How to plan your wedding?
You said YES! It is now official, you are going to get married. Congratulations! Obviously, you would like your wedding to remain in your memory as the most wonderful day of your life, so there is no time to waste. You must start to plan your wedding right now. I assure you, the sooner the better!
How to plan your wedding? this is a real challenge, especially if you want this day to be as beautiful as possible. This challenge can also be one of the most exciting experience you will ever live! Nothing is better than a checklist to help you with this exceptional task. Whether you are a few months away, a year away or even more from your special day, this checklist will help you plan your wedding without stress and with confidence. It will help you plan everything for the wedding, it will tell you what to do, how to do it and it will help you manage your time from more than 12 months to the final day (and beyond).
Wishing you all the best… let’s get started!
More than 12 months before:
- Of course, share the news with your families! (If it hasn’t been done already, prepare a meeting for your families to meet each others.)
- Choose one to three approximate dates of marriage in order to be flexible if needed afterwards.
- Start making a guest list so you don’t forget someone as the big day approaches.
- Visit wedding websites or even create your own for the occasion.
- Prospect wedding planners, and some other wedding professionals (photographer, videographer, caterer, florist, DJ, etc.) if organizers do not offer all of these services already.
- Browse wedding clothing styles.
Once this is done, you can trust a wedding planner that you will have carefully selected, in order to lighten your organization for the months and days to come. You wouldn’t want to forget any details, it could ruin your day. The wedding planner will be here to guide you in each step. This way you will be more reassured, and you will enjoy your wedding preparations without being anxious.
12 months before:
- Plan a budget for the wedding.
- Book the actual date of the marriage.
- Locate your destination wedding and book the festivities place in advance.
- Arrange an interview with your families to allocate expenses and tasks.
- Select caterers according to your budget and their quotes (go test for your final choice).
- Start thinking about the numbers of guest you will invite.
When you think of the budget as well as your wedding destination, you must take everything into account and make lots of comparison to be the more effective possible. You might want to have a wedding in France or even have a wedding in Paris, city of love! Well sometimes it will cost you less than if you got married in your own country. For example, your wedding dream in America could be more expensive than if you realize this wedding in France. I will tell you why: Of course, you must take into account the travel to France but once you are in Europe, so many opportunities present itself to you! You will be able to visit a new country, to plan your wedding in a French castle if you feel like it and to enjoy the French art of living! All of this with the same budget as if you were doing it in your own country. Why not fly to Italie or Spain after your wedding in France? Cheaper plane tickets, your dream continued, new cultures discovered, an adventurous beginning together… What better time to do it? I assure you, your wedding in France can cost you less than in America and will let you have a wedding even better than what you had imagined.
10 months before:
- Find the style or theme of your wedding.
- Prepare the civil and/or religious marriage file.
- Book and reserve the wedding venues, DJ, animator…
- Establish a care and physical conditioning routine.
When you plan your wedding, you must always try to get head start. Booking dates, destination wedding, services… in advance will assure you to have what you really want. On the contrary, if you take too much time to book, you’ll end up with what’s left and it won’t necessarily be what you wanted.
8 months before:
- Book rentals of chairs, décor, lighting…
- Select musicians, photographers (based on rates, experiences…)
- Finalize the choice of style and theme of your wedding.
- Start thinking about your honeymoon destination.
- Try out some wedding dresses to give you an idea of what you are looking for.
Here is a little advice: When you will choose a photographer or a videograph, be aware to give him EVERY detail of want you want on your wedding day. Otherwise, you may be disappointed. And this is really not the time to be.
6 months before:
- Buy your wedding rings.
- Discuss ceremony details with your partner.
- Create and order wedding invitations to guests.
- Complete and refine the list of guests and distinguish them if you have planned a special meal for example.
- Choose your wedding witnesses and ask for their consent.
- Contact a notary if there is a marriage contract.
- Choose the cake style, tastings and entertainment.
When you will get to the invitations, think about the fact that if you print them it can be very expensive according to the number of guests and it will use paper that is not necessary. Why not send them by email? Safe and effective.
4 months before:
- Reassure yourself of the effectiveness of the reservations made with the different service providers.
- Select the bridesmaids and groomsmen and organize a meeting to prepare the ceremony.
- Send the wedding invitations (and ask if they have any special diet or allergies).
- Buy your bridal clothes (dress, veil, underwear, suit, shoes, accessories…)
- Finalize reception menu with the caterer.
- Prospect the florists.
- Finalize the decoration of the rooms, transportation, exteriors…
- Book honeymoon dates and hotels.
- Purchase marriage insurance.
- Contact the notary and sign the marriage contract.
Once your bridal clothes are bought, take care of them until the final day. If you take the plane to your wedding destination, take them with you in cabins so there in no risk of losing them. (But remember, in one month your body can change. To be sure it still fits you perfectly on your wedding day, try it on some days before.) A dress bought at last minute will never replace the original wedding dress.
1 month before:
- Make a detailed calendar (hour by hour) of the wedding day and send it to your service providers and suppliers.
- Find someone to take care of the children if there are any.
- Experiment and adjust your wedding clothes, your hair… with the help of a stylist or a knowledgeable person.
- Write your wedding vows.
- Discuss of the musics.
- Go to the town hall and/or church for the publication of bans.
- Finalize floral decorations, seating arrangements, playlists with DJs and musicians…
- Plan the bride’s bouquet.
- Book Wedding Day Transportation.
- Confirm all bookings made.
Here we are! Only a month before your wedding day. By now everything must be in order, there is no time to backtrack or change plans.
1 week before:
- Delegate all wedding day tasks.
- Contact suppliers and other service providers to confirm details (date, location, time, missions…)
- Prepare payments from suppliers and other service providers, including possible gratuities for service staff.
- Prepare Wedding Day Emergency Kit.
- Book your beauty appointment.
- Finalize the Table Plan.
- Check organization points and see if you don’t forget anything or anyone.
Also, be sure to notice any last-minute cancelation right now. One day before your wedding will not be the time for it.
The day before:
- Manicure, pedicure and if possible, a massage to relax.
- Attend wedding rehearsal if required.
- Check the weather.
- Review and memorize your vows.
- Have fun preparing and get to bed early.
The special day:
- Have a good breakfast.
- Relax and be in a good mood at all times.
- Allow sufficient time for preparation (hairdressing, make-up, clothing…)
- Smile.
Do not worry about performing service provider tasks, your wedding planner is here for it!
After the special day:
- Ensure rental items have been returned.
- Remember to thank the guests (order “thank you” cards if possible or send them by mail).
- Organize your memories.
- Enjoy your life together!
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or simply if you feel like it. We are listening to each of the wishes of our future newlyweds or simply curious and passionate about marriage.
CTH Events Paris is here to support you in the organization of this day and offers you a multitude of services and packages, such as the “Wedding in a castle”, for your wedding in France and you wedding in Paris.
If you liked this article, take a look at our News section , you might be interested of the “wedding budget”.
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