We are less than 3 months from the big day and things are really starting to pick up around here (aka, I’m starting to have daily panic attacks). I haven’t done this since the 6 month mark, so it’s high time to check the almighty checklist from Real Simple. Note that I am actually going back to the 5 month mark to make sure I’m on track – eep!
Four to Five Months
- 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.
Both of these are booked! We are having our Rehearsal/Welcome dinner at the yummy Napes Pizzeria at Downtown Disney, and our Farewell Brunch in the Wisteria room at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel (yes, there will be Mickey waffles).
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| The balcony at Naples; photo from PatinaGroup.com |
- Select and order the cake. Some bakers require a long lead time. Attend several tastings before committing to any baker.
We have to get our cake through Disney, and I’m so excited for our tasting later this month. We are trying a carrot cake, a red (pink) velvet, and a chef’s surprise!
- Send your guest list to the host of your shower. Provided you, ahem, know about the shower.
Oh, I know about the shower. This has been done.
- 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.
Remember my ill-fated glittered wedding shoes? Well, just this past weekend I tried again and my new pair looks FABULOUS. A separate post on that coming up soon.
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| Shoe fail. |
- 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.
Done! The lovely Fairytale Hair and Makeup will be taking care of me.
- 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.
Hoo-boy. This is something we are majorly procrastinating on. BUT, we recently chose all our music for the harpist to play during the ceremony and sent him all the sheet music, so at least we are doing something.
Three Months
- 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.
Our food tasting is later this month, and I’m making (most) of the flowers and decor. I am waiting on a revised decor order from Disney and then hopefully we will be set.
- 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.
We are working on surprise favors for our guests, but it’s a SURPRISE. As for welcome bags, we have the bags themselves but I suppose it’s time to start thinking about what to put in them. Oi.
- Make a list of the people giving toasts. Which loved ones would you like to have speak at the reception? Ask them now.
Oh, am I supposed to pick people? I had no idea. I guess it’s a good thing I’m checking this list!
- Finalize the readings. Determine what you would like to have read at the ceremony—and whom you wish to do the readings.
Long ceremonies put people to sleep. So, no readings or extra fluff at ours, thankyouverymuch.
- Purchase your undergarments. And schedule your second fitting.
I don’t think I need special undergarments for my dress. Do I? And I had my final fitting last month and my dress is now hanging in my closet. It feels good to be ahead of the curve on at least one thing.
- Finalize the order of the ceremony and the reception.
We have a meeting with our awesome Day of Coordinator from Rebel Belle Weddings this week, and then a meeting with the Disney folks later this month, and hopefully this will be covered at one or both of those meetings.
- 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.
We have a cute idea for the menus but I don’t want to spill the beans just in case we run out of time to make them. And programs, ugh. I wasn’t going to make them but I have a Vistaprint Groupon that expires at the end of the month and I’m not sure what else I can use it for. So I think I’m making programs. I really want nice programs like Courtney and Calvin had at their wedding but I don’t think I’m talented enough to put them together.
- Purchase the rings. This will give you time for resizing and engraving.
Mr. BFT’s band is taken care of and I’m not getting a separate wedding band, so I think we’re set!
- Send your event schedule to the vendors. Giving them a first draft now allows ample time for tweaks and feedback.
Hopefully we can do this in April after all our meetings. But we only have 2 vendors who would need it, our harpist and our DJ.
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I feel pretty good about where we are at after reading this list, although this list doesn’t take into account the crapload of DIY we are doing. But everything is coming along. I think we are in a good place.
