Once the thrill of getting proposed to wears off, the daunting task of planning your wedding will start to set in.
With so many things to prepare for your big day, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you can’t accomplish everything on time. Of course, planning your own ceremony isn’t as difficult as you may think. You can stay organized and stay on top of things as long as you know what to do and where to start. Otherwise, you end up dealing with some wedding risks, which include falling behind the schedule, loved ones missing the wedding ceremony, and other similar situations.
So if you’re going to be hands-on throughout the process to avoid problems along the way, it helps to have a checklist of the things you need to get done. This way, you won’t fall behind schedule and ensure that you won’t miss anything. Here’s a guide to help you identify which items should be on your wedding planning checklist.
Set Your Timeline
Before you can begin organizing your wedding, you should determine how much time you have left first. If you already have a desired date for your ceremony, you should see if there’s enough time for you to settle everything you’ll need for the wedding.
If you and your spouse-to-be aren’t in a rush to get married, it’s best to have at least one year of preparation so you don’t have to do things in a hurry. You don’t want to get stressed out prior to your wedding since it may ruin your mood and anticipation for your big day. Also, it’s helpful to have a timeline and checklist of what you need to stay on track.
Pick Your Wedding Outfits
If you think you can rush the preparation for your wedding attire, think again. Most engaged couples cross out their wedding outfits from their checklist early since it’s not easy to choose what to wear during the ceremony. If you’re planning for your wedding, you’d want to go to multiple stores and fittings before you settle for one attire. You can also get it custom-made if there aren’t any store-bought items that catch your eye. You can also check online shops for more convenient preparation. There are a lot of wedding dresses ready to ship that you can order online.
Besides your clothes, you should purchase the shoes you’ll wear on the wedding day. It’s better to invest in a good pair if you have a big budget as you can still use the shoes in the future. Women’s Italian made shoes are high-quality footwear that’ll last years after your wedding. They’re an excellent choice if you don’t want to spend money on something you’ll only use once. In addition, picking the right shoes will not only keep you comfortable throughout your wedding but also make your clothes stand out further.
With all those things in mind, it’s crucial to plan your wedding early to avoid wardrobe issues. Aside from your outfit, you also need to take care of your entourage’s wedding attire. From choosing the clothes to the fitting schedules, all these things should be planned properly to ensure a seamless wedding preparation.
Decide On Your Theme And Venue
Another thing you shouldn’t forget when preparing for your wedding is picking the theme and venue. The atmosphere of your ceremony should be a mutual decision between you and your partner, so discuss it thoroughly before settling in. Brainstorm some wedding themes ideas like vintage or tropical themes. Factor in how you and your spouse-to-be want your wedding ceremony or reception to happen. Do you want a formal or a semi-formal celebration? Also, if you want to explore more options, consider working with a wedding planner to help you choose the perfect theme for your wedding.
Likewise, it would be advisable for you to take your time when picking the right venue that’ll fit your theme and guests. Most couples usually do a lot of viewing to compare the places they like before finally making their decision.
Seeing the venue for yourself will let you visualize if the theme you want will fit or if you need to reconsider some of your wedding plans. For instance, a boho-themed wedding may not look as good as you’d expect in an indoor venue compared to an open-spaced area. Luckily, there are wedding venues, like the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre, that accommodate all types of weddings. Whether you want an indoor or open-air wedding, these venues can provide you with the best wedding experience you deserve. Just conduct thorough research online and offline, and you’ll probably get a good list of prospects to choose from.
Picking the right theme and venue will also help you decide on your décor and the flower arrangements you’ll get. No wedding is complete without fresh flowers since they’ll bring your theme to life. There are plenty of wedding flower options out there, so be sure to pick the right ones that’ll compliment your wedding’s vibe.
Pick Your Caterer
Food is one of the best parts of any celebration, and you’d want to provide only the best for your guests. That’s why food tasting is an essential step when you’re preparing for your wedding. Schedule a day when you’ll pick and sample the dishes you’ll serve at your reception. This way, you’ll know if the food tastes good or not. Once you select your caterer, be sure to book them early since they may have other bookings on the same date as your ceremony.
Take Your Wedding Photos
No wedding will be complete without the couple’s engagement photos. Although you may think that you should only take pictures during the day of your ceremony, it would be easier for you to have a separate photoshoot months before your wedding.
Be sure to allocate some of your budget to hire a professional photographer rather than doing it on your own. Your wedding pictures will turn out much better if you have an expert to help you take them. You can then use the photographs from your photo shoot for the invitations you’ll send to your friends and family.
Send Invitations
Your wedding invitations will influence your guests’ first impression of your big day. You should be keen when designing the invitation so it’ll look cohesive with everything else you’ll use for your wedding.
Design it with your running theme in mind, and if you can, work with a graphic designer to create a design that’ll meet your standards. Once you produce enough invitations, send them out early since you need to estimate how many guests you’ll have on your wedding day. Encourage everyone you invite to RSVP as soon as possible so you won’t encounter any unexpected circumstances on the day of the ceremony.
Book Your Honeymoon
You may assume that the wedding planning ends once you finish everything you need for the big day. However, you also have to think about matters related to what you’ll do after the ceremony, such as where you’ll want to go for your honeymoon. It’s not unusual for couples to go on their honeymoon right after they get married. If you can extend your time away from your usual commitments like work, don’t miss the opportunity to have a blissful trip with your spouse.
You should set a budget for your getaway so you don’t go over it. If you want, you can settle all the crucial aspects of your wedding first before booking your flight and accommodations for the trip. Pay for your wedding dress, venue, and caterer, and then use the money left over for your honeymoon. This way, you can avoid any financial worries before, during, and after the wedding.
Final Thoughts
Once you settle everything on your wedding checklist, all that’s left to do is to enjoy your special day. Getting married is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so be sure to live in the moment and appreciate even the most minor details of your event. Also, don’t forget to thank everyone who helped you along the way. You won’t have any regrets if you know that you did everything you can to create the wedding of your dreams.
