Most couple would think that a wedding requires a minimum of one year to plan before the big day. I think otherwise.
In our experience, it took us seven months to prepare while we hustled with our jobs. I learned that the longer the preparation may take, the more stressful it may get.
There were days when I was anxious when I wasn't doing anything for the wedding. These days made me realize that we had plenty of time to prepare, and that planning a wedding was just simple. Once we booked the supplier and agreed on terms, it ended there. We had to trust them to deliver their best on our wedding day.
Of course, there are vendors that you need their services before the big day i.e. invitation, gowns. It helps to create deadlines for them, to follow up and to monitor in your planner. Hence, the second step in planning is setting a timetable.
Your initial timetable is essential in your negotiation with prospect and booked suppliers.
First and Second month: Establish the basis and foundation of your planning
1. Set the budget and timeline
2. Estimate the number of guests
3. Decide the color motif and theme
4. Book the church - be mindful of the validity date of the required documents and take note of the schedule of the mandatory seminars
5. Book the wedding venue
Third and fourth month: Focus on looking for the major suppliers that you need their services before the wedding day
1. Book a wedding coordinator - ask the frequency of the meetings and block your calendar
2. Book the caterer - arrange the dates for food tasting and final detailing
3. Book a tailor for bespoke suits and gowns - give your target date on taking your measurements and inquire when will be the first and succeeding fittings
4. Book hair and make-up artists - query how long and what time will they start the make-up sessions and block their schedule for your engagement shoot
5. Book the photographer and videographer - block their schedule for your engagement shoot
6. Hire a pre-nup stylist - block their schedule for your engagement shoot
7. Wedding invitation - set the deadline of the initial draft and note the release date of the invitation
Fifth month: Focus on looking for other major suppliers that you need their services on the wedding day
1. Book a wedding band
2. Rent lights and sounds
3. Hire a wedding host
4. Book the florist
5. Book an event stylist
6. Rent a bridal car
Sixth month: Focus on looking for the minor suppliers that you need their services on the wedding day
1. Book hotel rooms
2. Book a supplier for crew and entourage meals
3. Buy wedding accessories
4. Buy wedding souvenirs and tokens
Seventh month or last month before the big day: Allot the last few weeks for finalizing the checklist and program flow
1. Buy mass offerings
This seemed like a tight timeline, but trust me, it worked for us.
I am not suggesting that you should compress your planning in a shorter period of time, but hoping that this post can encourage you to write your own timetable suited with your personal schedules.
If you notice, I classify the suppliers based on how critical their services are on the wedding day. In this manner, you would be able to identify the tasks that need more time and to put more effort in completing them. On the other hand, you can still book minor suppliers even on the first month and tick it off from your to-do's, as long as it will not misdirect your focus.
In your calendar, mark those dates of wedding fairs and expos, and label the dates with your personal and suppliers' deadlines. Be realistic in making your schedules. Don't get overwhelmed with the wedding task list and deal with them one at a time. The keyword is prioritization.
The success of the wedding planning is not defined by the length of time you prepared but on how organized you coordinate the details altogether.
Follow me for more wedding tips and reminders.
Follow me on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnGhcgzLRMupDX4jaDpQkww
Comments