A Wedding Planning Checklist For Headache-Free Wedding Planning
When you plan a large event like your wedding, a wedding plan checklist is an absolute necessity in order to stay on a low budget, no matter who’s paying for what parts of the event. You can’t wait until the last minute to book everything and buy everything or you will spend thousands of dollars.
But if you start planning early enough and use a wedding To Do checklist, you’ll be able to get the best deals and maybe even have the time for do-it-yourself projects for ultimate savings. But using a wedding plan checklist or wedding planner will definitely help you keep things in order and lessen the confusion of when you’re supposed to do what.
So what goes on a wedding planning checklists? Wedding plan checklists basically show you what things you need to book ahead of time versus things that can wait until a couple of months before the wedding. And the earlier you can start your wedding planning, the most money you can save and the more headaches you can avoid. You’ll get the most use out of it and save the most money.
Different wedding planners will have different schedules, but it’s best to start your own wedding plan checklist at least nine months to a year before your wedding date, and if you can start planning 18 months in advance, it’s even better. This is a general outline of what your checklist should include:
Put together a tentative guest list. This will most likely change as you get closer to mailing out your invitations, but it will give you a good starting point for deciding how large of a reception venue you’ll need and about how many people you’ll be feeding.
Book your venues. Depending on where you want to have your ceremony and reception, some churches, fire halls and other locations tend to book very early, sometimes up to two years in advance. So this should be a top priority, even if you’re having the ceremony and reception at one location.
Book your music. Whether you’re thinking of a live band, DJ, violinist or solo guitarist, they often book their dates up to two years in advance as well. If you want to all but guarantee you get who you want, put this second on your wedding plan checklist.
Book your photographer or videographer. If you want to hire a professional photographer and videographer, they must be booked early too. Just like with a band or DJ, photography services can book wedding events up to two years in advance.
Shop around for reception menus. Start doing a price comparison to see what the best way is to feed your guests. Depending on the size of your guest list, you can do a variety of things – do-it-yourself catering by having your family members each contribute something to the menu; do an appetizer-only menu or go for the whole catering deal. And even caterers offer budget packages from doing a cold buffet menu to having a complete sit-down formal dinner.
Decide on a wedding theme. Your theme will determine just about everything else on your list from your favors and decorations to your bridesmaids’ gowns and reception décor.
Start thinking about your favors. Don’t let this be one of the things you cut in order to cut costs. If you plan early enough, you can save money here and still give your guests thoughtful Thank You favors to take home.
Plan your wedding invitation package. This includes your Save the Date cards, invitations, ceremony programs and thank you notes after the ceremony. If you plan early enough, you can save a lot of money even with a large guest list and still make your invitations say “You’re important,” to your invited guests.
Decide on your wedding ceremony and reception flowers. Real or silk will determine how far in advance you can get your flowers but you should start comparing prices early.
Decide on a wedding cake. The type of cake you want will determine how far in advance you need to order it and where you’ll order it from.
Start shopping for your bridal party attire. Will they be casual, formal; gowns or tea length dresses? Start getting some ideas early so you’re ready for when you need to purchase them.
Start looking at wedding shoes to wear with your gown. If you already have a gown in mind, you may be able to get the shoes first. Otherwise, just get an idea for now and do the actual shopping and purchasing later.
Start shopping for your wedding gown. The earlier you can do this, the less stress you’ll be under later to find the right one. You also want to have some breathing room for alterations should you need any.
Register with gift registries. Make sure you do this early enough so that just in case someone gives you a bridal shower, the guests will have some good ideas for gifts.
Again, this is a general wedding plan checklist that you’ll tailor to your specific needs depending on the size and formality of the event, how many attendants will be in the ceremony, size of the guest list, etc.
If at all possible, you should set your wedding date for at least 6 to 12 months away so you give yourself plenty of time for the details. Keep in mind that if you plan to book a popular reception venue, a DJ or caterer, some of these vendors book up to two years in advance so if you really want them, you may actually have to change your wedding date.
