T o D o, Before I Do

I used to think I knew everything about a wedding day… and then I got engaged! Turns out, napkins weren’t on my To-Buy list originally! Being engaged has given me a new upper hand in the wedding industry and has only made me fall deeper in love with it. I get it. I understand the frustration from being so overwhelmed because there’s just simply too many Menu templates on Etsy. I understand the family pleasing. And I understand the fiancé who thinks they’re helpful with: “looks great” or even worse: “whatever you want babe”.

Sir. I don’t know what I want.

I’ve attended like 500 wedding days. So when I initially started planning, I closed my eyes and walked through an entire wedding day in my head. Start to finish. As I passed each section of the day, I’d jot down a list of things I either needed To Book, To Make or To Do before we said I Do.

I figured… why not provide this to my couples?! For some of you, your own wedding may be the first wedding you’re attending! Which is SO exciting!! But… maybe you never thought about a hanger for your dress that doesn’t come from the bridal shop?

If this list seems overwhelming or unnecessary to you, please don’t use it! This isn’t made for every wedding day. For example: my venue didn’t include catering so not only did I need to book a caterer, but someone for desserts as well. If you’re getting married at Stonefields, or another venue that provides catering, then obviously you don’t need to book a caterer! :)

Use this as a TOOL, not a guide. Remember: weddings are my favourite thing to talk about. Especially MY wedding!! So if you have any questions at all, please please please ask!! I’m already missing my wedding planning days and they’re not even over yet - - so if you’re needing a helping hand with finding the most perfect Menu font on Etsy, I’m here for you. Personally, I’m finding it helpful doing something every night for my wedding. I get into bed, I look at my list and I do one thing every single night. Sometimes it’s paying a $1000 retainer, sometimes it’s even just sending $50 to my florist, sometimes its just simply inspo evenings. Meaning, the one thing I’m doing that night is scrolling tik Tok + Pinterest for wedding dresses. Or black+white invite suites. Or starting to figure out what I want to do for a guest book.

It’s never all of those things though. It’s one thing, one topic. I’m finding myself a lot more invested in my own wedding day as I’m putting so much time into even the little things. The last thing I want to do is just pick something to pick something because I had zero time left!

Chels xx

Copy and Paste this giant list into your Notes App! Make it into a checklist so you can check things off as you go or easily scroll and choose something to start getting inspo for! You do not need everything listed!! Just ideas.

TO BOOK:

  • Venue

  • Wedding Date

  • Dress appt

  • Bridesmaids dress appt or order samples via online dealer

  • Suit appt

  • Caterer

  • Photographer

  • Officiant

  • Hair

  • Makeup

  • Videographer

  • Stationary

  • DJ

  • Florist

  • Photo Booth

  • Content Creator

  • Dessert

  • Cake / cupcakes

  • Flower preservation

TO MAKE OR ORDER:

  • Save the dates

  • Seating chart

  • Wedding invites

  • Menus (inc dessert)

  • Name cards for dinner

  • Vows for ceremony

  • Guest book

  • Card box

  • Busy bags for kids (crayons, colouring pages, treats, fake tattoos, etc)

  • Welcome sign

  • Bar sign / signature drink signs

  • Guest book sign and / or card box sign

  • Napkins with initials

NEED FOR THE MORNING OF:

  • immediately start making a list of Feel Good wedding morning songs!

  • Wedding dress

  • Necklace

  • Etsy dishes to hold details

  • extra shirt for any groom or groomsmen!!! they sweat.

  • Veil

  • Sleeves

  • Earrings

  • Garter

  • Shoes

  • Mannequin for dress or nice bridal hanger (ensuring it has slits on the top for dress straps to sit in)

  • Perfume

  • Getting ready outfit (Pjs, Robe, cute white set, etc)

  • Outfits for for flower girls / ring bearer

  • Cute getting ready outfits for bridesmaids

  • Cute cups for mimosas

  • Cute name tags for cups (IE bows with names)

  • Detail kit for photographer (See Getting Ready section for what to put in it!)

NEED FOR CEREMONY:

  • Vow books with vows in them

  • Both wedding bands

  • In loving memory seat signs

  • Reserved signs for either parents or bridal party

  • Welcome drink sign if offering welcome drinks as guests enter venue

  • Choose songs for DJ

  • card box out

NEED FOR COCKTAIL HOUR / RECEPTION ITEMS GUESTS USE DURING COCKTAIL:

  • Personalized stir sticks for drinks

  • Personalized cocktail napkins for cocktail bites

  • Signature drink sign

  • Some sort of seating chart holder / Seating chart out for guests to see

  • In loving memory sign and framed photos

  • The guest book out and ready

  • Card box out

NEED FOR RECEPTION:

  • Second dress / reception outfit

  • Thank you speech

  • Guest book out

  • Seating chart available

  • Card box out

In addition to all of these things: also start thinking about music. When you’re listing to music on your way to work and you hear a song you love, add it to your “bridal prep” playlist, “cocktail hour” list and “reception list”. If you’re using a DJ, both they and you will appreciate a list of songs!! Be intentional. I find myself a lot more connected to the wedding day when connecting specific songs to each portion!

Lastly… things that are just a bonus! We want you looking and feeling your best on your wedding day and more often than not, that starts long before the wedding day itself. Here’s a list of things that you COULD start if you wanted to sprinkle in a little self-care! If I wasn’t a wedding photographer, I’d be in this field as it’s a topic I’ve gained as a hobby. I am in no way telling you they’re necessary because literally none of them are… but dang. Shoot me an Insta DM if you have any questions about any of them :)

  • hydrafacials and/or chemical peels leading up to the wedding day! Game changer

  • Starting a skincare routine!!!! Personally, I’m a big skincare girl so I think there’s no better time to start than today!

  • Botox in the upper face 7 months before wedding (for trial), then again 1 month before. However…you’ll get the most out of botox by pairing it with skincare.

  • Getting 10K steps in everyday. Wedding days are A LOT. Get ready lol!

  • Gabby George bridal arms series… I’m sorry, I know it’s trendy but personally I started it just to see it if was worth it and after a few days I honestly felt stronger (coming from someone who doesn’t do anything lol)

  • Drinking water daily!!!!

  • Microneedling

  • lymphatic draining

Next: Timelines