Wedding Planning: 30 Days to the Wedding of Your Dreams [Your Final Countdown To-Do List]

Your big day is only a month away. Finalize the important wedding planning details for a stress-free walk down the aisle.

The proposal was a success, and you have been in wedding planning bliss. Now that you’re in the home stretch, it’s time to start the countdown.

With just one month away, there’s no shortage of important details to consider. From the vendors to the dresses, you have enough on your plate and the last thing on your mind should be wedding planning stress.

Check all those last-minute preparations off your list before you say I do with this final countdown checklist.

Confirm Church and Government Requirements

Wedding planning isn’t just about the glitz and glamour. Apart from picking out flowers, choosing colors, and exploring venues, there’s another side most people fail to remember: the logistical side to wedding planning.

Before tying the knot, ensure you’ve covered all legal requirements. As the big day draws closer and closer, double-check your state’s legal marriage requirements, as the laws vary from state to state.

Acquiring a Marriage License

A marriage license is a permit to marry. This is one of the most important steps couples need to take before heading down the aisle and must be taken care of well enough in advance. You will be required to present several documents, so double-check the requirements in your state before applying for your marriage license.

Confirm the Requirements per Wedding Type

At this point in the wedding planning phase, you should have already decided on your wedding type—a religious wedding or a civil wedding. As the big day approaches, don’t forget to double-check the requirements each type has.

Typically held in a church or other place of worship, religious weddings tend to be more elaborate in order to adhere to cultural standards. When planning your wedding, it is important to confirm your potential date with the ministerial leader. Depending on requirements, your next step might be to attend marriage class, sometimes also known as the Pre-Cana if you’re Catholic. Finally, decide whether you’ll have a full or partial ceremony. The ceremony length could largely depend on your specific beliefs and the establishment’s guidelines. Be sure to confirm these details well enough in advance.

Civil wedding ceremonies are typically more straightforward and can be more laid back. Rather than a priest or pastor, couples will be married by an officiant or legal officer, giving the couple more control over who the officiant will be. A witness must oversee the signing of the marriage license and certificate. This is typically a member of the bridal party or another close family member or friend. There are government requirements regarding the eligibility of a witness, so confirm all details of your state.

Verify the Venue Capacity

By now, your venue is booked and RSVPs have started trickling in. So you should have a general idea of your guest headcount.

As you share your estimated count with your venue, confirm that they will still be able to accommodate this number without additional fees. For example, some venues may charge if your guest count is lower than initially anticipated. On the other hand, you will also need to discuss the next steps if your count is higher. Be mindful of any space requirements, expected event size, and spending limits while wedding planning—any sudden changes, may have consequences.

Work with your wedding planner and the venue so that everyone has a clear understanding of any events that might take place. Make a timeline of what to expect throughout the day. For instance, if there’s more than one venue, you must know how guest transportation will work and vendor timelines. Get clear answers to all logistical questions and plot them on your timeline accordingly.

Afarose Bridal Buzz: If you are still waiting for last min RSVPs to arrive but need an estimated guest count, it’s always safe to expect 75%-85% of guests to be in attendance.

Check In With Your Wedding Vendors

One of the worst things that could happen to couples is for a wedding vendor to back out or have a last-minute conflict. Unfortunately, these things can and will happen so a plan B is critical to ensure no unexpected events catch you off guard. Proper wedding planning is all about anticipating the what-ifs.

Contact the photographers, florists, stylists, and even the wedding coordinator to finalize all details. Confirm they have all information correct, including the time, date, price, and equipment. In addition, identify possible backup vendors or suppliers in case of any last-minute changes. You should also designate a secondary contact person in an emergency.

Create a Wedding Day Checklist

With most of your wedding planning list checked off, it’s time to create a checklist for the big day itself.

A wedding day checklist will ensure things run smoothly throughout the day. On the eve of your wedding, run through the checklist with those involved to confirm that everyone agrees on the day’s schedule and agenda.

When creating your checklist, you should consider all details, such as the bride's necessities, the ceremony program, the reception agenda, and the emergency plan.

Emergency Kit

Emergencies of any kind can happen at any time. Prep an emergency kit a few days before the wedding and make it available. Your kit can contain everything from medicine to beauty-related items and even snacks.

Items for the Bride and Groom

Amid all the stress and excitement, it’s easy for the bride to forget important necessities. Essentials like contact lenses, shapewear, flat shoes, tissues, and hygiene products should always be available. The same goes for the groom and his necessities like socks, gel, fragrance, and lint remover.

Program Checklist

It’s important to provide your wedding coordinator with a checklist. Checking on program-related tasks such as flowers, vows, rings, and the officiant should be the coordinator's top priority. You should also keep all communication open with your wedding vendors so any issues can be addressed early on.

Reception Checklist

Your reception checklist should contain specific details on the menu, seating chart, decorations, entertainment, music, and more. Not only will this help you, but your vendors as well.

Complete the Day With the Dress of Your Dreams from Afarose

Getting married is a huge milestone for couples, so it’s important to have your wedding planning organized as you get closer to the big day. A month before is the perfect time to finalize details and ensure you are completely prepared. This way, you can enjoy your wedding and reception relatively stress-free.

Set your wedding up for success and choose the perfect wedding gown. Coupled with gorgeous dresses for the bridesmaids, you’re sure to paint a magnificent picture. Afarose has gorgeous dresses perfect for all tastes and themes.

The easiest decision you will make while wedding planning is your dress. Contact Afarose now to find the dress of your dreams.