This is your once in a lifetime moment, where you will stand before the world to vow to love forevermore. This magical day should sacrifice nothing. Planning the perfect wedding is easier than you ever imagined. This little checklist should take you through the process of wedding planning for the wedding you really want.
Wedding Planning 12 Months Ahead
Most weddings are planned about 12 months in advance. This is not a rule, but an average; however, you can never plan too early for a couple of reasons. The date you choose for your wedding day is an important day. This is not a day you just pull out of a magical hat of fate. The day usually holds some significance. This is when the stars align. The length of the engagement can very, but always try to give yourself enough time for the wedding planning. Rushing towards a date will make the wedding planning feel rushed.
Pick a Date
The first step to planning is to choose a wedding date that is significant to your relationship, such as an anniversary. If you want a new date, begin by picking a season and year for the wedding, while maintaining flexibility to coordinate with the availability of the wedding venue. Pick a date that works with the timeline of your wedding checklist and doesn’t rush the planning process. As soon as you have your date, begin touring wedding venues. Book your venue early to ensure your special date is available.
Find Inspiration
Flip through magazines and fall in love with Pinterest. It is never too early to daydream, and daydreaming you must. Scroll through social media and blogs. Attend bridal shows and open house events at wedding venues. Imagine the colors and theme for your wedding day. Gain inspiration by taking a tour at an all-inclusive wedding venue with in-house designers. You will have an opportunity to speak to designers and create the vision for your magical day.
Review the Wedding Planning Budget
The budget will definitely keep you grounded during your daydreaming adventure. Never become frustrated with the budget. The most challenging part of wedding planning is to maintain a realistic vision that meets the budget while trying to create the wedding of your dreams. This checklist is not going to disappoint. Consider hosting your wedding at an all-inclusive wedding venue with an in-house design team, planners and vendor connections that can save you thousands on planning your wedding day. You can experience all of the elegance and luxury in an affordable wedding package.
Pick Your Wedding Party
This is a sensitive topic. As soon as your close friends and family learn about your engagement, they will be waiting for you to pop the question and invite them to be part of your wedding party. Choose your wedding party wisely. Choose people that are close to you, supportive and positive. Never choose a bridesmaid or best man based on their feelings or just because you were in their wedding. Be prepared to let someone down.
Count Your Guests
You won’t be sending out invitations just yet, but it is important to start planning your guest count. You need an idea about who you will invite for budgeting purposes. For example, if you are spending less on catering with a smaller wedding, you might be able to afford the more expensive dress.
Build Your Wedding Team
Do not wait to build your wedding team. Choose your photographer, caterer, cake decorator, deejay and hair and makeup artist as soon as you have the date and the venue locked down. Do not wait with this wedding checklist item. The calendar of a professional vendor fills up quickly. Try to book vendors that are recommended by the wedding venue. This can sometimes get you better rates and ensure you are contracting with a professional.
Wedding Planning at 9 Months
Shopping for your wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. Nine months before the big day, purchase your dream dress and dapper tux. If you booked your wedding at an all-inclusive wedding venue, you will have extra in the budget to pick the dress of your dreams. This is also the time to purchase other wedding attire and have your wedding party fitted.
Plan your Gift Registry and Website
Things are starting to get exciting. It is time to plan your gift registry and wedding website. Have fun and plan the registry with your partner. Create a personal page for your wedding. This will help keep the wedding party and guests in the loop about the wedding date, planning, registry information and travel details.
Wedding Planning in the Last 6 Months
This is the time to design your wedding invitations. Get creative with bows and ribbons. Get artsy with a DIY design or find the perfect vendor to create your vision. Some couples are choosing to create digital invitations to send by email. Make sure you have all of the addresses or email addresses for your recipients. It isn’t time to send out the invitations just yet, but do not wait for the last minute for this part of the wedding planning.
It is also time to plan your honeymoon. It takes thought and time to make it a truly magical experience. Think about your destination. Purchase tickets. If you will be traveling abroad, make sure you check travel advisories and obtain your passport and visa.
It is also time to find the officiant that will create your unique ceremony. It is very easy to forget the officiant until the end due to all the chaos of wedding planning. If you do not have an officiant, you will not have a wedding. Make sure you take your time to choose an officiant that will create the ceremony experience that you imagine and incorporate all of your rituals. Think about your wedding vows and whether you will be creating your own or employing a wedding vow writer.
Transportation is important. Do not forget the limo! Arrive in style to your event and plan your wedding exit with class. Also think about your wedding party and securing transportation for them to get to the wedding venue.
It is time to create your wedding timeline. Plan the timing for the cutting of the cake, the first dance, toasting events and the bouquet toss. Crystal Ballroom BeachPlace is an all-inclusive wedding venue that offers a day of event coordinator package to help you create a timeline for your wedding day.
Only 4 Months Left
With only four months before your wedding day, you will need to book the venue for the rehearsal dinner, sample and order the wedding cake, provide your bridal shower host with your guest list, and create your music playlist for your deejay or band.
Wedding Planning the Last 3 Months
Three months prior to your event, you will finalize the floral arrangements, purchase favors, create a list for those toasting at your reception and giving speeches, purchase lingerie, schedule another fitting for your wedding dress, purchase rings, and purchase a veil, if you did not purchase one when you purchased your wedding dress. This is the time to ask your important people to make a speech and toast at your wedding. They will need a little time to prepare.
There is a lot to do in the last two months of your wedding planning. Follow up with your wedding vendors. Make sure you have discussed details about your wedding with your photographer and other vendors. Provide your deejay or band with a playlist. Mail out invitations about six to eight weeks prior to the ceremony. Arrange and attend a bachelor or bachelorette party.
About one month prior to your wedding, count and organize the RSVP’s. Obtain your marriage license. Schedule your last fitting. Stock the bar. Make sure all of your vendors are paid. Confirm the time and location for hair and makeup with your stylist. Assign guest seating. Purchase gifts for the wedding party to give at the rehearsal dinner. Write your vows. Cut and color hair, if you intend on doing this before the wedding.
In the final week, make sure your day of event coordinator has your timeline and list for who will be bustling your dress and carrying out specific tasks. Pick up the dress, tux and wedding party attire. Provide the final headcount to the caterer. Pack for your honeymoon!
Crystal Ballroom BeachPlace
Host your romantic ceremony and reception at the exotic and luxurious Crystal Ballroom BeachPlace. This all-inclusive wedding venue includes all of the furnishings, décor and designs to create the fairy tale of your dreams on the budget you never imagined. Save all the stress of wedding planning, and plan the affordable fairy tale at a beachfront venue in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Meet the professional in-house designer and wedding planner, and share your vision for your magical day.
