Time Line Tuesday!

 Hi There!  If you are newly engaged, congratulations on your upcoming wedding!  We're so glad you stopped by our little blog.  We're going to be sharing a time line, month by month, until Summer.  I love using time lines for two reasons: 1. It lets you know what you should be thinking about.  2.  It lets you know what you don't need to think about yet.  So often people stress out looking at every single detail of a wedding, but honestly, you don't need to book your limo a year ahead of time, or look for a guest book (gathering information/inspiration about these things is great, but stressing yourself out about things that come later in the time line is unnecessary).

Alright, for today we have a basic checklist for the first few months of your wedding planning...depending on formality, style and your personality, everything is flexible according to what you want (just remember that if you're looking for a particular photographer or venue, it's best to book as soon as you can).

12 Or More Months Before:

□       Announce your engagement to friends and family. 

□       Arrange for both sets of parents to meet if they haven't already.

□       Start thinking about the big picture: formal/informal, theme, colour scheme and number of guests.

□       Select a few possible wedding dates if you do not have one picked.

□       Determine your overall wedding budget, and divide it into flexible categories. 

□       Start a record-keeping system for payments, deposits, and due dates. 

□       Using your budget, finalize your wedding vision:  decide on formality level, theme, colour scheme, number of guests, and wedding date.

□       Select your attendants, maid of honour, and best man.

□       Select your ring bearer, flower girl, and train bearer, if you plan to have them.

□       Begin putting together your guest list.  Start gathering contact information.

□       If you plan to use a wedding coordinator, hire one now.

□       Start shopping for the wedding gown.

□       Start looking at ceremony and reception locations. 

□       If your reception location offers catering, arrange to meet with the caterer.

□       If your reception location does not offer catering, begin researching and meeting with caterers.

□       Begin researching and meeting with photographers and videographers.

□       Start thinking about ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception music preferences.

□       Begin researching and meeting with DJs, bands, and musicians.

□       Begin researching florists.

8-10 Months Before:

□       Finalize any ceremony site details: keep a copy of the contract and receipt.

□       As a couple, meet with your officiant and discuss any premarital requirements. 

□       Confirm your reception location: keep a copy of the contract and receipt.

□       Book your caterer.

□       Book your photographer.

□       Book your videographer.

□       Book your entertainment, including a DJ and other musicians.

□       Book your florist.

□       Select and order the wedding gown.

□       Schedule your first gown fitting.

□       Begin looking for bridesmaids dresses.

□       Start a gift registry.

□       Reserve accommodations for your out-of-town guests at a hotel near the wedding reception.

□       Rent tables, chairs, lighting, a tent for an outdoor wedding.

□       Start looking for other décor items to rent.

□       Begin looking for stationery.