Wedding Vendor Checklist, Timeline and Steps to Planning a Wedding

Wedding planning can seem overwhelming at first, especially if you don't have a strategy. If you're feeling stressed, take a deep breath and remember what your wedding is all about — the love you share with your soon-to-be spouse. Also, remember there are no rules when it comes to creating your special day. It's most important to plan a wedding that suits you and your fiancé.

After you take a breather, it's time to get organized and understand your timeline. By getting organized, you can plan your dream wedding and keep stress in check at the same time. This chapter will cover the wedding planning basics, including a step-by-step guide to help you get started. We'll also explore how to choose a vendor and avoid common vendor mistakes.

If you find yourself struggling to plan your wedding, there's no need to do it alone. With Weddings at Baywood, you'll find exceptional event management to coordinate every detail.

Wedding Planning Timeline:

First Steps to Planning a Wedding

The first step to planning a wedding is not planning anything at all and enjoying a few weeks of being engaged. Cherish this joyous period in your life with your fiancé before moving on to planning.

When you feel ready to dive into the planning stage, treat yourself to a planner or start a blog to help you stay organized and memorialize your journey. The first steps you'll take include:

Create an approximate budget.
Choose the potential dates.
Start a guest list.
Ask family members who they would like to invite, but don't make any promises.
Decide who will be in your wedding party.
Choose your wedding style and theme.
Research vendors and attire.

Wedding Vendor Checklist: List of Needed Vendors

What wedding vendors do I need? You may be surprised to discover the array of vendors you can hire for a wedding. While a lot depends on your budget and priorities, here is a list of wedding vendors to consider:

Wedding planner
Caterer
Florist
Photographer
Hair and makeup artists
Nail technicians
Cake baker
Attire professionals
Musicians
DJ
Videographer
Stationer
Calligrapher
Officiant
Equipment rental company
Jeweler
Transportation company
Lighting designer

You'll also need to select a venue for your wedding, which we'll help you do in Chapter 5.

How to Plan a Wedding Step by Step

When you're ready to begin, we've covered every step you can take to plan your perfect wedding in this comprehensive wedding itinerary. We help you organize and navigate it all in this free, step-by-step wedding timeline. However, you can take or leave any step that doesn't suit your wedding vision.

Do you need help planning your special day? Contact our friendly team at Baywood Weddings for seamless, exceptional event management to coordinate your wedding ceremony.

13+ Months Before the Wedding

Step 1. Research Wedding Themes

Your wedding theme will set the tone for your wedding day. The theme also helps you make design decisions, from your wedding bouquet colors to what the save-the-dates will look like.

Whatever themes you consider — whether classic, vintage, country, rustic, romantic or a combination — make sure they reflect you and your fiance's personalities and style preferences.

Step 2. Establish Your Priorities

Figure out what's most important to you as a couple. This may take some compromising. It's helpful for both of you to list your top three priorities and then compare your lists. After you both agree on wedding must-haves, plan to save your budget for these aspects.

Step 3. Start a Vision Board

Once you know your wedding must-haves and priorities, create a vision board for inspiration. Your vision board will keep you on track and act as your north star when making design decisions for your big day.

You can create a vision board in your home using a corkboard and magazine clippings or start a virtual vision board on sites like Pinterest. To get started, pull inspiration from anywhere imaginable, including:

· Pinterest

· Magazines

· Postcards

· Colors

· Fabrics

· Textures

· Nature

· Architecture

· And more!

Step 4. Look at Your Financial Situation

The next thing you'll want to do is take stock of your financial situation. Will you and your fiance pay for the wedding? Or will other family members contribute a lump sum? Be sure to factor others' contributions into your financial situation to determine what you can realistically and comfortably spend when planning your wedding.

Step 5. Decide on a Budget

As we mentioned in Chapter 1, figuring out your budget is the first step in the wedding planning process. Your budget will show you what you can and cannot afford and enable you to make decisions. So, grab a pen and paper, sit down with your other half and examine your savings.

Step 6. Interview Wedding Planners

If you have room in your budget, you might consider hiring a wedding planner. A wedding planner will help you enjoy a much less stressful planning process. They'll coordinate all of the details, help you stick to your budget and timeline and bring your wedding vision to life.

Step 7. Plan Your Engagement Party

Plan your engagement party or have a loved one plan and host the party. Create a guest list, pick a theme and choose a venue or activity to commemorate singlehood. Be sure to send your engagement party invitations a month or two in advance — especially if you have a larger guest list.

Step 8. Announce Your Engagement

It's time to announce the exciting news. After you've taken the time to enjoy the moment with your partner, share your engagement with your loved ones first, including your immediate family and closest friends. Then, feel free to announce the engagement in whatever way works best for you as a couple, like on social media.

Step 9. Decide on a Season

Next, choose a wedding season. Take into account your wedding location's climate first. Then, brainstorm whether there are holidays, dates or times of year that are important to you and your fiance.

You can also start with your wedding theme and determine whether it would suit a particular season best. For example, a garden or vineyard wedding should take place in spring or summer for those dreamy, floral photo-ops you're envisioning.

Step 10. Choose the Type of Venue

It's ideal to choose a venue 12 to 14 months in advance since wedding venues can book up fast. Start by searching for venues online and reading reviews. After you have a list of venues you're interested in, make appointments to tour each site.

Step 11. Look at Wedding Attire Examples

Once you've decided on a wedding theme and season, create a dress code for your wedding guests. Wedding attire can be white tie, black tie, black-tie optional, semiformal, casual or custom to your culture or preferences. Be sure to include your wedding attire requirements on your wedding invitations.

Step 12. Decide the Type of Honeymoon You Want

If you plan to take a honeymoon immediately after your wedding, you'll want to start making travel plans as soon as possible. If you plan to travel within the country, it should be all right to plan your honeymoon about six months in advance. However, if you and your fiancé dream of visiting a faraway destination, it's best to start planning your honeymoon shortly after you get engaged or about a year before your travel date.

Step 13. Set a Honeymoon Budget

About a year before your honeymoon, make sure to create a honeymoon budget. Remember to set aside extra income for your honeymoon budget in the months leading up to your wedding.

Step 14. Take Engagement Photos

After you hire a photographer, it's time to take engagement photos. Couples often use their engagement photos for their wedding website, save-the-dates or newspaper announcement. If you've already hired a hair and makeup artist, you might use your engagement photo session as an opportunity to test your wedding day style.

12 Months Before the Wedding

Step 15. Set the Date

Once you pick a wedding venue, you'll know when you can set your wedding date. If your dream venue isn't available on the exact date you want, you may have to be a little flexible and choose a different date.

Step 16. Decide on a Theme and Wedding Colors

Now that you've researched wedding themes and created a vision board, select your theme and wedding colors. Anything can inspire your choice of wedding colors, from the theme or your wedding season to the bride or groom's favorite colors.

Step 17. Have an Engagement Party

Engagement parties typically happen a few months after the initial proposal. Host your engagement party about a year in advance of your wedding or whenever works best for you and your guest list.

Step 18. Estimate Your Final Guest Count

Making a guest list can be tricky, especially if others contribute to your wedding's cost. If both sets of parents are paying for the wedding, here's what you can do:

· You and your fiancé choose half of the guests.

· Your fiancé's parents choose a quarter of the guests.

· Your parents choose a quarter of the guests.

If you and your fiancé will pay for the entire wedding yourselves, don't feel bad politely declining guests you don't want to invite. Remember, each guest adds to your wedding's cost, so you may have to create a few rules and stick to them to stay within your budget.

Step 19. Order Save-the-Date Samples

Save-the-dates precede your wedding invitations and remind your guests to reserve your wedding date on their calendars. Before you place a bulk order on your favorite save-the-date cards, order a sample well in advance. Doing so allows you to preview the card's colors and print materials and affirm there are no typos or other errors.

Step 20. Decide on a Best Man and Maid of Honor

Next, the bride and groom must choose their best man and maid of honor. Select a responsible, loving person that will support you and your fiance throughout an emotional, busy day. And remember — you can have more than one best man and maid of honor.

Step 21. Choose Your Wedding Party

After you've selected the best man and maid of honor, it's time to select the rest of your wedding party. Consider your siblings and closest friends first. Factor in reliability, positivity and personality when selecting your crew.

Step 22. Do a Site Tour of Your Favorite Venues

About a year before your wedding, tour the venues you're considering to get a feel for the event spaces. Ask about availability during your wedding season and be mindful of your budget. Consider whether the venue includes furniture rentals and other amenities, like catering, that might help you save money.

Step 23. Book Hotel Rooms for Guests

A hotel room block is a reservation of rooms in the same hotel. It gives guests a place to spend the night after your wedding, which is perfect for out-of-towners. It also allows guests to keep the party going once the reception has ended. If you decide to book hotel rooms for guests, it's important to do it early to get the hotel you want at the best rate.

Step 24. Start Looking at Dresses Online

Start dreaming up your perfect bridal gown. Search Pinterest and save images of dress styles and colors that complement your wedding theme or preferences. Establish a budget and check out local bridal shops to see if they offer what you want in a wedding gown.

Step 25. Research Honeymoon Locations

Once you've considered a few honeymoon destinations, determine what aligns with your budget. Take into account your honeymoon duration, your accommodations and any food or other expenses that might pop up.

11 Months before the Wedding

Step 26. Create a Wedding Website

You can use your wedding website to share your registry, keep guests updated, answer questions and make it extremely easy for invitees to RSVP. According to the 2019 WeddingWire Guest Study, 53% of guests claim it's most convenient to RSVP online. You'll find plenty of free, easy-to-use wedding website builders online, so it shouldn't take too much time to have your site up and running.

Step 27. Finalize Your Guest List

Draft your rough guest list about a year before your wedding. Finalize your guest list whenever you feel ready, taking into account couples that might have separated or friends you've grown apart from in the last year.

Step 28. Book the Venue

Once you've selected a venue and confirmed its availability for your wedding date, book your venue as soon as possible. Venues fill up quickly — especially if you're planning a spring or summer wedding.

Step 29. Book the Photographer

Book your wedding photographer at least 11 months before your wedding. Try to select a photographer that specializes in your wedding theme and style, using your engagement photo session as a trial.

Step 30. Visit With Caterers

Start meeting with caterers about 11 months before your wedding to start brainstorming wedding meals. Be sure to ask about what's included in the catering package and whether they provide rentals, including the tablecloths, plates, silverware and glassware.

Step 31. Go Dress Shopping

You'll want to research dresses early in the planning process so you can figure out what look you want. If you need some guidance, let magazines, wedding blogs and your personal style inspire you. Once you know what type of dress you want, head to the stores and aim to buy your gown around eight months before your wedding.

10 Months before the Wedding

Step 32. Look Into Flowers You Like

Consult with a florist to tour different flower styles that are within your wedding budget for your venue and bridal party. Consider flowers that complement your wedding colors, theme, season or venue.

Step 33. Book the Bar and Bartender

Decide what kind of drinks you'd like to provide guests. Then check with your venue to see if they have a staff bartender or beverage caterer. If not, ensure the bartender or catering company your hire holds liquor liability insurance.

Step 34. Test the Menu and Book a Caterer

Go over your wedding menu and let your caterer know if you want to make any changes. Keep your guests in mind and think about the season when finalizing your choices.

Step 35. Book the Hotel for Your Wedding Night

Book your wedding night hotel room immediately after you've booked your wedding venue to get the best room and deal. Be sure to mention you are booking the hotel room for your wedding night to the concierge.

9 Months Before the Wedding

Step 36. Create a Gift Registry

Registering for gifts early in your engagement gives guests plenty of time to prepare for pre-wedding celebrations. Plan to register at a couple of your favorite stores or online marketplaces to make it easier for guests to shop and give the gifts you want.

Step 37. Send Save-the-Dates

Save-the-date cards officially announce the date and location of your wedding to those you plan to invite. Be sure to include your wedding website on your save-the-dates, and send them about six months before your wedding.

Step 38. Order Sample Invitations

Aim to order invitations about nine months before your wedding so they're ready to send in time. Use your wedding style and color scheme to inspire your selection.

Step 39. Taste Cakes

Once you find a baker, meet with them for a tasting before you book them for your wedding. Try to have an idea of the flavors and style you want first, so you can let the bakery know what you'd like to try.

Step 40. Choose a Dress

Choose your wedding dress at least nine months before your wedding. You want to ensure you'll have plenty of additional time for fittings, alterations and adjustments. You will also have time to find matching shoes and accessories.

Step 41. Check and Renew Your Passport if Needed

If you're heading out of the country for your honeymoon, check the expiration date on your passport. If necessary, apply to renew your passport no less than nine months before your wedding to allow plenty of processing time.

8 Months Before the Wedding

Step 42. Create a “Cash” Fund

Create a gift registry and/or cash fund about eight months before your wedding. With a registry and cash fund, guests can select the gifts they want to purchase or choose to donate money toward your honeymoon, first home or another significant expense.

Step 43. Book a Rehearsal Dinner Location

If you decide to have your rehearsal dinner at your reception venue, favorite restaurant or other public location, make a reservation as soon as possible, or at least three months in advance. Plan to have the rehearsal dinner a day or two before your wedding.

Step 44. Book the Florists

Once you've decided on a floral style, book the florist at least six to eight months before your wedding. If possible, choose a florist that specializes in wedding floral arrangements.

Step 45. Book a Cake Maker

Book your cake maker at least six to eight months before your wedding. Before booking a cake baker, ask about any additional rental or delivery fees you should know about and when the final payment is due.

Step 46. Buy Shoes for the Wedding Attire

Pick your shoes, undergarments and accessories before your first dress fitting. This will allow you to see how everything looks with your dress.

7 Months Before the Wedding

Step 47. Book DJs or Bands for the Reception

Book any DJs or bands you plan to hire for your ceremony or reception at least seven months in advance of the big day. Prepare a song list to give your DJ beforehand.

Step 48. Hire a Videographer

Book a wedding videographer at least seven months before the wedding. Pick a videographer that can capture the vision you have for your wedding video, whether you prefer a classic, romantic, edgy or documentary-style wedding video.

Step 49. Look at Examples of Hair and Makeup

Browse Pinterest and wedding magazines for hair and makeup styles you love — for yourself and your bridal party. Consider your wedding colors, bridal gown and bridesmaid dress styles when browsing hairdos and makeup colors.

6 Months Before the Wedding

Step 50. Buy Wedding Insurance

Consider whether you want to invest in wedding insurance. Wedding liability insurance covers any injuries that might occur during your wedding ceremony or reception. Wedding cancellation insurance reimburses wedding expenses if you need to cancel your wedding.

Step 51. Decide on a Wedding Shower Location

Choose a bridal shower venue or restaurant six months before your wedding. Look for venues that are all-inclusive to save money and have a great time with your bridal party, friends and family.

Step 52. Go Shopping With the Wedding Party and Choose Attire

Help your bridesmaids choose dresses that match your wedding style at least six months before your special day. This allows time for friends to find a dress and get alterations.

Step 53. Hire Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Musicians

You can feature live music during your ceremony, cocktail hour, reception or special moments — like the first dance — or all of the above. Hire ceremony and cocktail hour musicians six months before your wedding.

Step 54. Order Furniture Rentals

If your venue or catering company does not provide furniture, order your furniture rentals six months before your wedding day. Remember to take stock of what you need before shopping and rent your furniture from a reliable rental company.

Step 55. Choose a Tuxedo

Rent or order tuxes for the groom and groomsmen about four months in advance. Renting a tux can be a more practical option if the groom only plans to wear it once. However, buying a tux means he can get a tailored fit.

Step 56. Buy Wedding Rings

When it's around six months before your wedding, it's time to shop for wedding bands. Traditionally, the bride and groom exchange wedding bands during the ceremony. It's up to you whether you want to stick to a traditional metal band or add a little more flair to your finger.

5 Months Before the Wedding

Step 57. Create a Transportation Plan and Book Buses or Shuttles

Around five months before your wedding, it's time to figure out transportation logistics. Consider how your guests will get to your wedding ceremony and reception and how they'll safely get home or to a hotel. Typically, the wedding party and immediate family members get to ride in a special set of wheels, but it's up to you if you want to provide transportation for all of your guests.

Step 58. Choose Wedding Favors and Gifts

Choose your wedding favors and gifts about five months before your wedding. Be sure to order samples of your wedding favors before buying them in bulk. Ordering a sample lets you confirm the gifts are good quality.

Step 59. Book Your Officiant

Your officiant must be ordained to perform the marriage ceremony, and they should be someone you feel comfortable with. To find an officiant, you might start by asking recently married friends for tips, contact your place of worship or city hall or ask your wedding planner for recommendations. You can also ask a friend or family member to get ordained and be your officiant.

Step 60. Meet With Makeup Artists

Meet with your makeup artist before the big day to do a trial run of your favorite wedding makeup looks. Try to select your final makeup look during the trial run, so you can purchase any touch-up items you might need to have on hand after your makeup artist leaves your wedding venue.

Step 61. Meet With a Hair Stylist

Likewise, meet with your hair stylist prior to your wedding day to experiment with different wedding hairstyles. Try to select a final hairstyle during the trial run so you can test the hairdo before your big day.

Step 62. Book Honeymoon Flights

Once you've selected your honeymoon destination, book your flights at least five months in advance to get the best value on your flights or car rentals.

4 Months Before the Wedding

Step 63. Buy Wedding Favors

When you've confirmed the quality of your wedding favor sample, calculate the number of favors you'll need and place your order. Order your wedding favors at least four months before the big day.

3 Months Before the Wedding

Step 64. Attend a Final Tasting With the Caterer

Have the final tasting with your caterer. If there's anything you like or don't like, let your caterer know so they can make adjustments.

Step 65. Go to Your Dress Fitting

If you ordered your dress a few months ago, it should be ready for you to have your first fitting. Try to have your first fitting about three months before your wedding so you have time to make adjustments and get the perfect fit. You'll likely have two more fittings before your wedding day.

Step 66. Apply for a Marriage License

Call your county clerk's office to make an appointment and apply for your marriage license about a month before your wedding. You'll need to sign the license during or after your ceremony, which will then be returned to the county so they can issue your marriage certificate.

Step 67. Select Readings for the Ceremony

Select readings for your wedding ceremony about three months before your wedding day. Use poems, songs or religious verses to inspire you. Choose readings that suit your personality as a couple and be sure to customize the readings to fit your needs.

Step 68. Have the Wedding Shower

Host your wedding shower about three months before your wedding day. Have the groom make a guest appearance at the end of the wedding shower, surprising the bride with flowers. Then, the couple can thank their guests together.

Step 69. Mail Wedding Invitations

Aim to send out wedding invitations, along with rehearsal dinner invitations, about three months before your wedding. That gives guests plenty of time to plan their schedules and make travel arrangements.

Step 70. Create a Seating Chart

To create a seating chart, try to place guests next to those they know and get along with. Once you decide who will sit where, you can make escort cards and place cards to help guests find their seats or create a seating chart on a chalkboard or other medium to show guests where to go.

Step 71. Buy Gifts for Your Parents

It's customary — but optional — for the bride and groom to give gifts to their parents for their financial or emotional support. If you plan to buy gifts for your parents and future in-laws, order them about three months before your wedding.

Step 72. Buy Gifts for the Kids

If your future spouse has children, it's also customary to buy wedding gifts for them. Buy any wedding gifts at least three months prior to the wedding to allow ample time for shipping.

Step 73. Confirm Meal Selections

About three months before your wedding, meet with your caterer to confirm meal selections and finalize the menu. Be sure to feature at least one alternative meal and dessert menu option for those with allergies or dietary restrictions.

Step 74. Confirm All Vendor Bookings

As you near your wedding date, confirm your bookings with your vendors. Confirm your guest count with them and review their arrival times, the duration of their services, any items ordered and other pertinent information. Provide a wedding day timeline to each vendor.

Step 75. Confirm Venue Booking

Confirm your venue booking about three months before your wedding day. Inform your venue coordinator of the final number of guests you expect to have and review or provide them a copy of your wedding day timeline.

Step 76. Create a List of Your Accessories and Buy Them

Make a list of your wedding accessories about three months before the big day. Tick off each accessory after you order and receive it, storing your items in a safe place until the big day.

Step 77. Confirm Hotel Booking for Honeymoon

Confirm your honeymoon hotel booking three months before your honeymoon date. Verbally confirm the date and time of your booking over the phone with the hotel and ask for a written confirmation email.

2 Months Before the Wedding

Step 78. Follow Up With Guests if Necessary

If you've noticed a few important friends or family members haven't RSVP'd to your wedding on your wedding website by now, it might be because they believe you know that they'll be there. Follow up with any outstanding guests to ensure they'll be present for your big day.

Step 79. Buy a Guest Book

Shop around and purchase a wedding guest book a few months before your wedding. Choose a wedding guest book that reflects your wedding theme or style or order a customized wedding guest book with your and your fiance's names and wedding date.

Step 80. Choose Menu Cards

Design your menu cards about two months before your wedding. You can use a drag-and-drop design program like Canva, order custom menu cards from an Etsy creator or partner with a local design shop. Include the meal options and the main ingredients in each dish.

Step 81. Choose Table Numbers

Next, choose table numbers and make a rough draft of your seating arrangements for your guests. Select seating for your bridal party and family members first, situating them at tables nearest to your wedding party table.

Step 82. Start Planning the Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties

The best man and maid of honor should begin planning your bachelor and bachelorette parties about two months before your wedding. Give your best man and maid of honor a few ideas for places you'd like to go or things you'd like to do to give them a starting point.

Step 83. Create a Honeymoon Packing List

Create a honeymoon packing list a few months before your wedding. Make a list of essentials like IDs, money, passports, and any clothing, toiletries and miscellaneous or destination-specific items you want to purchase and take along.

When the time to pack comes, all you'll need to do is check off each item as you place it in your suitcase.

1 Months Before the Wedding

Step 84. Write Your Vows

Give yourself adequate time, or at least a few weeks, to write your vows. Start by jotting down everything your love about your fiancé, what you look forward to and promises you want to make.

Plan to write a couple of drafts before you have your finished vows, but don't be too hard on yourself. Know that you can't fit everything you'd want to say on one piece of paper, and that's completely understandable.

Step 85. Select Readings for the Ceremony

If you would like friends or family members to give readings during your ceremony, help them make selections. They might read your favorite love poem or passage from a classic book. If you're having a religious ceremony, check with your officiant to see what can be included.

Step 86. Finalize a Song List

Finalize your song list one month before your wedding. Choose a mixture of songs you and your fiance both love and remember to take requests from friends and loved ones to spice things up.

Step 87. Mail the Rehearsal Dinner Invites

Mail your rehearsal dinner invites about a month before the big day. Make sure your friends and loved ones have plenty of time to clear their calendars or make travel arrangements.

Step 88. Send Your Photographer Your Shot List and Agenda

Create a list of different shots you want your photographer to capture on your wedding day. Popular shots include:

· The bride with the bridal party

· The groom with the groomsmen

· The bride with her family

· The groom with his family

· The bride and groom with both families

· The bride and groom with grandparents

Break your shots down into sections, including getting ready, the ceremony, the reception and the send-off. Provide your finalized shot list and wedding agenda to your photographer one month before your wedding.

Step 89. Do a Trial Run of Your Hair and Makeup Looks

Meet with your hair and makeup artists one last time about a month before your big day. Do a trial run of your chosen hair and makeup styles, snapping photos from different directions to confirm how the combination will look in action.

3 Weeks Before the Wedding

Step 90. Set Tip Money Aside for Vendors

Start setting aside tip money for your vendors around three weeks before your wedding day. This will ensure you and your fiance have plenty of time to save additional money as necessary.

2 Weeks Before the Wedding

Step 91. Prepare Your Toasts

The sooner you select the family and friends you want to prepare a toast for your wedding meal, the better. They'll need ample time to prepare a thoughtful, witty speech. The bride and groom's parents, maid of honor, best man and the newlyweds themselves traditionally prepare toasts.

Step 92. Check RSVPs

Check your RSVPs on your wedding website about two weeks before your wedding. Confirm your number of guests and adjust any seating arrangements accordingly.

Step 93. Put Together Your Wedding Favors

About two weeks before your wedding day, organize your wedding favors. Putting them together early saves you the hassle of putting them together the week or day of your wedding.

Step 94. Give Your Song List to the DJ

If you've hired a DJ, send your final song list to them as soon as you finish it. Try to send your song list to them at least two weeks before your wedding day so they can prepare their set.

Step 95. Confirm Wedding Day Appointments for Hair and Makeup

Call your hair and makeup artists a couple of weeks before the wedding to confirm your wedding day appointments. Confirm what time they will arrive and what forms of payment they'll accept if they expect payment the day of.

Step 96. Finish Shopping for the Honeymoon

Aim to finish shopping for your honeymoon essentials a couple of weeks before the big day. This timeline ensures you won't risk items not arriving in the mail on time or overspending on airport items.

Step 97. Pack for the Honeymoon

Give yourself enough time to pack for your honeymoon so you're not stressing out about it before your wedding. Make sure you have everything you need for your getaway, from airline tickets to insect repellent.

1 Week Before the Wedding

Step 98. Enjoy Your Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties

The time has come to enjoy your bachelor and bachelorette parties. Host your bachelor or bachelorette parties at least one week before the wedding — if not sooner — so you and the wedding party have time to recover from any shenanigans and prepare for your wedding week.

Step 99. Finalize the Seating Chart

Most of your guests will have RSVP'd for your wedding at least a couple of weeks before the big day. Double-check your RSVPs on your wedding website one last time. Then, finalize the seating chart accordingly based on your final guest list.

Step 100. Drop Off Decor at the Venue

If possible, deliver your wedding decor items — like furniture, runners, draping, lights and table centerpieces — to your venue a week before the big day. Or, bring them the night before to avoid the hassle of transporting everything the day of.

Step 101. Confirm Payments

Call and confirm your payments with all of your vendors about a week before the wedding to avoid any miscommunications or hiccups. Try to do this at least one week before your wedding day.

The Day Before the Wedding

Step 102. Host Bridesmaid and Groomsmen Luncheons

Bridesmaid and groomsmen luncheons are daytime brunches or lunches that celebrate the bride or groom and their wedding party. They typically take place the day before the wedding, but they're optional.

Step 103. Have the Rehearsal Dinner

Your rehearsal dinner is an opportunity for both sides of the family to meet and rehearse the wedding ceremony. Traditionally, couples host their rehearsal dinners the evening before their wedding.

Step 104. Give the Best Man the Rings

One of the best man's jobs is to hold onto the rings until the ring exchange. Be sure to give your rings to the best man the day before — or the day of — the wedding. Provide a ring box or bag he can slip into his suit pocket to keep the rings safe and on his person.

Step 105. Have the Best Man Decorate the Getaway Car

If you're leaving the ceremony in a car, have the best man or wedding party decorate your getaway car the day of your wedding. Your crew can use stickers, flowers, streamers, cans or window markers to create a memorable design that touches the bride and groom — or makes them laugh!

What Do Wedding Vendors Do?

A wedding vendor is anyone you pay to provide a service or product for your wedding. There are dozens of wedding vendors to choose from, so it's essential to do some research and find vendors to match your vision.

How to Choose Wedding Vendors

The first step to choosing a vendor is to research and see who's available in your wedding location. Read reviews and learn about other couples' experiences. Once you have a list of potential vendors, call each one to set up appointments and meet them in person.

As you consider different vendors, make sure to think about the following:

Your guest list size
Your wedding theme
Your budget
Your venue
Your personality and unique vision
Your priorities

Once you find vendors you like, book right away. Remember – great vendors book up fast. If you need assistance, a wedding planner can help you select the best vendors for your personality and budget.

Is Planning a Wedding Really That Hard?

Although it takes some effort, wedding planning does not have to be hard. Instead, it can be a lot of fun and something to cherish.

The key to making wedding planning fun is to give yourself plenty of time to plan. If you get stressed along the way, take a break to do something not related to your wedding. You might read, get a massage or spend some quality time with your loved ones, for example.

Also, remember there's no need to plan the wedding alone. If you feel stuck or overwhelmed by the process, know that professionals are waiting to help you and your partner enjoy a streamlined experience and a beautiful marriage.