Roadmap of the blog so far: step 1

I have been gathering so much information, that for my own sake I need to find a way to easily access it. Okay assuming this is your first visit to the blog and you are newly engaged, where do you begin?

Begin in prayer.Ask yourself the good question, have I prayed for this wedding as much as I have talked about it? Here is some inspiration Pray covering yourself head to toe, Pray Proverbs 31 for yourself,  Pray for your husband-to-be, Pray like the early church prayed, Pray for your children, Pray for teenager specifically, Pray hardest when it is hardest to pray, Pray for your home, Pray for God to use you, Pray for God to shape you,Pray for food and family,  Pray for your guests,

Pray and be ready for action/Pray and plan, Pray remembering the possible ways God could answer your prayer,

THE GRAND LIST OF ALL FINAL INSPIRATION AND VENDORS

So now I am beginning to finalize things and put it all together to make sense of the 1000 plus posts I have posted to try and decide 60 or so decisions:-) It will take a few days to put it all together but here we go!

1. Budget here
2. Date here
3. Guest list : 300 guests
4. Ceremony/reception, photoshoot/first night venues here
5. Save the date here
6. colour scheme: inspired by colours of the fall here- Brown, Red, Yellow
•  DRAPES-Brown base with red accents; 
• TABLES: Brown with yellow
• CHAIRS: Brown with red tie-backs
• FLOWERS: Red and Yellow
• DRESSES: Yellow bridesmaids; Red maid of honour; Green groomsemen shirts
• CARDS Brown square, red card, yellow ribbon for the tag
7. Style: described here
8. Officiant
9. Wedding licence information here
10. Bridal party here
11. Brides' dress inspiration here
12. Groom's attire inspiration here
13. Bridesmaids inspiration here and Maid of honour here
14. Groomsmen inspiration here
15. Bride shoes inspiration here or here
16. Bride hair inspiration hair
17. Bride nails inspiration here
18. Hair and make up options here
19. List of must-have wedding photos here
20. Label of inspiration photos here
21. Photo and video we like option here
22. Menu here
23. Caterers we like here
24. Cake inspiration here
25. Cake vendor we like option here
26. Tents drapery inspiration here
27. Chairs cover and tie-backs here
28. Guest Tables inspiration here
29. Bride flower bouquet here, Bridesmaids flowers here, groom and groomsmen button flower here
30. Bridal car decor inspiration here 
31. Aisle decor here
32. Petals at altar inspiration here
33. Ceremony seating inspiration here
34. Signing table inspiration here
35. Tents tables chairs flowers and decor vendor options here
36. Invitation card inspiration here for closes and here when open
37. Invitation card wording inspiration here
38. Wedding programme here
39.  Readings here
40. Songs list for ceremony here
41. Procession song for bridal party here
42. Procession for bride here
43. First kiss song here
44. Wedding register signing song here
45. Grand exit song here
46. Stationery vendors option here
47. Mugiithi alternatives song list here
48. Dance ideas here
49. Cake cutting song here
50. DJ and PA systems option here
51. Wedding transporation inspiration here
52. Wedding transport options here
53. Wedding rings inspiration here
54. Wedding ring vendor options here
55. Honeymoon options here
56. Honeymoon planner vendors here
57.  Rehearsal here
58. Wedding day timeline here
59. Breakfast here
60. Quiet time and prayers on wedding morning here

and in the meantime, Pre-marital questions we discuss here

How to plan wedding in 31 days/ 31weeks

copyright of nairobi wedding journey :-)

Obviously in everything we do, it's good to give ourselves ample time. There may be those who plan their wedding in a month for sure e.g. if there is deployment coming up or something. So every step is 1 day. This timeline for me is more of a game-time timeline; like after the months of research and now it's decision making time. Or, it could be stretched out into an 8 month process where each step 1 week. Or less. I have just been wanting to find a timeline that was not 1 year long and with a lot of things we did not need- so I created one:-) Feel free to use and adapt to your needs.

1. Budget
2. Date 
3. Guest list
4. Location/ Venue- ceremony, reception, photo-shoot/first night accommodation
5. Save the date
6. Research the vision- what do i want to see, eat, hear? knowing what you want before getting the vendors; have pictures of what you like and don't like
7. Decide: Colour scheme/ style/theme of wedding
8. Team: Officiant 
9. Get: Wedding license and other legal paper work
10. Team: Bridal party (bridesmaids, best man, maid of honour, ushers,)
11. Vendor: Bridal shop/tailor- (dress, suits, shoes, jewellery)
12. Vendor selection: Photography and Video
13. Vendor: Caterer
14. Vendor: Cake baker
15. Vendor: Tents, tables and chairs
16. Vendor: Flowers and decor
17. Register wedding gifts
18. Decide: Invitation card wording
19. Decide: Wedding programme (readings, music etc) and timeline
20. Vendor: Invitations- wedding stationery
21. Decide: music- procession, exit, reception entrance, first dance
22. Vendor: Entertainment- DJ, MC, PA systems +discuss special requests
23. Vendor: Wedding transportation
24. Buy: Wedding rings
25.  Book: Honeymoon and first night
26. Book: Salon- hair, nails, make up; hair and make up trial
27. Pack for honeymoon and new home; Break in shoes
28. Practice first dance
29. Try out whole outfit-forgotten anything? Get it now
30. Attend reading of the Banns
31. Wedding rehearsal

Wedding day!

28 step wedding planning checklist

Note: It takes around 250 hours to plan a wedding, that equates to six weeks full time work

Again, with continued learning, and overly detailed checklists that were not as helpful to me, I continue to refine the plan of action for our own use and hopefully something that will help others to come. So, in order of priority:

1. Budget
2. Date 
3. Guest list
4. Location/ Venue- ceremony, reception, photo-shoot/first night accomodation
5. Save the date
6. Research the vision- what do i want to see, eat, hear?knowing what you want before getting the vendors; have pictures of what you like and don't like
7. Decide: Colour scheme/ style/theme of wedding
8. Team: Officiant 
9. Get: Wedding license and other legal paper work
10. Team: Bridal party (bridesmaids, best man, maid of honour, ushers,)
11. Vendor: Bridal shop/tailor- (dress, suits, shoes, jewellery)
12. Vendor selection: Photography and Video
13. Vendor: Caterer
14. Vendor: Cake baker
15. Vendor: Tents, tables and chairs
16. Vendor: Flowers and decor
17. Register wedding gifts
18. Decide: Invitation card wording
19. Decide: Wedding programme and timeline
20. Vendor: Invitations- wedding stationery
21. Decide: music- procession, exit, reception entrance, first dance
22. Vendor: Entertainment- DJ, MC, PA systems
23. Vendor: Wedding transporation
24. Buy: Wedding rings
25.  Book: Honeymoon
26. Book: Salon- hair, nails, make up; hair and make up trial
27. Pack for honeymoon and new home; Break in shoes
28. Wedding rehearsal

Wedding day!

the first 3 steps of wedding planning

These steps make logical sense to me, I copy pasted from Elegant Gala

Step 1: Determine Your Budget

Every decision stems from the wedding budget. Before you can plan anything, you must know how much you can spend and who plans to contribute. Your budget will determine the type of wedding you can have – from how many guests you invite, to where and when you host your wedding, right down to the specific blooms in your bouquet. And with the ever increasing cost of weddings, financing the event is often a group effort; the bride’s parents no longer need to take out a second mortgage just to fund the upcoming nuptials. You’ll need to talk to your families about who will pay for what, and arrive at a total wedding budget. This complete wedding budget guide will walk you through the process.

Step 2: Tackle the Guest List

Some checklists suggest setting a date and commencing other wedding plans before this step, but eleGALA.com considers the guest count is the most vital decision after the budget. Here’s why: Capacity is one of the most important criteria in finding a suitable wedding venue – more so even than style and vision – and you must secure your location before you can successfully plan anything else. Trust us, cramming 300 people into a venue that seats 150 will not go over well. You don’t need to have the list finalized just yet, but you’ll need an estimate from both sides of the family (and yourselves) right away to avert countless planning headaches down the road.  This complete wedding guest list guide will help you get started.

Step 3: Set on a Site and Date

Only once you have an estimated budget and guest count can you begin searching for a place to hold your event with any accuracy. Remember: Many reception sites book over a year in advance, so you really can’t decide on a wedding date until you have officially booked your venue with a signed contract. Find as many reception sites that meet your budget, capacity, and overall style quotient as you can. Use our wedding reception site search to find venues in your area, and narrow down your list. Then schedule appointments to tour each wedding venue and meet with the manager. After that, it’s decision making time.

Plan Your Wedding: A Quiz

copy pasted from here

Knowing what each of you wants is the first step in planning your wedding. Grab your fiancé, find a comfortable seat, and take this easy quiz together. It will help the two of you determine your budget and better plan for this special day.

• Where do you want to hold the wedding ceremony?
  a. church
  b. outdoor location (such as a park)
  c. home
  d. destination wedding
  e. mansion or a historical site
  f. other__________________
• Where do you want to hold the reception?
  a. church hall
  b. hotel
  c. country club
  d. resort
  e. fellowship hall or community center
  f. other__________________
• How many people will you invite?
  a. 5–25
  b. 25–50
  c. 50–100
  d. 100+
• How much can you spend on the wedding and reception?
  a. up to $2,000
  b. $2,001–$10,000
  c. $10,001–$20,000
  d. $20,000+
• Who will pay for the wedding and reception?
  a. bride's parents
  b. groom's parents
  c. bride and groom's parents
  d. bride and groom
• If you are paying for all or part of the wedding, how will you pay for it?
  a. savings
  b. loan
  c. credit cards
  d. a combination of the above
• What tasks will you undertake for the wedding?
  a. ceremony planning
  b. reception planning
  c. invitations
  d. decorations, favors, gifts
  e. music
  f. transportation
  g. food, cake, beverages
  h. flowers
  i. photography
  j. wedding Web site
  k. honeymoon planning
  l. other__________________
• How much will you spend on a honeymoon?
  a. up to $1,000
  b. $1,001–$3,000
  c. $3,000+
• Where will you go for a honeymoon?
  a. bed-and-breakfast in the United States
  b. all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean
  c. luxurious hotel overseas
  d. camping at a nature destination
  e. other__________________
• For which types of things will you register to set up your new home?
  a. household items
  b. bed and bath items
  c. electronic gifts (television, microwave, stereo, camera, etc.)
  d. honeymoon registry
  e. other__________________

Once the two of you figure out what you want and how you envision your wedding, you can begin to plan all the details — including, of course, the budget.

Top 10 things to do when planning wedding

So what are the Top 10 Things to Do?
1. Decide upon date
2.Type of ceremony
3. Preferred location/ venue
4. Guest list and numbers
5. Guests' travel arrangements
6. Save the Date/ Invitations out ASAP
7. Book ceremony and reception venues
8. Book suppliers - photographer, catering, entertainment, flowers, transport, hair and make up, any extras
9. Attire/ rings/ accessories
10. Book honeymoon

source

HOW TO PLAN WEDDING IN 3 MONTHS

COPY PASTED FROM TRIED AND TRUE
 
Three Months Out

1. Get a planner. If you can't afford one, enlist as much help as you can. Do not take it all on yourself. Delegation is key to not losing your mind!
2. Decide on your wedding budget. Talk to parents if they'll be contributing.
3. Decide which day of the week you'd want to get married on, and approximately in which month you'd like to get married. Acknowledge that because you're planning late in the game you may not be able to get the exact day you'd like.
4. Find a venue and book a date. You can't do much until you know exactly when and where you're getting married.
5. Book all of your major vendors (photographer, videographer, officiant, dj, caterer, florist, etc.) and anyone else who may book out months in advance. Be willing to sacrifice. Since you're short on time you may not get everyone who is your first choice.
6. Choose your wedding gown. You may not have enough time to actually order one and have it produced, so check with your bridal store to see what will come in in time. You may have to simply alter a floor sample.
7. Decide on your wedding party! This should be pretty fun. Find a fun way to ask them if you have time.
8. Choose bridesmaid dresses (if you need to order them from a bridal store). If you're allowing your bridesmaids to get dresses on their own or are ordering from an online store like JCrew, just let your bridesmaids know to be on the lookout. As long as they purchase with two months to go, you're ok.
9. Order the flower girl's dress (if you need to order it from a bridal store). Otherwise you have a little more time.
10. Set up a wedding website (if you want to have one). I would say it's probably the best way to get out information to everyone since you're now on a short timeline.
11. Place rental orders for the groom, groomsmen, and ring bearers' tuxedos.
12. Compile a guest list with full addresses. Have family help you gather them if you don't already have them. Once this list is ready, send out a save-the-date or invitation if you're even shorter on time.
13. Work with a stationer, online company, or make your invitation yourself. Either way it will need sent out four-six weeks prior to the event. I would recommend doing something online if you're in a severe time crunch. Try to take as many things as possible off your plate.
14. Get your engagement ring appraised and insured. This can wait, but you'd hate to lose it in the meantime.
15. Set up wedding registries. Limit it to two or three max since you don't have much time. Enjoy the thought of making your home together or expanding it if you're already living in the same place.

Two Months Out

1. Decide on all necessary rentals (tables, chairs, linens, utensils, etc.) and order them.
2. Book hotel room blocks for out of town guests.
3. Make sure your parents are on top of the rehearsal dinner, or if not, make sure you book the location. Also if you are doing any day-after-brunches or other events, get those booked as well.
4. Choose a cake maker. Decide on the design. Enjoy tasting lots of cake. You'll need the sweet calories to relieve the stress by now.
5. Secure any necessary transportation to and from the ceremony and reception site.
6. Renew your passport if you'll be leaving the country for your honeymoon.
7. Book your honeymoon and flights.
8. Shop for wedding rings.
9. Meet with the officiant to plan the ceremony. If any pre-marital counseling is necessary get it done right away.
10. Mail your invitations. Weigh one full invite to determine proper postage first. Postage is a very expensive part of the budget, so you don't want to waste money with more postage than necessary.
11. Work with the caterer to choose the menu for the reception. Attend a tasting before the wedding if one is offered to ensure you like what you have chosen.
12. Book your hotel room for the wedding night (if you'll be having one).
13. Hire your hairstylist and makeup artist.
14. Buy gifts for parents, bridal party, and others to be given out at the wedding.
15. Research marriage license requirements. Some states require blood tests and the waiting period differs state to state.
16. Buy undergarments, shoes, and accessories to go with your wedding gown.
17. See a sample centerpiece from your florist and confirm floral orders (bouquets, altar pieces, boutonnieres, and more).
18. Purchase thank you notes. You'll have to start using them as soon as you receive you first wedding or shower gift.

One Month Out

1. Once invitations are sent, keep a record of responses so that you have an accurate guest count. Call people if you haven't heard from them within two weeks of the wedding.
2. Draft a wedding day time line (or if you have a planner, work with them to do so).
3. Choose seating cards and place cards if you'll be using them.
4. Order or make any items which will serve as favors (unless it is something perishable).
5. Order or make table numbers and menu cards. You can pay a calligrapher to do this if you'd like.
6. Select wedding gifts or welcome bags for out-of-towners. Get friends and family to help you put them together. Turn it into a party. You'll need the respite and a good laugh.
7. Attend wedding showers and plan bachelor/bachelorette parties. Send out thank you notes right away afterward.
8. Make a shot list for the photographer and a "Do Not Play" list for the DJ.
9. Buy any accessories necessary for the groom (shoes, cufflinks, etc.).
10. If writing your own vows, get to work on them.
11. Obtain your marriage license.
12. Start working on a seating chart (I guarantee this will change up to the very last day before the wedding though so don't obsess too much on it).
13. Have your final dress fitting.
14. Do trial runs for hair and makeup.
15. Print ceremony programs.
16. Do final meetings with all of your vendors or at least call them and make sure that everything is going as planned and that they don't have any questions. Pay any deposits still owed, unless payment will be collected at the wedding.
17. Check your registry to make sure enough gifts remain at all price points. If not, make a quick run to the store(s) and select more things you want. This is not a bad thing!

Three Weeks Out

1. Purchase anything for the gift or guest book tables (frames, guest book, pen, and anything else you'd like). If you're having a dessert table, purchase all glassware to be used, unless it's being rented.
2. Purchase your gartar (and an additional one if you'd like to keep yours and throw one).
3. Purchase toasting flutes, a cake cutting set, and anything else necessary for the reception or ceremony.
4. Review honeymoon reservations. Schedule any massages or experiences you'll want to have while there. Make dinner reservations if required.
5. Buy anything you may want to take with you on your honeymoon. A new swimsuit perhaps? Some nice lingerie? A good book for the airplane?
6. Book manicure/pedicure appointments for the wedding (for you and your bridal party if you want).
7. If moving, send your change of address form to the post office.
8. Wrap any of the gifts you purchased for your family and bridal party.
9. Purchase more thank you notes if you are starting to run out.
10. Stock up on any prescription medications that may run out over the course of the wedding and honeymoon. Schedule any necessary pre-wedding appointments with your physician, dermatologist, or dentist.
11. Check on your room block and make sure there are enough rooms still available. If not, block out additional rooms.
12. Enjoy your bachelor/bachelorette party. Do not do it the night before! Who wants to be hung over on their wedding day?

Two Weeks Out

1. Finish writing your vows.
2. If you have a pet, make arrangements for someone to care for it or take it while you are gone.
3. Arrange for people to help during the wedding (handing out programs, manning the gift table, etc).
4. Write as many thank you notes as you can. The less notes you have to write on the plan to your honeymoon destination the better!
5. Have your pre-wedding facial (if you've chosen to have one).
6. Do your final pre-wedding hair color appointment (if you want to update color or highlights prior to the wedding).
7. Have a final meeting with your florist. Go over the exact placement of everything and the schedule.
8. Check your wedding registry once again.
9. If traveling to a foreign country for your honeymoon, get $100 worth of foreign currency.
10. Arrange to have someone check on your home and take in packages while you're away.
11. Determine when wedding gifts will be opened (with or without family, before or after your honeymoon?).
12. Check on the status of any events being handled by family (i.e. the rehearsal dinner, day-after-brunch, etc.). Troubleshoot any problems.

One Week Out

1. Prepare your emergency kit for the ceremony and reception (if your planner does not already have one). Click HERE to see what should go in one.
2. Pick up your wedding dress. Store it somewhere safe and away from your fiancee's prying eyes.
3. Start packing for your honeymoon.
4. Prepare tip envelopes for any vendors being paid or tipped at the wedding. Give these to your planner or a family member to disperse on the day of.
5. Finalize seating arrangements.
6. Confirm pick up and drop off times with your transportation company.
7. Take a moment to relax as a couple. All this planning probably has you going crazy.
8. Send the photographer the shot list and finalized schedule of events.
9. Start checking the weather forecast for the wedding day. Order a tent if your outside wedding looks like it might get rained on.
10. Make arrangements to hold your mail and newspaper during your honeymoon.

Five Days Out

1. Finalize the wedding time line as much as possible (this may change a little day by day as you get closer).
2. Confirm all vendors the Monday before the event and give them a copy of the timeline.
3. Give the final head count to the venue and caterer.
4. Prepare payments for all vendors.
5. Create any homemade favors that are perishable. If extremely perishable, do them closer to the wedding date or get others to make them for you.

Four Days Out

1. Arrange transportation to the airport for the honeymoon.
2. Figure out who will transport gifts after the wedding to your home.

Three Days Out

1. Confirm hotel reservations for the night before the wedding and for your honeymoon stay. Also check on flight updates.
2. Check weather forecasts for your wedding and honeymoon. Make alterations accordingly.
3. Practice your vows.
4. Pack your items for the wedding day. I guarantee in the next day or two you'll realize you forgot something.

Two Days Out

1. Deliver in-room gifts to out-of-towners on the day they arrive.
2. Gather together all items which need taken to the ceremony or reception site in one area. Create a checklist to make sure you don't forget anything or leave anything after the event.
3. Give seating cards and place cards to the person who will be placing them at the event.
4. Pick up rental tuxes.
5. Make sure the bridesmaids have their dresses and accessories in order.

One Day Out

1. Practice speeches and vows.
2. Get a manicure and pedicure. Buy a bottle of the nail polish used in case there are issues prior to the wedding.
3. Review and finalize the seating chart. By now you may have last-minute cancellations.
4. Confirm flight reservations.
5. Reconfirm pick-up and drop-off times with your transportation company.
6. Wedding rehearsal. Yay! Walk through the ceremony at least twice.
7. Rehearsal dinner. Give gifts to the bridal party and family members. Enjoy a fun night.
8. Go over with friends and family, any specific jobs for them on the day of the wedding.

Your Wedding Day

1. Steam your wedding gown.
2. Relax and enjoy the day!
3. Let your planner or friends/family deal with any issues that arise.
4. Have your planner or friend/family member call the airline to check the status of the flight for your honeymoon.
5. In the excitement of the day, don't forget to take regular medications.

The Day After

1. Send out thank you notes.
2. Return rental tuxedos (or have someone do it for you if you've already left).
3. Call any special vendors to thank them, or shoot them a quick email.
4. Deposit monetary wedding gifts or put them in safekeeping.
5. Freeze the top layer of your cake (if following tradition).

If you have planned your wedding in a quick time frame, please feel free to comment below on things that worked well or things that didn't. Give any bit of advice that might help someone rushing to push a one-year planning process into a shorter time period. I'm sure there are brides out there that would love to hear your personal story.

Happy Planning!
~A

Two Month Wedding Planning Checklist

8 Weeks Ahead: SOURCE  Set a date  Schedule temple time  Determine a budget and how expenses will be shared  Decide on a color scheme  Select and reserve a place for reception  Select wedding consultant  Select attendants for bride and groom  Select caterer and menu  Arrange for photographer  Arrange for wedding breakfast location 7 Weeks Ahead  Begin compiling guests lists (temple guests, wedding breakfast guests, and reception guests)  Select wedding gown, veil, and accessories  Arrange for florist  Begin shopping for trousseau  Take engagement photos 6 Weeks Ahead  Determine sizes of bridesmaids and select dresses and accessories  Book reception entertainment  Have dress altered and temple ready  Arrange for necessary rental items  Order invitations and thank you cards  Have mothers shop for their dresses  Select groom's ring and order engraving  Find a place to live  Order cakes and candies  Make an OBGYN appointment for the bride for premarital examine 5 Weeks Ahead  Make arrangements for transportation  Finish compiling guest lists including addresses  Plan accommodations for out-of-town guests  Make doctor's appointments for complete physicals  Plan honeymoon and make arrangements (Get Passports, if necessary)  Arrange for health, auto, life, and renters insurance 4 Weeks Ahead  Address invitations and announcements  Mail invitations  Register for gifts  Ask people to help at reception (i.e. guest book, take gifts, etc.)  Order favors  Arrange for videographer  Have bridal portraits taken  Arrange for tuxedos  Check newspaper for announcement deadline  Write thank you's for gifts as soon as you receive them 3 Weeks Ahead  Buy accessories such as cake knives and servers, garter, guest book, and pen  Arrange for time off work  Purchase gift for finance  Make appointment with hairstylist (if doing own hair, practice with veil)  Buy gifts for attendants  Get marriage license (no sooner than 30 days in advance)  Shop for furniture for new home 2 Weeks Ahead  Meet with photographer and videographer to discuss special shots you would like  Provide reception entertainment with a list of music  Double check reservations with florist, caterer, photographer, videographer, entertainment, and honeymoon accommodations 1 Week Ahead  Plan seating arrangements, if used  Change address with post office  Pack for honeymoon  Get manicure, pedicure  Arrange for utilities, etc. for new home  Groom's haircut  Provide caterer with final guest count On Your Wedding Day  Don't forget breakfast  Give yourself a lot of time to get ready  Be sure to have rings and marriage license  Take a fix-it kit with you (include safety pins, needle and thread, aspirin, bobby pins, breath mints, panty hose, makeup, etc.)