The Planner
Congratulations! You’re getting married! Getting engaged is one of the most romantic, unforgettable events of your life.
Excitement, tears, fears, congratulations, bridal jitters, and love abound. So do the realities of planning the big day. Each couple wants their special day to hold a reflection of their personalities, and to be a memorable celebration with family and friends. So how do you get everything looked after without getting overwhelmed and also being able to take time to enjoy this once in a lifetime event?
A wedding is a complex event to orchestrate. The Bridal Fantasy Wedding Survival Guide and Planner will help you stay organized.
.jpg)
The Breakdown
Here is a brief summary to help get your checklist started! Need more insight? Download our full version at the bottom.
12+ Months Before
- Set your date & times
- Establish you budget
- Decide on the size & style of your wedding
- If desired, book your wedding consultant
- Choose your wedding party & confirm participants
- Meet & book your officiant
- Start working on guest list
9-12 Months Before
- Announce your engagement
- Order your wedding dress & attendant's attire
- Book a photographer and/or videographer
- Book the caterer
- Book your live entertainment/DJ
- Book your florist
- Book rental items (chairs, linens, etc.)
- Book the ceremony & reception locations
- Research accommodations for out of town guests
- Plan your honeymoon
6-9 Months Before
- Reserve the location for the rehearsal dinner
- Order invitations & any other stationary
- Order wedding cake
- Book wedding day transportation
- Have the mothers select their dresses
- Check marriage license (and any other paperwork) req.
- Finalize your guest list
- Finalize what you want on your gift registry list
3-6 Months Before
- Finalize your flowers
- Send out invitations
- Purchase the weddings rings/bands
- Reserve formalwear for the men
- Finalize the menu
- Choose wedding favors & start getting them ready
- Reserve your room for the wedding night
- Purchase additional event outfits
- Purchase wedding party gifts
- Start gift registry
2 Months Before
- Decide on your wedding vows
- Confirm wedding details with your officiant
- Confirm wedding details with your musician
- Purchase parents' gifts
- Make hair & beauty appointments
- Compile guest lists for showers & to give hostesses
- Schedule final dress fitting
- Have programs printed
- Purchase any additional bridal wear (veil, shoes, etc.)
- Confirm attendants' attire
- Finalize your gift registry
- Record all gifts received with name, address and type
1 Month Before
- Have final meeting with photographer/videographer
*give list of MUST HAVE photos
- Plan and send out invitations to rehearsal dinner
- Get the marriage license
- Confirm all of your travel arrangements
- Have the bachelor and bachelorette parties
- If needed, get all the appropriate name change documents
- Attendants should have their final fittings done
- Confirm your transportation
2 Weeks Before
- Have the final fitting for your wedding dress
- Contact any guests who have not replied
- Notify your caterer of the final guest count
- Write your toasts/speeches
- Have a party for your attendants
- Finalize the reception details
- Deliver your song lists to your musician
- Confirm your honeymoon plans
- Break in your new shoes
1 Week Before
- Finalize rehearsal dinner plans
- Finalize seating arrangement
- Determine order for the procession
- Pick up attire for the men
- Assign responsibilities to the attendants
Confirm details with.. (if you haven't already)
- Caterer
- Florist
- Musicians
- Officiant
- Photographer/Videographer
- Transportation
- Honeymoon
- Wrap your attendants' gifts
- Have all your beauty treatments
- Write any required cheques (ie.: Officiant, caterer, etc.)
1 Day Before..
- Have your rehearsal
- Give your attendants their gifts
- give the parents their gifts
Wedding day..
- Take your time getting ready
- Give the wedding rings to the best man
- Give the written cheques to the best man to hand out
- Relax and enjoy your special day!
Post Wedding..
- Make a gift list and send out thank-you cards
*should be done within 2 months of receiving
- Arrange for cleaning and preservation of your wedding gown
Photos Courtesy of Wagging Tales Studios
Venue: @hastinglakegardnes
Photographer: @waggingtailstudios
2nd Shooter: @ambercleasby
Videographer: @waggingtailstudios
Production + Design: @nicole.sugarplumevents
Floral: @salisburyatenjoy @ashaleydawn10
Stationery: Suite@hollylovespaperHair
Make Up: @blushartistrymua @maxwell.hairdesign @glam.with.steph
Gown: @mysamanthavictoria
Suit: @tiptop
Dessert: @briannegabriellecakes
Décor: @nicole.sugarplumevents
Lovers: Miranda + Kevin @mirrrrp
Jewelry: www.richardsonsjewellery.ca