While the final days of wedding planning are often the most exciting, they can also be the most stressful. The coordinators at Naz Hall hope to assist you as much as possible with these final details, so we have created a wedding planning checklist that will help you stay organized and ensure you have an amazing wedding day!
Overview of the final tasks:
- Confirm with Vendors
- Final Meeting at Nazareth Hall
- Secure Your Marriage License
- Create the Wedding Playlist
- Compose a Shot List
- Craft a Wedding Day Itinerary
- Order or Create Wedding Signage & Programs
- Secure Transportation
- Plan Lunch & Breakfast for Your Wedding Party
- Prep Your Emergency Kit & Getting Ready Bag
- Additional Tasks
- Relax & Enjoy the Rest of Wedding Planning
Confirm with Vendors
As your wedding day approaches, it’s essential to confirm all details with your vendors. Take the time to double-check your contracts and schedule final meetings to ensure everyone is aligned. Aim to do this well in advance to avoid any last-minute scrambling. Even a brief phone call can make a significant difference in ensuring that all parties have the information they need for a seamless event.
In addition to confirming deliveries & logistics, be mindful of payment due dates. Staying organized with your payments is crucial, so consider adding these dates to your calendar. This proactive approach will help you stay on top of your finances and prevent any potential issues during the final week leading up to your wedding.
If you’re still in need of any wedding vendors, we recommend checking out our Preferred Vendors Guide!
VENDOR GUIDE
Final Meeting with Nazareth Hall
At Nazareth Hall, we schedule your final meeting at least two weeks before your wedding day. This meeting is crucial for ensuring everything is in order and allows us to update your wedding timeline, food and beverage selections, room plan, and finalize invoice items. Your final balance will also be due at this meeting, so please come prepared!
Our goal is to ease any worries you may have and answer all your questions regarding your special day. To help make the most of this meeting, here are some items you’ll need to prepare in advance (don’t worry—we’ll send you an email with a detailed explanation of each item):
- Final Guest Count
- Room Plan Changes
- Changes to the Timeline
- Vendor Contact Information
- Ceremony Processional Lineup (if applicable)
- Choice Entrée Paperwork (if applicable)
By preparing these details ahead of time, we can ensure a smooth and successful final meeting!
Secure Your Marriage License
Where and when you go to secure your marriage license depends on what state and county you live in. Make sure you do your research on when to apply as the expiration date differs by county! Here’s a quick explanation of which probate court applies to you:
- If you live in Ohio and you’re getting married in Ohio, you will go to apply through the probate court in your own county.
- If you live outside of Ohio and you’re getting married in Ohio, you will need to apply through the Wood County probate court.
- You will have 60 days to be married once your marriage license is secured through Wood County.
Create the Wedding Playlist
It’s never too early to start planning the music for your wedding! Personalizing your playlist will make your day even more memorable. Here are some key moments to consider when selecting your songs:
- Getting-Ready Playlist
- This is a great task to give to your Maid of Honor or Best Man! Music that will put you in a positive mindset while you get ready is essential.
- Processional
- You may want to include multiple songs if you have a large wedding party, or the bride/groom would like a separate song to walk down the aisle to.
- Recessional
- An upbeat, happy song is best to celebrate your first moments as a married couple.
- Introductions
- Consider using multiple songs for the entrance of the wedding party, or a separate song for the happy couple.
- First Dance
- Select a song that reflects your love story.
- Parent Dances
- Choose songs that represent the connection with your loved one.
- Pro tip: If you’re concerned about the length of the song, remember that your band or DJ can edit the track to suit your preferences. This way, you can focus on the meaningful moments without feeling pressured to dance to the entire song.
- Cake Cutting
- Choose something lighthearted and fun.
- MUST Play List
- Compile a list of songs you absolutely want to hear. Try to include as many songs as possible so the reception feels like YOU.
- DO NOT Play List
- Equally important as the must play list! Include songs that you want to avoid during your reception.
Be sure to communicate all of your song selections to your DJ ahead of time!
Compose a Shot List
A photo list is a crucial tool for managing the hustle and bustle of your wedding day. It not only assists the photographer in efficiently organizing group shots, but it also allows you to spend more quality time with your loved ones instead of being tied up posing for the camera. Here are some shot lists we recommend creating:
- Family Members
- Start with the largest group, then work your way down to the most important few. This way your guests can head to the ballroom to enjoy cocktail hour quickly.
- Wedding Party
- 9 times out of 10, most wedding party photos will be taken prior to the ceremony. However, if you have not had a first-look, there will be a good amount needing to be taken afterwards.
- Shot Locations
- Nazareth Hall offers numerous, amazing locations for photography, so it’s a great idea to create a list of must-have photo spots. Some of our favorite locations include the tree swing, Cadet West bay windows, any unique doorway, and the Grotto!
Craft a Wedding Day Itinerary
Nazareth Hall will assist you in creating a general outline for your wedding day, but many brides find it beneficial to develop a separate itinerary that includes the following details:
- Hair & Makeup Schedule
- Lunch Plans
- Vendor Arrival/Delivery Times
- Decoration Setup
- Photography Sessions
- First Look Timing
Having a detailed itinerary can help ensure that everything runs smoothly and keeps you (and everyone else) organized that day.
Keep in mind that your wedding day will never line up to the exact time you have laid out, but that’s okay! The important thing is that you enjoy your day to the fullest!
Create Wedding Signage & Programs
Creating wedding signage is an important aspect of your wedding planning, as it helps guide guests and adds a personal touch to your celebration. You may be wanting to start on the seating chart as soon as possible but be patient! After you receive all of your RSVPs and have had your final meeting with us, it is time to make your seating chart. You are welcome to use the Social Tables program your coordinator has shared to assign the seating arrangements. Always be mindful of table numbers and table capacities and reach out to your coordinator for approval.
Here are some ideas for signage and programs:
- Welcome Sign
- This sign can be moved from the ceremony to be used again at the reception.
- Ceremony Programs
- Outlines the order of events for the ceremony, especially if there are unique rituals or readings.
- Seating Chart
- Displays guest names and their assigned tables for easy navigation.
- Menu Cards
- Outlines the hors d’oeuvres, meal, desserts, and late-night snack at the reception.
- Pro tip: On the back of your menu card, add a QR code for a shared photo album (like Google Photos or Apple Photos). This way you can get photos ASAP after the wedding!
- Bar Signage
- Indicates what drinks are being served at the bar (Signature drinks will especially need their own sign)
- Keep in mind, Nazareth Hall will have a list of cocktails for guests to view if you have chosen the Top Shelf or Standard Bar.
- Gift & Card Box Sign
- Informs guests where to place their gifts & cards
- Photo Booth Sign
- Encourages guests to take pictures and provides instructions, if needed.
We recommend the following websites for creating cohesive signage:
- Zazzle
- Canva
- Etsy
- Vistaprint
- Truly Engaging
Plan Lunch & Breakfast for Your Wedding Party
It is very important you eat throughout the day. Don’t worry, Nazareth Hall has your back! We have a wide selection of food and beverages that you can order for your suites for lunch or breakfast. Just make sure to order these in advance as we will not be able to accommodate food requests on the day of the wedding. If you aren’t receiving food from us, we recommend designating a family member or bridal party member to be in charge of bring food for everyone.
FOOD PLATTERS
Prep Your Emergency Kit & Getting Ready Bag
Another way to make sure your wedding day goes smoothly is to prepare an emergency kit with things like medications, sewing kits, stain remover…etc. You will also want to prepare your bag with things like extra curling irons/straighteners and touch up make-up for the big day.
FREE PACKING LIST!
Here is a link to our amazon storefront that includes some of these items! https://www.amazon.com/shop/nazarethhall
Additional Tasks & the Wedding Planning Checklist
Keep in mind that some of these tasks will apply, however we recommend you thoroughly think them through and complete them in a timely manner. Procrastination is the #1 reason why planning can become stressful, especially in the last weeks of planning.
- Write & Rehearse Your Vows
- Schedule Dress Alterations (We recommend having your first fitting around 2-3 months prior to the wedding)
- Secure Transportation for Your Guests AND Yourselves
- Purchase Gifts for Wedding Party & Family
- Confirm Attire & Accessories with Wedding Party & Family
- Order Wedding Favors, Guest Book, Card Box…etc.
- Ensure Honeymoon is Finalized
- Confirm Rehearsal/Dinner with Venue, Wedding Party & Family
- Order Thank-You Cards
Relax and Enjoy the Rest of Wedding Planning
Don’t forget to enjoy your last few weeks as a fiancé! Make sure you spend quality time with your partner and do things you enjoy. These last few weeks will go by faster than you think![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”9180″ img_size=”full” css=”” css_params=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Cover photo by Sami Rose Photos[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
December 11, 2024