The Checklist from SAYING “YES” Planning a Wedding During a Pandemic to SAYING “I DO”
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F1 The Checklist FROM SAYING “YES” Planning a Wedding During a Pandemic TO SAYING “I DO” Vendors Have your+ Back F2 Times Leader Wedding Style GUIDE March 2021 | 2 The Checklist FROM SAYING “YES” TO SAYING “I DO” This wedding planning checklist covers a 12-month span, but you can adjust the schedule to your own timeline, whether you’re planning two years or one month in advance. Simply start at the top of the list below and browse through each group of tasks before tackling them one by one. • Research and choose one or more bridal gift registries 12 Months Before • Order your wedding gown and buy undergarments that you will wear with it • Announce your engagement to family and friends and plan an engagement party (bring these to all fittings) • Place an engagement announcement in your local newspaper • Order other bridal accessories – shoes, gloves and veil • Sign up for a wedding website • Begin shopping for bridesmaids dresses • Work on the budget • Find an officiant who will perform your ceremony • Consider purchasing wedding planning software to organize everything or hire a • Research local vendors and book ceremony musicians, a wedding band/DJ, wedding planner to help secure contracts, etc. photographer, videographer, caterer and florist • Choose a wedding date – select a few days in case your first choice is booked • Choose a location and reserve your ceremony and reception site(s) • Begin a rough guest list and compile current addresses 4-6 Months Before • Decide on who you’d like to have as your attendants, including your maid of • Select and order your wedding invitations, envelopes and thank-you cards honor and best man • Select and purchase wedding favors and wedding favor accessories – boxes, • Begin shopping for your wedding gown personalized wedding ribbon, labels, etc. • Attend a local bridal show or two and jot down notes about any vendors you • Start researching wedding cake pictures and local bakeries really liked • Book your honeymoon and verify that you have any necessary travel documents • Purchase a wedding planning organizer or calendar to keep track of important including passports and visas dates and appointments (fittings, showers, etc.) • Book a room for your wedding night, if you will be leaving for your honeymoon the next morning • Book hotel rooms or arrange other accommodations for out-of-town guests 6-9 Months Before • Finalize your guest list and send out save-the-date cards if using F3 March 2021 | 3 Wedding Style GUIDE Times Leader • Print out directions to the ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner and hotel(s) for whitened or cleaned before the wedding guests • Reserve transportation for you and your wedding party as well as a bus or trolley for your guests (if necessary) 1-2 Months Before • Mail invitations out to everyone eight weeks prior to the wedding date and send accommodation info to your out-of-town guests 2-4 Months Before • Compile and complete name change documents or purchase a bridal name Find out what your state’s requirements are for obtaining a marriage license and change kit online • Fill out a change of address form at the post office, if necessary get blood tests done, if required • Order tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen • Have ceremony programs printed • Purchase a guest book, pen and other wedding accessories including toasting • Meet with your caterer to discuss the menu and your bar/liquor needs • Meet with your officiant to discuss ceremony details, wording and wedding vows glasses, cake knife, ring pillow, etc. • Keep your wedding web site updated with directions and event details • Select wedding readings • Order your wedding cake • Choose your hair and makeup stylists and schedule a trial for both; also book • appointments to have your hair, make-up and nails done on the day of the • Buy thank-you gifts for your attendants, flower girl and ring bearer Shop for a gift for your new spouse-to-be wedding • Review insurance information with your fiancé and check with employers • Select and purchase wedding rings, and have them engraved if desired • Coordinate and choose a location for the rehearsal dinner to see what documents need to be updated once you are legally wed (car, home, • medical, etc.) • Contact party rental companies for tents, tables, arches, etc. if necessary Book any other specialty series – ice sculptures, photo booths, etc. • • Purchase luggage and other travel necessities and artier for your honeymoon • Order/renew passports if necessary, leaving ample time for them to be sent back to you 2 Weeks to 1 Month Before • Schedule an appointment with your dentist if you’d like to have your teeth • Create a seating chart for the reception and make table numbers and place cards Valid on any 2021 Wedding. Laugh, Love, Sparkle 259 Wyoming Ave. Wyoming 570-693-5910 Hours: Tues-Fri 9am-5:30pm Sat 10am-3pm 80980166 80980990 F4 Times Leader Wedding Style GUIDE March 2021 | 4 (or have your calligrapher work on these) • Confirm limo or other transportation reservations • Contact your caterer with a final guest count • Pack for your honeymoon and confirm travel arrangements • print out a timeline of events for your wedding party and vendors – include • Have your post office hold your mail, if necessary, while you’re on your contact information and cell phone numbers honeymoon • Meet with your photographer to finalize your wedding photo list of any must- • Treat yourself to a spa day – you deserve it! have photos • Contact your florist to confirm your final flower order (bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, etc.) and go over any decor details or venue logistics for the big day • Finalize your ceremony and reception music and song lists for your wedding The Day Before band or DJ • Welcome out-of-town guests as they arrive • Confirm lodging reservations for out-of-town guests • Take a yoga class or go for a walk during the day • Place a wedding announcement in your local newspaper • Schedule a hair appointment for prior to the rehearsal dinner • Plan a bridal luncheon or dinner with your bridesmaids • Attend the rehearsal and enjoy the rehearsal dinner! • Pick up wedding bands and make sure the fit is good • Schedule a final wedding dress fitting • Apply for your marriage license The Wedding Day Write rehearsal dinner toasts • • Wake up early and do some easy exercise, or just go for a peaceful walk outdoors and try to soak up the beauty of the day • Set aside some time before the festivities to share fits with your bridesmaids or 1 Week Before close family members • Write out final checks to your wedding vendors (each organized in an envelope) • Eat a healthy breakfast – you’ll need your energy for the big day ahead! and let your wedding coordinator or one of your attendants distribute at the • Enjoy it; it’s finally here and everything will be wonderful… Congratulations! wedding • Pick up your wedding gown • Pick up your marriage license 80980222 80981594 F5 March 2021 | 5 Wedding Style GUIDE Times Leader Planning a wedding during a pandemic Don’t want to wait to tie the knot? How to have a beautiful and safe wedding during COVID-19 By Carley Lintz Should we postpone? CTW Features Unfortunately, to hold a wedding with all the bells and whistles, couples When planning a wedding, it’s smart to prepare for various worst-case will most likely have to postpone until at least next fall. But, you wouldn’t scenarios, like bad weather or a ripped dress. Until this year, though, most be alone in putting off the big day. Over half of respondents (66%) to the couples didn’t have to consider a pandemic in their contingency plans. Brides American Wedding Study said they chose to defer their 2020 nup- Despite how many things have been canceled this year thanks to COV- tials. ID-19, love has not. In fact, according to the 2020 Brides American Wed- Before deciding to wait, though, be sure to take a close look at any ven- ding Study, 82% of respondents said that living through the pandemic has dor contracts for fees related to date changes or cancellations. made them want to get married more. In general, you will lose far less money by postponing instead of cancel- So, with the end of the pandemic still uncertain, here are answers to ing. When you defer, it isn’t a flat loss for the business, so they view this some of the most common questions related to the coronavirus and wed- more generously. Know that you may lose a few thousand, either way. “If dings from industry professionals. you stand to lose more than 10k on a postponement, it may be better for F6 Times Leader Wedding Style GUIDE March 2021 | 6 you to downsize, according to local guidelines, and continue on with your date,” says Eva Clark, owner of Eva Clark Events, a destination wedding planning company. What planning can we do virtually? Luckily, if you don’t want to wait, there are plenty of steps you can take to move ahead with your wedding plans safely. “This virus does not appear to be going anywhere, but with patience and proper planning, you can still plan the wedding of your dreams! Design meetings, quotes and even many of the venue walk-throughs can be done virtually with a variety of software options,” explains CeCe Todd, owner and principal designer at CeCe Designs and Events, an event and floral design company in Alabama. How can we have a safe wedding? The first consideration is the venue. While regulations related to CO- VID-19 vary from place to place, it’s best to choose a venue that adheres to the recommendations set out by the CDC.