How To Plan A Wedding in 30 Steps
Steps 11-15
So you've booked your venue, your ceremony location, proposed to your bridal party, decided on a wedding planner, and hired your photographer and videographer. Here are the next 5 steps!
11.Book your engagement session.
It's a good way to feel comfortable in front of the camera and get a sense of how your photographer work. You'll learn natural poses and how to be aware of your body. Ladies, pop those hips away from the camera! Giving yourselves a natural "S" curve accentuates femininity and looks fantastic in photos. Your photographer will provide you with additional tips, so stop worrying. I've had dozens of couples say they're "awkward" in front of any camera. Each of them has loved their photos. We worked together to make sure they were having fun amidst the education they were getting as they learned to be in front of my camera. Couples can use their photos during their engagement party, have them as table numbers at the reception, or create a guestbook composed of their favorite images.
Want to know how to plan for your engagement session and what to wear? You can find some tips here.
Sandy Hook beach engagement photos in New Jersey.
12.Send out your Save The Dates.
Now that you've booked your venue and ceremony locations, you have your wedding date locked in. You can finally send your family and friends an official notice of when your wedding will take place. Sending out Save The Dates makes it really official, but send them out at least 6-9 months before the big day to give your guests time to ask for time off from work, save up if travel is involved, and find a place to stay. You can incorporate your engagement photos and even hint at your wedding style and colors based on the design.
Include your furry family in your wedding website, especially if they are playing a role.
Fur babies and pets are part of your wedding day.
13.Create your wedding registry and website.
Start adding to your wedding registry. You can register in many places and link them to your wedding website. Your website is where you can introduce yourselves, how your met, the proposal story, and anything else you want to share. Most importantly, your website should also have the addresses of the ceremony and reception, hotel block options and any codes required, travel information, things to do in the area for out-of-town guests, and the introduction of your bridal party, including your family. If you are having a destination wedding, list your travel agent to help with booking flights and hotels. When we had our destination wedding in Punta Cana, DR, we created a map of things-to-do outside of the resort and within the resort. Similar to what you'd do for a local wedding, mention your favorite restaurants, shopping areas, sightseeing, late-night locations like your favorite lounges, and other information like the attire and if it's an outdoor ceremony/reception. You can add a password to the site if you want to keep your website private, but make sure to provide the password to your guests on your Save The Dates. Create and design your wedding website from scratch using Squarespace, or use services like Minted, Riley & Grey, The Knot, Appy Couple, and many more.
Note: Some believe it's a faux pas to include your registry on your Save The Dates or formal invitations. Leave this to your bridal party, who is in charge of your bridal shower. Word of mouth, or have them send it out as part of the bridal shower invitation, is probably best.
14.Shop for your wedding dress and custom suit/tux.
This is one of the fun parts of wedding planning. Looking through wedding dresses and suits/tux. As you comb through magazines and Pinterest boards, note the style and fit of the dresses you love. I say love, and not like, because there are many options of dresses, and you need to be absolutely in love with the dress before pinning it as part of your favorites to try on. You also must be aware of what style and fit flatter your body type. Start looking at A-line, mermaid, and other silhouettes, in addition to necklines, fabric, and train. The season may also affect the style of the dress you choose. A velvet or brocade dress may be more suitable for a winter wedding than spring or summer. Set up your appointments to try dresses as soon as you can. It takes months to get a wedding dress ordered and additional weeks to ensure the dress is fitted to perfection leading to your wedding day. This applies to ordering custom suits and tux. If you're going for the hand-made bespoke tailoring, the suit's craftsmanship and its many details can be as intricate as a wedding dress. Get yourself fitted and have the suit ordered. Your tailor will make a recommendation as to proper sizing that allows for adjustments closer to the wedding date.
Old Tappan Hill Manor, Old Tappan NJ. Event and floral design by Ivy Joy Flowers & Events.
The Park Plaza Hotel, New York City. Event and floral design by Ivy Joy Flowers & Events.
15.Book your caterer, band, ceremony quartet, floral and event designer, cake designer, and anything else you must-have for your wedding.
Many venues have in-house catering, others you have to bring your own caterer. If you want the band you heard at your friend's wedding or must have the floral event designer that did the flowers for a gala you attended, contact them as soon as you have secured the rest of your things to do above. Experienced professionals that are amazing at their work will always book quickly. Act fast to secure them for your wedding.
Hope this helps you once again with your wedding planning. Click HERE for steps 16-20 out of 30 of How To Plan Your Wedding!