Wedding Planning Timeline Blitz : 1 WEEK Until "I Do!"

INSTALLMENT VII | Today`s Blitz Focus >>

1 WEEK Until the Big "I Do!"

^^Above Table Number design by // "HennaK Online" | "Cute Bird 1" Design Set

• RECONFIRM SCHEDULES WITH ALL PARTICIPATING VENDORS!

• CREATE A WEDDING DAY CHECKLIST!

→ TIP: Choose someone to bustle your dress, someone to carry your things, someone to be in charge of gifts (especially the enveloped sort), someone to hand out tips, and someone to be the point person for each vendor. (Quoted from Weddings | Real Simple)

• CREATE A TIMELINE for the rehearsal, wedding day, and the reception, and DISTRIBUTE TO WEDDING PARTY/all participants!

→ TIP: Include all contact information, roles/titles, and points-of-contact that you have personally designated to handle specific tasks/monitor specific vendors. Make sure this person agrees to perform the task(s) and has a CLEAR UNDERSTANDING of what you want! If they will be involved with a vendor, it may not be a bad idea to introduce the vendor to your contact beforehand, and give them each other`s contact information!

• PICK UP your WEDDING DRESS and start breaking in your wedding shoes :)

• Check in one last time with the photographer. Supply him or her with a list of moments you want captured on film.

• Set aside checks for the vendors. And put tips in envelopes to be handed out at the event.

• RECONFIRM SPA TREATMENTS & HAIR/NAIL APPOINTMENTS

• Most caterers allow you 72 hours prior to your event to change your order, so PROVIDE them WITH AN UPDATED HEADCOUNT for your reception

• Assemble and distribute the welcome baskets.

• Finalize HONEYMOON PACKING!

I hope you all enjoyed my wedding planning timeline blitz :) Stay tuned for my next blog post, debuting on August 1st. Lastly, TODAY is my 23rd Birthday, so thank you to all who have shown me love! All of you have had a hand in making my day even more amazing and I am Blessed to know you. Thank you for letting me and my passion be a part of your life!

♥

Sources: Personal experience, several event planners I know, and wedding associations (such as the Richmond Bridal Association).

** Additional Source for this blog posting: "Weddings | Real Simple" **

Wedding Planning Timeline Blitz : 2-6 WEEKS Until "I Do!"

INSTALLMENT VI | Today`s Blitz Focus >>

2-6 WEEKS Until the Big "I Do!"

^^Above Table Number design by // "Martha Stewart Weddings"

• Go over RSVPs and contact those who still have yet to respond!

• Confirm headcount for REHEARSAL DINNER

• Schedule and attend your FINAL DRESS FITTING

• Provide caterers with FINAL HEADCOUNT FOR your RECEPTION

• Alleviate some post-wedding stress by PAYING OFF as many FINAL PAYMENTS as possible

• CONFIRM SCHEDULES WITH ALL PARTICIPATING VENDORS

• Finalize SEATING CHARTS (if applicable)

• WRITE your WEDDING VOWS, if this is the route the two of you are choosing to take :)

Tune in tomorrow for the *FINAL* installment in my "Wedding Planning Timeline" Blitz, where we will discuss the planning preparations that should be considered 1 WEEK prior to your wedding day!

♥

Sources: Personal experience, several event planners I know, and wedding associations (such as the Richmond Bridal Association).

** Additional Source for this blog posting: "Weddings | Real Simple" **

Wedding Planning Timeline Blitz : 6-8 WEEKS Until "I Do!"

INSTALLMENT V | Today`s Blitz Focus >>

6-8 WEEKS Until the Big "I Do!"

^^Above Table Number design by // "The Funky Shack Art Studio" | "Distressed Chalkboard" Design Set

• MAIL your wedding INVITATIONS

→ TIP: I recommend as close to 8 weeks out as possible!

• Be prepared to COLLECT/devise a system for collecting your wedding day RSVPs

• Finalize your wedding day MENU

• Schedule and have your FORMAL WEDDING PORTRAITS done by your photographer

• Schedule all SPA, HAIR, MAKEUP, and NAIL APPOINTMENTS

→ TIP: Work with your hair- and make-up stylists to play around with possible wedding-day looks, so that all of you are on the same page BEFORE the big day arrives! This will save everyone time and undue stress in the long run.

• Send WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT and photo to local newspaper(s)

• Secure final headcount for your REHEARSAL DINNER

• Obtain your MARRIAGE LICENSE

• Plan your BACHELORETTE/BACHELOR PARTY

→ TIP: Don`t get too crazy or stay out too late! We want everyone to arrive on wedding day bushy-tail and bright-eyed, in one piece, rested, refreshed, and 100% ready to take in the wonderful memories of the day you say “I Do!”

Tune in tomorrow for the next installment in my "Wedding Planning Timeline" Blitz, where we will discuss the planning preparations that should be considered 2-6 weeks prior to your wedding day!

♥

Sources: Personal experience, several event planners I know, and wedding associations (such as the Richmond Bridal Association).

Wedding Planning Timeline Blitz : 2-4 Months Until "I Do!"

INSTALLMENT IV | Today`s Blitz Focus >>

2-4 Months Until the Big "I Do!"

^^Above Table Number design by // "By Gina Stationery" | "3D Butterfly Stationery" Design

• Shop for WEDDING RINGS and engrave them

• Schedule a cake tasting appointment, select your preferred bakery, and order your WEDDING CAKE!

• Plan and book your WEDDING DAY TRANSPORTATION

• Order WEDDING FAVORS for your guests

• Order additional ROOM DECORATIONS to enhance your rental equipment, if necessary

• Purchase GIFTS for wedding attendants (bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, greeters, etc.)

• Check on whatever requirements are in place for obtaining your MARRIAGE LICENSE

• Check with your doctor to see what VACCINATIONS/HEALTH PRECAUTIONS need to be made for your honeymoon destination, and schedule those appointments accordingly

• Optional – Consider a WILL/PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT

Tune in tomorrow for the next installment in my "Wedding Planning Timeline" Blitz, where we will discuss the planning preparations that should be considered 6-8 weeks prior to your wedding day!

♥

Sources: Personal experience, several event planners I know, and wedding associations (such as the Richmond Bridal Association).

Wedding Planning Timeline Blitz : 4-6 Months Until "I Do!"

I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend, and I know that I thoroughly enjoyed my time with family, friends, and great fireworks for the 4th of July festivities! My sincere apologies for the unintentional hiatus in my blogging blitz, but hopefully you don`t love me any less! Let`s continue, shall we?

INSTALLMENT III | Today`s Blitz Focus >>

4-6 Months Until the Big "I Do!"

^^Above Table Number design by // "Royal Steamline" | "Two Ring Circus" Design

• Start shopping for bride and groom WEDDING GIFTS to exchange before the ceremony

• RESERVE ceremony and reception RENTAL ITEMS

→ TIP: Check with both venues first and meet with their coordinator/caterer to see what type of selection they have on-site before purchasing your own rental items. This could save you time AND money!

• Finalize your GUEST LIST

→ TIP: Remember, if you are having budgeting issues, "trimming the fat" here could really help, as it will greatly reduce quantities across the board for food, favors, rental items, centerpieces, etc. Hopefully, however, you will have already taken care of this dilemma prior to sending out your "Save the Dates" 6-8 months before your big day. Otherwise, you may have to do some UNinviting, which is never fun for you or for your guests :(

• Select and order INVITATIONS / STATIONERY

• ADDRESS your INVITATIONS … or hire a printer/calligrapher if that look works better for the wedding theme or ambiance you are seeking to create for you and your guests :)

→ TIP: Personally, I would send them out closer to the 2-month mark.

• Select and reserve your REHEARSAL DINNER VENUE

• If applicable and this is something that you and your partner have discussed – and allotted for in your budget ;) – arrange ACCOMMODATIONS FOR your OUT OF TOWN GUESTS

→ TIP: Ask what kinds of specials/rates the hotel is offering for groups or larger parties. Also, remember to cancel any rooms that you no longer need prior to the hotel`s cancellation date to avoid getting charged for empty rooms! Ask for the hotel`s cancellation policy IN WRITING to be on the safe side.

• Start planning your HONEYMOON!

• Create your WEDDING REGISTRY :)

Tune in tomorrow for the next installment in my "Wedding Planning Timeline" Blitz, where we will discuss the planning preparations that should be considered 2-4 months prior to your wedding day!

♥

Sources: Personal experience, several event planners I know, and wedding associations (such as the Richmond Bridal Association).

Wedding Planning Timeline Blitz : 6-8 Months Until "I Do!"

INSTALLMENT II | Today`s Blitz Focus >>

6-8 Months Until the Big "I Do!"

• Send out your SAVE THE DATES

→ TIP: Send these to those that you want to come to your wedding, including your Bridal Party and any guests who you want to invite that have given you a verbal RSVP. This ensures that everyone is on the same page. To keep your guest list to a bearable number, only send your "Save the Dates" to those specific individuals you want to come to your wedding -- instead of the entire world!

• Select FLOWER GIRL`S DRESS, shoes, and accessories

→ TIP: Now would also be a great time to consider any dresses/suits, shoes, and accessories for any attendants that will be in your wedding, such as readers or hostesses who will seat your guests/pass out programs.

• Schedule all dress/tuxedo FITTINGS and their corresponding delivery dates

• Select and reserve your FLORIST!

• Select and reserve your CATERER

→ TIP: Before selecting a Caterer, PLEASE feel free to request to view a portfolio of his/her work, schedule a tasting, and ask locals in the area about to get the legitimate scoop on the (dis)satisfaction of his/her business!

• Select and reserve your MUSICIANS

→ TIP: This includes musicians for the ceremony, as well as musicians/a DJ for the reception. If you intend on using a CD/MP3 player to supply your ceremony music, please check with your venue first to see which music format they prefer and ask to see if they will provide someone on-site to play the music for you, or if you will need to designate one of your guests to do it! Make sure that the person you assign this task to is present at the wedding rehearsal to prevent any major hiccups on your big day! Your music is a very important piece of your wedding.

• Select and reserve your WEDDING NIGHT BRIDAL SUITE

Tune in tomorrow for the next installment in my "Wedding Planning Timeline" Blitz, where we will discuss the planning preparations that should be considered 4-6 months prior to your wedding day!

♥

Sources: Personal experience, several event planners I know, and wedding associations (such as the Richmond Bridal Association).

Wedding Planning Timeline Blitz : 9+ Months Until "I Do!"

HAPPY JULY 1ST, MY LOVES (: July is one of my favorite months each year because it is my Birthday month -- Power to my fellow CANCERS out there who share the most fun sign of the Zodiac! In honor of my Birthday, I decided to do something a little different this month with this initial July blogpost! There are thousands of wedding planning timelines floating around the world, and in all honesty, they are all fairly subjective! Well, I wanted to share with you MY PERSONAL WEDDING PLANNING TIMELINE, crafted from observing timelines of others, but primarily from my own experiences! Instead of 1 giant blogpost, I am jazzing it up by doing 9 daily installments, starting with today! So for the next 8 days, I hope you`ll enjoy my puzzle pieces for the perfect timeline!

So you just got engaged -- CONGRATULATIONS, Lovebirds! Once you come down from the high of the engagement, you now realize that it`s time to buckle down and start preparing for your wedding day! With so many elements and ideas, it can be overwhelming to know what to tackle first! So, where shall we begin? Let`s start from the engagement and work our way up to your wedding day!

INSTALLMENT I: Today`s Blitz Focus >>

9+ Months Until the Big "I Do!"

• Begin your WEDDING BINDER

→ TIP: Keep clippings from magazines, running lists of ideas as they pop into your head, calendars, and any bits of inspiration in here! It will make your life ten times easier and will help you better maintain your central focus when planning.

• Select your wedding DATE

→ TIP: Be sure to take seasons, federal/religious Holidays, and the time of day into consideration before solidifying! Have a backup option planned in case your venues are booked on your 1st date of choice.

• Determine your BUDGET

→ TIP: Allow yourself MINIMAL and sensible wiggle-room, and then STICK TO IT! Check it often, update it to the "T", and craft it from the beginning with care so that wiggle-room is solely a last resort. Your budget provides the foundation for not only your wedding day, but also your first days as husband and wife, hopefully falling more in love with each passing day instead of consuming yourselves with worry from getting out of debt for your beautifully-exorbitant "I Do`s."

• Hire a wedding CONSULTANT

→ TIP: (i.e. your`s truly hehe)

• Consolidate your GUEST LIST

→ TIP: David Tutera once spoke on this topic and said that your wedding day is often such a beautiful blur, that you probably won`t be able to remember each and every person who was or was not able to help celebrate your special day – until you look at the photographs! If you`ll regret not having their presence in your wedding photos years down the road, invite them. The easiest way to lighten the budget is to trim the guest list!

• Select and reserve your CEREMONY VENUE

• Select and reserve your OFFICIANT

→ TIP: Make sure you inquire to see if wedding counseling is required by your Officiant of choice!

• Select and reserve your RECEPTION SITE

• Select and order BRIDAL GOWN (& accessories, of course!)

• Determine your COLOR SCHEME

• Send an ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT with a cute photo to your local newspaper

• Order PASSPORT/VISA for the honeymoon or your destination wedding!

• Select and reserve your PHOTOGRAPHER

• Select your WEDDING PARTY

Tune in tomorrow for the next installment in my "Wedding Planning Timeline" Blitz, where we will discuss the planning preparations that should be considered 6-8 months prior to your wedding day!

♥

Sources: Personal experience, several event planners I know, and wedding associations (such as the Richmond Bridal Association).