Weddings 101 : Part 1- THE CHECKLIST

There is one big day in a woman's life that she will always remember ; Her Marriage.

So today, of all day, I am starting a new blog section called "Wedding 101", to share with you,  my journey to my big day.

It is nothing fancy, not some Cinderella story you would've expected, as the whole purpose of this section is to tell things as it is, the beautiful and the ugly side, of preparing for a wedding.

“When I sleep, I dream of you, and when I wake, I long to hold you in my arms. If anything, our time apart has only made me more certain that I want to spend my nights by your side, and my days with your heart.”  —Nights in Rodanthe

"I am a romantic at heart, or at least I think I am, and my wedding late this year will hold testament to THAT", the little voice in my head said.

Okay, okay. Settle down, princess. If you are going to have that great wedding reception that you dreamt of almost every night, at least plan for it.

Well said.

That being the case, I decided to actually get myself organised, because hey, my wedding is 4 months away and it needs to be (as every bride put it) perfect.

Perfect how? Well, 

1. The venue and event decoration has to look magical with lightings that will make the bride look like a goddess.

2. Wedding dress has to be flowy and make the bride appear slim and shimmer as she walk down the aisle.

3. Makeup and hair has to be on point, but looks natural.

4. Bridesmaid has to look gorgeous, but not EQUALLY gorgeous as the bride.

As a future bride who is constantly under pressure because:

1. All your friends were married and they had gorgeous receptions

2. Instagram worthy pictures are everything

3. This is once in a lifetime event

I think it is imperative that I plan everything down to the tee, so that the event can be executed seamlessly.

To tell you the truth, reason NO.3 is a very huge motivator for me, as I want it to be a very special event, wherein I can look back when feel happy about it. 

However, to organize your own wedding will be a Herculean task if you did not PRIORITIZE and ORGANIZE well. So here, I am doing every bride out there a huge favour by attaching some wedding checklists so that you can achieve that dream wedding too.

This is a very comprehensive planner type checklist which costs arounf RM65 on Etsy ,
you can purchase through the link
https://www.etsy.com/in-en/listing/210892372/wedding-planner-printable-ultimate

I got mine from Perky Preen though, just for the pretty cover.

But if you are not planning to splurge on these, here is a simple checlist to get you started. (courtesy of http://www.herecomestheguide.com)


WEDDING CHECKLIST:

10–12 Months To Go…

• Work out your budget and establish your top priorities—where to save/where to splurge.
• Find Ideas. Start browsing bridal blogs and magazines to identify your wedding style and color palette. Oh, you're already doing that? Yeah.
• Compile your preliminary guest list (you'll need that guest count!).
• Choose your wedding party—who do you want by your side at the altar?
• Find a venue for your ceremony and reception, and reserve your date. Know what questions to ask when evaluating a wedding venue.
• Now that you have a date, tell everyone to save it! For destination weddings or weddings around a holiday, consider sending out Save-the-Date cards or emails. Or create your own wedding website, and let your invitees know about it
• Find a Dress and begin assembling the perfect accessories. 
• Already feeling overwhelmed? Consider hiring a Wedding Planner.
• Assemble an all-star vendor team. 

6–9 Months To Go…

• Continue researching, interviewing and booking vendors. 
• Do a tasting and choose your wedding cake.
• Hire the emcee for your ceremony, cocktail hour and reception.
• Discuss the style and wording of your wedding invitations with a Stationer.
• Create your gift registry (and don't forget to update your wedding website!).
• Arrange accommodations for out of towners and book your own suite for the wedding night.
• Shop for bridesmaid/flower girl dresses and give your attendants clear instructions on how to place their orders.
• Arrange and book any necessary transportation.Go over bridal shower/bachelorette details and the guest list with the person(s) hosting your party.

3–5 Months To Go…

• Make childcare arrangements for your guests' kids.
• Reserve all necessary party rentals.
• Order wedding favors for your guests.
• Concentrate on finalizing the:Guest list. Get everyone's mailing address.
• Invitation wording. Confirm your invitation text with the Stationer, and consider additional stationery (programs, menu cards, place cards, thank-you cards, etc.). Schedule a pickup date for your invites.
• Ceremony readings and vows.
• Menu, beverage and catering details.
• Timeline of the reception formalities.
• Do a Makeup & Hair trial and book your stylists. While you're at it, come up with your own beauty and fitness regimen to be camera-ready for the big day.
• Shop for and purchase your wedding rings.
• Finalize honeymoon plans and obtain all necessary documents (are you sure your passports are up to date?).

6–8 Weeks To Go…

• You're getting close…. Mail out those invitations! 
• Touch base with your vendors to confirm date, deposits and details.
• Start researching marriage license requirements and name-change paperwork.
• Begin your dress fittings. Be sure to buy the appropriate undergarments beforehand.
• So you think you can't dance? Consider taking a dance lesson with your fiancé—a good way to break in your bridal shoes!
• Give the wedding party a nudge—make sure they've ordered all necessary attire.
• Write thank-you cards for shower gifts and any early wedding gifts received.

3–5 Weeks To Go…

• Send out rehearsal dinner invitations. If your get-together will be informal, feel free to send an Evite.
• Finalize and confirm:
• • Wedding vows and readings with your Officiant.
  • Shot list with your Photographer/Videographer.
  • Song list for ceremony, cocktail hour and reception with your DJ and/or Band/Musicians.
  • Timeline for the reception and who's giving the toasts.
  • Wedding night and honeymoon accommodations.
• Obtain marriage license and complete name-change documents, if applicable.
• Pick up your wedding rings and proofread any engraving!
• Purchase your guest book, toasting flutes, cake servers, unity candle, and all that good stuff.
• Buy gifts (optional) for the wedding party and parents of the bride and groom.
• Have your final dress fitting. Bring your shoes and accessories for the full impact.
• Sigh. Hunt down whoever hasn't RSVP'd yet.

1–2 Weeks To Go…

• Give your caterer/venue the final guest count.
• Arrange seating and create the seating chart and/or place cards.
• Pick up your gown. Swoon.
• Confirm arrival times and finalize the wedding timeline with vendors and the wedding party—make sure your MOH has a copy, too.
• Put together your own Bridal Emergency Kit.
• Speaking of emergencies: Check the weather report, and if things look iffy contact your venue to make sure a contingency plan is in place.
• Start packing for your honeymoon. (See "weather report" above.)
• In desperate need of a facial or massage? Now's the time to squeeze one in.

The Day Before…

• Make sure all wedding-day items are packed/laid out and ready to go! (Don't forget the rings and marriage license!)
• Figure out tips and final payments for vendors. 
• Assign someone to pack up your gifts/belongings after the reception (don't forget the top tier of your cake!).
• Enjoy a mani-pedi.
• Attend the rehearsal and dinner. Now's the time to give out wedding party gifts.
• Try to go to bed early…you need your beauty sleep tonight.

Wedding-day advice

• Allow plenty of time to get ready.
• Do the rounds at your wedding—greet everyone and thank them for coming.
• Take a deep breath. Stop to appreciate your new spouse and the day that you spent so much time planning!

After the Honeymoon/Back to Reality…

• Write and send thank-you cards. 
• (Don't procrastinate!)
• Complete your registry and exchange any unwanted or duplicate gifts.
• Have your wedding dress cleaned and preserved by a reputable company.
• Keep in touch with your Photographer/Videographer to work on albums, DVDs, etc.
• Enjoy wedded bliss.

Now that the Checklist is done, let's get planning!