timelines for planning

[cancun1007]

I have seen tons of "checklists" broke down by months for planning and leading up to the big day.... but they just do not seem to "fit" with a DW... do any of you gals have one that does... it seems like I am forgetting some serious stuff lately and I want to be sure I do not forget anything...

TIA for any help along the way...

[TammyB]

I use the knot for a checklist, and I made a small one on what I still need to complete. Have you been on the knot yet?

[Jackie]

Thats a good question. I found this checklist maybe it will help!

6 Months to a Year Before Your Destination Wedding


___ Decide on a wedding budget
___ Find your wedding style
___ Announce your engagement
___ Choose a wedding date
___ Choose a wedding location
___ Research the location, including using online resources, renting books from the library, purchasing books, talking to the local tourist bureau, and talking to friends and family who have been there. Ask resorts for "package deal information", special honeymoon/destination wedding offers, and other informative literature.
___ Look into marriage license requirements, and confirm them with the local tourist board
___ Find a local wedding coordinator – resorts often have someone on staff or you may be able to find someone through the tourist bureau.
___ Put together a wedding guest list
___ Send "Save the Date" cards
___ Follow up with guests by phone to get a general head count
___ If you want a traditional wedding dress, find it now
___ Start considering the groom's attire
___ Start considering the wedding party's attire
___ Obtain necessary legal documents, including, if necessary, passports, divorce certificates, visas, identification, birth certificates, notarized declarations of never having been married.
___ Consider your Bridal Beauty

4 to 6 Months Before Your Destination Wedding


___ Work with your wedding coordinator to find a wedding florist, musicians, wedding photographer and wedding officiant. You may also want to find a hairstylist, makeup artist, and/or nail salon.
___ Decide on your wedding menu
___ Finalize wedding ceremony and reception details, arrange for signed contracts to be sent to you.
___ Order wedding invitations
___ Register for wedding gifts
___ Buy wedding rings. Consider having your wedding rings engraved.
___ Buy your plane tickets
___ Negotiate discounts with airlines and hotels
___ Create and distribute a wedding website or newsletter to share travel and wedding information
___ Finalize the groom's attire
___ Write and order your wedding invitations

2 to 4 Months Before Your Destination Wedding

___ Mail your wedding invitations
___ Begin choosing or writing your wedding vows
___ Shop for shoes and other accessories
___ Make sure all of the wedding party and other essential people have made their travel arrangements
___ Finalize the bridal party attiref

1 to 2 Months Before Your Destination Wedding


___ Order wedding favors and gifts
___ Have your final dress fitting
___ Shop for vacation wear, including swimsuit(s), a rehearsal dinner outfit, sun protection

2 Weeks Before Your Destination Wedding


___ Confirm all details with hotel, chef or caterer, florist, photographer, officiant, musicians and/or DJ, and others involved in the wedding
___ Arrange guest seating, if necessary
___ Assemble favors and/or welcome bags

Upon Arrival


___ Apply for a marriage license
___ Meet with your wedding coordinator
___ Meet with your officiant
___ Visit the ceremony site
___ Distribute welcome bags to guests' rooms
___ Go over last minute details
___ Relax!

Your Wedding Day

___ Do your best to relax, enjoy yourselves, focus on each other, and have fun with your friends and family.



There are a couple things in the timeline I would do differently though. Like book the photographer is in the 4 6month range when I think it should be the first vendor you book after booking the location and the date in the 6-12month range. And I also think that sending the invitations should be moved from the 2-4 month range into the 4-6month range. But at least this can give you some what of a guideline.

[NHPT]

like they said above- i sort of made my own based on ones in the magazines and off the knot. one tip- the sooner you book vendors the better it is! good luck and happy planning!

[Tammy Host]

i posted this one on the main site

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/htm/checklist.htm

[cancun1007]

THANK YOU! Now to print off the two of them and see how off base we are at this point... I will update as soon as I finish my happy dance or stop beating myself up for dragging my feet