A Wedding Checklist is very important when it comes to planning your special day. As a wedding planner I have one myself for each couple that I work with. Preparing a wedding checklist help you to define your wedding vision and determine the steps needed to bring that vision to life.
A good wedding checklist with a set timeline will save you time, money, and most importantly, stress. Internet is full of checklists that you can use as a cheat sheet. I recommend a wedding checklist from WeddingWire. It helps you to customize the checklist to your needs, manage your to-dos, and track your progress. However, there is always a checklist before the checklist. I put together a few steps for you to think of before creating your wedding checklist.
Photo: Images by Edi
1. Think of a Wedding Date
Your wedding date is the date that will forever remind you of your special day. You will celebrate your wedding anniversary for many years. It’s important to be absolutely happy with your date.
Tip: Weekends are usually more expensive for weddings than other days of the week. Check the calendar before confirming the date.
2. Envision Your Wedding
Close your eyes and picture your wedding day. Can you see yourself walking down the aisle in a chapel or in a garden? Can you picture yourself dancing your first dance in a ballroom or rocking it out at a night club? Do you want the guests to send you off to your honeymoon on a white limo? Do you want to have an afterparty?
Tip: Right now don’t worry about the budget, or the uncle who likes to drink too much, or any other things that might be a problem. Just envision your perfect wedding day to understand what you want.
Photo: LuxLife Photography
3. Think if you want a Local or a Destination Wedding
There are pros and cons if you go either way. Think if you can bring your wedding vision to life in your city. What’s more important, a big local wedding or a small elopement party? Stick to your vision and don’t limit yourself before you make a research.
Tip: Sometimes it’s easier and more affordable to make your dreams come true in a different city. Click here to see the average cost of a wedding nationwide.
4. Discuss who will be contributing to the Wedding Budget
The budget is a very sensitive topic when it comes to planning a wedding. Not always our wedding dreams can match what’s in our wallet. Determine whether you want to follow the tradition of having the bride’s parents to pay for the wedding or you want to be in charge and pay for everything yourself. Will there be any other contributors? This will allow you to scale your wedding plans.
Tip: If you want to avoid drama, pay for the wedding yourself and have your relatives pay for the rehearsal dinner and/or after-wedding brunch.
Photo: Joa Photography
5. Compile a Guest List to scale your Event
The guest count will be a huge factor when determining your wedding budget. Is it going to be a 50-people or a 200-people celebration? Initial number in mind will help you to scale your event.
Tip: Don’t get too much into details at the moment. Write down the names of all guests you want to invite and find out if you and your fiance are on the same page.
6. Discuss General Ceremony Preferences
Discuss whether you want it to be a religious or a civil ceremony performed by a minister on site or at a church. Look up if you need premarital counseling. Standard wedding ceremonies usually last no longer than 15 minutes. See if you need additional ceremony time if your culture requires a lot of readings and traditions. Keep that in mind when selecting a venue.
Tip: Also think of the weather conditions and the timing if your ceremony is outdoors. For instance, Las Vegas summer weather has no mercy for the couples getting married outside.
Photo: Caldwell Photographic Studio
7. Create a List of Traditions You Want to Incorporate into Your Wedding
Now that you’ve discussed the ceremony preferences you partially know what traditions and customs you will incorporate into your wedding. Don’t underestimate the importance of customs. Your parents will be happy and it’s fun to follow traditions. You will only do them once in your life at your wedding day!
Tip: When you start planning, consult about your traditions and customs with the venue before booking it. Make sure all of them are doable and approved by the venue.
8. Look for a Wedding Planner
And finally once you discuss the basics, start looking for a wedding planner. Planning a wedding when you don’t do it for a living is stressful, mostly because you don’t do it on a regular basis and you don’t know how much stuff comes to it. Halfway through the planning you will realize how frustrating all these “health codes and liability issues” are. Avoid the hassle by hiring a good wedding planner. It will save you time, money, and a headache of the wedding planning.
Tip: I am always available if you need advice =)
After you mark off all the pre-wedding checklist points, read How to Personalize your Wedding. Interesting read for a crafty bride!