So You Just Got Engaged…
I am sure you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, there are so many decisions to make!! Here is a wedding checklist to help you plan the big parts of your special day!
When You get Engaged!
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Get inspired!! Soak up all the wedding pictures from your favourite magazines, instagram, facebook, pinterest, and take notes of what you like!
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Decide on a theme, and your colour scheme
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Figure out your budget, and your priorities. What is most important?
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Select your wedding party
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Start your wedding guest list
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Wedding Planners are a huge help! This is the time to look at booking one if it is in your budget
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Book your venue – if you have your heart set on a location reserve your date as soon as you can!
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Research vendors: photographers, videographers, officiants, DJ’s, caterers, florists, and others.
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Start a wedding binder – it will keep everything in one place and keep you organized on what is left to be done
Around 1 Year Before Your Wedding Day
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Start planning your timeline, decide on details such as if you will do a first look, and what games or events will you do during your reception?
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Hire the perfect photographer and videographer for your day!
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Take your engagement pictures, these can be used on your invites
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Buy your dress! Try on different styles to see what fits your body best, you might be surprised what you fall in love with!
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Meet with your caterers
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Reserve hotel rooms for guests if needed, most hotels will give a discount if booking a number of rooms for a wedding
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Create your gift registry, and share this information with your guests. You can share this info via a wedding website – click here to create your own free website!
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Pick the officiant you’re excited to have marry you
Around 6-7 Months Before
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Send out save the date cards!
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Finalize the guest list and collect addresses
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Discuss your honeymoon: if you’re going to leave immediately after your wedding start planning it now!
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Go bridesmaid dress shopping!
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Reserve rentals including: chairs, tents, linens, portable toilets, generators, etc.
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Book your florist
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Arrange your wedding day transportation
Around 4-5 Months Before
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Go cake tasting!! Hire your pastry chef
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Send your bridal shower guest list to your host
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Find the right hair and makeup artists for your day
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Select your music: processional music, first dance songs, and reception playlist
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Purchase or rent the Groom and Groomsmen’s attire
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Provide your guest lists to the maid of honour and best man for the bachelor and bachelorette parties
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Purchase your rings
Around 3 Months Before
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Finalize the menu for your reception with your caterer
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Meet with your florist to confirm the chosen florals
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Finalize your timeline for the day
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Print programs
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Order your wedding favours
Around 2 Months Before
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Chat with your photographer about the day and any specific shots you want. Start creating a family picture list for them
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Provide the band/DJ with a list of “do” and “don’t” play songs
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Send out your wedding invites
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Purchase wedding party gifts
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Have a blast at your bachelor/bachelorette parties!
Around 1 Month Before
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Go to your final dress fitting
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Send invites to rehearsal dinner
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Get your marriage license!
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Purchase alcohol
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Create your seating chart for your reception
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Write vows
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Call guests who haven’t RSVP’d yet for a final head count
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Let the wedding party members know if they have duties on the day of the wedding
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Dance in your shoes! Break them in
1 Week Before Your Wedding Day
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Touch base with all vendors if they haven’t, resend the timeline if any changes have been made
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Confirm getting ready locations, give this info to vendors involved: hair and makeup, photography, and videography
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Ask family/friends to help with any small day of tasks
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Plan snacks for yourselves and the bridal party for between the ceremony and reception
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Make any final payments, have checks ready for any day of payments
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Pack for your honeymoon if you leave right after your wedding
After the Wedding
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Clean wedding dress
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Send thank you cards
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Change your name! (if you are going to)
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Pay any remaining balances with vendors
