll share down the road. Pick someone who you feel can document your wedding day memories the way you want them captured.
Choose Your Wedding Party: Make a list of your closest friends and family members to stand by your side as bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other members of your wedding party. If you want an even look for aesthetics, be sure to make sure you both have the same amount of bridesmaids & groomsmen.
Create your Wedding Website: Invite friends and family to be part of your wedding party & big day. Consider responsibilities, attire, and how they'll contribute to your special day. This can also have a link to your wedding registry if you choose to make one.
Design Your Invitations: Create beautiful invitations that reflect your wedding theme and include all the necessary details for your guests. I always thought this was a great time for a couple to do some DIY together. It ends up being roughly the same amount of money to designing, printing, cutting, & sealing with wax as getting them printed online. Take the time to have some fun & create wedding invites you’ll always remember. Dont forget details to your website you may have created.
Plan Your Ceremony: This goes along with hiring an officiant. Think of someone who you boht may know & someone you trust to marry you. As far as planning, work with your officiant to create a meaningful and personalized ceremony that celebrates your love and commitment to each other.
Plan Your Reception: Coordinate with your venue, coordinator, and vendors to plan the flow of your reception, including seating arrangements, decor, and entertainment. Typically your coordinator will handle this for you, such a relief and worth the money.
Arrange Transportation: Arrange transportation for you and your wedding party to and from the ceremony and reception venues if you plan to do an after party or go out afterwards.
Book Entertainment: The entertainment is the sidekick to you & your spouse after the ceremony. They will will keep your guests entertained while eating and dancing all night long afterwards, whether it's a live band, DJ, or other performers.
Arrange for Catering: This is the fun part! Choose a caterer who can provide delicious food and beverages that will delight your guests. Dont skip out on the taste testing & don’t forget dessert! Keep in mind you will typically need a 3rd party to serve liquor & consider the amount of guest who have RSVP’d already.
Arrange Accommodations for Guests: Reserve hotel blocks or provide recommendations for accommodations for out-of-town guests. Hotels are typically more than willing to help, some even offer transportation.
Order Wedding Bands: Woo Hoo! You made it to the jewelry section! Shop until you find the perfect wedding bands that symbolize your commitment to each other.
Finalize Decor and Floral Arrangements: It’s time to work with your florist and decorator to finalize the decor and floral arrangements for your ceremony and reception. This will typically be through a decor session at the venue you booked.
Plan Your Honeymoon: Start thinking about where you want to go for you dream honeymoon. Keep in mind the season in other parts of the world & what weather they may be experiencing aound the date of your wedding. (For example hurricane season)
Obtain Necessary Permits or Licenses: Make sure you have all the necessary permits or licenses for your ceremony and reception venues. This can be 3rd-party liquor licenses, the security needed to serve alcohol, or an insurance policy the venues may require.
Arrange for Wedding Day Beauty Services: It’s time to start thinking about hair, makeup, and other beauty services for you and your wedding party. Consider the time you have the venue booked for & how early you want to get there for you big day.
Finalize Your Wedding Cake/Dessert Design: Another taste test! Make sure you pick a flavor that you both like, or get two cakes, & consider the amount of guest who have RSVP’d. When picking the perfect wedding cake design, keep in mind you can always cut a smaller fancier cake & have cake up in the back to reduce costs, we’re seeing this more & more nowadays.
Plan Rehearsal Dinner: Coordinate the details of your rehearsal dinner with both families, where you can relax and celebrate with your closest family and friends before the big day. This should be fun so try not to stress it. Make sure you pick a place with a variety of food options.
Confirm Details with Vendors: A week of so before the week I always recommend following up with all your vendors to confirm details and finalize arrangements for your wedding day.
Enjoy Your Special Day!: Finally, relax and savor every moment of your wedding day. Trust that you've done everything you can to create a beautiful and memorable celebration of your love.
Your journey from 'Yes' to 'I Do' is a thrilling adventure filled with love, laughter, and careful planning. Remember, this is a celebration of your love story, and with thoughtful preparation, your wedding day will be a beautiful reflection of your unique journey together. Happy planning, and here's to a lifetime of love and happiness!
