WEDDING CHECKLIST: SIMPLIFIED


Congratulations lovers! You have announced & celebrated your exciting engagement, living it up on cloud 9... Now, to get that Wedding planned!Here is a step by step guide on what needs to be done to bring your vision to life from 12 months out from your chosen Wedding date. Best of luck as you plan the day of your dreams! If it all becomes alot, we are here + ready to recommend professional planners, from full coordination services to on the day support.

WEDDING CHECKLIST GUIDE:
This checklist will guide you from the first "yes!" to your beautiful wedding day. Every Wedding day is different but this will give you a good idea of some of the essentials and when you can do them... Always check with your Vendors if you are unsure about anything!

12+ Months Before: The Foundation

Set a date / Select a Venue + Book - Pick a date that works for you, your families, and your venue.
Categorise a budget - Break down the budget into venue, florals, catering etc. This can help you work out where you may have some extra to add to a certain detail you have in mind.
Start the Guest List - Decide on the size of your wedding.
Begin compiling your guest list (you can always adjust later)
Select your Bridal Party - Choose bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, and ring bearer.
Decide on a Wedding Theme/Style - What overall aesthetic will bring your vibe alive?
Book your Photographer/Videographer - That Photographer you have been stalking on Insta is about to get an email!
Hire your Wedding Band/DJ - Nothing says dance into the night quite like live music
Dress/Suit shopping - Time to book in with those designers and playing dressups! Allowing time for fittings and alterations. Here are a few of our favourite Bridal Designers and Tailors. Don’t forget about shoes, accessories, and undergarments!

Black & Co Photo / Summergrove Estate

9 Months Before: Lock in the Details

Choose Your Vendors - Start contacting and get ordering! 
- Floral Designer
- Catering. Consider menu tasting and select your meals and drinks. Signature Cocktail list, anyone?!
- Stationery & Signage. A matching stationery and signage aesthetic helps guests understand and navigate the day easier. Specially after a few mimosas.
- Order Invitations. Everyone should already have received their Save the Dates.
- Wedding Officiant. You'll need to provide your celebrant with your birth certificate or passport (for proof of birth) and photo ID (like a driver's license or passport).
- Wedding Cake. Decide on flavor, design, and any additional desserts (like cupcakes or a candy bar)
- Wedding Favours.
- Wedding Hair & Makeup often require scheduling a trial to find that perfect bridal look
- Decor & Styling. Save time and shop Confetti and more online with The Whole Bride. You're welcome!
- Any other details that create your dream Wedding
- Transport
Send Save the Date Cards 
Order Invitations. Just wanted that one in there twice. We know you are excited.

Here is a link to a simple Wedding budget tracker you can purchase from Etsy.

6 Months Before: More of the Details Business
- Choose your Wedding rings
- Plan & Book your Honeymoon. If you are off to Bora Bora you have to take us.
- Finalise your Wedding attire
- Send Wedding Invites - woo yeah!
- Order your Wedding cake. If you didn't book at the time of your tastings, that is.
- Bridal Shower. If there is ever a reason to celebrate as much as possible, THIS IS IT. Your Bridal party may be taking care of this for you.

BREATHE.

3 Months Before: Let's Wrap up the Big Stuff
- Finalise your Guestlist. RSVP count, send finalised guest count to all Vendors
- Create Seating Plan. Send the plan through to your Signage designer if not already done!
- Create your Wedding Timeline. Pro tip... ALWAYS allow more time than less. 
- Have Wedding guest favours ordered/organised
- Confirm your Bridal stylists. Hair & Makeup trials were fun, yeah?
- Make a start on your music playlist. It's surprising how often this is left until last!
- Submit your Notice of Intended Marriage to your Celebrant. The latest you can lodge the NOIM is one month before your wedding.
- Decide whether you would like to organise a Rehearsal Ceremony.

1 Month Before: Adding those Finishing Touches
- Confirm all of your Vendors. Vendors will often keep in touch, but this just needs to be on the list or you might not sleep as well.
- Pick up your Wedding rings.
- Write up your Wedding vows, Shakespeareans!
- It's popular to have a Rehearsal. This can be anytime before the Wedding.
- Adjust any changes to guest count if necessary + notify relevant vendors.
- Purchase gifts for your Bridal party. Again, The Whole Bride may come in handy.
- Finalise attire + accessories. Bridesmaids and Groomsmen included. Break in those Wedding shoes.

1 Week Before: Pop that bubbly already, you're almost there!
- Reconfirm all details. You've planned so well that confirming arrival times, finalising payments, and special requests with all vendors should be a breeze.
- Chat with your Officiant. Check on those Ceremony details. Emotions and perhaps nerves will be coming into play and knowing everyone is all over everything is wildly calming.
- Treat yo'self. Mani/Pedis, facials, hair appointments, spa day time. 
- Practise your Wedding Vows. Loud and proud!
- Pack for your Honeymoon. Passports are ready.
- Final Dress fitting. Try on your Wedding dress or suit one last time.
- Pick up any final items. Make sure you have everything. RINGS, RINGS, RINGS.
- Delegate Tasks. People want to help. Let them.

The Big Day: Enjoy Every Moment!

Relax and soak up every minute... Everyone will tell you how fast the time goes, and you can relive the day anytime through your video and photo gallery - but this is it! Many couples say that some advice would be to make sure you take time at some point with your new husband/wife, just the two of you. Whether the photographer is there or not, enjoy some alone time before getting back into it all. 

CONGRATULATIONS!!


After the Wedding: Avoid the Post Celebration Blues.
This may not apply to everyone, but it's easy to feel a bit lost after the wedding when so much of your time and energy has gone into planning, it’s natural to feel a little deflated once the festivities are over. The anticipation, the planning, the all-day joy—it’s a lot to experience, and when it’s suddenly gone, it can leave you feeling a bit... flat. But fear not! Here are some tips to help you avoid the post-wedding blues and keep the love and happiness flowing after the big day.

- Enjoy that Honeymoon (obviously)  
- Send Thank You cards
- Share Photos. Many couples who have their Wedding published on To the Aisle or another platform love how easy it is to share a link to their online Wedding feature to loved ones.
- Give yourself Time to Process. Allow yourselves to decompress before diving back into daily life. You’ve just experienced one of the most emotional and memorable days of your life. Savoir the new feeling of this new, huge milestone.
- Organise a post-wedding get-together. Relive the magic of the wedding. A post-wedding brunch, picnic, or dinner can be a great way to reconnect with loved ones and share all the fun stories, photos, and memories.
- Revisit your Wedding Memories. Don’t let the excitement fade too quickly. Take time to look through your wedding photos and videos—relive the moments that made your day so special.
- Set Newly Wed Goals. Make a list of things you’d like to do in your first year of marriage and keep checking things off as a way to stay motivated and connected. Perhaps Volunteering together or dance/cooking lessons? The love and commitment you share is the real magic!
- Talk about it. Sometimes the post-wedding emotions can catch you off guard, and talking it through can help you feel more at ease.
- Embrace the Everyday. You don’t have to wait for another huge milestone to feel joy.

Remember, the post-wedding blues are a natural feeling after such an exhilarating event, but they don’t last long! Take it slow, cherish the little moments with your partner, and look forward to all the future celebrations that life together will bring. Your love story has only just really begun.


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