Over the past few weeks I’ve been working on a rundown of your wedding checklist to help jump start your planning. I started with the first 3 things you should do when planning your wedding…and then a few things to consider 8-10 months before your big day…and now, even though it’s December here in Vermont, you’re getting warmer!
Your wedding day is approaching and here are a few things I suggest you check off of your list in the 3-5 months before the big day:
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Hire an officiant and plan your ceremony. This ceremony thing is no small detail.
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Write out a timeline for the day to get an idea of how things will flow and where there may be gaps that either your caterer, DJ or wedding planner can help you with. I think it’s a good idea to start backwards with your day-of timeline keeping in mind that 5-6 hours is the recommended span for the ceremony & reception. If you determine when the reception will “end” it may be easier to decide on a time to cut the cake, sit down for dinner, make toasts, end the cocktail hour, start the ceremony, get your hair and make-up done, get dressed, take pre-ceremony photos, etc.
Perhaps a longer cocktail hour or a shorter reception should be considered. You may discover that while you only planned toasts from the maid of honor and best man that your groom had other things in mind (like having his entire fraternity take a turn at the mic). It’s a good idea to work out these kinks as early as possible.
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Hire entertainment for your reception and if you plan to have them, musicians for the ceremony. It is important to provide a list of songs you don’t want played along with your list of must-haves.
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Shop for wedding bands. And I’m not talking about music! Check out local jewelers to find unique pieces you won’t find at larger jewelry stores.
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Register for gifts. My husband and I registered for a honeymoon because we didn’t feel like we needed “stuff”. You can also check out inlu.com where they are all about “Less Stuff. More Love.” You can donate a portion of your gifts to a charity of your choice or pool the gift funds to make a larger purchase…like a house.
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Select bridesmaids’ dresses if you haven’t already and get the men’s attire squared away.
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Check in with vendors like your florist, photographer and caterer to see if there is any additional info they might need from you or to alert them of any changes to your itemized proposals that might affect them (time changes, increase in number of centerpieces, etc.).
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Start to plan a honeymoon!
