Steps to a Successful Wedding For the Simple Bride!
I get asked all the time “What is it like being in the wedding industry?”
Well let me tell you! It is totally not easy. Photographing weddings has its perks but ultimately I want to become a wedding planner and open up my own venue. I’m great at taking charge and putting other people’s visions into play. I’m an excellent listener and for that, I know that when the day comes to opening up my venue I will have a pretty good idea on how to run them. Especially from the years of experience I’ve had shooting elopements and weddings. I come over-prepared and all of my clients know that!
I have pretty much seen it it all guys. From a bride having to walk down the aisle without her father to give her away because he is hours late… to a wedding cake not even showing up. Another incident where a bride’s dress ripped in the back and I literally stitched it by hand with a tiny sewing kit I bring everywhere. One time I even drove to the store to buy a bride underwear that wouldn’t shoe through her reception dress because the beautiful dress she choose was a bit see-through and she didn’t know until AS she was putting it on for the RECEPTION!
The key to a successful wedding is PLANNING ahead! So I have some perfect advice on how to get through it as easy as possible! Ya’ll hang tight because I’m about to go into depth with this blog. Right here, right now!
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First thing is first…take the time to get some engagement photos out of the way! Especially if you plan on hiring a wedding photographer. Booking the same person for both can end up saving you tons of money for your wedding! If you live in the OKC area, check out my article on some neat places for an engagement shoot!
1. Venue
After you get engaged, everyone expects you to know the wedding date right off the bat. I say screw that! Talk budget. Then find your venue FIRST. If you tell everyone you are getting married in December and wait to find the perfect venue, it may not be available for your date you had set! Avoid the issue and stress of being set on a specific date and find your venue first and foremost! Read this blog below to help you with finding your venue!
2. Wedding Planner
If your venue doesn’t come with one already I highly advise you find yourself a coordinator and avoid all the extra stress. You can read my other blog on “Why choose a wedding planner?”
3. Now that you have your venue booked and either have a professional wedding planner (or close friend who you trust to help you plan and coordinate your big day) now the real fun begins! You can now find your photographer. Get to know your photographer before booking and if you can, do your engagement shoot with the same person who will be shooting your wedding! Want to know more? Check out my blog on the 5 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Professional Wedding Photographer with the next button!
3-4 Months in Advance:
The Officiant. Choose wedding party. (Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids, Best man and Groomsmen, Flower Girl and Ring Bearer.
2. Create a wedding website!
3. Get engagement ring insured and consider purchasing wedding insurance.
4. Get your list of guests together and send out the Save the Date/Invitations! Sending out all of it together is the best way to go especially if you are on a budget or short on time! Save the Date is over-rated. Unless you are super old fashioned. ;-)
5. Get your list of venders together: Wedding Planner, Photography/videographer, Caterer, Florists, and DJ. (If you are on a tight budget opt for fake flowers! Or if your venue doesn’t supply decor, DIY! Pinterest had a ton of ideas! Grab a glass of wine or juice and take a hot bath exploring on the web for ideas!)
7. Go dress shopping! Find the perfect veil and garter and undergarments. Choose reputable places for goodness sake! Please don’t do E-Bay! Remember: “Something Old, Something New, Something Used and Something Blue.”
8. Find the Groom’s suit and wedding band if you haven’t done so yet! Men are usually really easy!
9. Create a gift registry!
10. Explore hair and makeup with the girls and find their bridesmaid dresses! (And Accessories.) Grooms should do the same with his groomsmen!
11. The cake! Choose a reputable baker for this! The last thing you want it to not have your cake arrive!
12. Figure out transportation to and from venues!
13. Pick out honeymoon places and explore options! Then Book!
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The finishing touches…..(Approximately 1-2 Months in advance.)
Schedule dress fittings.
Figure out your food caterer.
Book honeymoon if you haven’t.
Book room for wedding night.
Order that cake.
Touch base with all vendors: Venue, Photog., Makeup, Cater, Hair, Minister ETC.
Prepare playlist for your DJ.
Finalize wedding guest count and write vows!
Book rehearsal dinner venue.
Pick up wedding rings and marriage license.
Finalize the dress fittings and shoes.
Create an event page for dinner rehearsal on Facebook! This makes things easier and is a great place for private convos about the bridal party yet keeps everyone informed of the events etc!
Finalize seating and ensure that all documents are in order. Plan out the ceremony.
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Almost to the Alter! A week to go!
Follow up with guests who have not RSVP’D.
Give final count to cater.
Break in those wedding shoes!
Make arrangements for your pets if any!
Send off Playlists to DJ.
Get a final haircut and color if needed!
Delegate wedding day duties! Gift table, seating at reception etc.
Send off directions to your transportation driver.
Give you wedding timeline to your wedding planner, photographer, DJ etc.
Pay off the final payments to vendors + cash tips for services.
Give readers their scripts.
Give videographer and photographer your requests or “must have shots”.
Lay out wedding clothes. Prepare emergency wedding kit.
Relax.
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The DAY before!!!!
EEK! You are almost there!
Get your mani/pedi/massage. OR COFFEE!
Attend the rehearsal.
Go to bed early!
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If you are wondering how to prepare a timeline of the Big Day just read this next post!