Planning Tools
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Relish Photography planning tools The key to planning a wedding is ORGANIZATION. To help you start and finish strong, we’ve created a countdown checklist to keep you on track! Everything is covered, from buying your dress to securing your marriage license, all in one place. This list is essential, so take as many notes on it as you like. That’s why we made it! We also have downloadable versions of these helpful tools on our website, www.richmondweddings.com! RICHMONDWEDDINGS.COM 229 The budget can be a stressful part of wedding planning. budget Let this worksheet help you navigate this difficult task. ITEM BUDGET ACTUAL NOTES Wedding Coordinator Wedding Rings Wedding Attire Gown Headpiece Veil Accessories Alterations Reception Site Rental Caterer/Food Beverages Decorations Gratuities Entertainment Ceremony Music Band/DJ Photography Engagement Bridal Portrait Wedding Day Album Extra Prints Videography Mother’s Apparel Stationery Invitations Reply Cards Thank You Notes Postage SUB TOTAL 1 RECEPTION SITE When choosing a venue, be CATERER/FOOD/BEVERAGE Before you sign DJ VS. BAND When making this decision, know clear on what they include in the rental fee such the contract, be sure to look at the food and the rules of the venue and the space available. as chairs, tables, linens, etc. This can make beverage minimum for each venue. This will save A 5-piece band is going to need more space than one venue a more budget friendly option over you the headache of trying to use that money a DJ! another. Plan on about 50% of your total budget on unnecessary items. If you are looking to stay going toward the reception because this part of within a certain budget, limiting the bar to beer the day will include your venue rental fee, food, and wine can help. Add a little bit of personality to beverage, rentals, etc. your cocktail hour with a signature beverage! 230 RICHMOND WEDDINGS MAGAZINE budget MARRIAGE LICENSE Make sure you don’t get it too early! The marriage must be performed within sixty (60) days after the license is issued. Nicole Vance Photography ITEM BUDGET ACTUAL NOTES Formalwear Groom’s Tuxedo Father’s Tuxedo Flowers Ceremony Site Bridal Bouquet Attendants Parents Grandparents Reception Site Officiant Marriage License Accommodations Wedding Night Other Attendants Gifts/Gift Boxes Transportation Rentals Ceremony Site Reception Site Miscellaneous Item 1 Item 2 Item 3 Item 4 SUB TOTAL 2 GRAND TOTAL FLOWERS Some ceremony sites speak for GRATUITIES For your caterer or food service, ACCOMMODATIONS If you are having your themselves and don’t need an abundance of gratuity is always added into your bottom line, reception in a space that has guest rooms flowers. You can then focus your floral budget on but you do have other wonderful vendors on the available, see if there is a discount if your whole the reception space and really WOW your guests. day of that you can treat. Keep this in mind when party books together. thinking about your budget. Be sure to arrange envelopes with each vendor’s name on it so your planner can easily handle it on the wedding day. RICHMONDWEDDINGS.COM 231 wedding countdown checklist 12-18 Months 6-9 Months Determine the style of wedding you want – formal, Hire a hair and makeup artist or team semi-formal or casual Reserve hotel room blocks for guests Decide how many guests you will be inviting before getting Set up cake tastings your heart set on a venue Determine order of ceremony events & choose Start scheduling visits to wedding venues wording for programs Interview & choose a wedding coordinator Send out your Save the Date cards Figure out your budget & discuss who will be helping with which expenses 4-6 Months Choose & book a ceremony venue if separate from your Consult with a professional lighting company reception location Select ceremony musicians Choose your wedding party Meet with your DJ about music for your wedding 10-12 Months dinner & reception Consult your travel agent about Nail down your reception venue honeymoon plans *As soon as the venue is booked, get wedding insurance. If Schedule fittings for men’s formalwear the venue was to burn down or be inaccessible, the couple would be covered. Talk with a stationer about invitations, programs & other Set up tastings with caterers paper goods Start working with your coordinator on the wedding day Pick & reserve your perfect honeymoon destination timeline Shop for your wedding bands Schedule appointments with bridal salons Set up your wedding registry at your favorite stores or set Choose wedding party attire up an online honeymoon fund Interview & choose a photographer Reserve wedding day transportation Find the perfect florist Carefully choose & reserve rental items Schedule your engagement photo session Visit the Planning Tools page on RichmondWeddings.com Peruse the portfolios of videographers & find the right to find our free downloadable Rental Return Checklist! person to document your day on video Finalize floral design Find an officiant & meet with him or her to talk about Order your wedding cake & if you’re a traditional Southern ceremony details bride, order the groom’s cake Talk with your officiant about pre-marital coaching Send local activity information to guests Make sure your visas & passports are up to date Make sure you have all of your travel immunizations Nail down your caterer Keep up with your gown fittings Interview DJs to find the right entertainer Consider dance lessons Set up an outing for your groom If you are planning on coloring your hair, schedule the appointment now. This will give you time to color correct if you don't like it 232 RICHMOND WEDDINGS MAGAZINE 2-4 Months 2-4 Weeks Send a wedding announcement to your Make it official – secure marriage license local newspaper with a photo Confirm wedding rehearsal time and address with Arrange professional addressing of invitations participating parties Hand select gifts for bridal party and each other Confirm transportation and arrival times Schedule hair & makeup trial Confirm hotel room blocks Make sure your bridesmaids have chosen Arrange to professionally clean & preserve your gown the right shoes after the wedding Schedule final gown and men’s formalwear fittings Write or choose your wedding vows Make rehearsal dinner reservations Finalize your wedding day timeline with your planner & be sure a copy goes to all participating vendors Consider planning a welcome party if you are having a lot of out of town guests Schedule your bridal portrait session 1-2 Weeks Order favors or forgo favors & make a charitable donation Pick up wedding bands. Be sure to check sizes on your guests’ behalf & engravings Provide planner with welcome baskets for Get your engagement ring cleaned so that it sparkles out-of-town guests on your wedding day Think about adding late night snacks to your menu Have final consultations with vendors Mail formal out formal invitations Send final guest count to caterer & venues Remind the boys to pick up their formalwear & shoes 1-2 Months Stock your bridal emergency kit Make sure all written contracts with vendors are in place Write vows/speeches Go to your final gown fitting & be sure that your mom or Get excited! Your big day is almost here! Maid Of Honor learns to bustle your dress Plan bridesmaid outing Confirm honeymoon reservations & be sure that your luggage meets current travel regulations. Record gifts as your receive them and write thank you notes Invite wedding party & out-of-town guests to rehearsal dinner Review your reception seating chart RICHMONDWEDDINGS.COM 233 calendar 2020 2021 Jan 1 New Year's Day Jun 21 Father's Day Jan 1 New Year's Day Jun 20 Father's Day Jan 20 Martin Luther King Day Jul 4 Independence Day Jan 18 Martin Luther King Day Jul 5 Independence Day (observed) Feb 14 Valentine's Day Sep 7 Labor Day Feb 14 Valentine's Day Sep 6 Labor Day Feb 17 Presidents Day Oct 12 Columbus Day Feb 15 Presidents Day Oct 11 Columbus Day Mar 8 Daylight Saving (Start) Oct 31 Halloween Mar 14 Daylight Saving (Start) Oct 31 Halloween Mar 17 St. Patrick's Day Nov 1 Daylight Saving (End) Mar 17 St. Patrick's Day Nov 7 Daylight Saving (End) Apr 10 Good Friday Nov 11 Veterans' Day Apr 2 Good Friday Nov 11 Veterans' Day Apr 12 Easter Sunday Nov 26 Thanksgiving Apr 4 Easter Sunday Nov 25 Thanksgiving May 10 Mother's Day Dec 25 Christmas Day May 9 Mother's Day Dec 25 Christmas Day May 25 Memorial Day Dec 31 New Year's Eve May 31 Memorial Day Dec 31 New Year's Eve 2020 2021 228 RICHMOND WEDDINGS MAGAZINE vendor directory AIRBRUSH SPRAY TAN DND Beauty LLC Incredible Edibles Bakery Bar Solita dndbeautyllc.com 718 North Cleveland Street 123 West Broad Street Island Glow Sunless Studio, Ad page 205 Richmond, VA 23221 Richmond, VA 23220 Salon and Beauty Bar (804) 729-7555 (804) 308-3605 (804) 615-1348 Island Glow Sunless Studio, Ad page 215 Ad page 88 Ad page 204 Salon and Beauty Bar (804) 615-1348 Melissa’s Simply Sweet Butler’s Unique Catering Ad page 204 (804) 869-7464 (804) 519-9278 ALTERATIONS Ad page 215 Ad page 100 Lulubea Beauty Inspired by the Dress (804) 335-8729 Sugar Fix Bakery Capt Rob’s Pigalicious BBQ (804) 513-9165 Ad page 204 105-B England Street (804) 399-3587 Ad page 133 Ashland, VA 23005 Ad page 103 Mary Kay Cosmetics (804) 368-7718 Tiffanys Bridal Kelly Shannon Ad page 215 Cater 2 Events Ridge Shopping Center (804) 402-8672 8534 Patterson Avenue 1517-D North Parham Road Ad page 204 Westhampton Pastry Shop, Inc.