I hope you are all doing really well.
Welcome back to another Wedding Wednesday. I know I have missed a couple - life got a little crazy! I think I'm back on track now, so normal blogging should resume (also keep an eye out for our latest meal prep adventures - this is coming to you in March!).
Today we are 5 months out of my own wedding, so it is checklist time!
From 5 to 3 months out, we are getting down into the nitty gritty - the fine details! Most of your decisions should be made by this time.
1. Design and send out invitations
I would definitely think about sending out your at least 4 months out from the wedding date. I will write a whole post on invitations soon, but they should always contain all of the information a guest needs to know about the day. I would strongly recommend going digital for your RSVPs - much easier than asking your guests to post back the card to you & much cheaper for you, saving on stamped envelopes! Refer to my wedding website post to look at my recommendations for online sites & RSVP options.
2. Have a menu tasting, and lock in your menu
Lock in a time with your venue and/or caterer to taste the menu & wines & confirm these details! Some venues/caterers include this complimentary, others charge for it, so check this before booking your tasting. If it costs extra, I would highly recommend doing it anyway - money well spent to make sure your guests are going to be happy with the food!
At this meeting, also discuss dietary requirements of your guests & how they handle them on the day. Also check the cut off date for getting those requests in.
3. Have a hair & makeup trial
I know trials can be expensive, but they are oh so worth it! By doing a trial, you can work out exactly what you want before the day, so when your hair & makeup team arrive on the day, they know exactly what they are doing & how long it takes. I also took photos of my bridesmaids with me to give my lady an idea of what their hair is like, their skin tones & what hair we are going for. The less surprises on the day for everyone, the smoother everything will run!
4. Choose wedding rings
If you are exchanging rings as part of your ceremony, look at buying these now. Whether you have a matching wedding band to your engagement ring, whether you want yours to match your partners, or not, it doesn't matter. If you are ordering online, definitely do this sooner rather than later in case you need to get adjustments.
5. Organise wedding favours
It has become somewhat of an expectation to give a little gift to each of your guests as a thank you for coming. When thinking about what to get, consider these things:
- The wedding industry has a thousand options of personalised/engraved/customised & overpriced favour options - remember, if each item is $3 - $6 a piece (or worse, more) & you have 100 guests, you are looking at $300 - $600+ for little gifts which your guests may not even take home with them.
- Look at options which match your theme, but also won't break the bank.
- Think about gifts your guests might actually want. Not everyone wants a candle with your names on it, or a little succulent.
- Consider options that, if your guests don't take them, you can actually take home & use yourself. A jar of honey, tea, garden seeds? Think about all of that money that literally goes in the bin if you can't use the favours left behind.
6. Start writing the ceremony
Your celebrant should be able to do this for you, or at least help you! Think about the things you legally have to say, the cute fluffy stuff you want to add in, any readings or songs you would like in there. Also consider how long you would like the ceremony to be & how comfortable your guests are going to be for that time. For example, we are planning an outdoor wedding in Winter, so the shorter the better for us!
7. Organise an MC for the night
Depending on your setup & plan for the day, you may or may not need an MC. If you would like one, now is the time to look at locking this in. Your DJ/wedding band might offer this service, or you might have a friend or family member who is good at public speaking & wants to do it.
8. Start organising the seating plan
You won't necessarily know who is coming yet, but it is good to start thinking about where everyone is going to sit should everyone come. Especially if you have a large wedding, or a situation where not everyone gets along. Make sure you check with your venue how many tables fit in the space & how many people per table before you start.
9. Discuss photos with photographer
Even if you are hoping for natural, candid shots of your big day, it is still essential that you give a list of important shots to your photographer. All of the family shots & bridal party shots, details you really want pics of, group shots etc. There would be nothing worse than getting your photos back & realising you forgot to get a pic with your dad, or a guest that travelled half way around the world to see you!
10. Create a registry (if you are having one)
When you have a wedding, people want to give you something! They just do. If you want to have a registry, set this up now. If you aren't having a registry, make sure you tell your guests what to get you. Wishing wells are ever popular at the moment. It isn't good etiquette to write gift information on the invitation - pop these details on your wedding website, or let your guests know another way.
This will be a busy time for planning - don't forget to take some time away from wedding planning & enjoy time with your husband or wife to be, as well as your friends.
Here you go for pinning - contact for PDF version.
Hx
