Congratulations you’re engaged! Now it’s time to begin the planning process for your South Florida wedding.
Photo credit: Kim Kinsella Lifestyle Portraits
Having been recently married myself, I found the checklist very helpful in the process. So, I am sharing with you a more concise wedding planning checklist:
12+ Months Before:
- Envision your South Florida wedding and draw up a budget.
- Assemble your "planning team." Consider hiring a Wedding Planner or Consultant.
- Pick a wedding date and time. Select several options, then check with your venues, officiant, and important guests before finalizing.
- Start planning the guest list.
- Look for and book ceremony and reception sites.
- Ask friends and relatives to be in the wedding party.
- Optional: Have an engagement party. You may want to register beforehand for gifts.
Photo credit: Kim Kinsella Lifestyle Portraits
8-10 Months Before:
- Bride: Think about, shop for, and order your wedding gown.
- Envision South Florida wedding reception food and catering.
- Decide what type of entertainment you want. A pianist for the cocktail hour, strolling violinists, a DJ, or band?
- Think about your floral decor.
- Research and book your South Florida wedding professionals. Interview vendors: photographer, videographer, reception band or DJ, florist.
- Research a wedding insurance policy to protect your deposits.
- Research and reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests.
- Register for gifts.
- Contact rental companies if you need to rent anything for ceremony/reception, such as chairs, tables, and tent.
6-8 Months Before:
- Book ceremony musicians.
- Order bridesmaid dresses.
- Start planning your honeymoon.
- Send save-the-date cards. This is a particularly good idea if you're marrying during a tourist or holiday season or having a destination wedding.
Photo credit: Monty Bloom Ensembles
4-6 Months Before:
- Attend pre-wedding counseling, if required.
- Shop for and order invitations and wedding rings.
- Shop for formalwear.
- Renew or get passports, if necessary.
- Envision your wedding cake and research, interview, and book a cake designer.
- Order the Cake
3 Months Before:
- Hire a calligrapher, if you want your invitations professionally addressed.
- Attend your bridal shower. (It may be earlier, depending on when hosts decide to have it.)
- Groom: Rent the men's formalwear.
- Hire wedding-day transportation: limousines, classic cars, trolleys. Look into transportation sooner if you're considering renting streetcars or over-the-top travel.
Photo credit: Bill Hansen Catering
2 Months Before:
- Mail your invitations.
- Write your vows, if you chose to write your own.
- Purchase gifts for parents, attendants, and each other.
- Book your hair and make-up stylist and try out big-day hairstyles.
- Book a makeup artist and go for a trial run.
1 Month Before:
- Apply for a marriage license. Check with the local bureau in the town where you will wed.
- Bride: Have a final gown fitting. Bring your maid of honor along to learn how to bustle your dress. Have the dress pressed and bring it home.
- Call all bridesmaids. Make sure they have their gowns ready for the wedding.
- Make last-minute adjustments with South Florida wedding vendors.
Photo credit: Kim Kinsella Lifestyle Portraits
21 Days Before:
- Review final RSVP list and call any guests who have not yet sent a response.
- Deliver must-have shot lists to photographer and videographer. Include who should be in formal portraits and determine when portraits will be taken.
- Deliver final song list to your DJ or bandleader. Include special song requests and songs you don't want played.
- Bride: Get your last pre-wedding haircut and color.
14 Days Before:
- Give reception site/caterer the final guest head count. Include vendors, such as the photographer or band members, who will expect a meal. Ask how many extra plates the caterer will prepare.
- Supply the location manager with a list of vendor requests such as a table for DJ or setup space needed by the florist.
- Plan your reception seating chart.
- Print place and table cards, or finalize list with the calligrapher you have hired to do so.
- Call all wedding vendors and confirm arrangements.
- Give ceremony and reception site managers a schedule of vendor delivery and setup times, plus contact numbers.
Photo credit: Sasha's Bridal Boutique
2-3 Days Before:
- Bride: If you need to, have your gown pressed or steamed.
- Groom: Go for final fitting and pick up your formalwear.
- Groom: Ask the best man to make sure all groomsmen attend fittings and pick up their outfits.
- Determine wedding-party positions during the ceremony and the order of the party in the processional and recessional.
- Hand off place cards, table cards, menus, disposable cameras, favors, and any other items for setting the tables to the caterer and/or reception site manager.
- Reconfirm final details with all vendors. Discuss any necessary last-minute substitutions.
- Call the limousine or car rental company for pickup times and locations.
- Deliver welcome baskets to the hotel concierge for your guests; make sure to include names and delivery instructions.
Day Before:
- Provide all wedding professionals with an emergency phone number to call on the day of the wedding.
- Write checks and/or talk to wedding hosts (usually your parents, if not you) about any final balances to be paid at the end of the reception.
Photo credit: Josie Miller Makeup and Hair
Day Of:
- Present parents and each other with gifts.
- Give wedding bands to the best man and the maid of honor to hold during the ceremony.
- Give the best man the officiant's fee envelope, to be handed off after the ceremony.
- ENJOY YOUR DAY!!!