Written by: Alexandra Sferra
You’re ENGAGED!!! That means it’s wedding planning time! Can you believe it?! There are so many things to check off your list, and we are hereto make that a little easier. Planning a wedding can be a little overwhelming if you haven’t heard, so we have put together all the big and small things to complete along the way. It is time to bring out that organized version of yourself, tame the inner Bridezilla and start this mess!
o Take those engagement photos! Make sure you enjoy this engagement phase, take it all in!
o Celebrate! Throw an engagement party with your closest friends and family
o Start a binder filled with ideas, moods, themes,places, EVERYTHING. The Knot has the perfect one!
o Pick a wedding date and time
o Go through finances and know your budget
o If you desire a wedding planner, this is the time to hire one
o Bride & Groom both choose who will be a part of the wedding party
o Choose a color palette and theme/style
o Gather a mood board and inspo from pinterest
o Create your guest list
o Choose and reserve your venue for both ceremony and reception
o Do your research! Research all that you need when it comes to photographers, a DJ or a band, florist, bridal shops (hi),caterers or food suppliers, officiants, and other vendors.
o Head to Blush Bridal’s website and view some beautiful exclusive gowns
o First, and foremost, hop on over to Blush Bridal in the Reading Bridal District and choose your dream gown baby!
o Purchase Save The Dates
o Gather all address information from guest list
o Create a separate email address for everything wedding related
o Launch a website for your wedding, The Knot has one that checks all the boxes
o Set up deadlines for all tasks
o Pick out and order bridesmaids dresses
o Hire all vendors! It’s time to choose your photographer, videographer, food supplier, officiant, DJ or band and all others!
o Check out and hire your supplier when it comes to furniture, tents, any electrical components
o Choose a wedding hashtag!
o Register for gifts at your favorite stores
o Reserve a hotel block for those out-of-town guests
o Hit up that wedding insurance, just in case
o Plan your honeymoon
o Send out Save The Dates
o Meet with officiant to go over the day of and paperwork
o Purchase wedding invitations
o Create a timeline for the wedding day
o Ensure passports are up to date if your honeymoon is international
o Send the bridal shower guest list to maid of honor or whoever is the host of the shower
o Research and book hair and make up plans, trial runs are encouraged at this time
o Do your first dress fitting and send to your seamstress!
o Purchase wedding accessories like shoes, jewelry, hairpieces, etc.
o Create rehearsal dinner guest list
o Shop for the men’s outfits and rent/purchase formal wear
o Decide your reception music playlist
o Book your rehearsal dinner venue
o Purchase wedding rings!!!
o Order your wedding cake
o Finalize guest list
o Wedding/Bridal shower
o Finalize flowers and food menu
o Assemble any extra ceremony décor
o Pick out and order additional stationary like menu cards and programs
o Order wedding favors
o Buy lingerie for the big day
o Decide on who will be giving a toast
o Send wedding day timeline/itinerary to vendors
o Send out invitations
o Touch base with all vendors
o Purchase gifts for wedding party and each other
o Thank You notes from shower
o Choose your something old, new, borrowed and blue
o Talk with photographer about planning shots
o Obtain your marriage license (order copies!!!)
o Mail/Send out rehearsal dinner invitations
o Write your vows
o Plan seating chart for reception from RSVPs
o Put together seating chart display and table markers together
o Put together an emergency bridal kit for the day of
o It’s time for the bachelor and bachelorette parties!
o Complete your final dress fitting
o Send out final payments to vendors
o Purchase alcohol for reception
o Set up a plan for venue set up and take down
o Check and follow up with RSVPs
o Finalize your music playlist
o Confirm vendor arrival times
o Check in with vendors
o Send final guest list to your vendors
o Give your wedding day timeline to your bridal party
o Pick up your dress from the seamstress
o Create welcome baskets for your out of town guests for hotel rooms
o Get wedding dress steamed or pressed
o Set aside tip envelopes for vendors
o Groom picks up outfit
o Assign all close family and friends small day-of tasks
o Get mani’s and pedi’s with your girls
o Choose the wedding party order and positions
o Deliver welcome baskets to hotel
o Pack for honeymoon
o Rehearsal dinner!!!
o Give the marriage license to your officiant
o Get your beauty sleep!
o Get ready! Of course
o Present gifts to parents and each other
o Write each other notes before the ceremony
o GET MARRIED
o Relax, and enjoy the day with your new hubby or wife
o Honeymoon time!
o Get that name changed! Refer to our blog on everything to do!
o Write and send thank you cards
o Preserve your wedding dress in the kit you can purchase from Blush Bridal
