You’ve found the perfect honeymoon destination, now it’s time to decide what to pack for the best vacation of your life! This handy honeymoon checklist has all the essentials you’ll need, plus a few add-ons for either a beach getaway or a snowy mountain escape. Simply pin the checklist at the bottom of this post for quick and easy reference, and rest assured you’ll have everything you need.
Honeymoon Checklist
Documents
Driver’s license and/or another form of identification
Now that the stress of packing is off your shoulders thanks to this honeymoon checklist, tie up all the loose ends of your trip with this guide to planning your perfect honeymoon. Then kick that wanderlust into high gear with our list of romantic honeymoon destinations around the world!
Trying to nail every decor detail on your wedding day can be quite the undertaking—cue the stress. Between the ceremony, the cocktail hour, and the reception, it’s safe to say your hands are probably getting pretty full. That’s why we put together a handy wedding reception table checklist to ensure no detail gets overlooked.
From standard decor to traditional place settings, we’ve got you covered with every item you could possibly need (or want) for your reception tables.
Wedding Reception Table Checklist
Essential Decor
During the wedding planning process, it’s easy to get lost in all of the exciting details. That’s why we’re starting our checklist with the essentials. Though these aren’t the most fun elements to sort out, they tend to be statement pieces that play an integral role in your wedding reception. Here are the standard decor pieces you should plan before diving into your decor.
Now that the essentials have been taken care of, it’s time for the real fun to begin—planning your decor. To give your tables a focal point, start with centerpieces. Work with your florist to plan and create arrangements that’ll enhance your overall reception design. This can be done with fresh blooms or even greenery garlands. The possibilities are absolutely endless.
Are flowers or greenery not part of your vision? Skip them and mix and match different accent pieces to create the ultimate centerpieces.
When centerpieces are taken care of, you can then dress them up with accent decor. These items can be rented, thrifted, or even purchased online at stores like Amazon. Though they tend to be small details, they’ll greatly impact your overall look. Here are a few accent decor ideas that’ll get your creative juices flowing.
After running through this checklist, every detail regarding your reception tables should be complete. And while you’re one step closer to the big day, there are still a few details that need to be sorted out. One of those important details being the sweetheart table—a two-person set up solely for the newlywed couple.
If this is something you’re incorporating into your reception design, check out these gorgeous ideas for styling your sweetheart table. From chair styles to decor inspiration, we cover it all.
Designing your wedding can feel a little overwhelming, especially when your venue is a blank slate. There are so many different decor elements that go into your special day and we know it can be hard to remember them all. That’s why we decided a checklist was in order to help you nail every detail. No matter what you choose to include or omit, this wedding decor checklist will help you stay on top of your wedding planning game.
While your wedding ceremony is arguably one of the most important aspects of your wedding, it’s also one of the shortest. This means that your guests aren’t going to be spending a lot of time here–aka no need to blow your budget on ceremony decor. The most important aspects are the chairs. Your guests need a place to sit, after all. From there, you want to think about the backdrop, aisle runners, and more:
While you may think that most of the socializing occur during the reception, it actually takes place during cocktail hour. Between dinner, dancing, and drinks, the reception is usually jam-packed with events. This is why allocating money to your cocktail hour decor is a wise choice. Focus on the bar, the snack table, and lawn games.
It’s no secret that your reception is the place where your guests are going to be spending most of their time so it’s arguably the most important when it comes to the design. This is especially true for the dinner table. Personalize it with centerpieces, unique chargers, elegant linens, or mismatched glassware.
Last, but certainly not least, is your wedding reception as a whole. As we mentioned earlier, this is going to be the place where guests spend their evenings, so this is where it makes the most sense to splurge on decor. It’s also the place where you can flex those creative muscles and personalize the decor to who you are. From monogram lighting to epic seating charts and everything in between, this is the perfect time to express yourself.
One of the most exciting parts of planning a wedding is figuring out the florals. They’re a beautiful, natural, and easy way to dress up your venue, wedding party, and everything in between. However, they also take up a large part of a wedding budget. If you’re meeting with your florist soon, have a checklist of all of the arrangements you want to be included in your big day.
For some, this may just be bouquets and centerpieces. Other couples may want to deck out the space in florals galore. Whatever floral design you have envisioned, this wedding flower checklist will help you consider every type of wedding flower arrangement available to include for your “I do’s.”
The bouquet is arguably one of the most important florals for your wedding day because it’s photographed throughout the day. If you’re going to splurge on any bouquets, make it this one. The wedding party’s bouquets will also get photographed. However, there’s nothing wrong with keeping them simpler if you want to save money.
Junebug Floral Tip:
Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean more expensive. The cost of the specific fresh flowers you choose will make the price tag increase.
Boutonnieres
Boutonnieres are an easy way for couples to match one another and the wedding’s color palette. Because these are typically smaller, you don’t need to worry about going over the top. If you prefer simple boutonnieres a flower or two will do. This also applies to any wedding party boutonnieres as well.
If you want to decorate your ceremony space without spending a fortune, having floral aisle markers at the beginning and end of the aisle may be the perfect choice for you. This is an easy way to make a space feel decorated without being overwhelming. This is also ideal if you plan on having an intricate backdrop because it won’t take away from the decor.
Backdrop
Backdrop florals will be just that—the backdrop to your vows. They’ll be in every photograph taken of the ceremony so you want to make sure that you love them. From flower arches to a flower-covered chuppah to a hanging floral ceiling, there are many different ways to go about it.
If you’re looking to save money on your wedding day, many other creative backdrop options don’t require flowers. This is entirely up to personal preference.
Tossing Petals
After saying “I do” and making your way down the aisle, you can give your guests fresh flower petals to throw during your wedding ceremony exit. Tossing petals make for memorable photos but they aren’t required. You can also use leaves, bubbles, streamers, or simply have guests clap during the recessional.
If you’re having a bar at your wedding, there’s a good chance that many guests will spend a lot of the evening visiting it. So personalizing it with some floral arrangements is an excellent way to make it pop. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to do this is to repurpose flowers from your ceremony space.
Table Centerpieces
Your centerpieces get a lot of attention during the reception. Your guests will be looking at them all night long while they eat and socialize. Because of this, you’ll likely spend most of your flower budget on these pieces.
You also want to consider your sweetheart table. Many couples opt to have their sweetheart table florals differ from the centerpieces to help it stand out. For example, if you have large floral centerpieces on all of the tables, try a long floral garland for your table. This incorporates your flowers and differentiates the tables.
Cake
When putting together a flower budget, many couples forget about the cake. If you like the look of florals on your cake be sure to talk to both your baker and your florist during wedding planning.
One of the best parts about planning a wedding is making it entirely your own. This means the location, type, and size of flowers you choose are up to you, too. The ones we listed above tend to be the more traditional floral arrangements included in a wedding. But the sky is the limit!
Here are other types of flowers to talk to your florist about.
Hair
Much like bouquets and boutonnieres, any hairpieces or accessories you wear will be in every single wedding photo. So if you want flowers in your hair, bring it up with your florist as part of your wedding flower checklist. Work with your florist and hair stylist to determine how to include them so that the flowers stay in tip-top shape the entire day.
Guestbook Table
Along with the bar, the guestbook table will be a popular spot for your guests as they enter your ceremony, during dinner, and through the reception. Adding an arrangement or two is an easy way to dress up the table instantly. This is another table that would be an easy spot to repurpose wedding ceremony florals as well to save money.
From welcome signs to seating charts, there’s a lot of signage included at a wedding. And while flowers are definitely not necessary for signage, it’s an easy way to make a functional piece of decor stand out.
Now that you have a wedding flower checklist for your special day, it’s time to make a trip to your florist! To prepare for your consultation, be sure you have your mood board put together and ready to go over together.
When it comes to elopement planning, there are far fewer details to worry about than traditional wedding planning. But, there are still a few things you’ll need to figure out before your big day! From location and accommodation to attire to actually making your marriage legal–each are equally important pieces of your elopement. We’ve put together this elopement planning checklist to help you through it all. If you’re working on a destination elopement planning, we also recommend these tips that no one tells you about planning a destination wedding. Let’s get started.
Choose a place that is meaningful. It could be where your partner proposed, your first vacation destination, or a location that’s been on your bucket list for years.
Use your favorite season as a guide. Because you’ll be out in nature, you should choose a date that you’ll feel comfortable outside! If you want to get married in the mountains but hate cold weather, opt for a summer wedding. If you love the idea of a desert adventure elopement but don’t want to break a sweat, choose a fall or winter date when temperatures are cooler. When doing your research on seasons in specific regions, be sure to look at average temperatures, rainfall averages, and so on. While you can’t guarantee the weather on your elopement day, you’ll have a better chance of getting ideal weather if you plan ahead!
Research the best time to visit. Beyond making sure you’ll have nice weather, you’ll want to check things like peak seasons and local holidays. If you’re going to a remote location, crowds might not be much of a concern, but local holidays–especially in smaller towns or villages—could make it harder to find accommodations, food, and so on. If you’re going to a place that’s guaranteed to have lots of adventure-loving tourists, we recommend looking into a date in the shoulder season so you’ll have a better chance of securing the location—and tourist-free photos—you want.
Have a vow exchange spot in mind. We recommend having at least one spot for your vow exchange scoped out so you and your photographer know what to expect. Even better–have two or three spots picked ahead of time so you can make a spontaneous decision.
The Guest List
Decide the guest list. Chances are, if you’re eloping–especially in an adventure elopement–you won’t be inviting many guests. But, if you’re looking for a way to have your nearest and dearest with you without taking away from the intimate elopement feel, simply give each guest a role. Ask your best friend to be your officiant, your sister to be your hair and makeup stylist, or your mom to be your coordinator for the day. This way, you can have the people you love around you without needing to also make space for vendors
Travel & Accommodation
Buy or coordinate transportation. Think about whether or not your destination is close enough to drive to or if you need to book flights. If you are tying the knot internationally, it’s best to buy your flights 4-6 months in advance to get the best deal.
Book Lodging. Book a hotel or Airbnb for your pre- and post-elopement stay if you feel like turning your special day into a romantic getaway with you and your new partner for life
Vendors
Hire a wedding photographer who specializes in elopements. When researching photographers and videographers, make sure to read their website, look at galleries, watch their films, scroll through their Instagram and Pinterest, and read client reviews. This will help you select a team that not only matches your vision but has experience shooting elopements. They will know what to be prepared for, can offer planning tips and ideas, and will know how to get those swoon-worthy shots you want.
Hire a wedding planner. If you have ever planned a trip to a foreign destination then you know how difficult it is to put together all of the pieces when you are unfamiliar with the area. The same goes for destination weddings. Hiring a wedding planner allows you to sit back and relax while they sort out the small yet important details.
Consider hiring a videographer. We’re big fans of videographers here at Junebug. There’s something extremely special about being able to watch your special day back with your closest friends and family. This also allows your family and friends who were not at the wedding a chance to experience it with you–even if it’s not in person.
Look into any other vendors you mightwant. Just because you are eloping doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the beautiful details of a larger wedding. Whether you want a florist to create your bouquet, a cake baker, or musicians to play at the ceremony, the choice is up to you and your partner!
Find the wedding outfit of your dreams. Use the money that you saved elsewhere and get the wedding dress, suit, or jumpsuit that makes you feel absolutely beautiful. Trust us, when you’re looking back on photos, you will be happy you did.
Coordinate your outfits. Get inspired by these stylish LGBTQ+ couples to coordinate your wedding outfits.
Buy wedding shoes that are easy to move in. If your destination of choice is in the mountains, you might want boots. If you’re opting for a beach celebration, you will want a comfortable pair of sandals.
Select your hairstyle and makeup look.Pinterest is your best friend when it comes to choosing your hair and makeup. Bring inspiration photos to your hair and makeup trial so your stylist knows exactly what you are expecting.
Purchase jewelry and hair accessories. We love Etsy for all bridal hair accessories and jewelry!
Junebug Tip:
Don’t forget post-ceremony celebration drinks! We love In Good Taste wine for elopements because you can easily pack and carry them to your destination. Each bottle comes with a cork top that is easy to open and holds two glasses of wine—or one very full glass. You can create your own pairings to enjoy while soaking up your newlywed love.
Figure out your officiant. The officiant is an important piece of your elopement. There are many options for this important part of your day. Hire an officiant, choose someone close to you both, or act as your own officiant—only some places allow this. If you’re opting for someone close to you, consider asking a loved one to officiate. They’ll be touched that you want to include them in your special day.
Write your vows. We will never tell you what to do. We’ll instead strongly suggest that you should write your own vows. It’s the easiest way to personalize the ceremony and express your intimate emotions towards your significant other.
Buy wedding rings. This one is a given, but this wouldn’t be a checklist without it. Don’t forget those wedding rings!
Get your marriage license. It’s crucial that you get your marriage license within the specified window of time for your wedding location.
Determine whether you need a witness. Marriage laws vary by state and by country so do your research to determine whether you need a witness or two before you jet off to tie the knot.
Ensure your officiant is legally authorized to perform the ceremony. By law, officiants must be authorized to perform wedding ceremonies. Be sure that yours is!
Collect all other legal documents you might need. Depending on your destination, you may need legal documents such as birth certificates, affidavits, blood tests, visas, etc.
Post-Elopement
Plan a sweetheart celebration or a post-elopement party. We love intimate picnics as a post-elopement celebration. Even if you are planning on having a reception later on with friends and family, take the time to plan a quiet celebration as newlyweds.
Call your parents, closest family, and friends. If you are not intending on hosting a party, call your closest family and friends and tell them right away. Although they may be upset at first, they’re ultimately going to be so happy for you.
Send announcements to share the good news with everyone else. Don’t forget to announce to your friends, loved ones, and colleagues that you’ve eloped.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed? We just covered a lot of to-dos. Take a deep breath and repeat after us, “Junebug is here to help with everything.” We’ve got you! Save this checklist below to work from as you’re planning. Then look through these 20 intimate elopements that prove less can be more and that the temporary stress of planning will be worth it. Plus, don’t forget: you’re not alone.
Not sure where to start when putting together your wedding registry? We’ve teamed up with Zola to share the ultimate wedding registry checklist! Building your wedding registry can be overwhelming, but Zola makes it easier than ever to register for everything you need for your newlywed home from essentials for the kitchen and bedroom to gift cards for hotels and airlines to personalized cash funds for your honeymoon and more! Zola sells over 50,000 gifts from over 500 brands like Le Creuset, KitchenAid, Sonos, and even Airbnb and Delta!
The benefits of registering with Zola are truly out-of-this-world, from free shipping on almost everything to a 20% post-wedding discount for up to six months after your big day. Not only can you control when your gifts ship so you aren’t overwhelmed with box overload when you return from your honeymoon, but Zola offers free returns and virtual exchanges! Any gift can be converted to Zola store credit so you never receive a gift you don’t want. Plus, Zola credit never expires and can be applied to any gift or gift card sold by Zola.
Ready to check out all those essentials you can find on Zola to complete your wedding registry checklist?
Must-Have Traditional Gifts
Your wedding registry is the perfect opportunity to upgrade those basics like sheets and plates that you’ve had since you got your first apartment! ;) From fancier bedding to luxurious towels to the stand mixer of your dreams, don’t write off these must-have traditional gifts from your wedding registry checklist.
Keeping a clean house has never been easier with literal robots to help you do it! A vacuum may not sound like the sexiest item on your registry, but we have a feeling a Roomba will be on the short list of favorite gifts you receive!
A well-balanced wedding registry includes both functional items and fun pieces you’ve always had your eye on. Have you always wanted custom frames for the art in your home, a lush velvet arm sofa, a high-end speaker system, or even a home security system? Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and ask for what you really want for your newlywed home!
There’s an age-old question: what do you get for the couple who has everything? Our answer? Gift cards! If you’ve already lived together before your big day, you may already have many of the items on this list. That’s where gift cards to your favorite airline, fitness club, or streaming service come in handy! Hint: Airbnb gift cards are some of the most popular registry picks year after year.
Asking for cash on your wedding registry is no longer a faux pas, especially when paired with traditional registry gift items. The best way to go about requesting money is to be specific about where the funds are going – your honeymoon, buying a house, or saving for a new puppy! Zola allows you to upload photos and let guests know exactly where their gift is going. This way, they feel like they’ve contributed to an actual present instead of giving you a bucket o’ cash. And hey, Zola has the lowest cash fund fee in the industry – just a credit card processing fee!
If there’s one part of wedding planning we don’t want you to stress over, it’s building your wedding website. Your wedding website not only gives your guests the information they need about when and where your wedding will be but also helps you keep up with RSVPs and answer every little question your guests may have before the big day. We’ve outlined everything you need to include on your wedding website to help you check every box and leave no question unanswered. To make the process even easier, we’ve teamed up with Joy, who we believe is the best in the wedding website business.
Joy is a free platform the allows you to create beautiful custom wedding websites. You’ll learn more about their extensive list of features as you read on, but a few of our favorites include the guest management tool and digital RSVPs, the photo sharing and live slideshow capabilities, and the app which allows guests to view the schedule, get event information, and even connect with other guests right from their phones.
Ready to make an amazing wedding website?
The Basics
Your Names
Your guests will write you cards and put your names on the gifts. Your side of the family may or may not know the spelling of your partner’s name and vice versa, so definitely make sure names are clear and in very legible fonts!
Your Wedding Date
Your wedding date needs to be prominently displayed. This is the most important information guests are looking for on your site.
Your Wedding Time(s)
Don’t forget to include the time of the wedding! It can be helpful to list a ceremony start time and a reception start time, especially if there is a break in-between. The more information you can provide, the better!
Your Wedding Location(s)
Your venue name and address should be as easy to find as your wedding date! Be sure to list both your ceremony and reception venues if they’re different. It’s also a good idea to highlight the city and state of your wedding for any out-of-town guests who may be looking for that info.
Wedding Countdown
Joy has a handy wedding day counter that you can include on your homepage! This is a great way to let guests know how long they have before the big day and get them excited as your wedding date nears!
Your Story
How You Met
Extended family and coworkers who made the guest list may not have ever heard the story of how you met, so now is a great time to tell it!
When You Knew
Everyone loves a great love story, so share yours with the people you’ve invited to celebrate it! Did you fall in love on a trip somewhere? Was it love at first sight? Who said it first or did you both just know?
The Proposal
How did the proposal go down? Inquiring minds want to know!
A Day in the Life
What do you each do for a living? How do you spend your weekends? Don’t forget to give a shout out to your pets!
Photos
Together Through the Years
It’s time to pull out all those grainy selfies and travel photos from the early days of your relationship! It’s fun to go down memory lane together and probably even more fun for your loved ones to see how your relationship grew as time went on.
Engagement Photos
You know those gorgeous photos you had taken recently? Your wedding website is the perfect place to show them off! Joy makes it simple to include images on every page of your wedding website, so choose your favorites and upload them directly to your site.
Photos of the Venue
It can be helpful to provide a photo of at least the outside, if not also the inside, of your venue so that guests have an idea of the vibe of your event and what to expect when they get there. Your venue likely has photos on their website or social media you can use for this purpose!
RSVP
Having a wedding website makes it easy for your guests to RSVP with just one click! Joy makes it even easier for you to collect the necessary information about each guest including whether or not they plan to attend, their mailing address (so helpful for those thank you notes!), dietary restrictions, and meal choice, as well as fun questions like their favorite song to get down to on the dance floor or their best marriage advice.
Schedule
From the days leading up to your wedding to the official send-off, let your guests know what events are scheduled! Be sure to include the start and end times, who is invited (family-only, all guests, etc.), details about the activities, the addresses, and the appropriate dress codes for each event.
Pre-Wedding
From activities and for out-of-town guests and get-togethers for reuniting friends to your rehearsal dinner, the week before you say “I do” may be filled with events your guests need to know about!
Day-Of
If you have a timeline available, we highly recommend including a schedule on your wedding website. Let guests know how early they need to arrive before the ceremony starts along with the expected times of the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and any other notable events or activities throughout your day. Joy makes it handy for your guests to keep up with all of the upcoming activities by allowing them to add each event to their calendar right there from your wedding site!
Post-Wedding
Will there be an after-party at your favorite bar or morning-after brunch at your new mother-in-law’s house? Let guests know what to expect if your sparkler send-off isn’t your last goodbye of the wedding weekend!
Wedding Party
Joy allows you to list and upload a photo of each member of your wedding party so your guests can get to know the special people who will be standing by your side at the altar. This can be a nice way to help guests put a face with a name before arriving at your wedding!
Travel Info
Airport Information
Especially if the city where you’re getting married has multiple airports, be sure to let your guests know which to fly into! It can be helpful to include information about how far the airport is from your venue as well as any information about shuttles or transportation.
Where to Stay
List any nearby hotels, including where you have booked room blocks, along with the nightly rates and contact information. For Airbnb, let your guests know what neighborhoods or areas to find a place close to your venue. Does your venue have accommodations? Let your guests know there are spots available to stay on site.
How to Get Around
In case your guests aren’t renting a car, provide some tips for getting around! What is the most reliable public transportation, how much does it cost, and when does it start and stop running each day? Does the city have rideshare services? Share links to the apps, your preference, or a promotional code if you have one!
What to Do in Town
Share your favorite local restaurants and must-see spots so that out-of-town guests can explore the city in the days leading up to your wedding.
Wedding Registry
Whether you have registered at one store or four, Joy allows you to link each of your wedding registries directly onto your wedding website!
FAQ
RSVP Deadline
We recommend listing this question first since it’s the most time-sensitive! Also, let your guests know if they can RSVP directly if they’ve forgotten to send or misplaced their physical mail card.
Plus Ones
Plus ones can be a bit sticky if not everyone gets one, so be sure to make clear what your expectations are. If the answer varies, direct your guests to their invitations for information about whether they have been allowed a date.
Children or No Children Welcome?
Are you planning a kids-free wedding or are children welcome? Would you prefer only children over a certain age? If you have specific accommodations for children, like a play area or childcare, here is a good place to mention that as well!
What to Wear
What is the dress code for your event? Be specific, as terms like “creative black tie” aren’t always clear. Are there any colors your guests should avoid (hopefully white!)? If your wedding is outdoors or requires significant walking, be sure to let your guests know what shoes would be suitable.
Parking
Will there be a valet service, a parking lot, or a designated parking area? Should the allotted parking fill up, where can guests park? If there is limited parking available, be sure to recommend carpooling or using a rideshare service! If you have a preference or promotional code for a particular rideshare, include that information as well.
Indoors or Outdoors
Is your wedding indoors, outdoors, or a mix of both?
Accessibility
Is your venue wheelchair accessible? If there is a long or uneven path between the ceremony and reception spaces, will there be some sort of transportation provided?
Photos & Social Media
Do you have a hashtag for your wedding? Are you planning an unplugged ceremony or will guests be allowed to capture the moments on their phones? We recommend encouraging your guests to leave their DSLRs at home, as you’ve hired a professional to document the day and cameras can not only be a distraction but also get in the way of your hired photographer.
Dancing
Will there be dancing? Let your guests know if they need to bring their dancing shoes to your reception!
Maps
Joy makes being a wedding guest as easy as possible by having maps embedded in their site when you enter a location. This is super helpful so that no one has to type in the venue address and they can easily see the surrounding area.
Contact
Be sure to give your guests a contact email in case they have any questions. This doesn’t have to be your own email address! You may want to ask a family member or someone from your wedding party to be in charge of guest questions to reduce stress leading up to your wedding day. Just be sure to make it clear who the contact information is for!
Wedding App
In addition to your wedding website, Joy’s app allows guests to have all your wedding info stored on their phone with one simple download!
Pin This Checklist
Wedding planning should be a joyful time, not a stressful one. Start building your wedding website with Joy today!
*This post is sponsored by Joy. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Junebug Weddings!
With so many details to manage, checklists are a God-send during the wedding planning process. Since you’ve already gotten started checking off details using our wedding decor checklist, we thought it was high time to get into the nitty-gritty of all those signs you’ll need for your wedding day. Signage may not seem all that important, but if you want to enjoy your day without stopping every ten seconds to answer questions like “When does cocktail hour start?” and “Where’s the bathroom?” then signs might just be the most important decor items in your whole wedding day! Show your guests the way with this helpful wedding sign checklist and shop each sign below!
They say the wedding day feels like it’s over in a flash, but there are a few wedding-related tasks that actually take place after your grand exit. We’ve put together an easy post-wedding checklist to help you tie up any loose ends after tying the knot. Keep this list handy in the weeks leading up to your big day so you can start making arrangements to make your post-wedding experience go as smoothly as the wedding itself!
Pay Remaining Vendor Balances
When: Immediately after wedding
In general, most of your vendors will be paid in full before or on your wedding day. However, should there be any remaining balances for your caterer, bartender, etc., you will want to tie up those loose ends as soon as the wedding is over.
Return Rentals
When: Within one week of your wedding
Before you head out to bask in the bliss of being a newlywed on your honeymoon, you’ll want to return any goods you rented! If you’re hopping right on an airplane, be sure to make arrangements for someone you trust to take furniture and decor back to the rental company. Note: each rental company may have their own policy about the return timeline, so don’t forget to check with them a few weeks before your wedding!
Clean and Preserve Your Wedding Dress
When: After your honeymoon
While we love seeing couples adventure into the wilderness in their wedding day attire, you may want to keep those memories in the photos and not on your dress. Technically you can get your wedding dress cleaned and preserved at any point, but the longer you wait, the less effective the process will be. We recommend having your dress cleaned and preserved after your honeymoon so that any stains (even the ones you may not see!) can be dealt with before they set in.
You may be wondering what makes the preserving process different from dry cleaning. A professional preservationist, often found at your local bridal salon, will survey your gown looking for any stains and create a specialized procedure to clean your dress, good as new! After the dress has been cleaned, the preservationist will package your gown in acid-free tissue paper and an archival box.
A few important notes: It’s a good idea to track down a trained preservationist a few weeks before your wedding just in case any major stains occur on your wedding day. Should that be the case, a relative or member of your bridal party can take your dress in while you’re away on your honeymoon. When doing your research, we recommend taking your gown to a true professional preservationist, whose referral you can get from your bridal consultant or other friends who have had the process done. Many dry cleaners claim to offer the service, but most are not actually trained in the art of preserving such an important garment. Lastly, being that this is 2017, you can even find wedding dress preservation kits with mail-away services! This process takes from six to eight weeks and typically includes insurance for your gown.
Send “Thank You” Cards
When: Within three months of your wedding
Some of our best wedding planning advice is actually post-wedding planning advice: write your “thank you” cards as soon as possible! First, it’s simply good etiquette to thank your loved ones for their thoughtful presents in a timely manner. Just as important is writing them before real life gets in the way! Make an event of it: pop a bottle of champagne, open your gifts while keeping a record of who gave what, and write your cards together. A bit of bonus fun? Listen to a playlist of songs from your wedding while you do it!
Looking for the perfect cards to say “thank you”? We love the selection on Minted as well as these pretty cards below!
Apply for Life Insurance
When: As soon as possible!
While it’s not the sexiest item to check off your list after saying I do, life insurance is something that every couple (married or not) should look into when planning a future together.
The type of life insurance you need totally depends on your relationship, expenses, and future plans. For example, if you own a house together, you’ll need a plan that covers more financially versus if you and your partner are leasing a condo for the next three years.
Whatever your coverage needs, we highly recommend that you get a quote through Bestow.
The traditional life insurance application process can often be time-consuming. Physicals and blood work are usually required and insurance companies can take upwards of 6 months or more to approve your application. With Bestow, getting a quote can take just minutes and physicals and blood work are not required. Click here to get a quote!
Take Stock of Remaining Registry Items
When: Within six months of your wedding
Once you’ve sent your thank yous, it’s time to take stock of what’s left on your wedding registry. Most registries offer a discount on remaining registry items if you purchase within one year. Now is a great time to determine what you still want and need from your registry! Pro-tip: Make the most of your discount by taking care of bigger ticket items that you may not have the funds to purchase later.
Officially Change Your Name
When: Within one year of your wedding
Changing your last name upon getting married is, of course, optional. However, if you’ve decided you want to do so, we recommend starting the process sooner rather than later! While the laws and procedures vary by jurisdiction, this article breaks it down each piece of the puzzle.
Want to keep this post-wedding checklist handy for after you say “I do”? Pin this graphic below!
From the beginning of their relationship, Allison envisioned a wedding with a bohemian touch. Toby, accustomed to formal suits at work, looked forward to dressing more casually for their special day. And guess what? It all unfolded just as they had dreamed! Their Masia Egara destination wedding combined timeless elegance with an earthy color palette accented by vibrant splashes of orange (Allison’s favorite color), lush flowers, and stylish attire. It was even better than they had hoped–a party they’ll never forget.
The couple exchanged heartfelt vows in their garden ceremony, surrounded by stunning blooms and vibrant foliage, creating a truly unforgettable moment. As the festivities continued into the charming courtyard reception, guests were greeted by long tables adorned with an abundance of flowers, greenery, and twinkling candles. To add even more enchantment, a breathtaking display of blooms, flowers, and lanterns hung above the tables, elevating the beauty of their already magical day.
Gathering their loved ones for such a meaningful event meant the world to the pair, and they aimed to fill every moment of the celebration with the love they shared. Their wedding day seamlessly combined classic elegance with their unique style, reflecting who they are as a couple. With the help of Weddings Art, every intricate detail and cherished memory of their enchanting celebration was expertly captured, ensuring it would be remembered for years to come.
Celebrating Diversity and Timeless Style in Wedding Fashion
I wore an Amsale wedding dress for our big day. It was important for me to wear a dress by a Black wedding dress designer, and Amsale’s gowns are impeccably cut, beautifully tailored, and stylistically stand the test of time. I wanted to avoid looking back at wedding photos and feel that my dress appeared dated. The beauty look was simple, nothing dramatic. I kept my natural curls loose, and my makeup was natural. I wanted to look like myself on the wedding day.
How Masia Egara Set the Stage for Their Perfect Day
We chose our venue because it is a beautiful burnt orange color, which is my favorite. We knew that the Masia’s facade would work perfectly with our color scheme, earth oranges, and pinky peach hues selection. As soon as we stepped through the gates into the courtyard, we fell in love with the beautiful gardens and rustic terra cotta-colored facade of Masia Egara. It was the perfect location. With the venue secured, we moved on to catering, photography, videography, lighting, music, officiant, transportation, and other logistics involved in making our day unforgettable. I took an active role throughout the process, sharing my feedback on everything from the color palettes, flower types, lamps, and place-setting designs that our wedding planner procured. We were ecstatic on our wedding day because all of the vendors delivered, and The Experialist made our wedding dreams a reality.
Allison’s and Toby’s Most Memorable Masia Egara Destination Wedding Moments
Allison: The most memorable part of the day was the dinner and the batucada. The caterer has links to El Bulli, which was previously ranked among the best restaurants in the world. The caterers were creative and dynamic and delivered an incredible meal, which was essential to me, a self-proclaimed foodie. The batucada was a drumming performance that helped guests transition from the dinner to the dance floor. Toby: The most memorable part of the day was when our photographer pulled us aside for a private photo session at the venue. In all of the excitement of the day, we were able to take a few minutes to just be the two of us—profoundly in love and surrounded by beauty.
Navigating Their Masia Egara Destination Wedding Day Changes with Grace
Other than the wedding planner, you are the only people at the wedding who know how everything is supposed to come together. So, if something goes differently than planned, don’t dwell on it. Enjoy your magical day.
Congratulations to Allison and Toby on their classic Masia Egara destination wedding, which was filled with dancing and delicious food. A big thanks to Weddings Art for skillfully capturing every beautiful moment of their special day.
Considering a destination wedding? It’s a fantastic way to have a small, close-knit celebration with your loved ones and create unforgettable memories. But here’s the deal: to make your day truly amazing, team up with experienced vendors who can add that extra special touch. Ready to get started? Take a look at our list of top wedding professionals from all over the world!
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