So, he finally popped the question, and the ring is on. Now that the just-said-yes bliss has passed, you are probably thinking about planning the big day. It can be a bit overwhelming, but we have put together the ultimate wedding checklist to help you out.
The Timeline
A wedding is best planned over a 12 to 14-month period. This timeline gives you plenty of time to gather resources without being overwhelmed. It also opens your options for venues and catering, as many of these services are currently booked out a year or more.
Set Your Budget
The very first thing you need to do is to set your budget. When setting your budget, you need to figure out who is paying for what and determine what is a necessity and what is not. This way, you can easily cut things out to make room in your budget for other necessary costs that may end up costing more than initially estimated. From there, you can start allocating money accordingly. It is important to keep in mind that your budget will change. Prices for things like venues and catering services can vary depending on the time of year and demand.
Over the course of planning your wedding, you will need to adjust your budget. Keeping a detailed spreadsheet from the beginning will make this process all that much easier and less stressful. If you have it within your budget, you can hire a wedding planner. This person will handle all of the details and problems that may arise while taking a load of stress off your shoulders. After all, your big day is supposed to be about love and happiness.
Make Your Guest List
Determining how many guests you send invites to relates directly back to your budget. It also depends on the groom, your parents, and his parents. If your parents or the soon-to-be in-laws are paying for a portion of the wedding, it is customary to include them in the decision-making when it comes to the guest list. Another thing to take into account when making your guest list is your venue. How big is it? How many people can it hold comfortably in addition to caterers and other wedding staff?
Book Your Venue and Caterer
It is best to book your venue 12 to 15 months in advance of your set wedding date. With the wedding boom of 2022 due to the cancellations caused but COVID in 2021, many wedding venues and caterers are booked out a year or more.
The location of your wedding is one of the most important aspects of the planning process. It affects nearly every aspect of your wedding, so it is important to choose wisely and book early. It is also likely one of the largest costs you will have, making it all that more important.
Choose Your Colors and Theme
You will want to start thinking about your colors and theme as soon as possible. This way, you can make sure to get all the decorations, dresses, and suits in the right colors. If you are having a hard time choosing a theme or colors, take a look at how you decorate your home and the things you like on Instagram for inspiration. A wedding planner can also be very helpful in this area.
Shop for Your Wedding Dress and Groom’s Tuxedo
Once you have your colors and themes picked out, you can start shopping for the perfect wedding dress and groom’s Tuxedo to match. Depending on your budget, this is also the time to either purchase the bride’s maids and groom’s men attire or send out notifications of what you expect them to wear so they can go out and purchase it themselves. If you expect your bridal party to pay for their own attire, make sure you give them plenty of notice and clear expectations.
Hire Your Photographer
This may be one of the most important choices you make. A wedding photographer is entrusted to capture all the special moments, from engagement photos, to bride and groom photos, the wedding ceremony and reception photos. You should take careful consideration when choosing a wedding photographer.
As a Michigan Wedding Photographer, I have the experience to create photos that capture moments from pre-ceremony to the after-party and everything in between. You might just gain a friend for life after working with me and getting to know my fun and free-spirited personality.
Send Invitations
Now that you have your colors and, if you choose, pre-engagement photos, you can design and send out invites to those on your guest list to RSVP. You will want to send these invitations out sooner rather than later so you can get an accurate head count for your caterer. Make sure to keep one of your wedding invitations for your album!
Hire a DJ and Videographer
Do some research and read reviews well in advance of your set wedding day. The DJ will make your wedding and after-party fun and memorable, while the videography will capture moments, much like the photographer, that you can watch over and over again for years to come. So, it is important to choose those that are reputable and trusted. Like venues and caterers, DJs and videographers may be booked out for several months to a year. So, make sure to get this done sooner rather than later.
Get Your Marriage License
You will want to get this ball rolling at least two weeks before your wedding date. In Michigan, you will need to pay a $20 fee as a resident couple or a $30 fee as a non-resident couple. Both you and the groom will also be required to provide a driver’s license or state ID that shows your current address, a birth certificate, and a social security card. In most cases, your marriage license should be ready after three business days of applying in person. Then, you as a couple, your witnesses, and your officiant can sign it at your wedding ceremony.
Fun and Experienced Wedding Photographer In Michigan
Part of having a great wedding experience is making sure you capture all of those precious moments in photos that you can look back on for the rest of your life. When you’re ready to book your wedding photographer in Michigan, reach out to me at Shayna Phillips Photography. I look forward to working together and helping you capture some of the most special moments in your life. Check out my wedding portfolio.
