Small businesses throughout
Every small business needs help to stay competitive with the larger company machines. My New Years mission is to support as many fellow small business people as possible.
how about you? Kindness can take all of us to new places, meet new friends, and fulfill someone’s dreams.
Congratulations on your engagement! You must be so excited. This is a amazing time in your love story. Now to put the details in order.
I have a list to help you figure out all the things you need to think about for your special day. It’s a day filled with family and friends, dreams, love, celebration and details. Details are where I come to help you.
i have put together a list of a 12 month engagement plan for you. You can do it quicker or take longer but this is an average time brides typically take to put that storybook day together.
12 Months
You’re a year out — it can feel like a lot of time, but in wedding-planning time, can go by in the blink of an eye.
Set a wedding budget and prioritize what is most important
Draft your wedding guest list
Tour and book your wedding venue
Set a date
Create your wedding Pinterest board
Book a planner or day of coordinator (if in budget)
Book a photographer
Try on wedding dresses, order by 10 months in advance
9 Months
Book a videographer
Book a florist
Book an officiant and make any pre-marital counseling appointments (if required)
Choose your wedding party and ask them to be part of your big day
Take engagement photos
Set up your wedding registry
Create a wedding website
Book hotel blocks
Book your wedding night hotel
Begin researching and meeting with caterers
Begin compiling addresses for guests
6 Months
Book your rentals (linens, plates, cuttlery, chairs, lighting, tents, etc.)
Book hair and makeup artists
Book a caterer
Complete your wedding guest list
Send out Save the Dates
Decide on bridesmaid attire; send them the information and a final date to order
Start planning your honeymoon
Discuss bachelorette party dates and locations with the maid of honor; send her a rough guest list to help with planning
4 Months
Book the rehearsal dinner venue
Book the DJ or music
Order your cake
Begin bridal dress fittings
Buy or rent the groom’s attire
Decide on groomsmen attire; send them the information and a final date to order
Finalize the honeymoon and accommodations
Send thank you notes as you receive presents so you don’t become overwhelmed
Make sure you have all your legal documents needed for a marriage certificate and honeymoon.
3 Months
Book transportation
Finalize the menu with your caterer
Finalize ceremony details with your officiant
Finalize your floral design
Buy your wedding rings
Send out your wedding invitations (between 6-8 weeks before)
Start planning music for the ceremony and reception (first dances, processional, etc.
Order any paper products needed (ceremony programs, menus, place cards, table numbers,
Create a wedding day-of timeline — including times of wedding party arrival, vendor arrival, and family arrival
Buy thank you gifts for your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and parents
Purchase shoes for your wedding dress (the final fitting will be to determine the length and you can’t do this without shoes!), also if you plan to change into more comfortable shoes for the reception — go ahead and order those as well!
Discuss your wedding hair with your stylist — treatments to do ahead of time, extensions, coloring/highlighting, trims, and what they feel the proper timeline is based on your experience with them. Book the appointments.
2 Months
Buy or make plans for any wedding accessories
Touch base with all your vendors to confirm details, payment date, and to make sure they have your coordinator’s contact information for day of
Send out as many final payments as you can — typically all payments are due 30 days before the wedding so get as many done ahead of time
Check to make sure wedding party has all received their attire, are making plans for alterations, and have the appropriate accessories (shoes, ties, pocket squares, etc.)
If you’re planning to get a spray tan, do your research and test it out now.
1 Month
Get final RSVP count (call anyone you have not heard from)
Book your trial hair and makeup
Book your final dress fitting
Break in your wedding shoes
Get your marriage license
Once you have a final RSVP headcount, give this to your caterer, bar tenders, and rentals company to ensure you have enough (usually 2 weeks before the date)
Create your seating chart
Send out rehearsal dinner invitations (unless relatives are handling)
Purchase your rehearsal dinner outfit and shoes
Send your day of timeline to all your vendors (unless wedding coordinator is handling)
Meet with your photographer to discuss day of plans and a must-have shot list
Write your vows
Get your wedding party together to discuss roles and responsibilities for the wedding day
DO NOT under any circumstances try new beauty treatments or regimens this month. Stick with products you’ve used before and no treatments that you haven’t tried yet.
Week Of
Send your day of timeline to everyone in the wedding party and parents
Get your engagement ring cleaned at the jeweler
Book any maintenance waxing appointments around 7 days before
Pack a day-of bag and double check that everything you need is in it
Get your wedding manicure
Pack for your honeymoon
It’s Here! Now enjoy. This will be one of the best days of your life!
Flowers can be the “jewels” of your wedding day. They can add the finishing touches and the personality to your special day. Next question is do I do DIY or hire a florist.
Here are a few reasons why you might consider a florist:
A florist uses the right variety of flowers to achieve the look you desire
Temperature, location, and time of year are all under consideration when deciding the flowers.
A florist can help you save money when buying flowers.
A florist knows how to calculate the quantity of each varieties of flowers you will need. This means less waste, and sometimes can suggest a less expensive alternative but have the same look you want.
A florist can arrange flowers based on your style and personality.
Always keeping your idiom in mind, a florist will know how to put flowers in the right places to give the visual interest and style you want.
A florist can process and store the flowers properly so they look their very best.
Properly treating and storing is an essential part of displaying the beauty of your flowers.
A florist will relieve some of the stress related to your wedding day.
You should be enjoying you day. Get your makeup done, spend time with the people you love. We are here to take that stress away.
Remember this is YOUR day…This is your story..This is your memory.
Many have asked me how I came up with the name I Do Weddings with Love.
I had been in the business working for others for years. Never having any say in how things were done. Then one day, I was told that I would never be able to handle my own business, I was not “good enough”. Well that was it.
Sitting at the table thinking of how I WAS good enough, I knew I had to have a name for my business in order to get a business license. So what do I do? “I do Weddings “. How do I do them? With Love.
I Do Weddings with Love…THAT’s it!!!!
now I have my own business. It’s grown bigger and better every year. I AM GOOD ENOUGH. In fact I am really good enough.
so if you had ever doubted yourself, take it from me, you will never know until you try. And you are good enough too.
Just In…..
I started the day with a wonderful way. A styled shoot publication that I planned and designed florals for.
I excited to share with you
http://www.becomingone.co/post/heart-and-soul
I have a styled shoot group that I started about 3 years ago. Since then, we have done over 50 shoots and published about 100 different publications. Unbelievable !
I am not patting myself on the back for two reasons. I started this group to meet other artists throughout the wedding industry. I see work ethic, skills, and personality. When my clients ask, I can tell them that I know all about them. Second, I get to expand my skills in ways I never am allowed before. I get the opportunity to do creations that are off the charts cool.
If you ever want to see some of my creations, check out my styled group, Styled Shoots with Annette & Friends on Facebook.
Heart & Soul
I know there is so much to do when planning a wedding. Choosing your venue, finding that perfect dress, interviews of wedding vendors, tastings for food and cake, sending out invitations, and making out the guest list. Now you have selected what you want, who you want, and where you want it.
The last phase is the decor for the day. Shocked on all the monies you have spent, going thru pages of Pinterest, having everyone give their opinions. I know you are overwhelmed.
I want to be the one that makes the process as easy as possible when deciding what flowers you will be using. I like to give a three tier alternative to my clients. This gives you different ideas for your inspiration and taking into account the weather being a factor. Too cold or hot summer days are all taken into account when choosing your flowers.
So many choices to make the day your dream day. Don’t stress. Make this this best time of your life
When I have the opportunity to meet with my potential clients, I always try to remind them of the important “spots” on your wedding day. Those most photographed areas on your special day are the places you need to concentrate on. Think about it. Table 19 is not important as the sweetheart table.
Here are the areas of importance:
Your dress
Your bouquet
Your ceremony area
Your sweetheart table or where you are seated
Your cake
focus on those areas. I am not saying spend a fortune, but I am saying make them photography ready. I love to put the bridesmaids bouquets around the cake for a bigger punch of flowers. The bridal bouquet in the center of the sweetheart table to be seen all night. Make the ceremony backdrop flowers in in a container that is able to move and place around the sweetheart table.
There are many ways to make your pictures even better memories. I would love to help you.
I am a true believer that you always need to keep learning. I was so blessed to go to Miami with an opportunity to master the skills of larger wedding installation. Intrigued Designs with Sarah Campbell hosted an amazing two days of learning . Wow is all I can say. I am so pumped up. I got to meet the Mayesch Designer of the year, Shawn Michael Foley. Also met Farmer Nick NYC. These three are the best of the best. I felt like I was with royalty. And the best part was, I actually taught them one of my tricks that I have done in designing. I taught them!
i learned some really amazing ideas. I cannot wait to use them
Sometimes I like to play with ideas on my table. Tablescaping an idea and bringing it to life is so much fun. I get to create a vision, pull in elements to accent, and then fill in with floral vocals.
now think about that when you are planning your sweetheart table. We can design, create, and add. Design your story. Create your story with elements to bring it to life. Add your bouquet to give that punch of nature.
I love it! Look at some of my beach feel
A defining part of any big day, flower displays provide a visual uplift and can even transform a venue.
Bold statement colours are all the rage, as well as those with different textures and shapes. Speak to your florist about how they can layer up displays with an explosion of colour. Go big on scents too – this is going to be a big wedding trend that you’ll smell more of in the coming year!
It’s all about getting creative too. Think about different ways that flowers can add a pop of colour to other parts of the day, from the sweetheart table with large tall statement arrangements to a flower “tree” instead of an arch.
And when it comes to your bridal bouquet, it’s all about understated tidy bouquets with plenty of overflowing greenery for a majestic look. Or a more natural look with grasses, feathers, natural elements.
Remember it is your day, your style, your vision.
photography by Wild Heart Films
makeup Richmond Makeup Artist
hair by Cecily Morgan Hair
