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From the Proposal to the “I Do” Get Organized With a Wedding Timeline B Y J ODI H ATLEY S MITH R OMANTIC PROPOSAL ? C HECK ! E NTHUSIASTIC “ YES ”? C HECK ! S HARING THE GREAT NEWS ? C HECK ! W EDDING PLANNED AND READY TO HAPPEN ? U MM … NOT YET . T HE PLANNING CAN BE BIT OVERWHELMING , BUT USING A CHECKLIST BREAKS IT INTO SMALL , MANAGEABLE STEPS SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY ENJOY THE PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH . T IME TO GET ORGANIZED AND START THE COUNTDOWN TO THE BIG DAY ! ome brides need a year to plan, or even longer. Some brides prefer nine months. Some brides can get the planning done in six months, or even less. Pick a timeline that is workable for you. With so many tasks to take care of and details to arrange, planning a wedding can become stressful. But, if you give yourself enough time to plan and sort the tasks month by month with a wedding-planning checklist and wedding timeline, the job can become more fun. By breaking down the event, month by month, you are taking on the planning process in bite-size pieces and it will be much more manageable, and you may even enjoy the process. 12 M ONTHS O UT • Buy a wedding binder to keep track of everything. Clips from your favorite bridal magazine go here. • Let’s talk money. One of the first steps any bride should un- dertake is determining a realistic budget. Everything thereafter can be decided based on howmuch money is allocated. No matter the budget you can have a beautiful wedding with the proper plan- ning. •When, where and who. When is this celebration taking place? Who is coming? Set the date and time of the big event, the cere- mony and reception sites, ask your loved ones to be in your wedding party, ask an officiant and get a rough draft of the guest list started. Also, is there a wedding planner in the budget? If not, consider having a trusted love one take calls from vendors on the big day. You’ll have to many memories to make to want to man the phone calls all day. 8-10 M ONTHS O UT • The gown. The wedding dress is an item of clothing most brides will hold dear for the rest of their lives. That said, most brides don’t walk in, try on the first dress they see, love it and not need changes. Picking out a dress and getting it to fit perfectly takes time. Take as much time possible to shop, order, and if needed, get alterations so that your gown fits like a glove. Bringing your wedding shoes it also a good plan when alterations need to be done. • Plan the reception. What type of music would you like? A band? A DJ? What type of food and drinks? And don’t forget to book the rehearsal dinner venue around now as well. • Vendors, vendors, vendors. Vendors book up quickly, so as soon as possible get on the books of your favorite caterer, photog- rapher, videographer, rental company (for any chairs, tables, or tents you might need), and florist. Once you’ve booked these pro- fessionals, start talking about your vision for the big day, especially with the florist. Now is the time to choose your flowers. • Register for gifts. Admit it — you’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. The time has come! Register away. 6-8 M ONTHS O UT • Order bridesmaids’ gowns. Just as it’s highly unlikely your dress will fit like a glove off the rack, the same goes for your brides- maids. Ordering this early will allow them to make sure they look perfect for the big day. • Book the band. Or the DJ. Or the string quartet. You get the drift. • Think about the honeymoon. Choose a spot where you will spend your first married days, book it, and find a way to get there. It seems so far away now, but you’ll blink and you’ll be arriving! • Send save the dates, if you choose. Guests’ calendars fill up, so a reminder about your big day is a good idea. Also, check with your wedding party about engagement party dates, bridal shower dates, and bachelorette party dates. • Calligraphy? If calligraphy is on your must have list, now is the time to hire a calligrapher. 4-6 M ONTHS O UT • Make some VIPs (very important purchases). Some items to buy right now — invitations, wedding rings, passports, and for- malwear. Now is also the time to book your cake de- signer and where you will spend your wedding night. • Premarital counseling. theknot.com suggests now is the right time to attend premarital counseling, if you so choose or if you are asked to by your church. • Keep your guests in mind. Think about accommodations for your guests and book a block of rooms if necessary. 3 M ONTHS O UT • Order the cake. Enough said. • Transportation time. It’s now time to book a limo or any other vehicles needed for the big day. • Finalize the wardrobes. Make sure the men’s formalwear is ordered by now. 2 M ONTHS O UT • Mail your invitations. • Book the beauty. Decide on a stylist and makeup artist and do a hair and makeup trial. • Pen your vows to one another. • Buy some gifts. For your parents, for your wedding party, and, most importantly, for each other. 46 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com S