Know Your {Timeline}

Congrats, you’re engaged!

...Now what?

Figuring out the timeline leading up to your wedding is the key to a successful and seamless event. There is so much to plan and numerous small details to figure out to make your big day perfect, but where do you even start? (This is of course where we recommend working with an experienced Wedding Planner and/or studio like Finery.) Just to give you an idea of what needs to happen, here is a typical timeline after the proposal...

10 to 12 Months Before the Wedding

- Decide on your budget

- Start your guest list

- Reserve your date, venues, and officiate

- Start meeting with bands/DJs, florists, caterers, and photographers

- If you plan to have an Engagement Party it should be held within 2 to 4 months of the proposal

- Hire your wedding planner

8 to 9 Months Before the Wedding

- Hire your band/DJ, florist, caterer, and photographer

- Purchase your dress and start looking at bridesmaid’s dresses

- Register for gifts

- Set the dates for the rest of your parties (teas, showers, bachelorette, etc.)

- Order Save-the-Dates

6 to 7 Months Before the Wedding

- Block off hotel rooms for out of town guests

- Select bridesmaid’s dresses

- Send out Save-the-Dates

- Order wedding invitations and wedding cake

- Send a guest list to the host(s) of your bridal shower, tea, and/or bachelorette 

4 to 5 Months Before the Wedding

- Schedule your hair and make-up artist

- Your Bridal Shower should happen around this time

- Start writing up your timeline for the wedding weekend

- Get together with your band or DJ with song selections

2 to 3 Months Before the Wedding

- Have the bachelorette party

- Finalize all orders (flowers, favors, programs, etc.)

- Send out invitations

4 to 6 Weeks Before the Wedding

- Send the newspaper your wedding announcement

- Review all orders with vendors

- Touch base with band/DJ and the photographer

- Send out rehearsal dinner invitations

- Begin the list of RSVPs

Week of the Wedding

- Have a list of tasks that can be given out to those wishing to help

- Double check with all the vendors on pick up/drop off/arrival times

- Send your final head count or guest list to the caterer

- Have your Bridal Luncheon
- Oh and...get married!

Photo Credits:
Aisle with Ribbon
Floral Arrangement
Pen & Planner

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The {Considerate} Bride

The {Considerate} Bride:

This is your big day, however a huge part of your wedding is your guests. Here are five things you might want to consider while planning your fairytale wedding…

1. Food Allergies: Whether it is by choice or genetics, chances are a few of your guests will have some sort of food allergy. We recommend you have at least one vegetarian option and have the caterer/chef provide a list with the ingredients for each dish.

2. Rain Plan: When picking your date, you cannot predict the weather. Having an outdoor wedding can be beautiful; however nothing is worse than a mid-afternoon rainstorm rolling through. Have a legitimate back-up plan.

3. Seating: Have enough seats! Making your guests stand, especially your elders, is not ideal.

4. Know Your Timeline: Who likes to be rushed? Give guests plenty of time to save the date. Also, this will give your wedding party ample time to plan all of the appropriate events.

5. Be Honest About Your Budget: Chances are that your parents are helping pay for most or all of your wedding. Be honest with your wedding planner about your budget, so that you don’t go over the intended amount.

Links:

Photo: Glitter Weddings

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