DIY Wedding Planning Guide for Couples

Welcome to the Dream Wedding Checklist! Get ready to plan the wedding of your dreams, save on your budget, and don't make critical mistakes.

Timecodes:

00:00 Chapter 1 Introduction to Picking a Wedding Date

01:17 Picking Your Wedding Date

-01:24 How Far In Advance Should I Pick My Wedding Date

-02:11 Is Your Ceremony and Reception in the Same Location?

03:28 When Your Venue is the Most Important and Your Date is Flexible

05:14 When Your Date Is Not Flexible

05:42 What to Consider When Picking Your Date

-05:48 Consider the Time of Year and the Weather

-07:19 Consider the Sunset Time

-09:22 Other Things to Consider that Might Affect Your Wedding Date

-10:56 Consider the VIP Guests in Your Life

12:01 Summary for Picking A Wedding Date

Timecodes:

00:00 Chapter 2 Introduction to Size of Wedding Party

01:12 Who Decides Who Will Be Invited to Your Wedding

03:42 Guest List Breakdown

04:59 How to Reduce Your Budget

05:27 Organize Your Guest List

07:12 Guidelines to Help Cut Down Guest Lists

10:02 Parental Boundaries

11:13 Venue Capacity Limits

12:45 How Does the Venue Price Their Guests?

14:38 Children As Wedding Guests

20:30 Inviting Guests to the Ceremony Only

21:45 Summary for Size of Wedding Party

Timecodes:

00:00 Chapter 3 Introduction for Choosing Your Venue

01:58 Choosing Your Venue and Date

03:13 Where Can I Find Wedding Venues

06:37 What is Your Style of Wedding?

07:53 What is Your Venue Budget?

08:58 Will Your Ceremony and Reception Be in the Same Location?

12:46 Indoor vs Outdoor14:59Choosing A Traditional Wedding Venue

15:18 Venue Rental Only vs All Inclusive venues or Venues that Offer Packages

-15:42 Venue Rental Only

-20:18 All Inclusive Venues or Venues that Offer Packages

23:20 What Questions to Ask Venues?

-24:39 What is the Price?

-26:05 Are There Discounts?

-26:45 Do You Have Privacy?

-27:24 What Are the Photograph Opportunities?

-28:03 What Vendors are Included in Their Packages?

-28:33 Will You Have Help With Planning and Coordination?

-30:21 What Are the Cancellation, Reschedule and Refund Policies?

-31:10 Will You Have a Bar or Serve Alcohol?

-32:18 Will the Venue Allow You to View a Real Wedding?

-33:13 What are the Venue Reviews?

-33:48 Ask the Venue When the Final Guest Count is Due

-34:39 Who Will be Your Point of Contact?

-35:06 What are the Directions to the Venue?

-35:57 What in-house Decorations Can You Use?

-37:11 What is the Maximum Number of Guests?

-37:50 What is the Venue Layout?

-38:43 Does the Venue Have a Reception Layout?

-39:24 What is the Pet Policy?

-40:17 Is the Dance Floor Provided?

-40:51 Does the Venue Have an Adequate Number of Restrooms?

-41:21 Is there Sufficient Parking?

-41:50 Is there Adequate Handicap Facilities?

-42:16 Does the Venue have Adequate Electric Power?

-43:25 Is there Adequate Lighting?

-43:51 Are There Noise Restrictions?

44:10 Backyard Weddings

45:59 "Backyard Weddings" Checklist

-46:17 Access to the Location

-47:03 Can You Use Something That Is Already There?

-47:31 Is There Adequate Room For Vendors to Work in Your Space?

-49:00 Is There Sufficient Power?

-49:48 Do You Have Adequate Restrooms?

-51:43 Zoning and Permitting

-53:33 Who Are Your Neighbors (Commercial or Residential)?

-54:30 Is There Adequate Room For Parking?

-55:28 Do You Have Adequate Lighting?

-56:09 Do you Have Adequate Handicap Access?

-56:35 Do You Have a Plan B for Inclement Weather?

57:27 Summary For Choosing Your Venue

Timecodes:

00:00 Chapter 4 Introduction for Setting Your Budget

01:58 Setting Your Budget

02:50 Where Do You Get the Money?

03:55 What Do You Want to Spend for Your Wedding?

04:50 Family Contribution

06:01 Breakdown of the Wedding Budget

08:32 Know Your Bottom Line

09:43 Guideline on Gratuities

13:18 Tracking Your Budget

13:58 Open Separate Back Acct or Credit Card

15:53 What Does Everything Cost?

-17:01 Officiant

-17:36 Hair and Makeup

-18:54 Photographer and Videographer

-19:48 Wedding Planner

-20:47 Disc Jockey

-21:08 Bar

-22:27 Caterer

-23:50 Limousine

24:19 Summary for Setting Your Budget

Timecodes:

00:00 Chapter 5 Introduction for Wedding Planners

01:08 Things to Consider with a Wedding Planner

02:26 Some Venues Require a Wedding Planner

03:22 Venue Only Rental Wedding Planner

04:13 Month/Day of Wedding Planner

05:10 Do Not Rely on Friends/Family to Run Your Wedding

06:36 Skill Assessment for a Wedding Planner

-08:30 Ask Your Venue for Wedding Planner Recommendations

-08:48 Wedding Wire and The Knot

10:04 Questions to Ask a Potential Planner

16:06 Qualities of a Good Planner

20:44 What Services Does a Wedding Planner Provide?

-21:41 Full Service Planner

-23:27 Wedding Designers

-24:46 Month/Day of Wedding Planner or Coordinator

-26:32 Planners Hired on an Hourly Basis

27:09 Summary for Wedding Planners

Timecodes:

00:00 Chapter 6 Introduction for Invitations, Save the Date, and RSVPs

01:43 Save the Dates

03:45 Wedding Invitation - RSVPs

06:29 Digital Invites

08:10 Printed Invitations

09:36 Information on Your Invitations

11:33 Wording on Your Invitations

11:57 DIY couples Creating Your Own Invitations

12:40 Organize Your Invitations and Guest List

14:15 Postable.com to Find Mailing Addresses

14:45 USPS - Wedding Related Stamps

15:09 Postage Costs

15:47 Fun Things About Invitations

16:58 Unique Invitations Can Be Found Online

17:36 Summary for Invitations, Save the Date, and RSVPs

Timecodes:

00:00 Chapter 7 Introduction for Wedding gifts, Bridal Party Gifts & Wedding Favors

00:52 Wedding Gifts

01:33 Gift Registries

-02:33 Putting Together Your Gift Registry

-03:29 Be Prepared When You Go to Setup Your Registry

-04:12 Questions to Ask the Store When Setting Up Your Registry

-05:41 Sites that Combine Sources

06:33 In Lieu of Gifts

-07:19 Cash As a Gift

-08:13 Still Need a Gift Table and Card Container

-08:55 Need Designated Person to Gather Gifts

-09:23 Need Container for Cards

10:55 Gifts and Thank you Notes

-11:46 Thank you Notes

-12:58 Write Thank you Nots When Gifts are Received

-13:32 Handwritten Thank you Notes

14:34 Wedding Favors

-16:09 Perishable Favors

-16:52 Couple Gives Personal Donations In Lieu of Favors

17:28 Bridal Party Gifts

18:13 Summary for Wedding gifts, Bridal Party Gifts & Wedding Favors

Timecodes:

00:00 Chapter 8 Introduction for Wedding Party

01:00 Carefully Chose Bridal Party and Communicate Their Roles

-01:52 Know Your Bridal Party's Personality/Traits

-02:47 Know Your Bridal Party's Dynamics

-03:15 You Do Not Want a Person That Creates Drama and Know Their Financial Commitment

-04:24 Other Roles in Lieu of the Bridal Party

-04:59 If Someone Turns You Down

-05:38 What Are You Comfortable With?

-06:14 Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

06:33 Bridal Party

-08:22 Traditional Roles

-08:30 Maid or Matron of Honor's  Role

-11:08 Bridesmaids's Role

-11:44 Best Man's Role

-13:03 Groomsmen's Role

-13:20 Ushers's Role

-15:06 Jr Bridesmaids or Jr Groomen's Role

-15:58 Flower Girl's Role

-18:34 Ring Bearer's Role

20:20 Summary for Wedding Party

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 9A Introduction for Bride and Wedding Dresses

01:36 Wedding Dress Shopping

02:50 Review of Supporting Documentation

04:00 Styles of Wedding Dresses

-04:48 A-Line  Dress

-05:28 Empire Dress

-06:07 Sheath Dress

-06:54 Ball Gown Dress

-07:29 Mermaid Dress

-07:51 Trumpet Dress

-08:48 Slip Dress

09:47 Bustles

-11:02 Bustling Your Dress

-12:35 Crochet Kit

13:12 Bridal Salons and Questions to Ask

14:55 Sample Sales

15:51 Trunk Sales

16:50 Fittings

18:50 Wedding Dress Tips

22:15 Budget Tips

24:26 Summary for Bride and Wedding Dresses

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 9B Introduction for Groom, Bridal Party, and Guest Attire

00:41 Setting the Attire For Bridal Party and Guests

01:38 Comfort is the Key

02:11 Bridesmaids Attire

-06:01 Bridesmaids Footwear

07:20 Groom and Groomsmen Attire

-08:58 Rental Packages

10:26 Groomsmen to Match Bridesmaids

11:01 Matching Bridesmaids' Dresses to Groomsmen's Shirts

11:37 Comfort is the Key Again

12:42 Bridal Party Expenses

14:27 Guest Attire

-16:02 Styles and Attire for Weddings - White Tie

-17:05 Black Tie

-17:23 Formal/Black Tie Optional

-17:59 Semi-Formal or Dressy Casual

-18:25 Cocktail Attire

-18:37 Beach Formal

19:12 Summary for Groom, Bridal Party, and Guest Attire

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 10 Introduction for Timelines

01:11 Wedding Planning Lead Time

01:53 Finalize Ahead of Time

03:07 Action Items up to Wedding Day

03:49 Setting A Budget

04:25 Timeline Day of Wedding

-05:34 Ceremony

-07:16 Hair and Makeup

-08:35 Photography

-09:47 Time Allowed for the Ceremony

-11:21 Cocktail Hour and Photography

-12:10 Group Pictures

-13:09 Allow Time for Movement of Guests

-14:55 After Guests are Seated

-16:40 Speeches and Toasts

-18:11 Other Things to Build into the Reception Timeline

-19:00 Last Dance and Grand Send off

23:08 Summary for Timelines

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 11 Introduction for Tables and Chairs

00:57 Tables and Chairs Options

01:42 Venue Supplied Tables and Chairs

03:11 Renting Tables and Chairs

-06:55 Know Vendor Drop Off and Pick Up Times

08:21 Chairs

-10:08 Styles of Chairs

12:50 Summary of Chairs/Intro to Tables

13:53 Tables

-15:04 Cocktail Tables

-16:28 Round Tables

-17:07 Square Tables

-18:27 Banquet Tables

-21:24 Farmhouse Tables

22:07 Other Tables

-22:22 Sweetheart/Head/King's Tables

25:58 Table Mock Ups

-27:33 Banquet Tables vs Round Tables

28:10 Summary for Tables and Chairs

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 12 Introduction for Linens

01:32 Table Assumptions

02:37 Who Supplies the Linens

-04:11 Other Sources for Linens

04:49 Rent or Purchase Linens

07:24 Types of Linens

08:33 Linen Fabrics

09:35 Size of Linen for Different Tables

-09:46 Cocktail Tables

-10:39 Round Tables

-11:15 Banquet Tables

12:03 Table Runners

12:42 Table Overlays

13:29 Table Skirting

13:49 Summary for Linens

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 13 Introduction for Assigned Seating and Seating Plans

01:15 Assigned Seating vs Open Seating

03:28 You Know the Guest Dynamics

04:31 Escort Cards vs Place Cards

07:04 Refer to Section 11 Regarding Tables

07:50 Sweetheart Table Near Family Tables

08:15 Children's Table

09:40 How to Communicate Assigned Seating

10:55 Combine Favors with Assigned Seating

11:59 Decide How to Distinguish the Tables

12:39 How to Manage Assigned Seating

14:45 Summary for Assigned Seating and Seating Plans

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 14 Introduction for Ceremony, Officiant, Legal Stuff

01:34 Marriage License

-03:52 Marriage License Signatures

-04:36 Officiant Responsible for Filing

-05:28 Get Multiple Copies of the Marriage License

05:45 Officiant

06.39 Questions to Ask Place of Worship for Your Ceremony

07:23 Religious Ceremony Outside of Place of Worship

08:24 Secular Officiant

09:15 Same Sex Ceremony

09:47 Interfaith Ceremony

10:56 Friend or Relative to Perform Ceremony

12:55 How to Find an Officiant

13:37 Questions to Ask an Officiant

15:16 Typical Ceremony Format

18:52 Summary for Ceremony, Officiant, Legal Stuff

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 15 Introduction for Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner

00:37 Purpose of a Wedding Rehearsal

02:02 When is the Rehearsal

03:39 Other Considerations that May Affect the Rehearsal

05:44 What to do if Someone Cannot Attend

06:12 Rehearsal Usually at Same Location of the Ceremony

07:18 Who Will Run the Rehearsal

07:37 Line Up and Order

08:50 Practice Readings and Ceremony

10:13 Flower Girls and Ring Bearers

11:02 Practice Recessional

12:45 Rehearsal Dinner

13:45 Rehearsal Dinner Attendees

16:54 May Give Gifts to Bridal Party and Parents

17:29 Summary for Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 16 Introduction for Hair and Makeup

01:01 Hair and Makeup Professionals

04:50 Hair and Makeup Timelines

06:19 Photographer Dictates Hair and Makeup Schedule

11:05 DIY Hair and Makeup

13:16 Hiring a Professional Hair and Makeup Crew

14:29 A Friend or Relative May be Asked to do Your Hair and Makeup

15:32 Hair and Makeup - High End Department Stores

17:01 Thank You

18:22 Summary for Hair and Makeup

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 17 Introduction for DJ, Band and Live Musicians

01:45 Ceremony Music

-02:56 Ceremony in Your Place of Worship

-03:48 Officiant

-05:08 DJ

-06:02 Live Musicians

07:43 Cocktail Hour Music

09:21 Reception Music

-12:00 Music Choices

-13:04 Professional Wedding DJ

-16:21 DJ "Do Not Play" List

-17:09 DJ Needs

17:30 Live Bands

20:31 DIY Music

23:09 Summary for DJ, Band and Live Musicians

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 18 Introduction for Florist and Décor

01:26 Floral

-02:23 Choosing A Florist

-03:13 Florist Minimum

-05:02 Floral Team

-06:15 Additional Services Florist Provides

-10:40 Using Fresh In Season Flowers

-13:04 Environment and Conditions for Florals

-13:36 Design Ideas

15:23 Ceremony Site Floral

17:55 Ceremony in Place of Worship

20:01 Reception Table Centerpieces

-20:28 Low Profile vs High Profile Centerpieces

-21:43 Breakaway Centerpieces

-22:08 Candleabra Centerpieces

-22:34 Fishbowl or Globe Centerpieces

-22:58 Garden Centerpieces

-23:20 Ikebana Centerpieces

-23:55 Pave Style Centerpieces

-24:23 Still Life Centerpieces

-24:51 Nonfloral Centerpieces

-25:34 Side Note

26:53 Silk Floral

28:22 DIY

-29:44 Florist Consultation

-30:54 Organization

-33:10 Do A Mockup

-34:38 Other Media for DIY Florals

35:43 Bridal Party Floral

36:07 Bouquets

-36:41 Tussy Mussy Bouquet

-37:16 Ballerina Bouquet

-37:44 Biedermeier Bouquet

-38:07 Cascading Bouquet

-38:24 Composite Bouquet

-39:02 Cresent Bouquet

-39:28 Loose Tied Bouquet

-39:58 Nosegays Bouquet

-40:20 Posies Bouquet

-40:36 Presentation Bouquet

-41:00 Pomander Bouquet

-41:32 Contemporary Bouquet

-41:50 Single Stem Bouquet

-42:12 Toss Bouquet

42:57 Boutonnieres

44:35 Corsages

45:29 Flower Girls and Ring Bearers

48:40 Summary for Florist and Décor

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 19 Introduction for Photographer, Videographer, Photo Booth

01:23 Photographers

-02:26 Styles of Photography

-03:07 Types of Film

05:00 Finding a Good a Photographer

-06:15 Questions to Ask a Photographer

13:42 Agency or Studio

15:59 Videographer

16:40 Photographer Over Videographer

16:58 Questions to Ask a Videographer

18:51 Photographer and Videographer Timelines

19:19 Typical Wedding Flow Timeline

-19:39 Detail Shots

-20:20 Getting Ready Shots

-21:38 First Look Shots

-23:46 When Does the Photographer Leave

24:42 Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Logistics

25:06 Ceremony Logistics

-27:56 Place of Worship Restrictions

-28:20 Officiant Restrictions

28:47 Cocktail Hour Logistics

-29:20 Group Photos

-29:54 Couple Photos

32:15 Family Highjacking Photographer

33:09 Allow Time for Bustling the Wedding Dress

33:38 Organize and Communicate

36:16 Posing for Photos

37:38 Photo Booths

-37:51 DIY Photo Booths

-40:10 Rental Photo Booths

-41:19 Mirror Photo Booths

-41:57 Novelty Photo Booths

43:00 Location for Photo Booths

44:22 How Long to Have the Photo Booth Open

47:37 Photo Booth Photos as Favors or Guest Book

49:01 Budget Tips

51:25 Summary for Photographer, Videographer, Photo Booth

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 20 Introduction for Bar Service

01:44 Bar Service

-03:02 Types of Bar Service (Open Bar)

-04:47 Cash Bar

-05:33 Bring Your Own Alcohol

-07:05 What to Consider When Bringing Your Own Alcohol

-08:53 Consider Local Bar Companies

-10:04 How Much to Buy

-11:06 Purchase More Than You Need

-11:59 Allow Time to Chill Drinks

13:05 Cutting Costs of Alcohol

15:11 Toasts

16:04 Kegs

18:21 Shots

19:11 Non Alcoholic Bars

20:23 Numer of Bartenders

22:29 Bar Package vs Number of Bartenders

24:29 Gratuities for Bar Staff

26:23 Items Serving at Bar

27:14 Liquor Liability Insurance

30:44 Budget Tips

32:53 Summary for Bar Service

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 21 Introduction for Catering

01:34 Catering Options

-01:51 In House Catering

-02:44 Venue No Catering on Site Have List of Approved Caterers

-03:44 Venue No Catering on Site Allow any Licensed & Insured Caterer

04:57 List of Questions for Caterers

07:02 Restaurant or Not a Full Service Caterer

09:53 Tastings

14:34 Cocktail Hour Food vs Dinner Reception Food

-14:44 Cocktail Hour

-15:22 Stationary Hors d'oeuvres vs Butler Passed Hors d'oeuvres

-17:35 Choices of Cocktail Hour Hors d'oeuvres

18:52 Dinner Service

-19:06 Buffet Type Service

-20:00 Buffet Type Service Combined with Stations

-21:30 Dinner Service with Guests Seated

-22:20 Time for Dinner Service

-23:33 Budget Pointers

24:36 Summary for Catering

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 22 Introduction for Cake and Desserts

02:05 Cake Tiers

03:00 DIY Wedding Cakes

05:17 Cake Delivery Time

06:48 Outdoor Wedding Venue

08:56 Cake Cutting Setup

09:54 Cutting and Serving Wedding Cake

12:32 Keeping Top Tier of Cake

15:00 Cost Cutting Tip

15:53 Types of Frosting

-16:23 American Buttercream

-18:01 Fondant Icing

19:22 Cake Toppers

20:06 Cake Stands

21:06 Couple Cutting Cake

23:22 Considering a Fake Wedding Cake

25:24 Groom's Cake

27:55 Summary for Cake and Desserts

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 23 Introduction for Transportation - Limos, Shuttle Bus

01:04 Transportation

03:23 Limos

-05:42 Size of Limos

07:04 Non Traditional Transportation

09:07 Specialty Vehicle

14:14 Hotel Shuttle Buses

18:53 Getaway Vehicle

21:46 Overall Considerations

-24:02 Get Everything in Detail and In Writing

-25:15 Overage Chargers

-25:41 Go With Larger Limo Companies

-25:59 What Happens if Problem with Vehicle

-26:15 What Amenities

-26:34 Multiple Points of Contact to Vendors

-27:42 Any Major Events, Holidays, Concerts that Day

-28:46 Reconfirm with Companies via Email and Call

-29:35 Communicate with Guests (Directions)

-30:14 Bus Transportation Assign Someone to Assist Guests

31:05 Budget Tips

32:31 Summary for Transportation - Limos, Shuttle Bus

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 24 Introduction for Accommodation

00:30 Accommodations

00:56 Hotel or Resort

01:44 When to Book Accommodations

02:59 Hotels - Room Blocks

-03:22 Courtesy Room Block

-04:00 Guaranteed Room Block

-05:05 Code to Give to Guests for Room Block

-05:41 Resources in Documentation

-06:03 May be Lower Rate than Room Block Rate

-07:21 Room Block Freebies and Points

08:37 Hotel Shuttle

09:15 Options for Additional Events-Rehearsal Dinner etc

10:03 Other Options for Accommodations

11:43 Summary for Accommodation

Timestamps:

00:00 Chapter 25 Introduction for Honeymoon

00:48 Honeymoon

02:26 Popular Destinations

03:22 Find a Good Travel Agent

03:59 Local Travel Agents

04:46 Time to Travel

05:46 Best Deals

06:34 Airfares

07:57 International Air Travel

08:34 Frequent Flyer Miles

09:02 Free Honeymoon Offers - Scams

09:38 Carry-on Bags

10:54 Changing Planes

12:20 Traveling Overseas - Currency

-13:11 Travel Insurance

-13:57 Passports, Visas, Covid Tests

-16:03 Immunizations

17:00 Registries

17:42 Tell Everyone

18:36 Summary for Honeymoon

Thanks so much! Happy planning and cheers to your love!