Planning a wedding is an exciting journey. However, with so many details to consider, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. To help you navigate this joyous yet intricate process, we've compiled a comprehensive
checklist of the 20 most important things to think about when planning your wedding:
1. Budget: Establish a realistic budget that encompasses all aspects of your wedding, from venue and catering to attire and decorations. This is a great time to have a conversation with your fiancé and put together a prioritized list of important details. Learning that your fiancé is all about the boots and you’re all about the hot air balloon send-off will help you both ensure that your day is everything of which you’ve both been dreaming.
2. Guest List: Create a preliminary guest list to estimate the size of your celebration and ensure your venue can accommodate everyone comfortably. Depending on your number of out-of-state guests, the stats say that somewhere between 60% and 80% RSVP a “yes” to the wedding.
3. Wedding Date: Choose a wedding date that works for you and your partner, considering factors like seasonality, availability of key vendors, and significance to your life together. Think about years down the road and planning anniversary trips or parties. Are there dates that may make travel more challenging than others? Many venues and wedding vendors offer seasonal discounts. If you’re looking to save money, look into off-season dates in your area.
4. Venue: Select a venue that reflects your vision and fits within your budget, considering factors like location, capacity, and aesthetic appeal. Are there amenities or additional offerings that a venue provides that may allow you to save money in other areas. (ie. Overnight accommodations, tables, chairs, & linens provided, décor selections, etc)
5. Catering: Decide on a catering style that suits your preferences and budget, whether it's a formal sit-down dinner, buffet, or food stations. Are there foods that reflect you as a couple or foods unique to your location that your out-of-state guests might enjoy?
6. Attire: Shop for wedding attire for you and your partner, including wedding dress, suits, accessories, and bridal party attire. Make sure that your selections are suited to one another. Cohesion of style helps to create a visually appealing wedding.
7. Vendors: Research and book essential vendors such as photographer, videographer, florist, and DJ, ensuring they align with your style and budget. Talk with your venue to see what vendors have stood out as super-stars at their previous weddings. This can take a huge stress off your day as you’re able to rest easy knowing that you’ve chosen reliable vendors.
8. Timelines: Create a detailed pre-wedding timeline outlining important milestones and deadlines leading up to the big day. Checking off decisions completed is a wonderful feeling allowing stress to melt away. A timeline for the big day is also a must. A good wedding planner will help you navigate all the details of your big day and create a timeline that is streamlined and easy for everyone to follow.
9. Invitations: Design and send out wedding invitations well in advance, including important details like date, time, location, and RSVP instructions.
10. Registry: Create a wedding registry with items that reflect your lifestyle and preferences, making it easy for guests to choose meaningful gifts.
11. Music: Music influences the tone and style of your wedding. Are there songs from your time as a dating couple that are special to you both? What songs show your attendees what is in your hearts or show who you are as a couple. A top-notch DJ will have suggestions and help you feel confident that the music played will fit your personalities and wedding style.
12. Accommodations: Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests. Check with your venue if they have partnerships with local hotels. Some venues offer on-site accommodations for over-night guests. At T-Rise Ranch we can accommodate over 30+ overnight guests in our Farmhouse and Lodge. We also have a saltwater pool, hot-tub and pond for extra fun!
13. Marriage License: Obtain a marriage license from your local government office well in advance of your wedding date to ensure legality.
14. Officiant: Select an officiant who resonates with you and your partner's beliefs and values, whether it's a religious leader, friend, or certified officiant.
15. Wedding Party: Choose your wedding party and delegate tasks and responsibilities to ensure smooth coordination on the day of the wedding.
16. Décor: Plan and purchase décor elements that complement your wedding theme and color scheme, including flowers, centerpieces, and signage. Check with your venue to see if they have décor that you may borrow or rent.
17. Send-off: Think about ways for your wedding guests to send you and your partner off in style. Your style. Fireworks over a picturesque pond, dried rose petals thrown as you run through the crowd, or maybe horse drawn carriage arrives to whisk you away.
18. Rehearsal and Dinner: Arrange a rehearsal dinner for the night before the wedding to gather with close family and friends and run through the ceremony logistics. Dinnertime is a time to relax and enjoy an
intimate celebration before the festivities the next day. It’s a time for everyone to make toasts, reminisce, and enjoy the wedding process.
19. Day-Of Coordinator: Consider hiring a day-of coordinator to oversee logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly on your wedding day, allowing you to relax and enjoy the moment. This will help you and your closest family members escape the stress of managing the many little details leading up to the wedding and the reception.
20. Enjoy the Moment: Above all, remember to savor every moment of your wedding day, surrounded by loved ones as you embark on this beautiful journey together. By prioritizing these key elements and staying organized throughout the planning process, you'll be pleasantly surprised how a bit of preparation will ease stress and help to create the wedding of your dreams. These months, weeks, and days leading up to your wedding are times to cherish knowing you are creating memories that will last a lifetime. Happy planning!