bookeo.com/officiantWedding Planning Checklist by Rev. John Barker
http://www.johntherev.com/ ReverendJohnBarker@Gmail.com
Call and Text 214-682-5775
Here is a comprehensive wedding checklist, with a timeline to help keep you on track.
Twelve to Nine Months Before
1. Start a wedding folder or binder.
Begin leafing through bridal, lifestyle, fashion, gardening, design, and food magazines for inspiration.
2. Work out your budget. $$$$$
Determine how much you have to spend, based on your families’ contributions and your own. This is when someone will make you a cash offer to elope. Give it some thought, while you read the rest of this guide.
3. Pick your wedding party.
As soon as you’re engaged, people will start wondering who’s in.
4. Start the guest list.
Make a head count database to use throughout your planning process, I like Excel for this, RSVPs, gifts, and any other relevant information.
5. Hire a planner, if desired.
Think of this as an Administrative person on wedding steroids. OR multi task and don’t stress out.
6. Reserve your date and venues.
This is HUGE. Will this be one location for the wedding and reception OR will there be separate locations for the ceremony and the reception? Venues go fast so book way out in advance. 12 to 18 months out is not too early. Better early, than late and empty handed.
7. Book Rev. John Barker your officiate. 214-682-5775 ReverendJohnBarker@Gmail.com
Once you have your date and location nailed down it’s time to reserve your date and time with Reverend John Barker. I have reservations as far out as 18 months. Go to my web site register & make a deposit to reserve your date. This is a link to my Calendar
8. Research photographers, bands, florists, and caterers.
Keep their contact information in your binder.
9. Throw an engagement party, if you wish.
But remember that your invitees should be on your wedding guest list as well. This is a fun kick starter.
Eight Months Before
1. Hire the photographer and the videographer.
No need to talk specifics yet, but be sure that the people you hire are open to doing the shots that you want. It is time to start thinking about a cel phone free ceremony.
2. Book the entertainment.
Attend gigs of potential acts to see how they perform in front of audiences, then reserve your favorite. Entertaining is good. BUT rude, crass, no class has no place at your wedding.
3. Meet caterers.
If your wedding venue doesn’t offer its own catering service, look for one now and hire the service this month or early next. In many cases just make the rounds of your favorite restaurants, check their take out packages then hire set up and servers separately. I enjoy Rudy’s BBQ in Plano for their brisket but would have them set up and serve at my wedding.
4. Purchase a dress.
You’ll need to schedule time for at least three fittings. Veil shopping can be postponed for another two to three months. I met a young bride that had a February 14th wedding and it was COLD. She invested in a beautiful full length winter coat and was married in the park as it started a light mist of snow.
5. Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
Pick three hotels at different price points close to the reception venue. Check their shuttle service capabilities. I saw a rented school bus pull up with the wedding party once. I thought a bit odd but the price was right.
6. Register.
Sign up at a minimum of three retailers. Make certain they have online registration.
7. Launch a wedding website.
This is a bit much and I do consider this over the top BUT on the other hand a “Cloud Share Drive” for photos is a nice addition to your own wedding web site. You may just go facebook and an Evite link does come in handy Create your personal page through a free provider such as google sites. Note the date of the wedding, travel information, and accommodations. Then send the link to invitees.
Seven to Six Months Before
1. Select and purchase invitations.
Hire a calligrapher, if desired. Addressing cards is time-consuming, so you need to budget accordingly. Note Vista Print, online, is an affordable alternative.
2. Start planning a honeymoon.
Make sure that your passports are up-to-date, and schedule doctors’ appointments for any shots you may need.
3. Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses.
Allow at least six months for the dresses to be ordered and sized. TRY just TRY to make it something they can wear again.
4. Send save-the-date cards.
5. Reserve structural and electrical necessities.
Book portable toilets for outdoor events, extra chairs if you need them, lighting components, and so on.
6. Book a florist.
Florists can serve multiple clients on one day, which is why you can wait a little longer to engage one. Plus, at this point, you’ll be firm on what your wedding palette will be. Did I mention “Kroger’s” Yes that food store is one of the largest buyers of flowers in the nation. I have seen complete weddings flowers come from your neighborhood “Kroger’s” Have you figured out how to delegate yet?
7. Arrange transportation.
Consider limos, minibuses, trolleys, horse drawn carriages and town cars. (Business sedans to collect guest at the airport is a must.) For day of transportation, look to those hotel where the guest are staying. Corporate style Minibuses are great as well.
8. Start composing a day-of timeline.
Draw up a schedule of the event and slot in each component (the cake-cutting, the first dance).
Five to Four Months Before
1. Book the rehearsal and rehearsal-dinner venues.
Negotiate the cost and the menu. If you’re planning to host a day-after brunch for guests, book that place as well.
2. Check on the wedding invitations.
Ask the stationer for samples of the finished invitations and revise them to suit your needs.
3. Select and order the cake.
Some bakers require a long lead time. Attend several tastings before committing to any baker. Did you know that Sam’s Club and similar stores have wedding cakes as well.
4. Send your guest list to the host of your shower.
Provided you, ahem, know about the shower.
5. Purchase wedding shoes and start dress fittings.
Bring the shoes along to your first fitting so the tailor can choose the appropriate length for your gown. Men get your dress shoes/boots out. If they are not comfortable for 6+ hours on your feet buy another pair. I have seen where the Groom and Grooms men had matching “Sketchers” that complimented the brides maids dresses.
6. Schedule hair and makeup artists.
Make a few appointments with local experts to try them out. Snap a photo at each so you can compare results. A makeup artist and hair dresser on site the day of the ceremony is a huge life saver. Wind, rain, and just nervous sweat take a toll and the wedding photos will show it.
7. Choose your music.
What should be playing when the wedding party is announced? During dinner? To kick off the dancing? Keep a running list of what you want—and do not want—played. Strings for the Ceremony and a DJ for the reception are a good combination.
Three Months Before
1. Finalize the menu and flowers.
You’ll want to wait until now to see what will be available, since food and flowers are affected by season.
2. Order favors, if desired.
Some safe bets: monogrammed cookies or a treat that represents your city or region. If you’re planning to have welcome baskets for out-of-town guests, plan those now too.
3. Make a list of the people giving toasts.
Which loved ones would you like to have speak at the reception? Ask them now.
4. Finalize the readings.
Determine what you would like to have read at the ceremony—and whom you wish to do the readings.
5. Purchase your undergarments.
And schedule your second fitting. NO I am not going to lose that extra inch. Make it fit where you don’t pass out.
6. Finalize the order of the ceremony and the reception.
7. Print menu cards, if you like, as well as programs.
No need to go to a printer, if that’s not in your budget: You can easily create these on your computer.
8. Purchase the rings.
This will give you time for resizing and engraving. This point I would have purchased the rings months earlier.
9. Send your event schedule to the vendors.
Giving them a first draft now allows ample time for tweaks and feedback.
Two Months Before
1. Touch base again with all the vendors.
Make sure any questions you or they had on your first draft have been answered.
2. Call John Barker with follow up. Map out the ceremony and confirm that you have all the official documents for the wedding. This is when you get the License from the county offices
3. Meet with the photographer.
Discuss specific shots, and walk through the locations to note spots that appeal to you.
4. Review the playlist with the band or deejay.
Though you probably won’t be able to dictate every single song played, you should come prepared with a wish list.
5. Send out the invitations.
The rule of thumb: Mail invitations six to eight weeks before the ceremony, setting the RSVP cutoff at three weeks after the postmark date. I have seen some use the “Evite” online as well Drop subtle hints that a no show is not acceptable.
6. Submit a newspaper wedding announcement.
If you’re planning to include a photograph, check the publication’s website: Some have strict rules about how the photo should look.
7. Enjoy a bachelorette party.
Arranging a night out with your girlfriends generally falls to the maid of honor. But if she hasn’t mentioned one to you by now, feel free to ask—for scheduling purposes, of course!—if a celebration is in the works.
One Month Before
1. Enter RSVPs into your guest-list database.
Phone people who have not yet responded.
2. Get your marriage license. If you didn’t get it last week it’s about time so let’s get to the county office.
The process can take a few hours out of a good work day.
3. Mail the rehearsal-dinner invitations.
4. Visit the dressmaker for (with luck!) your last dress fitting.
For peace of mind, you may want to schedule a fitting the week of your wedding. You can always cancel the appointment if you try on the dress then and it fits perfectly.
5. Stock the bar.
Now that you have a firm head count you can order accordingly. Check Venue they may require security plus you may need licensed/trained servers.
6. Send out as many final payments as you can.
7. Confirm times for hair and makeup and all vendors.
8. E-mail and print directions for drivers of transport vehicles.
This gives the chauffeurs or party bus ample time to navigate a route. Tell them a time line that is 15 to 30 minutes earlier than is needed.
9. Assign seating.
Draw out table shapes on a layout of the room to help plan place settings. Write the names of female guests on pink sticky notes and the names of male guests on blue sticky notes so you can move people about without resketching the entire setting.
10. Purchase bridesmaids’ gifts.
You’ll present them at the rehearsal dinner.
11. Write vows, if necessary and send a copy to John Barker.
12. Get your hair cut and colored, if desired.
Week of the Wedding
1. Reconfirm arrival times with vendors.
2. Delegate small wedding-day tasks.
Choose someone to bustle your dress, someone to carry your things, someone to be in charge of gifts (especially the enveloped sort), someone to hand out tips, and someone to be the point person for each vendor. Have all vendors text ETAs to keep on task. Hate surprises.
3. Send a timeline to the bridal party.
Include every member’s contact information, along with the point people you’ve asked to deal with the vendors, if problems arise.
4. Pick up your dress.
Or make arrangements for a delivery. Best for you to pick it up and try it on before you leave the shop.
5. Check in one last time with the photographer.
Supply him or her with a list of moments you want captured on film.
6. Set aside checks for the vendors.
And put tips in envelopes to be handed out at the event.
7. Book a spa treatment.
Make an appointment for a manicure and a pedicure the day before the wedding. (You might want to get a stress-relieving massage, too.) Beware of day before tanning beds (Lobster Red) or spray on tans (Carrot Orange) is not a good look. Think again.
8. Send the final guest list to the caterer and all venues hosting your wedding-related events.
Typically, companies close their lists 72 hours in advance. This is where an RSVP that decides that to be a no show is not acceptable.
9. Break in your shoes.
10. Assemble and distribute the welcome baskets.
11. Pack for your honeymoon.
Now smile and relax. This is easy.
Congratulations on your engagement.
I hope you have found this useful.
Please get with me. I am the best wedding officiant in Texas.
Reverend John Barker call & text today 214-682-5775 ReverendJohnBarker@Gmail.com www.JohntheRev.Com
http://www.johntherev.com/ ReverendJohnBarker@Gmail.com
Call and Text 214-682-5775
Here is a comprehensive wedding checklist, with a timeline to help keep you on track.
Twelve to Nine Months Before
1. Start a wedding folder or binder.
Begin leafing through bridal, lifestyle, fashion, gardening, design, and food magazines for inspiration.
2. Work out your budget. $$$$$
Determine how much you have to spend, based on your families’ contributions and your own. This is when someone will make you a cash offer to elope. Give it some thought, while you read the rest of this guide.
3. Pick your wedding party.
As soon as you’re engaged, people will start wondering who’s in.
4. Start the guest list.
Make a head count database to use throughout your planning process, I like Excel for this, RSVPs, gifts, and any other relevant information.
5. Hire a planner, if desired.
Think of this as an Administrative person on wedding steroids. OR multi task and don’t stress out.
6. Reserve your date and venues.
This is HUGE. Will this be one location for the wedding and reception OR will there be separate locations for the ceremony and the reception? Venues go fast so book way out in advance. 12 to 18 months out is not too early. Better early, than late and empty handed.
7. Book Rev. John Barker your officiate. 214-682-5775 ReverendJohnBarker@Gmail.com
Once you have your date and location nailed down it’s time to reserve your date and time with Reverend John Barker. I have reservations as far out as 18 months. Go to my web site register & make a deposit to reserve your date. This is a link to my Calendar
8. Research photographers, bands, florists, and caterers.
Keep their contact information in your binder.
9. Throw an engagement party, if you wish.
But remember that your invitees should be on your wedding guest list as well. This is a fun kick starter.
Eight Months Before
1. Hire the photographer and the videographer.
No need to talk specifics yet, but be sure that the people you hire are open to doing the shots that you want. It is time to start thinking about a cel phone free ceremony.
2. Book the entertainment.
Attend gigs of potential acts to see how they perform in front of audiences, then reserve your favorite. Entertaining is good. BUT rude, crass, no class has no place at your wedding.
3. Meet caterers.
If your wedding venue doesn’t offer its own catering service, look for one now and hire the service this month or early next. In many cases just make the rounds of your favorite restaurants, check their take out packages then hire set up and servers separately. I enjoy Rudy’s BBQ in Plano for their brisket but would have them set up and serve at my wedding.
4. Purchase a dress.
You’ll need to schedule time for at least three fittings. Veil shopping can be postponed for another two to three months. I met a young bride that had a February 14th wedding and it was COLD. She invested in a beautiful full length winter coat and was married in the park as it started a light mist of snow.
5. Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
Pick three hotels at different price points close to the reception venue. Check their shuttle service capabilities. I saw a rented school bus pull up with the wedding party once. I thought a bit odd but the price was right.
6. Register.
Sign up at a minimum of three retailers. Make certain they have online registration.
7. Launch a wedding website.
This is a bit much and I do consider this over the top BUT on the other hand a “Cloud Share Drive” for photos is a nice addition to your own wedding web site. You may just go facebook and an Evite link does come in handy Create your personal page through a free provider such as google sites. Note the date of the wedding, travel information, and accommodations. Then send the link to invitees.
Seven to Six Months Before
1. Select and purchase invitations.
Hire a calligrapher, if desired. Addressing cards is time-consuming, so you need to budget accordingly. Note Vista Print, online, is an affordable alternative.
2. Start planning a honeymoon.
Make sure that your passports are up-to-date, and schedule doctors’ appointments for any shots you may need.
3. Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses.
Allow at least six months for the dresses to be ordered and sized. TRY just TRY to make it something they can wear again.
4. Send save-the-date cards.
5. Reserve structural and electrical necessities.
Book portable toilets for outdoor events, extra chairs if you need them, lighting components, and so on.
6. Book a florist.
Florists can serve multiple clients on one day, which is why you can wait a little longer to engage one. Plus, at this point, you’ll be firm on what your wedding palette will be. Did I mention “Kroger’s” Yes that food store is one of the largest buyers of flowers in the nation. I have seen complete weddings flowers come from your neighborhood “Kroger’s” Have you figured out how to delegate yet?
7. Arrange transportation.
Consider limos, minibuses, trolleys, horse drawn carriages and town cars. (Business sedans to collect guest at the airport is a must.) For day of transportation, look to those hotel where the guest are staying. Corporate style Minibuses are great as well.
8. Start composing a day-of timeline.
Draw up a schedule of the event and slot in each component (the cake-cutting, the first dance).
Five to Four Months Before
1. Book the rehearsal and rehearsal-dinner venues.
Negotiate the cost and the menu. If you’re planning to host a day-after brunch for guests, book that place as well.
2. Check on the wedding invitations.
Ask the stationer for samples of the finished invitations and revise them to suit your needs.
3. Select and order the cake.
Some bakers require a long lead time. Attend several tastings before committing to any baker. Did you know that Sam’s Club and similar stores have wedding cakes as well.
4. Send your guest list to the host of your shower.
Provided you, ahem, know about the shower.
5. Purchase wedding shoes and start dress fittings.
Bring the shoes along to your first fitting so the tailor can choose the appropriate length for your gown. Men get your dress shoes/boots out. If they are not comfortable for 6+ hours on your feet buy another pair. I have seen where the Groom and Grooms men had matching “Sketchers” that complimented the brides maids dresses.
6. Schedule hair and makeup artists.
Make a few appointments with local experts to try them out. Snap a photo at each so you can compare results. A makeup artist and hair dresser on site the day of the ceremony is a huge life saver. Wind, rain, and just nervous sweat take a toll and the wedding photos will show it.
7. Choose your music.
What should be playing when the wedding party is announced? During dinner? To kick off the dancing? Keep a running list of what you want—and do not want—played. Strings for the Ceremony and a DJ for the reception are a good combination.
Three Months Before
1. Finalize the menu and flowers.
You’ll want to wait until now to see what will be available, since food and flowers are affected by season.
2. Order favors, if desired.
Some safe bets: monogrammed cookies or a treat that represents your city or region. If you’re planning to have welcome baskets for out-of-town guests, plan those now too.
3. Make a list of the people giving toasts.
Which loved ones would you like to have speak at the reception? Ask them now.
4. Finalize the readings.
Determine what you would like to have read at the ceremony—and whom you wish to do the readings.
5. Purchase your undergarments.
And schedule your second fitting. NO I am not going to lose that extra inch. Make it fit where you don’t pass out.
6. Finalize the order of the ceremony and the reception.
7. Print menu cards, if you like, as well as programs.
No need to go to a printer, if that’s not in your budget: You can easily create these on your computer.
8. Purchase the rings.
This will give you time for resizing and engraving. This point I would have purchased the rings months earlier.
9. Send your event schedule to the vendors.
Giving them a first draft now allows ample time for tweaks and feedback.
Two Months Before
1. Touch base again with all the vendors.
Make sure any questions you or they had on your first draft have been answered.
2. Call John Barker with follow up. Map out the ceremony and confirm that you have all the official documents for the wedding. This is when you get the License from the county offices
3. Meet with the photographer.
Discuss specific shots, and walk through the locations to note spots that appeal to you.
4. Review the playlist with the band or deejay.
Though you probably won’t be able to dictate every single song played, you should come prepared with a wish list.
5. Send out the invitations.
The rule of thumb: Mail invitations six to eight weeks before the ceremony, setting the RSVP cutoff at three weeks after the postmark date. I have seen some use the “Evite” online as well Drop subtle hints that a no show is not acceptable.
6. Submit a newspaper wedding announcement.
If you’re planning to include a photograph, check the publication’s website: Some have strict rules about how the photo should look.
7. Enjoy a bachelorette party.
Arranging a night out with your girlfriends generally falls to the maid of honor. But if she hasn’t mentioned one to you by now, feel free to ask—for scheduling purposes, of course!—if a celebration is in the works.
One Month Before
1. Enter RSVPs into your guest-list database.
Phone people who have not yet responded.
2. Get your marriage license. If you didn’t get it last week it’s about time so let’s get to the county office.
The process can take a few hours out of a good work day.
3. Mail the rehearsal-dinner invitations.
4. Visit the dressmaker for (with luck!) your last dress fitting.
For peace of mind, you may want to schedule a fitting the week of your wedding. You can always cancel the appointment if you try on the dress then and it fits perfectly.
5. Stock the bar.
Now that you have a firm head count you can order accordingly. Check Venue they may require security plus you may need licensed/trained servers.
6. Send out as many final payments as you can.
7. Confirm times for hair and makeup and all vendors.
8. E-mail and print directions for drivers of transport vehicles.
This gives the chauffeurs or party bus ample time to navigate a route. Tell them a time line that is 15 to 30 minutes earlier than is needed.
9. Assign seating.
Draw out table shapes on a layout of the room to help plan place settings. Write the names of female guests on pink sticky notes and the names of male guests on blue sticky notes so you can move people about without resketching the entire setting.
10. Purchase bridesmaids’ gifts.
You’ll present them at the rehearsal dinner.
11. Write vows, if necessary and send a copy to John Barker.
12. Get your hair cut and colored, if desired.
Week of the Wedding
1. Reconfirm arrival times with vendors.
2. Delegate small wedding-day tasks.
Choose someone to bustle your dress, someone to carry your things, someone to be in charge of gifts (especially the enveloped sort), someone to hand out tips, and someone to be the point person for each vendor. Have all vendors text ETAs to keep on task. Hate surprises.
3. Send a timeline to the bridal party.
Include every member’s contact information, along with the point people you’ve asked to deal with the vendors, if problems arise.
4. Pick up your dress.
Or make arrangements for a delivery. Best for you to pick it up and try it on before you leave the shop.
5. Check in one last time with the photographer.
Supply him or her with a list of moments you want captured on film.
6. Set aside checks for the vendors.
And put tips in envelopes to be handed out at the event.
7. Book a spa treatment.
Make an appointment for a manicure and a pedicure the day before the wedding. (You might want to get a stress-relieving massage, too.) Beware of day before tanning beds (Lobster Red) or spray on tans (Carrot Orange) is not a good look. Think again.
8. Send the final guest list to the caterer and all venues hosting your wedding-related events.
Typically, companies close their lists 72 hours in advance. This is where an RSVP that decides that to be a no show is not acceptable.
9. Break in your shoes.
10. Assemble and distribute the welcome baskets.
11. Pack for your honeymoon.
Now smile and relax. This is easy.
Congratulations on your engagement.
I hope you have found this useful.
Please get with me. I am the best wedding officiant in Texas.
Reverend John Barker call & text today 214-682-5775 ReverendJohnBarker@Gmail.com www.JohntheRev.Com