The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
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9-12 months before
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Consider the type of wedding you want and choose both of your Top 3 priorities: Small or Big? Formal or Informal? Time of year? Location : beach, golf course, historical, church, banquet hall or other? What is the one thing you want your guests talking about once they leave?
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Consider a budget: How much do you want to spend? How much can you afford? Who will be paying?
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Compile a guest list: Be sure to collect your guests’ email and mailing addresses.
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Speak with your Certified Wedding Coordinator: We will pair you with vendors that match your wedding budget & style. We will also educate you on the costs, etiquette, the legal marriage requirements and more.
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Visit and Choose your Venue.
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Confirm your date and secure your must-have vendors by placing deposits.
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Setup your Wedding Website: We can design a custom website that will share all of the important wedding information with your guests.
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Send out Save the Dates to the guests that are guaranteed to make your final guest list.
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6-9 months before
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Get your passports.
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Select the members of your wedding party.
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Shop for wedding attire: Wedding Dress, Groom’s suit, bridesmaids & groomsmen. Keep in mind the destination’s climate.
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Book your photographer: We can send you a list of recommendations. The good ones book quickly so the sooner, the better.
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Choose your Ceremony style: Will it be legal or symbolic?
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Select the flowers you want: Style & Color. Bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, centerpieces and any other decorations.
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Choose your menu and cake.
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Book any entertainment: DJ, violinist, mariachi band, fire dancers, etc.
4-6 months before
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Get your passports.
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If required, get blood tests, vaccines and any paperwork translated & notarized. Purchase your rings.
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Order your invitations.
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Buy any goods or accessories you need: décor, guest book, cake topper, etc.
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Book your wedding day transportation.
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Make arrangements for pre-wedding events: We offer a number of options including: excursions, welcome reception, rehearsal dinner, cocktail party, etc.
2-3 months before
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Send out your invitations.
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Save a block of stopover hotel rooms. We can arrange any rooms, transportation, transfers or parking required.
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Purchase gifts for your favours, welcome bags, parents, wedding party, and spouse-to-be.
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Confirm details with all of your vendors: We will do this for you and get everything in writing.
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Spa appointments. We will schedule your hair, makeup and any other appointments requested.
1 month before
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Prepare your Welcome letter.
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Assemble your welcome bags. Confirm their delivery.
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Prepare welcome letter
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Have your final dress fitting: with your shoes & accessories. Make arrangements for its pick up and delivery.
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Confirm guest hotel reservations. We’ll remind your guests of the block’s deadline.
2 weeks before
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We’ll confirm your flight and hotel bookings.
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We’ll review and re-confirm all details with all vendors.
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We’ll send you the final guest list.
1 week before
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Start packing: Gather all of your important paperwork. Check the baggage allowances. Make arrangements to have family members take some of the items such as favors/welcome bag in their luggage.
When you arrive at your destination
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Meet with the on-site wedding coordinator. Confirm all details. Do a walk through or the ceremony and reception sites.
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Apply for a marriage license
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If your destination requires on-site blood test, make arrangements to have them done.
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Deliver your welcome bags: Have them delivered to guests’ rooms or hand them to guests at check in.
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Have a hair and makeup trial a few days before to make sure it’s exactly what you’ll want on your big day.
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Do a food tasting: Change any menu items you do not like.
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Have your dress pressed/steamed to smooth out any wrinkles it encountered while traveling.
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Enjoy a mani/pedi.
On Your Wedding Day
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Make sure you have your rings & your vows.
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Have your DWS deliver any final gifts while you’re getting ready.
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Relax, have fun and live in the moment!