Congratulations! The moment you’ve long dreamed of is finally here. You have said “Yes” to your happily ever after and suddenly the world feels a little more magical now. While you may have gotten over the initial rush of excitement, there’s a new kind of concern now. A wedding planning checklist can take your jitters away.
Wedding planning might appear to be quite daunting, but don’t you worry because if you go by this book, you’ll have nothing much to do but to flaunt your engagement ring and daydream! And of course figure out ways to turn all your dreams into reality.
From finding the perfect wedding trousseau to the dreamiest wedding décor, we’ve got your back! This all-in-one wedding checklist is the ultimate roadmap to your “I do” moment. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s bring your dream wedding to life.
Dream Big Darling!
“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”- Harry Burns
Your wedding day should be exactly how you envisioned it. It should basically be a reflection of you, your fiancé and your unique love story. So, where do you see yourself? Is it in a whispering garden with blooming roses and lilies or is it a ballroom full of lights and chandeliers? Saying your wedding vows at a summer wedding or a winter wedding? Your wedding planner will revolve around that theme.
We can deal with the guest list later but the first thing is to decide the vibe of your dreamy wedding. Do you want it to be a subtle affair or do you want to go swinging with lots of glitz and glamor? The best way to figure this out is to create a mood board. Scroll through your social media and check out some of your favorite celebrity weddings. Take your time and get inspired!
- Set the Date & Budget
First things first, pick the perfect date to enter the most beautiful phase of your life. Remember, you cannot just pick any date. You have to consider the season, location, and wedding venue. As summer weddings are more in demand, the venues also get booked out early. So, hurry up before you miss out on your dream venue in case your ideal time is summer too.
And the budget? Ah, yes, the uncomfortable part of wedding planning. We get it; it’s not the romantic talk you want to do with your partner. Especially, first thing after getting engaged but it is important so let’s just be done with it and get it out of the way. Break down your budget into major categories– venue, dress, food, décor, return favors and above all, wedding jewelry not just the wedding ring. After all, a wedding is the perfect excuse to add sparkling jewelry pieces to our collection.
- Hire a Wedding Planner!
We know your mind must be exploding by now but calm down, this is where a professional wedding planner steps in. Your very own fairy godmother will take care of the entire wedding planning so that the biggest day of your life goes without a hitch. From handling the guest list to managing the logistics, a wedding planner will take every worry off your shoulders.
- The Guest List
Here comes the fun part or rather stressful part of your wedding planning, creating the guest list. Start by listing down everyone you want to invite and then use the elimination method. Based on your budget and venue capacity, narrow down your list and you will get the final number. Easy, isn’t it? Just remember, this is your day so only invite the people who you truly want to share your joy with. The best way is to import all contacts from your phone book to a spreadsheet and assign priority numbers.
- The Wedding Venue
Your wedding venue will set the tone for your wedding. Whether you want to do it in your hometown or go for a destination wedding, it’s up to you. First, decide the location and then the venue. As we mentioned earlier, book in time so that you don’t miss out on your dream place.
Once you have booked your wedding venue, the next thing that comes in your wedding planning checklist is choosing the photographers, florists, DJs for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, etc. Don’t forget to book the wedding officiant. One pro tip is to read the reviews and get recommendations from your married friends before you finalize your vendor team.
- The Wedding Dress
Deciding your wedding dress is undoubtedly the most important part of your wedding planning checklist. But let us tell you, there is no right or wrong dress. Explore different trends, scroll through websites, flip pages of wedding magazines and take inspiration from your favorite fashion icons. Shortlist a few options of different types so that you can match one with your S.O.; something that also goes well with time and overall setting of occasion.
From silk, satin or lace masterpieces pick the one that feels like you! Whether you want to walk down the aisle in an over-sized dramatic veil with a diamond and sapphire studded tiara or in a minimal wedding dress with floral embroidery and a ruby necklace, the choice is yours.
We promise you, you’ll have your “when you know, you know” moment as soon as you spot your wedding dress among a thousand others. And the option of custom creation is always there if you want amalgamation of many styles. So, don’t worry.
- Wedding Rings & Jewelry
Now let’s get to a highly crucial part of your wedding planning checklist – the wedding ring and jewelry. Don’t limit your choice to those labeled as wedding rings. You can pick anything from engagement rings, eternity bands to whatnot. Whether you go for a timeless diamond ring or want to add a pop of color with rubies and sapphires, the possibilities are endless.
When you are selecting your wedding ring, understand your partner’s taste and preferences. You can also take a look at some of the iconic and famous wedding rings in the world. From Late Princess Diana’s blue sapphire engagement ring to Meghan Markle’s meaningful three-stone ring, create a beautiful replica for your better half. In the contemporary world of celeb fashion, Blake Lively’s oval-shaped engagement ring is making waves. You too can custom create your ring.
Wedding is the right time you can splurge beyond a ring. Go for a complete set including earrings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, arm bands, anklets and anything you can think of. The only limiting factor will be your budget. GemsNY provides flexible financing options, so you need not worry on that front too. As Elizabeth Taylor said, “Big girls need big diamonds”, just go for it.
- Décor and Details
Your wedding décor reflects your personal style. From flower arrangements to centerpieces and chandeliers, think through and then decide. Whether you want to keep it minimal and chic and want to go completely extravagant and make it unique. Add a personalized touch to your wedding with monogrammed napkins, picture booths and wedding hashtags.
This is the part of wedding planning where everyone likes to chip in. Take suggestions and let your wedding planner do the filtering to make it a one-of-a-kind celebration.
- Food & Wedding Cake
The heart of any wedding is the food and the wedding cake. The menu should be stylish and memorable. You can add an extra layer of personalization by adding your and your fiancé’s favorite dishes. Whether you are serving a sit-down dinner or a buffet, make sure the food taste is on point. And always, always schedule a tasting session in your wedding planning checklist with your caterer before you finalize anything.
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The same goes for the wedding cake. It’s finally time to tick it off your wedding planning checklist. Your wedding cake should be a show-stopper. Whether you go for a multi-layered cake with frosting or opt for something unique like a donut or macaron pyramid, don’t forget to hold a cake-tasting session with your baker.
- Music & Entertainment
Every fabulous wedding needs a fabulous soundtrack. Your wedding planning is incomplete without deciding on a killer playlist. John Legend’s, “All of Me Loves All of You” is a timeless choice for the first dance. But if you happen to be a Swiftie, you have to make your partner kneel on “Lovestory” if he hasn’t yet because it’s the perfect choice for modern-day Romeo and Juliet.
10. The Wedding Invitations
Your wedding invitations will be the first glimpse of your big day and like we all know “First impression is the last impression”. Whether you go for a stylish wedding invite or keep it modern with a digital invite, make sure you reflect the theme of your wedding.
Remember to send your wedding invitations six to eight weeks in advance and strike them off your wedding planning checklist. This is to make sure your guests get enough time for your wedding planning.
11. Relax & Breathe
While you are fully engrossed in your wedding planning process, don’t forget to cherish every moment of this journey. Steal moments of joy with your family and capture every moment you can before you set foot in the new phase of your life. After all, a wedding is a celebration of love. Years from now when you’re back on this day, it will be filled with fond memories.
Happily Ever After!
You are now one step closer to your happily ever after and that too without breaking a sweat. This wedding planning checklist will make sure that everything goes smoothly. As for shining you bright, our collection of enthralling jewelry is waiting.
GemsNY is New York’s top jewelry brand and our phenomenal collection of wedding rings, pendants, bands, earrings and bracelets will make you a showstopper.
You can craft your one-of-a-kind wedding jewelry using our make-your-own jewelry feature. Get your wedding dates, names and initials engraved on your wedding rings and bands and make it truly yours. Any step of your wedding planning, feel free to reach out to us for personalized guidance on jewelry. Share your story with us and on GemsNY reviews. Happy wedding!
