YES! You're engaged - now what?
Let us help you. Because we have a free wedding planning checklist for you. No matter what stage of the wedding planning process you are in, this downloadable checklist will ease some of your planning anxiety.
We have partnered with Just Marry! to bring you their expert advice. As a Florida wedding planning company, Just Marry! has been making wedding dreams come true for almost 30 years.
Click the cover image below to access your own free copy of The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist. Further, continue reading to find links to other helpful blogs and wedding vendors who can help you along the way to creating your perfect wedding.
10-12 Months Before Your Wedding Day
Assuredly this is not a complete list, but rather a great representation of the items you need to check-off during your wedding planning process. Start by reviewing the entire list. Then include additional items that are important to you, that may not be listed here. Subsequently allow this to be your wedding guide. This list starts 10-12 months before the big day and offers the best timeline. However, it is also meant to be adjusted to fit your time frame as well. Remembering that some items on your to do list are time sensitive and need to be addressed right away.
To get you started, below are some tips on completing some of the items in this section:
1. Collect design inspiration by viewing a digital copy of the I Said Yes! Magazine, reading Wedding Inspiration on I Said Yes! Blog and Just Marry! Blog and pinning your favorite ideas on Pinterest.
2. Hire a wedding planner. (Learn more about the importance of having a wedding planner in this helpful blog – Best Wedding Planning Tips From The Pros.)
3. Reserve your wedding venue.
4. Hire a photographer and schedule your engagement shoot.
5. Hire a florist, caterer, DJ/Band, and other must-have wedding vendors.
wedding planning checklist for 9 months before
Certainly you are looking forward to all the shopping. No doubt your wedding dress is on the top of the list. Therefore, start shopping for a wedding dress is #1 on the 9 months before list.
1. Start shopping for a wedding dress
2. Choose a beautiful place for your honeymoon. Experts encourage you to not wait to plan your honeymoon. One reason is you can start making payments now, and reduce the big payment due right before all of our wedding day final payments are also due.
3. Schedule a custom suit fitting. This isn’t on the list, but we can’t go without mentioning Leonardo 5th Avenue. Because they create a true experience for the suit wearer, just as the bridal salons do for the wedding gowns.
8 months before your wedding day
Obviously 8 months before is the sweetest time of your wedding planning process. That is to say, who doesn’t want to eat cake!
1. Select and order your wedding cake and/or desserts.
2. Select and order bridesmaid’s dresses. There are many options available for online ordering. Be sure to read the custom fitting return policies, shipping timelines and sizing charts when reviewing these sites. Here is a blog on Brides.com to help you compare online companies.
7 months before your wedding day
Generally speaking, the items on this months section of the free wedding planning checklist will require some design and planning. Speak with your wedding planner or your designer to be sure you order the correct colors, quantity and styles of rental items for your wedding day. Remember most wedding vendors will require a deposit at time of signing, be prepared for this when you reserve any rentals that you may need for your ceremony, reception and after party. Review local wedding rental companies here.
Furthermore, if your wedding is being held outside, consider putting a hold on a tent for a back-up weather plan.
wedding planning checklist for 6 months before
Are you wearing your hair up or down? Similarly, are you going all drama, or soft and natural with your make-up? This is why scheduling a trial run for hair and make-up is important 6 months before your wedding day.
Couple with this, do you want to go to the salon or have your artist come to your get ready room? For all these reasons, start early looking for your Hair and Make-up Artist so you find the perfect fit for your vision of yourself on your wedding day. Also consider skin treatments may take many months to see a change, these too need to be started early.
3-5 months before your wedding day
Things are starting to speed up, can you believe there is only 3 months until you marry your best friend! During this time you are beginning to put the finishing touches on many of your items on the wedding planning checklist. Like submitting your catering menu, scheduling your rehearsal dinner and your first wedding dress fitting. Be sure to include your fiancé in some of these items, it will help to work together as a team to accomplish the details.
weeks 1-8 on the free wedding planning checklist
Print these weeks out and hang them in a prominent place in your house. Consider creating a shareable checklist with your fiancé. Because these weeks are filled with finalizing, reviewing, applying, submitting, rehearsing, and confirming. Remember to take it one thing at a time, and you will finish just in time for the big day.
1-2 Days Before Your Wedding Day
Drink plenty of water. I repeat, drink plenty of water. In fact, the wedding planning experts from Just Marry! suggest limiting your alcohol and coffee intake as well. Likewise plenty of sleep is a necessary part of the days leading up to your wedding. Get rest, drink water and be ready, for tomorrow you marry your best friend.
on your wedding day
Today is the day! Oh my goodness!
The advice from the team at I Said Yes! is to give this list to someone else. Unquestionably today is your day and you deserve to enjoy every single moment.
For some wedding planning fun, join us at I DOs and BREWS wedding planning date nights and I Said Yes! Wedding Shows.
Happy Planning! Download the Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist.
Cover photo by Steven Miller Photography