• Take Engagement Photos

• Host Engagement Party (Optional)

• Insure Engagement Ring (Lemonade Insurance)

PRE-PLANNING

• Decide on Wedding Budget

• Join Local Wedding Facebook Groups

  • Planning Discussion Groups

  • Resale Groups

• Find Venue

• Pick out Wedding Date

• Create a Free Wedding Website

  • The Knot

  • Zola

• Decide on Wedding Theme/Color

  • Create A Pinterest Board with Theme Ideas.

• Choose a Best Man

• Choose a Maid of Honor or Matron of Honor

• Send out Save the Dates (Electronically or by Mail)

  • 6-12 months out.

THE MAJORS

• Consider Hiring a Wedding Planner/Coordinator

• Hire DJ/Band

• Hire Caterer

• Hire Photographer

• Hire Florist

• Hire Videographer

• Hire Officiant

• Hire Hair and Make up Artist

• Order Wedding Dessert/Cake

• Order Wedding Invitation/Suite

• Hire Rentals (Tables, Decor, Linens, Dinnerware, etc.)

  • Enquire about set up and tear down services if you are not hiring a coordinator/event staff to do this.

• Book Transportation if your Wedding Ceremony is separate from your reception.

• Book Wedding Night Accommodations

  • Hotel

  • Air BnB

  • VRBO

OTHER ARRANGEMENTS

• Book Bridal Dress Shopping Appointments

• Book Honeymoon

• Discuss with Bridal Party if they will be wanting hair and make up accommodations.

• Start Planning Bach Parties

WEDDING ATTINRE & ACCESSORIES

• Buy Wedding Bands

• Buy Wedding Dress

• Settle/ Buy or Rent Wedding Attire for Wedding Party

  • Bridesmaid Dresses

  • Tux’s or Suits

  • Bride and Groom Parent’s Attire

• Rent or Buy Grooms Tux

• Schedule fitting/Alteration appointments for Dress

• Order Garter

PRE-WEDDING CELEBRATIONS

• Finalize Venue and Caterer for Rehearsal Dinner

• Schedule Rehearsal Ceremony

• Plan Bridal Shower

• Have Bach Parties

FOR THE GUESTS

• Register for gifts on your wedding website

• Send Out Invitations

• Post Hotel or Air BnB accommodations on Website for guest.

THE MINORS

• Consider A Guestbook

• Consider A Content Creator

• Order Wedding Favors

  • Best Items are perishable items vs. keepsake memento.

• Buy Bridal Party Gifts

• Create a seating chart

• Assemble Welcome Bags for out of town guests or destination wedding.

• Create Place Card or Name Settings

PAPERWORK

• Apply for Wedding License (Sometime within 90 day’s before the wedding. 30 day’s before is a good rule of thumb.)

THE CEREMONY

• Work with officiant to write ceremony

• Confirm Participants of the Ceremony

  • Who is walking Bride down

  • Flower Girl, Ring Bearer

  • Grandparents (Optional)

• Write Vows

• Consider any extras for the ceremony.

  • Candle Lighting,

  • Jumping of the broom

  • Smashing the glass

  • ETC.

  • Prayer

LAST-MINUTE CONFIRMATIONS

• Order Alcohol if Venue does not come with it.

• Finalize Day of Timeline

• Call Guest who have not RSVP yet.

• Give Caterer and Venue final head count

• Confirm Delivery Details with Dessert Provider

• Deligate and confirm any wedding day tasks with family and friends.

• Confirm Floral Delivery

• Confirm final payments with wedding vendors

  • Assemble Tip Envelopes for day of wedding for vendors you plan to tip.

  • Designate someone to hand out.

• Pick Up Marriage License

STYLE

• Break in Wedding Shoes prior to wedding.

  • Bring comfy spares just in case.

• Get final haircuts

• Make Emergency Bridal Kit

• Plan Night Before Activities

POST WEDDING

• Dry Clean and Preserve Dress

• Preserve Wedding Bouquet (Optional.)

• Write Thank you Cards

• Change Insurance Policy to Include Spouse (Optional)

• Complete Name Change Paperwork

  • I recommend using Hitch Switch to make the process easier. Great item to put on your wedding registry as a gift!

• Pack for Honeymoon