So, your engaged, now what? Most couples have never planned a wedding or reception before and with so many details, where should you start, and when does it need to be done? It can be pretty overwhelming.
LOOK NO FURTHER, YOU HAVE FOUND THE CHECKLIST !
Congratulations on your engagement! We are thrilled for you and your upcoming special day. We have outlined below a list by month of task of items to be completed over the next 12 months, at the bottom is a “interactive 1-year planning checklist“ where you can actually check off the items as you get them completed and can be used day after day to help you in your planning.
CHECKLIST ADJUSTMENTS
We realize that each couple gets engaged at different times throughout the year, so you may need to adjust the checklist to fit with your timeline. These times are based on a one year planning timeframe.
12 MONTHS OR MORE BEFORE THE BIG DAY 
Announce your engagement, find and select your engagement rings, set your wedding date, and put a deposit down on your venue. Many Wisconsin venues can book up quickly, some up to two years in advance, so make sure you find your venue as soon as possible, after setting your wedding date. Pay any deposits required. Here is a link to almost all of the Wedding Venues in Wisconsin along with their contact and website information.
You should also select your venue for your wedding ceremony, and book the officiate, or Minister for the ceremony. You will also want to select your bridal party members, and make sure you send them a “save the date” card, so they don’t make any other plans during that time.
9-12 MONTHS BEFORE THE BIG DAY
Determine how many guests will attend your reception. Keep in mind the venue size and capacity. You will want to make sure that you do not go over capacity in your venue, its better to stay under than to be cramped. Generally, about 2/3 of your guests that you invite, will attend. Establish a wedding budget, which will meet your financial goals/needs, and stick to it. Select your wedding colors, then select and order your bridesmaid dresses.
Find and select a photographer that will deliver good quality pictures to create a lifetime of memories. If you are planning to have a videographer, you will want to interview and select your videographer during this time as well. Select your Disc Jockey/Entertainment, and remember the entertainment you choose will be responsible for more than 80% of your reception’s success. Find and select a baker, and find and select a florist for your wedding and reception. Pay any deposits required.
6-9 MONTHS BEFORE THE BIG DAY
Begin working on sound tracking your reception, start compiling a list for your bridal registry, register for your wedding & shower gifts. Build a wedding website, this is great for staying in communication with everyone as to directions, registry places, hotel information etc. After your wedding and reception, it’s traditional to go on a honeymoon. If you are planning a honeymoon, start planning it, and book your tickets (if applicable). Shop for your wedding dress, veil, headpiece etc. Choose the cake you want for your reception from your baker.
6 MONTHS BEFORE THE BIG DAY
Now that you have selected your guest list, it’s time to order the order and select the invitations for your celebration. In addition, you will want to meet with your florist and make sure you select and order your flowers, boutonnieres, and corsages. This is also an excellent time to select and choose the transportation needed to get to and from your venue and ceremony location. Do you want a limosine, coach bus, horse and carriage, or other mode of transportation. Six months out is a great time to determine and book your transportation.
2-4 MONTHS BEFORE THE BIG DAY
The groom and groomsmen should order their tuxedo’s about three months out from the wedding. You should also finalize and narrow your guest list, as your invitations will be going out soon. Once you finalize the list, you should begin mailing the invitations approximately eight weeks out from your ceremony and reception.
Select your wedding rings, and make sure they are sized. Reserve rooms for any out of town guests and VIP’s. Determine what kind of guest book you want, and then order it. Select a date and time for the rehearsal with the Officiate. Schedule and have your final dress fitting. Select and order wedding favors for your guests.
Meet and finalize plans with the photographer, florist, videographer, and DJ. Plan your rehearsal dinner, time and place. Submit your wedding portrait to the newspapers to announce your wedding. Submit any pictures for your slide show if you are having one.
1 MONTH AWAY FROM THE BIG DAY
Get Excited! You are down the home stretch! This month you need to get your marriage certificate. Marriage Certificates in Wisconsin are typically only good for 30 days, so make sure you get this done within the 30 days prior to your wedding, and no further out beyond that. Here is a great link to the “Wisconsin Marriage Laws,” which will help you determine any other legal requirements needed before the wedding.
Decide and select the menu for your reception. Select a gift for the Bride/Groom. Confirm the florist delivery time for the flowers. Write place cards and determine the seating arrangement for your reception. Schedule your final dress fitting, so it will be ready for your bridal portrait. Send your wedding announcement to the local newspaper.
2 WEEKS OUT FROM THE BIG DAY
Make arrangements to have your wedding gifts transported to your new home, handle all business and legal details (legal name changes, address changes etc.). Here is a great link to help you with legal name changes. Reconfirm your guest count, and submit the final numbers to the venue/caterer. Make sure all clothing and accessories are ready for you and the bridal party.
Pick up your marriage license if you haven’t already done this.
1 WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING
Review any seating details with the Ushers, and finalize your planner with the DJ. Make sure everything fits for both the bridal party, and the wedding dress. Finalize your seating arrangements. Reconfirm your honeymoon travel tickets, start packing for your trip. Contact any guests who have not responded. Complete your place cards, and review final plans with the photographer and videographer.
THE DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING
Relax, Have a manicure/visit the spa with your bridesmaids. Stay with your family the night before, and get plenty of rest. Review and rehearse wedding at your rehearsal with bridal party, VIP’s, and family members.
WEDDING DAY!
Eat a good breakfast, allow ample time to get ready. Give a list of vendor contacts with numbers to personal attendant or Maid of Honor. Get your hair done at the salon, relax! The Big Day has finally arrived!
Congratulations, you did it! Make sure you view the “interactive 1-year planning checklist,” it will provide you with an actual working progress checklist for you to continually refer back to, and save as you continue to plan your event. Enjoy your beautiful Wisconsin wedding!
Filed under: Planning Tools/Forms Tagged: | 12 months before wedding, 3 months before wedding, 4 months before wedding, 6 months before wedding, 9 months before wedding, planning checklist, videographer, wedding budget, wedding colors, wedding photographer, wedding reception planning, wedding transportation, wedding videographer, wi wedding dj
This is a very comprehensive list for anyone planning a wedding. I think the best thing you can do for yourself is to build a personal wedding website. This will allow you to organize your thoughts, as well as keep all your family and friends informed about your big day.
Also, make sure that you keep on schedule so that as the day gets closer you can be stress free and really enjoy your special day.
-Tim
Thankx_For_share_it_really_help_me!-)