Wedding Planning Tips

I'd say I learned a thing or two while planning our wedding, so I have taken it upon myself to share my knowledge.  There are so many helpful websites out there, but I found that a lot of them assume you have $20,000+ to spend on a wedding.  If you do - awesome!  If not, that does not mean you have to have a cheap-o wedding.  Throughout the wedding process Robert and I took the approach that, "If we're married at the end of the day it was a success.  The people who are at our wedding love us.  They are happy for us.  Therefore, they will be so happy to be at our wedding, that it doesn't have to be 'perfect' in order for everyone to enjoy it."  Those of you who know me well know that I'm a spreadsheet loving - list making - scheduling - organizing lady through and through.  I had a spreadsheet entitled "Wedding Planning" that had sub-sheets for guest list, budget, to do, shower guest lists, and schedules for the wedding day.

Guest List
For each invitation I had cells for: name, address, potential number of guests, actual number of guests after RSVP, present received, and thank you sent.  Simple and got the job done.

Budget
I kept all receipts and documented each time I made a purchase (location, item(s), price, and date).

To do list
We were engaged for nine months.  It seemed like a good amount of time for us.  Robert and I both agree that a ton of planning happened in the first few months, nothing happened from months 4-6, and then everything picked up again for months 7-9.  So we didn't actually do a ton a stuff for all nine months, but it was necessary to book everything nine months in advance.  Otherwise, we definitely could have pulled it off in 4-6 months.

First monthDetermine budget - How much are the bride's parents planning to pay?  Will they pay monthly installments or give you one lump sum?  What will the groom's parents pay for? (i.e. rehearsal dinner, groom's apparel)  Are you willing to contribute any of your own money?

Choose a color scheme

Search for ceremony venue and book

Have engagement pictures taken

Submit engagement announcement to hometown newspaper after receiving engagement pictures

Search for reception venue and book

Create wedding website (we used The Knot)

Search for photographer and book

Search for florist - We met with the florist and received great help.  She had a book of flowers for each color.  She also helped us pick types of flowers that would fit our budget well.

Search for videographer and book

Second month
Finalize guest list - Have both sets of parents look over the list to make sure you haven't forgotten anyone or misspelled any names

Set up registries - Pick a national chain as well as a local store

Select pastor for ceremony

Select and book ceremony musicians

Meet with photographer to discuss expectations for wedding photography

Third month
Shop for gown - I actually found and bought mine three days after getting engaged :)

Select wedding party - Picked mine the day after getting engaged

Select wedding party outfits - For the bridesmaids I picked a color and type of fabric.  They got to pick the style.  The guys purchased brown dress pants, ivory shirts, blue ties, and brown socks.  They wore brown belts and shoes that they already had.

Search for and book wedding cake baker

Fourth month
Order invitations

Purchase thank you notes

Get veil

Purchase paper goods for reception

Meet with venue coordinator for reception

Plan rehearsal dinner with groom's parents

Fifth month
Schedule wedding day makeup

Schedule wedding day hair

Sixth month
Plan and book honeymoon

Buy wedding shoes

Purchase stamps for invitations and thank you notes

Seventh month
Have first gown fitting

Talk with your bridesmaids in order to plan bachelorette party

Ask bridesmaid to host personal shower

Address invitations

Mail out invitations at the three month mark

Eighth month
Discuss music selection with musician(s)

Purchase gifts for groomsmen and bridesmaids

Have trial run for makeup

Have trial run for hair

Main shower

Ninth month
Purchase a guest book

Mail out invitations to rehearsal dinner

Ask people to help serve food at reception, hand out bulletins and bird seed, etc.

Confirm order with florist

Apply for marriage license

Purchase wedding rings and have them inscribe

Order bulletins

Order food for reception

Wedding month
Make birdseed bags

Purchase clothing for honeymoon

Confirm details for rehearsal dinner

Bachelor party

Bachelorette party

Post-wedding
Clean wedding gown

Make sure everything has been paid in full

Send remaining thank you notes - I would HIGHLY recommend the method of, "Get a gift.  Write a thank you note."  That's what we did, and it was not miserable at all.  It's only miserable when you wait to start writing thank you notes after the wedding and have to sit down to write 300 at once.

Update social security card

Tell alma mater(s) that your name has changed

Update name with health, prescription, dental, and auto insurance companies so they can send you new cards

Forward mail to your new address, and let the post office know that your name has changed

Change your name on your credit card.  Combine account with spouse if you choose.

Change your name with your bank - Get new debit card and checks.  Combine account with spouse if you choose.

Update name on passport

Add your spouse to your car title

Obtain new driver's license

Register to vote with your new last name

Purchase remaining gift registry items



General advice - This experience is meant to bring the two of you closer together.  If you notice something in the process is causing you to disagree then it's time to re-evaluate things and remember what the focus is - uniting in marriage to glorify our Father.  Also, remember that your family and friends want to help you.  You just have to ask.