List of Things to Plan for in a Wedding
American couples are engaged for an average of 16 months. That may seem like a long time to plan a wedding, but with the amount of tasks to complete before the big day, it is still important to keep an organized to-do list. Starting with the largest tasks and working down to the minor details, a planning checklist can help keep your wedding on track.
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Type of Wedding
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The first step to planning a wedding is to envision the kind of wedding you want. Will the wedding be large or small? Will it be formal or casual? Do you have a theme in mind? Selecting the overall type of wedding you want, including the season, time of day, size, theme, and color scheme should come first. These decisions will dictate all other wedding planning choices. Setting the date should be done soon after these decisions are made.
Budget
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It is important to set a wedding budget early on in the planning process. It will dictate what you can afford and how large of a guest list you can really accommodate. This is when you should figure out who will be contributing to the wedding. Tradition is for the bride's parents to foot the bill, but in these modern times, many others might chip in, too, including the groom's parents and the couple getting married.
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People
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Start a guest list as early as possible, deciding who will make the final cut later. At this stage, decide whether you will invite children, and whether or not you will invite single guests to bring a date. It might be worth discussing with both of your families, too, to make sure your guest list is inclusive of all important relatives and family friends. You will also need to select the bridal party for the wedding. Ask them early, and be sure to select only those you feel will be responsible enough to uphold their duties.
Ceremony
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Decide on a ceremony officiant and find a ceremony location. Once you have selected an officiant, you may be required to participate in marriage preparation classes, so allow time for this. When planning the ceremony, you will need to decide on the ceremony length, type, the readings, the vows, the music, and the decorations, such as flowers for the pews and altar if you're having a church wedding. Some ceremonies also require unity candles, depending on the type of ceremony you are having.
Reception
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The reception will likely account for the largest percentage of your budget, and there are many aspects to plan. First, choose a venue. Depending on the venue selected, you will either hire an outside caterer or use on-site catering. Menu selection will depend on your choice of caterer. You will also need to hire a baker for the cake, decide on bar services, and plan for toasts to be made. Additional considerations are the decorations, rentals (if needed), and the seating chart.
Vendors
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Choosing wedding vendors can be a rigorous process, and it should not be taken lightly. Vendors you will likely need are: a florist, photographer, videographer, baker, caterer, and reception band or DJ. Interview different vendors within your budget to get a sense of who will be right for your needs. For instance, will the photographer be available for the entire event, or only a few hours? Will the band play during the cocktail hour, or will you need to pay extra for that?
Attire and Beauty
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Wedding attire decisions include selecting the wedding dress, the bridesmaids' dresses, the tuxedos, the flower girl and ring bearer attire, and the mother of the bride's dress. Other attire choices will include the bride's shoes, undergarments, jewelry, and headpiece. Be sure to allow time for ordering the dresses, and schedule fittings. Book beauty appointments early, and have trial runs of hair and make-up. Book a manicure and pedicure a few days before the wedding, too.
Stationary and Gifts
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Wedding stationary includes save-the-date cards, invitations, wedding programs, and thank-you cards. These can be ordered or homemade, but in either case, allow time for them to be completed and mailed. Include RSVP cards, maps, directions, and lodging information within the invitation. In addition to favors for guests at the wedding, it is also customary to purchase gifts for wedding party attendants, the bride's parents, the groom's parents, and one another.
Other Business
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Other wedding business includes the following: planning the honeymoon, arranging wedding day transportation, reserving lodging for out-of-town guests, purchasing wedding bands, and registering for gifts. Important concerns also include getting travel documents in order, purchasing insurance for after you are married, securing a marriage license, and getting any necessary permits for the big day, such as photography permits.
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References
- Photo Credit Wedding image by Svetlana Turilova from Fotolia.com
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