Wedding Planning Timeline | Three Month Mark

In-between six months, and three months before the wedding, there tends to not be much to do. You got all the big things- the venue, food, photographer/videographer, DJ, wedding planner/day of coordinator, florist, and dress -handled, and at the three month mark it’s time for all the little details! 

1. Start looking at wedding bands for you and your fiancé, and order them so they can be in, and sized in time. 

2. Finalize your guest list, and get your wedding invites ready to be sent out in the next couple of weeks. 

3. Schedule your cake tasting, and order your wedding cake (or another dessert if you’re not doing cake). Side note: it is normal for bakeries to charge for tastings! 

4. Set up the tasting with your venue/caterer and finalize the food, and drink selection. 

5. Book your rehearsal dinner location! The earlier the better with this if you’re getting married in “wedding season”!

6. Start your wedding registry! Go prepared with a list, and give yourself a whole day! ENJOY! This is one of the funnest parts of the planning process!

7. Decide on your hair and makeup artist, and schedule your trials. It’s normal for there to be a charge for this, too!

Check out my other posts in my wedding planning timeline series! 

xo, Val 

perfectlyplannedbyval.com

Julie and Dave's Wedding | July 19, 2014

I've known Julie for years, and helped with two weddings that she was a bridesmaid in.  I'm really happy both weddings went well, because soon after she got engaged, she called me asking to help her on her big day! She explained that she didn't want to worry about anything that day, and really wanted to enjoy it! Julie was a VERY DIY bride, and worked so hard on her wedding day! I wanted nothing more than to make the day she planned so perfectly to go as smoothy as possible.

Olivia Grace Perspective

Something VERY important to the couple was that people had a good time, and they did! The DJ was great and made sure people were out on the dance floor all night long!  Since Dave is a DJ, and does weddings all the time, I knew he'd have the best DJ for his own wedding.

Olivia Grace Perspective 

Unfortunately it rained on and off all day, but they made it outside at the right time, and got some AMAZING pictures! Olivia of Oliva Grace Perspective did SUCH a beautiful job! She's so sweet, so easy going, and such a professional photographer for being so young!    

  

The best way to explain Julie is 'Classic Beauty'.  She has beautiful pale skin, that doesn't need a drop of makeup, and then that gorgeous dark hair a la Audrey Hepburn.  I couldn't wait to see how lovely she'd look on her wedding day, and as you see, she was stunning!  Julie told me how great the day was, and how happy she was to finally be married.  Dave on the other hand didn't need to tell me.  I don't know Dave very well, but what I do know is he absolutely adores Julie. Dave couldn't keep his eyes off his new bride the whole night, there was such love and happiness in that look.  It was very special to witness their love. 

Olivia Grace Perspective 

Olivia Grace Perspective

Chris of Chris' Floral worked very hard with Julie to get the exact color of flowers she wanted.  The bright colors REALLY popped with the bridesmaids classic black Vera Wang dresses. 

Olivia Grace Perspective

Olivia Grace Perspective

The team of stylist at MC Hair did an amazing job on hair and makeup for the bride and bridesmaids! 

Olivia Grace Perspective

Olivia Grace Perspective

Julie and Dave were a pleasure to work with.  I'm so happy they chose me to help them on their special day! 

XO, Val.

Jen and Mike's Wedding | July 11, 2014

I had the pleasure of working with Jen only nine months after I helped her older sister Rachelle with her wedding. Being laid back is something that runs in the family! They both cared about getting married, and the rest of the details didn't matter much!

On the day of the wedding, Jen- who's already gorgeous- was STUNNING!! She would have loved to have her wedding outside, walk barefoot through a field, and put fresh flowers in her hair.  But being Catholic, that wasn't really an option for them.  She settled for a beautiful church wedding, a great pair of shoes, and a lovely crown of fresh flowers (and bouquet) from Chris' Floral, in her hair.  

Jen and Mike's First Look with Gra Photography, and the reception took place at St. George Fellowship Centre in Akron.  

Right after they their first look! So happy!!

I'm so happy I got a picture with the newly weds!!! 

Jen and Mike were such a pleasure to work with.  They are so in love and couldn't stop smiling the entire night!! 

XO, Val. 

Wedding Planning Timeline | Ten/Nine Month Mark.

Hi everyone!

Around the ten and nine month mark leading up to your wedding, you need to start making decisions!

If you've had a a year or more to plan your wedding, by the ten month mark you really need to finalize your venue.  You've done your research, visited several places, so now the contract needs to be signed, and the deposit needs to be made.  You really don't want to lose your dream venue because you don't want to commit, because believe me, you will lose it!

You also need to find the place you're having your ceremony- if it's not the same as the location of the reception. If you're having it in a church, outside, or somewhere else, you need to make a decision!

Depending on if you book your ceremony space first, or your reception space first, you should keep them relatively close in location.

At this point in the planning process, you most likely have your dream guest list written out.  You have everyone you'd love to have, but you know it's unrealistic.  You should now break your list down into an 'A list' and a 'B list'.  The 'A list' is all the people you know have to be there.  It's also about what fits into your guest list based on what the venue allows, and/or your budget allows.  The 'B list' is other people you'd love to have at your wedding, but they'd understand if they weren't invited.

Depending on how many people you invite to your wedding, expect around 15% of those people to not be able to make it for some reason or another. 

No one wants  to know that they are on your B list.  It's obviously not something you want to talk about.  You however have this list incase you start getting a lot of 'no's' right away.  You are going to get 'No's' from people no matter what, but sometimes it seems like some couples get more 'no's' than average. This is where the 'B list' comes in handy. You don't want to be sending these invitations a week before your wedding; send them out as soon as possible so it's no obvious to them! If you invite 220, you should expect 200 "yes's". If your numbers start getting lower than that, you need your B list. 

You should also purchase your wedding dress at this point in the planning process.  The dress could take up to eight months to come in.  You'll want a little time once it comes in to have it altered.

Happy Planning!! 

xo, Val.

wedding. by vebullock featuring evening shoes

Reem Acra pleated maxi skirt
shopbop.com

Evening shoes
modcloth.com

Home decor
minted.com

Wedding Invitations, Bridal Shower Invitations & Announcements by...
weddingpaperdivas.com

Wedding Planning Timeline: One Year Mark pt. 2.

Hi Everyone!!

When you're a year out from your wedding, in addition to determining budget, guest list and the overall feel of your wedding, there are a few other things you need to start thinking about.

Deciding on your bridal party is something that should be done as soon as possible.  Like your fiancé and yourself, your bridal party is going to need time to prepare and save money as well.  Asking someone to be in your wedding is a big commitment.  They may need to travel from out of town, so giving them time to make arrangements is best.

via: the knot.

Something else to do a year out from your wedding is hire your wedding planner. Weather you're having someone to help with every aspect of your wedding or just a day of coordinator, finding them at the beginning of the planning process is a good idea.

Having an engagement party is also something that happens right after the engagement. Not everyone has one, but it's a good way to celebrate your recent engagement.

This is also a good time to start trying on wedding dresses.  You need around eight months to have your dress ordered, so having extra time to try on dresses will be great. This will give you time to figure out what you like and what looks good on you before you decide on the right dress.

Jim Hjelm. Picture via: the knot.

You should also start looking at photographers and videographers.  Try to decide what style you prefer, and ask friends and family for recommendations. 

Trying to get most of the big details of your wedding out of the way in the beginning is a great idea, but not necessary.  If things kind of fall into place a year out from your wedding you're very lucky.  Don't think you have to have everything done right away, though. Really think about what you want, and enjoy the planning of your wedding! 

I hope this helped! 
XO. Val

Colored Wedding Dresses.

Hi everyone!

Today I'm going to be talking about colored wedding dresses!  I'm not talking about a red or black dress here; I'm actually going to be talking about very subtle color.  These dresses are still traditional, but they are just outside of the box enough for brides looking for something a little different.   

You might not realize, but this Monique Lhuillier dress is actually a soft pastel blue. You'd make a statement in this dress, but not too much of a statement.

This blush colored dress by Vera Wang is absolutely stunning! The shape of it alone is to die for, and the color just gives it that extra special touch! 

Are you planning on rocking a colored wedding dress on your wedding day?

XO, Val.

Wednesday Wow #3

Hi everyone!

I'm back this week with another 'Wednesday Wow.'  I have been obsessing over Lazaro for years, I feel like I just love everything he does. This dress by Lazaro may be a bit much for some people, because there is a lot going on.  The reason I found this dress so amazing is because of the bottom.  I've never seen a skirt like this before. It has these amazing pleats, a beautifully beaded top, and a belt that compliments the dress perfectly.  

I hope you've been enjoying all of the new dresses in the spring and summer collections as much as I have. 

XO, Val

Wednesday Wow's. [2.12.14]

Hi Everyone!

I'm starting a new installment on my blog called 'Wednesday Wow's'. Every Wednesday I'm going to share with you something I am loving in the wedding world this week.  

This week's 'Wednesday Wow' is this AMAZING dress by Hayley Paige! 

This dress is absolutely stunning! It's from the Hayley Paige Spring 2014 Collection. It's a real piece of art.  It's unlike anything I've ever seen before.  It will turn some heads when you walk down the isle in this dress.

I'll be back next week with another installment of 'Wednesday Wow's'.

XO, Val

wedding dress trend of 2014

Hi everyone! hope you're having an awesome day!

When it comes to what wedding dresses are in trend, I feel like it changes every day.  with bridal fashion week behind us, I saw something that stuck out from the others and that is sleeves, but not just sleeves; beaded sleeves.  I know sleeves are nothing new AT ALL, but some of these dresses are unlike anything I have seen before.  While some dresses look good at the moment- but you know they will soon be out of style. I feel like these particular dresses will stand the test of time. They are so classic and elegant looking. I cant get enough!  

Here are a few of my favorite dresses:

These dresses by Anne Barge are just stunning!! I particularly love the second one because I think it is the dress Robin on 'How I Met Your Mother' wears for her wedding!! OBSESSED.

These dresses by Hayley Paige are to die for!! totally in love with the top detail (which i think is detachable) PERFECTION.

I feel like this one from Marchesa is so etherial. So perfect for an outdoor wedding.

These two from Monique Lhuillier are amazing.  Not surprising.  Monique Lhullier knows wedding dresses! 

This dress from rivini is absolutely STUNNING. wow. you can wear this dress and show off your amazing shoes! PERFECT. 

So those were just a few of the dressing I am currently drooling over. Hope you enjoyed.

XO, Val