Vermont Bride’s Wedding Planner

Online Quick Planner

This is the abbreviated "Fast Planning" wedding guide. For a more entisive scheduling guide for making your Vermont wedding a success, see the Step By Step Wedding Planning Guide

12-24 months before your wedding date:

• Set your date.
Consider the schedules of your family and friends - - can they make it on the date you are setting? Can your choice of officiant, caterer, photographer and the location meet your date choice?

• Set a budget.
This will determine how formal or informal, how many guests will be included in the ceremony and reception and how large your wedding party will be.

Graciously, invite the friends and family you’ve chosen to participate in the wedding party. Enlist their aid in planning. Choose a couple of trusted people in addition to the wedding party to aid in the wedding planning. Things will run more smoothly with assistance from outside the wedding party.

• Hire your wedding planner, if you’ve decided to have one. A consultant can greatly relieve the stress of planning your wedding. He/She can manage many of the details often overlooked and deal with immediate problems as they arise.

• Select your locations for the ceremony and reception.
Be certain to visit both locations. Choosing sites from a brochure may not end up being all the advertisements boast. If you’ve chosen one location, be certain it is large enough to accommodate your event and has done so in the past. A frequently used site may need more than a year’s reservation. An outdoor location will require less but has seasonal considerations, such as tent rentals and necessary facilities. Both,, as well as seating rentals, will need to be attended to before the wedding date.

• Choose your officiant.
Many Priests, Rabbis, or Reverends, require a term of counseling before he/she will perform the ceremony. While the concept may seem unusual, a pre-marital counselor can help reduce stress and insure that you understand each other’s expectations. It may not be necessary for every couple but is certainly a beneficial option.
• Reserve your caterer if an onsite service is not available.
The more sought after the caterer, the further ahead you will have to book the date. Taste tests are one of the best elements of planning the menu, enjoy!
• If you’ve chosen to work with a designer, begin consultations on gown design.

9-12 months before your wedding date:

• Choose your florist.
Seasonal considerations must be made. It will guarantee the freshest, least handled flowers possible.

• Choose your photographer and videographer.

6-9 months before the date:

• Begin your honeymoon planning.

• Reserve your date with the musicians or DJ you’ve chosen.

• Select transportation.

4-6 months:

• Finalize your honeymoon travel arrangements.
Book your hotel, purchase your plane tickets and make sure you have any passports, visa’s etc in order.

• Dress fittings and tuxedos.

2-4 months:

• Mail invitations.
It is often a good idea to write out thank yous for the gifts you will receive at this time. They can be ready to drop in the mail before you embark on your honeymoon.

• Don’t forget your marriage license.

Final month:

• Rehearsal dinner.
Choose the site, unless the groom’s family is handling this decision, and make reservations for one week prior to your wedding date. Be sure invitations are extended to bridal party, close family and anyone who has played an integral role in the planning.

Final week:

• Pick up the tux, attend rehearsals.

• Relax and enjoy.
The day is almost here and you’re extraordinarily well organized. While it may seem hectic and overwhelming, all your decisions have been made. You’ve hired the best wedding vendors. Your dress is gorgeous, the tux impeccable and you have infinite support from family and friends.

Wedding Planner Guide for at Home Printing

See the "long" wedding planning version, with details and a step-by-step guide