Wedding Planning Tips: Part 5

• Book Your Officiant
• Send Out Save the Dates
• Schedule Your Bridal Portraits
• Order Bridal Party Favors and Gifts
• Dress Shopping or Fitting
• Decide on Tuxes
• Think about where you want to go on your honeymoon!
• Shop for Bridesmaids Dresses

Your officiant is one of the most important people for your wedding! He or she will be the one to unite you which is the whole reason you are having a wedding! This can be the minister or priest from your church, or it can be a friend or family member that received their license to marry you.  Make sure that the family member or friend completes the necessary steps and is familiar with the practices in your state.  Sometimes, you may have to do marriage counseling in the church before marriage.  Make sure that you get the details on that to give yourself and your partner time to complete the counseling. 

Send out your Save the Dates! This is especially important if you have family coming in from out of town and need to plan accordingly. If you want the Save the Dates to match or coordinate with your Wedding Stationery, you should have nailed down your guest list and ordered your stationery.  Do this early, so you have enough time to get them back and sent out. 

If you have your dress, it's time to schedule your Bridal Portraits.  As photographers book up during wedding season it can be difficult for them to schedule a session, so the sooner the better! It's helpful to schedule your hair and makeup trial at the same time you schedule your Bridal Session.  You are able to see what your hair and makeup will look like with your dress on, and if you want to make any changes. If you don't have your dress back but you know when you will receive it, go ahead and schedule the sessions. 

Bridesmaids Dresses are a really important piece and can be a fun way to show your unique style! These most recent trends of mismatched but coordinating bridesmaids' dresses is a great way to incorporate color but also another unique detail into your wedding. For instance, if your wedding colors are blue and white, you could have some bridesmaids dress in blue and white floral patterns and others in just blue.  I have also seen all white bridesmaid's dresses, which is absolutely stunning. While it is a significant departure from your traditional bridesmaids' dresses, it can be a fun way to incorporate your personal touch. We will be releasing a Blog on Bridesmaids Dress Style very soon! 

Ordering Bridal Party Favors is one of the best parts! I love loving on the Bride Squad and this is the perfect way to do that. Check out the next Blog for ideas and links to order favors for your bridal party. 

The big question.... WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO ON YOUR HONEYMOON!? You probably already have an idea but now is the time to look into the details and start planning everything! 

I can't wait to hear about your wedding planning so far! Have these been helpful? Let me know in the comments, and, of course, share these to your friends planning their wedding! Happy Planning!

XOXO,

Lauren