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!