Wedding planning can be so overwhelming - because there’s just SOOOO much to think about - and do.

So - I have done the thinking for you.

For the most part, anyway.

Did you believe me when I said I LOVE lists??!

And believe me again, because you are going to love this one!

I am pretty sure I have covered every nook and cranny of wedding planning.

All YOU have to do now is - print this blog - check off each task as you go - and of course, apply your own creativity in terms of colours and style, etc - although, I have tried to help you a little there too.

I remember only getting stressed once during wedding planning - actually, twice - but that one doesn’t count.

I merely wanted to get through the list quicker than I was doing - I was on a roll and didn’t want to wait, haha - but I had to learn to be aptient.

The stress came when trying to book the venue.

We had picked a date - the anniversary of our first ever date - but the venue wasn’t available - someone was penciled in but hadn’t yet confirmed - so it wasn’t entirely unavailable either.

It was frustrating - can we have this date or not?

I was sick in bed during this decision making too - which didn’t help matters.

As important (and special) as the date was to us - we decided we wanted the venue more - and we needed to secure it - NOW!

We booked the venue for the last available summer date there was - July 10th!

After that little hurdle - wedding planning was plain sailing.

I just kept moving on through my lists - trying to be patient - and getting as much done as I could - in good time.

Remember though - as organized as you may be - there will be a million things that need doing (ok - slight exaggeration and I’m probably not helping your stress levels) - at the last minute - all at once!

GUESS WHAT - that’s what your Bridal Party is for - and your groom (believe it or not).

Ask for their help - or take it when they offer!

Anyway - here it is . . .

WARNING - This is a super LOOOOONG list - but you will LOVE it!!

While compiling the list - I often referred back to my own wedding planning.

I also did a little online research - and this (I believe) is the first extensive list I have seen!

1) Start a binder/folder - LISTS!!

inspiration/magazine cut-outs
receipts/invoices
to do list - print this blog as guidance (and if you are intersted in my Wedding Planner Book - please sign up to my newsletter - so that you can be notified of when it is ready for purchase - likely August or September 2016)

2) Work out your BUDGET (typically as follows)

40% Reception
14.5% Honeymoon
10.5% Photography and Videography
7% Attire
6% Rings
5% Flowers
2% Invitations
10% Other

3) PICK A DATE

This may come after you have chosen the venue - will depend on which you want more - the date or the venue - but fingers crossed you get both!!

4) BRIDAL PARTY and MC

Tell your people!
I got a little creative with this - I told each bridesmaid in a different way - one bridesmaid looked through our vacation pictures and came across our proposal picture - and then I asked her!! When I saw my sister after our vacation - she asked “how’s my big sis?” - and my response was - “awesome, how’s my maid of honour??”

5) GUEST LIST

WEDDING DAY
Delegate someone to plan SHOWER - use same list
Delegate someone to plan BATCHELORETTE/STAG - use same list
Keep it simple! - adding more people will cost more money - and it will hard enough getting round and speaking with all your close family and friends as it is.
We didn’t invite cousins or aunts and uncles that neither of us had met - we only invited colleagues who we considered as friends - and we didn’t invite people who are parents suggested should come! Harsh? Maybe - but our wedding was intimate and full of people we both knew!

6) VENUE

Ceremony
Reception

7) OFFICIANT / JP

8) PHOTOGRAPHER

Research - online/ask friends who they had at their wedding/Bridal Fantasy
Meet/Consultation
Book
Consider Engagement Photos so that you can put a guest book together for your wedding day (or signing canvas, put the pictures on wine bottles for the tables or make chocolates as favours) - also consider doing your Hair and Make-up Trial for the shoot!

9) VIDEOGRAPHER

Research - online/ask friends who they had at their wedding/Bridal Fantasy
Meet/Consultation
Book

10) HAIR AND MAKE-UP ARTIST (HMUA)

Research - online/ask friends who they had at their wedding/Bridal Fantasy
Meet/Consultation
Book
Consider a Hair and Make-up Trial for your Engagement Shoot

11) FLOWERS

Research - online/ask friends who they had at their wedding/Bridal Fantasy
Meet/Consultation
Book
You may need to consider your colour scheme at this point
Bridal Bouquet
Bridesmaids
Flower Girls
Groom/Groomsmen Boutenieres
Parent Boutenieres/Corsages
Head Table??
Centrepieces??
Ceremony??

12) BAND/ DJ

Research - online/ask friends who they had at their wedding/Bridal Fantasy
Meet/Consultation
Book
PLAYLIST
While Guests WAIT
When Groomsmen/Bridesmaids/Flower Girls/Ring Bearer WALK THE AISLE
When BRIDE WALKS THE AISLE
SIGNING
WALKING AISLE TO LEAVE
ATTRANCE INTO RECEPTION??
FIRST DANCE
PARENTS’ DANCE
BRIDAL PARTY DANCE
CAKE CUTTING
GARTER TOSS
BOUQUET TOSS

13) FOOD

Research - online/ask friends who they had at their wedding/Bridal Fantasy
Meet/Consultation
Book

14) CAKE

Research - online/ask friends who they had at their wedding/Bridal Fantasy
Meet/Consultation
Book
You may need to consider your colour scheme at this point (if you haven’t done already)

15) INVITATIONS

Research - online/ask friends who they used for their wedding/Bridal Fantasy
Meet/Consultation
Book
Design - Colour Scheme
Print
Send
Follow-up RSVPs

16) WEDDING WEBSITE

This is where you can keep all your guests and vendors up-to-date

17) REGISTER FOR GIFTS

Do this before the engagement party in case anyone wants to buy you an engagement gift
We actually didn’t have a gift list/registery - we put a polite little poem in about contributing with money if you feel you HAVE to bring a gift, but no gifts are necessary!

18) ENGAGEMENT PARTY!!

19) DRESS

Research - online/ask friends where they went/Bridal Fantasy
Meet/Consultation - TRY ON LOTS!!
BUY!!
Fitting #1 - will need your SHOES!
Fitting #2 - will need your LINGERIE!
May need more fittings - the shop will tell you

20) HONEYMOON

When
Where?
PLAN IT!

21) BRIDESMAID’S DRESSES

Research - online/ask friends where they went/Bridal Fantasy
TRY ON LOTS
BUY - and it is up to you if you are going to buy these for your girls - or are you going to ask them to pay? I bought the dresses for my girls - and I have been a bridesmaid several times - I only bought my own dress once.

22) TRANSPORTATION

Limo/School Bus/Friend’s Truck?

23) WEDDING SHOES

Before dress fittings - don’t need them for trying on but if you have them already - AWESOME!
Keep wearing them around the house!

24) LINGERIE/UNDERSKIRT

Before dress fittings

25) RINGS

26) GIFTS

Groom/Bride
Bridesmaids
Groomsmen
Parents??
Other - Helpers/Vendors etc

27) DETAILS

Centre Pieces
Favours
Head Table
Draping from ceiling?
Backdrops?
Chair Covers
Signing Table - Pen - Book/Canvas/Other - Display of Engagement Photos/Other Photos
Cake Table - Knife/Server/Plates/Forks
Gift/Card Table
Table Plan

28) RENTALS

Do any of the above decorations need renting instead of buying?
Consider Rental Companies/Friends/Family/Photographer

29) ACCOMMODATION

For out-of-town Guests
For YOU and your new HUBBY!

30) BOOK REHEARSAL

Ceremony
Rehearsal Dinner LOCATION

31) TIMELINE

Discuss with your photographer

32) SEND TIMELINE AND GUEST LIST TO RELEVANT PARTIES

Vendors
Bridal Party / MC

33) LIST OF SPEAKERS

Readings at Ceremony
Speeches at Reception

34) CHOOSE READINGS

35) WRITE VOWS

36) MARRIAGE LICENCE

37) ASSIGN SEATING

Once you have final head count

38) STOCK THE BAR!

Once you have final head count

39) PRINTING

Ceremony Programs
Menus
Name Cards
Table Plan
Signs for Displays

40) FINALIZE WITH ALL VENDORS

Payments
Confirm details/plan

41) PHOTO LOCATION SCOUTING

with Photographer - preferably at the same time of day that the pictures will be taken
This could also be done at the Engagement Shoot instead

42) PACK ‘DAY OF’ KIT BAG

Deodrant
Hair Pins
Hair Spray
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Sewing Kit / Safety Pins
Water
Snacks
Band Aids
Flat Shoes / Flip Flops
Umbrella (yikes - just in case)
Medication - Tylenol etc
Makeup (for touch ups)

43) PACK FOR HONEYMOON

44) MANICURE/PEDICURE/MASSAGE

Enjoy a couples massage a few days before your big day
OR get pampered as part of your Batchelorette Party

45) ENJOY YOUR BIG DAY!!

- Make sure you take time out of the day to just be with each other - just the two of you - it is your day and before you know it, you will have spoken to all your guests and not even spoken to your hubby/wife!

Some of this list will still apply to you if you are jetting off and getting married somewhere exotic - but for a more relevant list - for Destination Wedding Planning - stay tuned - as that will be making an appearance too!

There's lots of wedding photography options available, all of which can be custom made just for you - check out my packages and pricing here.

with LOVE and a smile - Emma

Would you like to read more and follow my craziness??
Subscribe to my newsletter for a some-what amusing morning read!