With the thrill and excitement of getting married to the love of your life comes the crucial but daunting task of planning your wedding. With so many careful details to consider, it can quickly get overwhelming, taking away the joy and happiness of the occasion. Especially in a city like Chicago or anywhere in the US, with a plethora of vendor options to choose from, organizing a wedding can be particularly challenging.
This is why most modern couples today hire an efficient wedding planner; one who can do the heavy lifting while you get to enjoy the process stress-free.
To help you in your planning journey, here we have put together a comprehensive checklist, along with a step-by-step guide on how to plan your wedding from the beginning. A word of advice before you start; maintain a pretty folder or a binder to keep all your wedding-related documents. It can be a heartwarming reminder of the wonderful journey later as well.
12+ months ahead
Here’s what you should do 12+ months before the wedding.
Set your budget
One of the first decisions to make for your wedding is your budget. Review your capabilities as a couple and decide how much you want to spend together on one of the most important celebrations of your life. Consider how much you can truly afford, where you can cut down on costs, and how much you realistically need to execute your dream wedding.
To do that, first set your priorities and decide on the things that matter the most to you. Is it the décor or the venue or is it the fact that you need your loved ones flown into the city? Determining your priorities helps you allocate resources efficiently and ensure that you get to execute your vision without burning a hole in your pocket.
An average wedding in the USA can cost anywhere between $20,000 and $40,000 depending on various factors.
Here are some essential vendor payments to incorporate:
- Venue
- Photography and Videography
- Makeup and hair
- Catering
- Décor
- Music
- Outfit
- Honeymoon
Decide on your wedding theme and décor
One of the most exciting parts of planning a wedding is designing the event. This is where your folder or binder will come in handy. Look for ideas and inspiration online and offline; Pinterest is an excellent place to start. Gather reference pictures of all possible details including the colors, the décor elements, the vibe, the architectural elements, the outfits, the venue, and everything else in between to create a wedding vision you love. This will set the tone for the rest of the planning and organizing, as it will give you more direction when looking for resources.
Create a guest list
Draw up a preliminary guest list to see how big your wedding event will be. Consider inviting everyone important to you, however, be mindful of the amount you can afford to spend as well.
Hire a wedding planner
Hire a wedding planner early on as they can provide reliable assistance with everything from booking the venue to budgeting to coordination.
Set a date and choose a venue
Carefully select a wedding date the two of you are comfortable with. Once it is finalized, start looking for venue options that fit the theme and wedding vision you have in mind. Consider your budget margin as well when scouting for venues; ensure that there is harmony between the ambiance and the costs. An efficient wedding planner in the city can help you with this.
Choose your wedding party
Choose your maid of honor, bridesmaids, best man, and groomsmen. Inform them early on so that they can plan accordingly and be there for you on the journey.
9 to 12 months ahead
Time to make your bookings.
Book your key vendors
10 months out from your wedding it is time to book your key vendors. Pay up and secure your Chicago wedding photographer and videographer, your venue, caterer, florist, and decorator. If your wedding is culturally complex, ensure that the vendors you book have the relevant experience and expertise in the style of wedding you want.
Shop for your wedding attire
Start shopping for your wedding dress; seek assistance from your wedding planner to narrow down the best options for the kind of outfit you have in mind. Don’t forget to schedule fitting sessions and following alterations well ahead.
Send out your save-the-dates
Now that your venue is booked, you can go ahead and send out your save-the-date cards. Design an elegant one with the help of your wedding planner, and include all important information including accommodation details and venue address for out-of-town guests.
6 to 9 months ahead
The wedding is closing in.
Order your wedding rings
Step out with your partner and select your wedding rings. Ensure to incorporate sufficient time for engraving or resizing if needed.
Conduct hair and makeup trials, and book their services
Schedule your hair and makeup trials; keep your wedding binder handy to seek inspiration. Once you have a beautiful wedding look finalized, pay up and book the artist to secure their services on your wedding day. Have your wedding planner do the bookings.
Plan the ceremony details
With a little more than six months left for the wedding, it is time to think about the ceremony. Meet with your officiant and discuss the structure of your wedding ceremony. Decide on other events before and after the ceremony as well. Don’t forget to discuss other details like any readings, music, or cultural rituals that you need included in the ceremony.
3 to 6 months ahead
Things are getting real.
Finalize the menu
Meet with your caterer to discuss and finalize your wedding’s food menu. Consider important cultural dishes or dietary restrictions when designing the spread. Schedule a tasting session if it’s possible, and confirm your selections.
Start sending our invitations
Send out your wedding invitations according to your guest list, and track RSVPs as they come in. Don’t forget to include RSVP instructions for guests.
Create your wedding-day timeline
With the help of your wedding planner, create your day-of timeline. Draft a detailed itinerary incorporating the time and duration of each event. Share this timeline with all your vendors as well as your wedding party to have them prepared.
1 to 3 months ahead
Time to hit those final nails on the board.
Have your final dress fittings
Schedule your final fitting session; ensure that all alterations are finished by the time and that you feel comfortable and good in your outfit.
Apply for a marriage license
Seek the help of your wedding planner, research the requirements in the state you’re getting married in, and apply for your marriage license.
Plan and prepare the seating chart
Sit with your partner and prepare the seating chart for your reception event. Consider relationships and guest preferences when putting them at a table and prioritize the utmost harmony when doing so.
Prepare for your ceremony
Start gathering everything you need for your wedding ceremony; something new, something old, something borrowed, and something blue. Write your vows and print them out or write them on a card. Ensure that everything else, such as the rings, the marriage license, and other essentials are ready for the big day.
1 to 2 weeks ahead
The home stretch; all that is left to do is make the final touches and get ready to say goodbye to bachelorhood.
Pick up your wedding attire
Collect your steamed and packed wedding outfit, ready to be worn. Break into your wedding shows if necessary to avoid discomfort on your big day. You can also have your wedding planner pick it up for you.
Pack for your honeymoon
Start packing for your honeymoon; ensure that you pay attention to your honeymoon itinerary and pack essentials. Gather all your travel documents and keep them ready as well.
Relax and indulge in self-care
With a week left for your big day, you should have everything set and finalized. Now it is time to do some self-care and enjoy the last few days of being single. Book bridal spa sessions, get thorough grooming sessions, engage in mindful activities, relax, and remain stress-free.
Wrapping up
Planning an entire wedding is no easy feat; it requires a great deal of thought, patience, and attention to detail. However, with a well-organized and reliable checklist, and an efficient wedding planner, it is entirely manageable. Utilize this wedding planning checklist, and break down your tasks month by month. Start well ahead and stay on top of everything to ensure a smooth and hassle-free wedding.
To have the perfect wedding you always dreamed of, contact ForUrEvents.
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