An essential wedding to do list to get your 2021 wedding planning mojo moving.
New Year. New ambitions. New resolutions. New adventures. New beginnings. New things to plan - like your wedding day! Planning your wedding requires some organisation and we are here to help.
Before we get into the bits and bobs of wedding planning, it’s worth noting that no two wedding days are the same. Couples have different budgets, style choices, interests, beliefs, traditions – and some have been dreaming about and planning their perfect wedding since they could walk. This essential wedding planning checklist is therefore a guide rather than a rule. Above all, make your wedding day your own. Keep it stress free and enjoy it!
An example if you please… If you’re aiming for a boho wedding in the Leicestershire countryside under a tipi festooned with fairy lights at Bridge House Barn, your wedding planning checklist might look a little different to your best friend’s who has dreamt of a black-tie wedding at The City Rooms, with photos amongst the famous, bustling Leicester Market.
First on the Wedding Planning “To Do List”
A fiancé / fiancée (quite important)
Wedding venue(s)
Date
Who will marry you? We mean vicar, registrar, purohit, celebrant etc...
Although only four bullet points, they will influence many different elements – the backdrop for your wedding style, guest accommodation / travel options, catering choices, possible weather (summer / winter), time available and guest numbers.
TOP TIP: If you want to guarantee the availability of your favourite suppliers, include them in the wedding date decision before confirming with the venue.
One venue or two? Generally speaking, a religious or registry office ceremony would take place at one venue (e.g. a church), with the wedding reception hosted at another venue. Alternatively, vast amounts of wedding venues hold marriage licenses to conduct the ceremony on site, removing the need to travel between venues – saving time, confusion and potentially money.
Next on the Wedding Planning Essential Checklist
Stop! We don’t actually mean essentials here. Everything is optional depending on your vision for your wedding day. Take it with a pinch of salt! You might not even need a wedding dress if there is no bride (#loveislove)! But, the list below might just get your wedding planning juices flowing or remind you of something you’ve missed.
Wedding venue(s) essential checklist:
Wedding breakfast (the daytime meal)
Menu options
Menu tasting – Not to be missed...
Min / max numbers
Drinks for the tables
Toasting drinks
Guest seating plan - Always fun!
Evening food
As above, but thankfully without the seating plan
Confirm max guest numbers
Ceremony décor
Wedding breakfast table décor
Evening music – DJ, band or playlist?
Reserve accommodation (if any)
Payment plan
Date for confirming final guest numbers
Date for confirming catering choices
Timetable for the day
Memories essential checklist:
Wedding photographer (we know two nice chaps…)
Guest book
Brides and grooms essential wedding checklist:
Wedding ring(s) or alternative
Wedding dress
Bridal shoes
Bridal accessories
Make up – either DIY or with a makeup artist (MUA)
Bridal hair – again, DIY or with a hairdresser
Groom’s suit and attire
Groom’s shoes
Bridal bouquet
Button holes (the mini bouquets on the lad’s chests)
Speech notes
Write / choose vows
Choose hymns and/or readings
Wedding guest essential checklist:
Select your bridal party
Bridesmaids
Groomsmen
Best man / woman
Maid / Man of Honour
Decide who is doing speeches - Remember to tell them!
Send save the dates
Send invitations
Ask for food allergies
Dress code
Idea: Online invitations
Directions between venues (if needed)
Wedding favours for daytime guests
Other essentials:
CAKE!!
Select and agree on a first dance song.
TOP TIP: The florist creating your bridal bouquet could also be involved with the wedding breakfast table décor, venue décor, buttonholes and flower girl headbands. Be prepared for your first florist meeting! Florists are notoriously nice, but it’s worth knowing what you want.
Finally: Don’t Panic
Yes, there are a lot of bullet points noted above, but that doesn’t mean that wedding planning needs to be stressful. Give yourself time. Do some planning. Write a checklist. Get some help from family and friends to spread the work. And remember, it’ll be a fantastic day!
Alternatively, enlist the help of a professional wedding planner like that black & white cat, Willow and Rust or Wonderful Events to guide you through the process. Wedding planners are ace – but make sure they are your cup of tea before starting the planning – you’ll need to get on and be aiming for the same end goals!
Wishing you all the very best with your plans.
If you have any queries or are interested in our photography work, please feel free to contact us.