Due to recent events, when we’re being asked to do our part and stay at home to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, you can still continue to plan your wedding. Take this time to get ahead on tasks that you would have otherwise left until the very end. We’ve created a wedding to-do list with ideas of what couples can continue to do while planning for their upcoming wedding during this time.
Wedding To-do list During Lockdown
Search for Wedding Accessories
With online retailers at our fingertips, it’s so easy to now shop from the comfort of our homes. Get online and start shopping for your bridal accessories; such as your shoes, jewelry and garter belt. Also take this time to start thinking about your something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.
Purchase Small Detailed Items
There are a lot of small items; such as a card box, guestbook, cake topper, cake knives and champagne flutes, that you will need to get for your wedding. Support your local small businesses or get on Etsy to buy personalized items such as these. We’ve created a wedding details checklist that you can also download to easily keep track of everything you’ve purchased.
Also speak with a local stationery artist or get on Minted to start looking at any day-of wedding stationery you may need, such as programs, menus, and escort cards.
Order Bridal Party Gifts
Don’t forget about gifting your bridal party on your big day. For the bridesmaids, you may want to look into giving them a personalized robe, hanger, or stemless wine glass. For the groomsmen, you may want to look into gifting them personalized whiskey glasses, matching socks, or cigars. They will appreciate this kind gesture thanking them for everything they’ve done leading up to your wedding.
Make DIY Decor
Take the extra time you have right now to create any decor you want to make yourself for your wedding. Most wedding planners will not take it upon themselves to finish any uncompleted decor, so make sure you have everything completed by your wedding day. Also make sure to provide your planner with pictures and descriptions of how you would like the items laid out. Other items you can consider putting together in advance are your welcome bags, bathroom amenity baskets, and wedding favors.
Create a Shot List
Start gathering inspiration of shots you would like your photographer to capture on your big day. By knowing what photos you want in advance will not only save yourself a lot of time on your wedding day, but will allow you to spend more time celebrating with your guests. For a detailed wedding photography checklist head on over to our Wedding Photography blog post to download yourself a copy.
Decide Your Wedding Song List
Create a playlist for the ceremony, reception entrances, first dance, father-daughter dance, mother-son dance, bouquet toss, garter throw, etc. For each song category, there are a lot of songs to choose from. This may require a lot of your time to go through, so don’t wait until the last minute to do this.
Create the Seating Plan
Ask your planner or venue coordinator for a template of your reception space. This way you can start designing the layout of your guest tables and assigning where you would like each guest to sit. Also do the same for your ceremony if you would like to have a specific layout and assigned seating. These are very tedious tasks and the more time you have to work on them the better.
Draft Your Vows
This is an important task that most couples leave until the night before their wedding when they should really be resting. Take advantage of the extra time you have right now and start drafting what you would like to say to your significant other. Also look into purchasing vows books to write your vows in. These books will be a beautiful keepsake. On every anniversary you can open them up and recite your vows to one another again; or if you would like, you can create a tradition of rewriting new ones.
Review Everything
Review all your contracts and be in communication with your planner and vendors about what your options are if you need to postpone your wedding. Always postpone and never cancel! Remember that if you cancel, you will most likely not receive your initial deposits back. Everyone in the wedding industry has been extremely understanding during this crisis and are allowing couples to postpone their wedding at no extra cost.
While stuck at home, take the opportunity to work on some of the suggestions we have listed above in this wedding to-do list. Working on these items ahead of time will not only reduce your stress in the long run, but allow you to enjoy the last few months leading up to your wedding.