Congratulations! You just got engaged! You are excited! You have been dreaming of this for years and the days of planning are finally here to make all those dreams a reality. Then, suddenly, it hits you. The list. The wedding checklist. And now you feel overwhelmed and can’t even decide where to begin. Don’t worry planning this PARTY should be fun, exciting and not a time of stress. So take a deep breath and let us help you create the perfect timeline to take the anxiety away and let the creativity flow.
Below we have listed a timeline and the ultimate wedding checklist that will help do just that. But don’t forget, everyone’s event will be different and your timeline might not be the exact same and that’s okay. Some things might not apply to you or we might not have included something that is a must have on your list, so adjust accordingly.
Let the planning begin!
12 MONTHS
You might think that a year is a long time, but trust me when I say in the wedding world it’s not that long, so this wedding checklist / timeline is just what you need. Brides are out there scouring the market for all the best vendors, the perfect venue and all the things that are on your list too. So take this recommendation and start sooner than later.
WHAT’S YOUR GENERAL DATE RANGE?
Are you planning to tie the knot during the busy wedding season ? Decide on a month. Do you want to have a day or night celebration? Will you have the ceremony and reception at the same place? What day do you want to marry your soulmate? A Friday? Saturday?
START A PINTEREST BOARD, ASAP.
It’s time to start creating a board and searching social media platforms like Instagram to invoke ideas. Start thinking about the theme that you want to have and what colors you envision for your special day. Save wedding ideas that you love from favorite styles of dresses, cakes, decoration ideas and venue types. This will allow you to start to see a pattern emerge and help start the process of nailing down your wedding style.
MAKE YOUR FIRST DRAFT OF YOUR GUEST LIST.
Do you picture having every extended family member and friend from your whole life there? Or do you want a simple, small wedding filled with just the closest people in your life. Either way works but not all venues can accommodate large parties so this will help you plan your budget, venue and many other wedding planning factors. Remember this can change as the planning continues, don’t worry!
WEDDING CHECKLIST: FIND THE VENUE
Most venues like you to book ahead of time and if you are looking for a weekend during that busy season we mentioned, this is a MUST DO. Call around to get general information like how many seats can they accommodate, do they have a weather back up plan, can you bring in outside vendors, do they include lighting, chairs or any extras, or even if they have a remodel on their agenda this year is a great question to ask. Whatever you do, don’t sign any contracts until you go there and check out the space yourself in person.
CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING PARTY
Friends and family will need time to plan and set aside money to be able to participate in your wedding day. Sometimes the answer will be an enthusiastic yes and sometimes they may be hesitant. Don’t be discouraged or take offense. You will have time to pull together the perfect party if you plan accordingly.
START FINDING YOUR WEDDING VENDORS
Next on the wedding checklist in Detroit is a BIG one. A great place to get recommendations for great vendors is your venue. Start there. They should be able to provide you some great information to their preferred vendor list. Ask family and friends who recently got married who they loved and why. Again, search social media platforms for local vendors and check out their sites and work. Create a list and let the calling begin. Here are some vendors that you might need to lock down sooner than later.
- Wedding planner/ Coordinator
- Food Catering
- DJ
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Florist
- Bakery for Cake
- Officiant
8 MONTHS+
SAY YES TO THE DRESS
One of the most memorable parts of the wedding checklist is this one. It’s time to grab the girls and find the perfect dress! Sometimes this takes one trip and sometimes it takes a few. Once you find the dress it may take time to order and have the fittings so it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to wedding attire. Don’t forget the groom. Lock down his outfit too or at least start coming up with ideas of what he envisions for his outfit as well.
SEND OUT SAVE THE DATES.
It’s time to let family and friends know when so they can mark the dates off their schedules. Often vendors will offer discounts off partnering sites for invitations and save the dates ( Like us! )! Don’t forget to ask. Anywhere during this wedding checklist that you can save is important. Savings add up!
6 MONTHS +
PLAN AND ORDER WEDDING PARTY ATTIRE
Now it’s time to get the rest of the wedding party attire set in stone. Create a custom look for your party but adding various styles of dresses in the same color scheme or add in fun shoes to fit your wedding vibe. Often it’s a good idea to pick the color and have your bridesmaids pick their own style according to their body type and what they feel comfortable in and go to the ordering appointment together so you can give the okay on the final pick. Be sure to include any specific guidelines like no strapless dresses if that’s important to you!
4 MONTHS +
ORDER INVITATIONS
It’s time to get the invitations. Make sure to address the invites based on who you are inviting. If you are inviting children you can address it to the whole family ( EX. SMITH FAMILY). If you are choosing your party is a no kid zone make sure to clarify that by addressing the invites accordingly (EX. MR.& MRS. SMITH)
HONEYMOON PLANNING
Reach out to a travel agent or start booking your first trip as husband and wife. Don’t forget on your wedding checklist to make sure your passports are up to date and ready to go!
WEDDING RINGS
Don’t forget to choose and order your wedding rings. Sizing is so important and you may need some extra time to resize before your big day. Ordering now will allow you to make adjustments and have everything perfect in more than enough time.
3 MONTHS +
SEND OUT INVITATIONS
Wedding checklist: It’s time. You are just about there! Time to let everyone mark their calendars and make sure they are ready for a great party. Add some unique stamps and send them out. Create a list and have ready to start marking off RSVP’s as they start to come in.
SCHEDULE AND PLAN REHEARSAL DINNER
Find the perfect place to go over the big event with your wedding party. Call and reserve the place. Don’t forget to call and compare prices to places just like you did for your wedding venue. Make sure to let them know specifically what the reservations are for and for how many. I know this part of the wedding checklist isn’t as fun, but a budget and guest list for this dinner will make things run more smoothly for yourself or for the host. If you are going to include a small gift for your wedding party this is a great time to spend some time thanking them for making your day special.
BOOK YOUR WEDDING DAY HAIR AND MAKEUP
Just like anything else wedding related, things book up quickly and often all on the same weekends – that’s why this wedding checklist task cannot be skipped! Start searching for local hair and makeup artists whose work you love and get your appointment booked. Do you want them to come to you? Did you want to travel to the salon the day of? Whatever fits your dream day, make sure to book now to ensure you won’t be scrambling at the last minute! For ideas, check Instagram with hashtags like #bridalmakeup #bridalhairstyles #bridalinspiration to get some really great ideas that will help you determine what you like and serve as an example for your stylist. Then book a trial run for 2 months before your event so there won’t be any surprises the day of! Don’t waste perfect hair and makeup, hit the town for one last date night with your love before the big day or have your bachelorette party that day to enjoy some girl time with your best friends!
2 MONTHS +
TIME FOR YOUR WEDDING DRESS FITTING
Don’t forget your undergarments that you plan on wearing the day of your wedding. Bring all your accessories too such as your veil and shoes! Before you leave, schedule your final fitting. Typically this will be 3-4 weeks before your wedding day.
BRIDAL SHOWER
If you are having a bridal shower plan for it to be at this time.
SCHEDULE YOUR FINAL CONSULTS
Now is the time to reach out to your vendors and schedule all your final consultations. Are you having a DJ? It’s important to have your detailed list ready to discuss with your DJ now. They typically like to speak 10-14 days before your event to finalize everything. Same with your photographer and videographer. Any specific shots you know you want? Create a list and when you speak with them make sure to discuss and include any of the notes. The more details they have the more satisfied you’ll be with the results of your vendors.
PREPARE YOUR WELCOME GIFTS
You don’t have to do welcome gifts by any means but if you like the idea of extra details be sure to start to get those together now. Go simple and unique. Check out Pinterest for ideas. This is where thoughtfulness shines.
1 MONTH+
RSVP’S TALLIED
Pull out your list and start checking it twice. Create your seating chart. If you need help creating a seating chart let google help you. There is tons of useful information all over on how to create the perfect seating chart. One word of advice, don’t over complicate it.
FINALIZE YOUR WEDDING VOWS
Make sure you’ve finished your wedding vows. Make sure your partner has theirs done too. I know it seems like something you can put off but trust me you don’t want to rush through these the night before and regret it later. Make sure to type them out so you can easily read them the day of when you are nervous or extra emotional. AND ALWAYS save them and print extra copies.
FINALIZE YOUR TIMELINE
Every wedding day needs a detailed timeline. A lot of vendors or your planner can help you with this if you are overwhelmed or don’t know what to include. But don’t forget this vital step. After you have completed the timeline make sure to get it to all your vendors and your venue. This ensures that everyone is on the same page the day of your event. I always suggest to pass a copy out to the bridal party too just so they can read it over and feel prepared or ask any questions before the day starts! And lastly, you’ve arrived the day before. Your list is done. Enjoy this time to sleep well and wake up with little to do except enjoy the day you’ve planned meticulously. It will be perfect. Show up, look amazing and take in every single moment!
This wedding checklist will help you for your BIG day. For more information about planning your wedding in and around the Detroit area, please contact us.
