How to Plan a Wedding in 10 Weeks or Less!

A mini “How To” manual from someone who’s been there:

1.  Get a free account at www.backpackit.com. It’s a GENIUS online To-Do List, and you and your fiance’ can conquer the world together with it!

2.  For the first 2 weeks, do not eat, do not sleep, do not do anything but make phone calls.  This will take some dedication, but you’ll thank yourself later.

3.  Embrace the fact that you’re having a Sunday wedding. No, there will not be any Saturdays available until this time next year, unless you get want to get hitched at Sonny’s Bait Shop.

4.  Do not underestimate the value of a good spreadsheet. Cross reference your available venues, photographers, caterer, and guest attendees.  You may have to move your date around to accommodate Aunt Louise’s hip surgery, or to make sure you get the cake designer that you want – be flexible!  No one likes a Bridezilla.

5. If someone offers to throw a shower for you, say YES.  These are wonderful breaks from the planning, and it helps remind you that you have loving people all around who are super-excited about your wedding day too.

6. Stay AWAY from the thick bridal magazines. I don’t care how “Modern” or “Today” you want your wedding to be: this type of reading material will only give you a slew of ideas that you don’t have the time to do.

7. Try to get your dress, jewelry, and shoes on the same day. I cannot stress this enough: Multiple trips to shoe stores returning shoes you *thought* would look good with your dress that is now at your alterations lady’s house is not fun.  In the end, go to Payless for white shoes.  No one will see them anyway!

8. If a friend gives you the “if there’s anything I can do to help…” line, accept before she finishes her sentence. In fact, keep a running list of yet-to-do items in your purse and just whip it out for just this occasion.  This way, she can pick her favorite!  LOL

9.  Enjoy the process, but if you have to be stressed during either on your wedding day or in the planning weeks, choose the latter.  If I had a nickel for every bride who’s told me they barely remember their wedding day, well…  my parents wouldn’t be writing quite as many checks. Capiche?

10.  Marry someone as wonderful as my groom-to-be, who neither argues with your good judgement, but also spends every moment that he can taking care of some of the details for you.  Ahhhhh

Want to see how my wedding turned out?  View our wedding photos. It was a day that dreams are made of