Planning a wedding is an exciting time of everyone’s life. Finding that special someone to spend the rest of your life with is a beautiful feeling. However, preparing for your special day as a soon-to-be bride can be difficult unless you’ve got a wedding planning checklist in place.
Not only can a wedding planning checklist make wedding planning easier by ensuring you don’t miss out on any important details, but it can also streamline the steps and plan of action for each task of the checklist. To help you prepare, here’s a comprehensive wedding planning checklist for soon-to-be brides.
Wedding Planning Checklist For Soon-To-Be Brides
Stage 1: Initial Essentials
Budget
One of the most important aspects of planning a wedding involves budgeting for the big day as a newly engaged bride. By creating a comprehensive budget that takes into account all the important aspects of your wedding day and personal preferences, you can start planning your dream wedding. Committing to a budget is important because it will be a guide to help you determine what to prioritize when organizing all wedding related activities.
Venue
The venue that you choose for your wedding can make or break your day. Deciding on aspects like the place of your wedding, theme, and choice of indoor and outdoor wedding venue can be a crucial decision to make. Keeping it in your wedding planning checklist can help you find the right venue for your wedding party and book it in advance. Many popular wedding venues can be booked as far as one or two years out. If your favorite venue has a long wait period, this will be something to take into consideration for your planning timeline.
Guest List
The next step on your wedding checklist is creating a guest list for your big day. Defining your guest list helps with decisions like invitations, seating, and the number of wedding favors. Starting with the guest list helps inform decisions about budget, location, catering, vendors, and more. A large guest list will inherently be more expensive. If you prefer a DIY wedding, consider a smaller guest list and plan your décor timeline in advance. If your guest list is small, a large, glamorous venue may not be necessary.
Bridal Party
Choosing your bridal party is a heartfelt milestone in the wedding planning process. These are the people who will stand by your side, offering support and love during this incredible journey. Consider selecting friends and family members who share your joy and excitement, and don’t forget to plan how you’ll ask them to be part of your special day. Personalized gifts or heartfelt notes can make this moment even more memorable!
Stage 2: Critical Wedding Preparations
Invitations
The next stage of the wedding planning process is to create and send out invitations to your guests. As a soon-to-be bride, you will have to start working on your wedding invitations as soon as possible. You can either create your own invitations or have a professional wedding invitation designer do it for you. Either way, planning ahead can help you get done with it fast.
Licenses and Permits
The next crucial step is to obtain all important licenses and permits for your wedding party. Apply for permits as soon as you book your venue to avoid last-minute issues. Certain permits may even be more important if you plan to host a wedding in your backyard.
Booking The Vendors
Another critical factor to be considered as a soon-to-be-bride is booking essential services like catering, décor, and wedding photographers ahead of time. You may also want to vet vendors, especially photographers, so picking your vendors early can make a big difference to your wedding day.
Wedding Favors
Last but not least, the choice of wedding favors for your guests and bridal party must also be added to your wedding planning checklist. Deciding what to give to your loved ones for being a part of your most important day is a sweet way to thank them, and choosing thoughtful wedding favors is a great way to do so.
Stage 3: Bridal Planning for Milestone Celebrations
Engagement Party
The engagement party is the first major milestone to celebrate your upcoming wedding. It’s a chance to gather friends and family, toast to your love story, and build excitement for the journey ahead. Sometimes, the groom will loop in the engagement with a surprise engagement party with friends and family after. If this isn’t you, and you’re still planning your announcement, think about choosing a meaningful venue—whether it’s a cozy backyard, a chic restaurant, or a picturesque park—that sets the tone for your wedding theme. Incorporate elements like personalized decorations, a curated playlist, and a signature cocktail that reflects your style as a couple. Remember, this is the perfect time to share your joy with loved ones and make memories to cherish forever.
Bridesmaid Proposal Party
The bridesmaid proposal party is a special opportunity to ask your closest friends and family to stand by your side on your wedding day. This gathering is all about heartfelt moments and meaningful gestures that celebrate your bond with each bridesmaid. Plan an intimate setting, whether it’s a cozy dinner, a chic brunch, or a fun at-home gathering, and surprise them with personalized proposal boxes or thoughtful gifts. Include a touch of creativity, like handwritten notes, custom keepsakes, or a mini photo slideshow of your memories together. This milestone is your chance to express gratitude for their support and make them feel truly cherished as part of your wedding journey.
Bridal Shower
The bridal shower is a heartfelt occasion to celebrate the bride and shower her with love and good wishes. This event is often more intimate, featuring close friends and family, delicious food, and thoughtful gifts. Planning a themed bridal shower, like a garden tea party or boho brunch, can add a personal touch. Include engaging activities, such as a DIY flower-arranging station or memory-sharing game, to create a warm and lively atmosphere. The key is to make the bride feel celebrated and supported as she embarks on her exciting new chapter.
Bachelorette Party
The bachelorette party is all about fun, friendship, and creating unforgettable memories before the big day. Whether you opt for a weekend getaway, a lively night out, or a relaxing spa retreat, tailor the experience to the bride’s personality and preferences. Consider incorporating unique elements like matching outfits, personalized party favors, or a curated itinerary that highlights her favorite activities. This milestone is more than just a celebration—it’s a way for the bridal party to bond and honor the bride’s journey to the altar with laughter, love, and a touch of adventure.
Stage 4: FINAL ACT WEDDING ARRANGEMENTS
Getting Ready in the Bridal Suite
Preparing for your wedding day in the bridal suite is a magical experience filled with excitement and anticipation. Ensure your suite is equipped with essentials like mirrors, comfortable seating, robes and gifts for your girls, and plenty of natural light for flawless makeup application. Stock the space with refreshments, your wedding day emergency kit, and sentimental touches to set a calming yet joyful mood. Invite your bridal party to join you for a morning of bonding, laughter, and making memories as you get ready for the biggest moment of your life.
Wedding Attire
Final fittings for your wedding attire a few days before the big day is the most important part of your wedding planning checklist. This must be completed in time so that any changes can be made swiftly. Now, you can shine like a diamond on the most important day of your life.
Catering & Decor
Just before the wedding day approaches, you will need to finalize your catering situation. Whether you hire an external caterer or pick the catering services offered by your venue, you will need to finalize your choice of food and drinks. Maybe, you want more seafood options like scrumptious grilled lobster tail in your wedding, or you want a vegan-friendly menu. Deciding on all of these aspects and finalizing them a few days before the wedding can make a big difference. Check final décor and select decorations that complement your wedding theme as part of your planning checklist.
Planning a wedding from scratch is no easy task. However, it is possible to make the time-consuming process more streamlined by preparing a wedding planning checklist as a soon-to-be bride. By dividing the task into smaller fragments and getting through them one by one, you can make your wedding planning process fruitful and enjoy your special day to the fullest.
Don’t forget to share your wedding journey with us! Tag @weddingfavorites on Instagram or use the hashtag #WEDFAVLOOK to show off your special moments. We’d love to celebrate with you!
