Wedding Timeline Checklist

Checklist Infograph via DIY Bride

Here is a really fun and pretty accurate wedding timeline checklist infographic. It shows the very basic things that need to be done and when they need to be done.

Some things that are listed are not always necessary, like the welcome baskets. Are they thoughtful? Absolutely! But not necessary if you don't have the time or resources.

Of course, it's always better, easier, and less stressful when you have a wedding planner to schedule all of this out, customize it to your wedding, and keep you accountable for what needs to be done and when!

My two favorite parts of this infographic are the last two things: Get Married and Enjoy! What is/was your favorite part of your wedding checklist?

Flower Girl Dress

Photography by: Caroline Johnson

I love this image for so many reasons! First, I think it's adorable that the Flower Girl is helping the bride ger ready, so sweet!

I love this because this flower girl dress, tutu and leotard combination is just so stinkin' cute!

I love it because you can see how much the Flower Girl is concentrating on getting the shoe on just so.

It's true a picture is worth a thousand words. I think everyone sees something different in an image. And that is what makes photography at your wedding so worth it!

Corset Back Wedding Gown

Me tying a Corset Back.... photo by Damon Tucci

I think that having a corset back on your wedding gown is gorgeous! I don't play favorites, buttons are beautiful too!

But when you have a corset back, there are 32 different ways to lace a corset and they all work.... your dress sales person will do it one way, your alterations seamstress will tell you another, the designer of the dress may have had another in mind... and your planner, well, she does it every weekend. And knows some great ways to lace you up!

These are my hands lacing up my sister's wedding dress. You want it to look pretty, but at the same time, a corset is function it needs to hold up the dress (amongst other things) in the gown for the night. And it will losen with movement, humidity, sitting, standing, breathing, so if it needs to be tightened once throughout the wedding evening that's okay.

My point of all this, is to trust your planner when she's lacing you up, and also budget some extra time (usually 15 minutes) to make sure you are in, it's straight and it looks pretty.

It doesn't have to be like this:

Me pretending to pull on Summer's Corset Hard - Photo by: Pure By Lindsey

Worried about the Weather

Photography by Pure by Lindsey

I recieved the sweetest card from one of our brides - and I really just felt like sharing the love!

"Thank you so much for helping make our wedding day perfect! If it wasn't for you, I would have completely forgotten about a Grandma and might have been incapasciated by my fear of the rain! (there's a freen blob on the radar!). side note by Melissa: this bride literally wouldn't put her iphone down the entire day, I swear she had it stuffed in bra and was looking at the weather radar every 20 seconds like it was oxygen... it never rained. I told her it wasn't going to. My family and friends were all so impressed with your work, and I would and will recommend you to all my friends! Thank you again for being so great....


This is why I love my job!

Hiring Professionals for your Wedding

Beautiful Cake Courtesy of The Knot

When searching for the perfect baker for your wedding cake, always bring inspriation with you. In this instance, the bride brought this picture to her baker and said:

"I love this cake, can you make this happen for me?"

The baker replied:

"I have never done anything like that, but I'll give it a try"

The bride said:

"Are you sure? This is my wedding and I want it perfect"

The baker replied:

"I'm new at this, but it looks easy enough..."

And, this is what she got.

Not the same as above

Beware!!! Please hire professionals, look at their images, get referrals from professionals in your area, don't let your wedding be their test. You are looking to be disappointed.

There are so many amazing cake bakers in Gainesville, here are just a few:

KB Kakes
Ms. Debbie
Dream Day Cakes
Share Your Cupcakes

Thank you Cake Wrecks for spreading the PSA's to all of us, to hire Professionals! Go Pro or Go Home!

Day Of Planner vs Full Service

I think there is a misconception as to what a Day Of Coordinator (or Month of...or whatever your planner calls it) and what a Full Service Wedding Planner can do to help you.

There are similarities and differences.

Both services will be there on your wedding day or organize and orchestrate your wedding day. And you get to work with a planner, but the similaries sort of end there.

If you have a Full Service Coordinator they will do the following, plus a TON more:

• Help with budget
• Review contracts and negotiate your contracts, make sure nothing is missing or duplicated
• Offer Vendor Recommendations
• Attend your meetings with your vendors (offer our opinions)
• Assist with décor
• Help with Set up and possibly breakdown
• Be “In-the-know” with every aspect of your wedding
• Create and extensive timeline for each vendor involved in your wedding
• Organize and Orchestrate your Rehearsal and Wedding Day
• More extensive time on the day of the wedding
• And Much, much more!

What can a Day Of Coordinator do for you:

• Be there on the day of your wedding and your rehearsal to organize and orchestrate your day
• Meet with you 1 or 2 times prior to your wedding
• Be there for a limited amount of time on your wedding day
• Create a timeline
• Coordinate your Ceremony

It really depends on what you need. How much you’ve planned.