The following is a step by step, 12 month guide to planning your perfect rustic barn wedding. You'll get an in-depth timeline of what you need to do and when to do it, so that your special day will go off without a hitch. Preparing for one the biggest days of your life can be a very intimidating experience. I know when I began planning my own barn wedding, I didn't even know where to start, let alone have a 12 month road map. The great news is that we humans typically overestimate what we can get done in a day or two but underestimate what we can accomplish in several months. As they say, "Rome wasn't built in a day." That's why this guide is separated into easily digestible segments. Complete the tasks for each segment within this timeline so that you don't have to stress over a whole bunch of last minute things. If your wedding is already scheduled for less than 12 months from now, you may have to cram some things into your first month or two of planning. But it's better to cram those items in now rather than a week before the ceremony! Here's your guide to planning the perfect barn wedding:
12 Months Before Your Barn Wedding
1. Find the Perfect Venue: The very first step in planning your barn wedding is choosing the right barn, of course! Finding the perfect rustic venue is the fun part. Looking online at pictures and videos is easy and readily available. The hard part is being able to actually get an open available date since the best barn can be booked as much as 2 years in advance! Plus, you must pay close attention to the amenities, and extras offered at each venue, as many Barn Venues won't have proper bride and groom suites for ceremony preparations, or even indoor plumbing. Also be aware that some of these venues are operating illegally without proper permits, so could be shut down before your big day! Do your research and choose wisely, to find your perfect barn venue.
2. Book Your Wedding Date: The reason I suggest finding the perfect venue FIRST, is because it's nearly impossible to walk into the best barn venues, with a rock solid date in mind. These venues book fast, especially on Saturdays; the most popular day of the week for a wedding. I would definitely suggest being open-minded about your wedding date when booking a barn venue. Many barn venues that are booked solid on Saturdays, will actually have openings on Fridays or Sundays, and some will even offer you a discount for those days. Being open about your wedding date is a great way to secure your favorite barn venue, and even save some money in your wedding budget! Be sure to also keep in mind the weather and season of the dates available for your barn wedding. The best barn venues will have air conditioning and heating, which helps eliminate any seasonal issues.
3. Set Your Wedding Budget: The wedding budget is one of the most important factors in wedding planning, so take some time to come up with a realistic number before making any major decisions. When calculating this number, always start with the cost of the Wedding Venue first, because the setting of a barn themed wedding is one of the most important and memorable components to your special day. Be sure to visit each barn in your area prior to budget planning; so that you can choose the barn with the best amenities and extras, to get the most bang for your buck. Always leave room in your budget, for marginal error or added expenses that will come up throughout this 12 month journey. The main point of your budget is to relieve the stress of spending, by spending within your means.
4. Begin Making Your Guest List: Once you know your budget, you can begin putting together your guest list. The first step is to confirm the maximum occupancy number for your chosen barn venue. This number is a great way to start your list, because it gives you a guilt-free, cutoff number for the amount of guests that can attend your wedding. It is also a great tool to use when pushy relatives or friends want you to invite more people to your wedding. You can simply tell them the venue capacity is full, and nobody gets their feelings hurt.
Start by compiling a list of everyone you could ever imagine inviting to your wedding. This should include immediate family, best friends, work friends, distant relatives, and anyone else that comes to mind. Next cross off anyone you have not spoken to in more than two years, unless they are immediate family. Then circle anyone that you MUST have at your wedding. After you tally up the number of circled names, you can go back through the list and circle any backup guests you would like at your big day.
5. Book Your Photographer: Many wedding photographers book up to a year in advance, so be sure to find one towards the beginning of your wedding planning journey. I suggest using someone that comes highly recommended by your friends and family, who has a large portfolio of work for you to view. If you are having trouble finding someone, you can also check out SnapKnot.com or PhotographerCentral.com I am actually attending a local bridal show this upcoming December in order to find more information on a wide assortment of wedding vendors. This is a great way for brides to find wedding vendors in a timely matter, because you can visit them all in one day and in one place.
6. Plan Engagement Party: Most often the engagement party is hosted by the Bride or Groom's parents, but whatever the case may be, start planning the engagement party now. You will need to pick a date, venue, and come up with a guest list. This is your first official party as an engaged couple and should be a joyous and intimate occasion.
7. Begin Shopping for Your Dress: Everyone keeps telling me that it is NEVER too early to begin shopping for your wedding dress. I plan on starting early, simply because I have no idea what I want or what will look best on me. I've started by putting together a Pinterest Board full of wedding dresses and styles that are visually appealing to me. This is a great way to get inspired, and helps create a starting point for when you visit the bridal shop. Just be aware, that once you are trying on these dresses at the bridal shop, you may not like them as much as you thought you would. This is okay! Just take a deep breath, and keep trying on different styles/fits until you find the dress that speaks to your heart. Bring your closest friends/family with to help keep this experience as fun and stress-free as possible.
10 Months Before Your Barn Wedding
1. Select Wedding Party:Selecting your wedding party can be a super stressful part of wedding planning. The number one thing I have learned, is to take your time. Once you invite someone to be apart of your wedding party, it is really difficult to change your mind, without offending someone. Do not rush this process! Choose people that you would consider your closest circle of friends and family. Try not to worry about whether or not someone will be bummed if they are not included, and focus on who you truly want next to you on your big day. Your wedding party size is completely up to you, but be mindful of the size and budget of your wedding.
2. Choose Your Wedding Colors:Your wedding colors play a huge role in the wedding planning process, because these colors are what ties your entire wedding theme together. You will use your wedding colors in many aspects of the wedding; all the way from your bridesmaids dresses to center pieces, so it is important to choose colors that portray the mood you are looking to set. I once again took to Pinterest for inspiration. I searched for "Barn Wedding Photos" and pinned my favorite images, until I had an entire board full of photos. Afterwards, I began scrolling through these images, and discovered that almost all of my photos followed just two different color schemes. So I chose my favorite, and "Voila", I had chosen my wedding colors. Now, each bride-to-be will feel differently about each color scheme they see, so remember, that there are no wrong choices, only your choice. Simple envision which color "fits" you best.
3. Book Officiant:If you are a member of a local church, you can start by speaking to your pastor/priest to find out what their requirements are for marrying you. Some churches will require premarital counseling, so it is important to book the officiant well ahead of the wedding. If you aren't a member of a church you can find a local officiant by visiting a site like Thumbtack or GigSalad. Most states will also have a website with a contact list of your local justice of the peace or notary. Or you can even have someone close to you become an ordained minister by taking online courses. All of these are legally accepted types of wedding officiants.
4. Finalize Guest List:The time has come to finalize your wedding guest list. It has been two months since you made your initial list, so now is the time to make any last minute cuts or additions. If you are worried about hurting people's feelings, just remember, that because you booked the Venue first, you are unable to go over their max capacity limit. You can use this fact, as an outlet, to explain why you were unable to invite everyone you might have wanted. Make sure you are keeping your budget in mind a swell, when making this final decision.
5. List of Wedding Addresses: Now that you have finalized your guest list, you can start collecting guest addresses. You most likely already have the addresses of those closest to you, but in today's digital era, not many people keep an address book of everyone they know. To collect your guest addresses, you can simply outright ask people. This method helps to save time, and is an easy way to get addresses via text or email. If you are looking to be more discreet, you can even claim you need the addresses for your new address book or Christmas cards. Or if you get lucky, you might even have a relative like my grandmother, who still keeps an address book for the entire family. Thank You Granny!
6. Engagement Party: Approximately 10 months before your wedding, you should celebrate your Engagement Party. This is the first big event of the wedding party process, and helps get everyone excited for your big day. It is also the perfect opportunity to get everyone that will be in the wedding party together to meet and bond over the experience. If not all of your family and wedding party is able to make it, be sure to make them feel included by calling them a few days before or after. Your bridal party will love feeling like they are apart of your wedding planning process, even from far away.
7. Choose Your Save the Dates: You've finalized your guest list, collected addresses, and now it is time to choose your first official wedding invite. The save the date is an important reminder for guests, and is especially important for those that have to travel for your wedding. It can be as simple or extravaganza as you'd like, but most people choose something simple that can be placed on a guest's fridge, to ensure it's not misplaced or forgotten. I actually just ordered my "Save the Dates", and am super excited that I found something both magnetic and rustic, to tie into my "Barn Theme". I will post photos of them in a future blog.
8 Months Before Your Barn Wedding
1. Send Save the Dates:It is important to send the Save the Dates approximately 8 months before your wedding. I personally have a lot of guests traveling from out of town, so I want to give them ample amount of time to make travel arrangements and budget for their trip. Sending the save the dates far in advance, will better the chances that your guests care able to attend.
2. Book Florist: If you're planning on having real flower arrangements and bouquets, you'll need to do some research in order to find the best, most fairly priced, florist in your area. If you know anyone local that was recently married, ask them who they used, and use that as a starting point. Smaller towns will have fewer options, which can actually help simplify the process. Make sure you refer back to your budget planning, to get an idea of how much you can spend on flowers. Remember that once again, the larger the wedding, the more flowers you will need. This also rings true for the size of the wedding party if you are planning on fresh bouquets/ boutonnieres.
3. Taste and Book Cake: This part of wedding planning, is something I am personally, very excited about. I cannot wait to taste cake with my fiance until our stomachs bulge. BUT do not let good tasting cake distract you from your Wedding Budget. The key is to find a bakery that has delicious cakes, with affordable pricing.You can start by visiting your local bakeries, or once again get recommendations from friends. I would also suggest looking into any upcoming bridal shows for a wide selection of bakeries and other important wedding vendors.
4. Book Music: Another great vendor you can find at bridal shows, is your wedding band or DJ. There are many options to choose from regarding wedding music, so the first step is to decide what type of music you would like at your big day. Next, you can get referrals, visit bridal shows, or use a website like GigMasters or WeddingWire to find the perfect music for your wedding. If you are interested in finding someone to play an instrument for your wedding ceremony, a great and affordable option, is to look into your local college's music department. You can put up a flyer and hold auditions, or get recommendations from a music professor.
5. Register for Gifts: The process of registering for gifts will be different for every couple, based on their needs and wants. The bride and groom should both do this together, to add to the excitement of celebrating your big day. Be sure to register for gifts in every price-range, so that each guest can purchase based off their personal budget. Proper wedding etiquette advises to never include your gift registry with your wedding invitations. Instead, use word of mouth, or include registry information with your bridal party invitations.
6. Book Hair/Makeup: If you plan on hiring someone for hair/makeup, you need to book in advance to secure the best services at the most affordable price. You can ask your local hairdresser for recommendations or get referrals from friends. If you are having trouble locating someone, there are sites like BeGlammed or ThumbTack with lists and reviews of local artists.
7. Find Groom's Attire: Your wedding "theme" will determine the type of suit the groom will need to purchase. If you are planning a formal wedding, your best bet is to find a traditional suit or tuxedo. Whereas, if your wedding is a bit more casual, you can opt for a vest and slacks. It is all about finding what collaborates with your own wedding style. Of course by your, I really mean the bride, so men be sure you have a full understanding of your wedding colors, theme, and bride's expectations. Be sure to try on multiple styles to find the fit that you like best.
6 Months Before Your Barn Wedding
1. Book Caterer: Wedding catering can be one of the most expensive aspects of your big day, so be sure to find and confirm a caterer far in advance. First, you must decide on the type of food you want to offer your guests. Next, decide on a per a plate budget and stick with it. You can then begin calling local caterers for pricing and availability. Once you have compiled a list of budget friendly, available caterers, you should schedule a tasting before making your final decision. Be sure to choose a caterer with a solid reputation and good reviews, to ensure that you are hiring the best possible option.
2. Order Invitations: When deciding on your wedding invitations, there are two things to keep in mind; the budget and the theme. Wedding invitations are available in a large variety of prices, so knowing what you can afford will help narrow down your results. Invitations are a perfect way to get guests excited for your wedding, and sticking to your theme, just furthers this excitement. I am planning a rustic-barn wedding, so my invitations will be a rustic style. If you barn wedding is going to be more formal, you can choose a formal invitation. It is all about finding an invitation that represents your ideal wedding theme.
What to Include in the Invite: Your invitation should include an RSVP card for guests to fill out and mail back. Including a stamp on this card will better ensure that you receive RSVPS from all invited guests. If you have chosen a formal wedding dinner, you can also include guest entree options on the RSVP card. Most Barn Wedding Venues will host both the wedding and the reception, but if you are holding, them at separate locations, you should include a reception card in your wedding invitation as well.
3. Shop for Attire: Now that you have chosen the bride and grooms' wedding attire, you can begin shopping for the rest of the wedding party. This includes bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, and even the ushers. What the wedding party wears should reflect both your wedding colors, and theme. If your wedding is very formal, your wedding party should be dressed formal as well. Likewise, if your wedding is very casual, your wedding party's wardrobe should also be casual.There are many different options in choosing how to dress your wedding party.Have fun with this process, and try different accessories, until you discover what fits your style best. I chose four different style dresses, all in the same color, so that each of my bridesmaids can select the dress that they like best. Since my wedding is going to have a country/rustic theme, I have also chosen to have everyone wear cowboy boots instead of heels. If your wedding is semi-formal or old fashioned, you might even be drawn towards the idea of bow-ties or suspenders. Spend some time browsing wedding magazines and Pinterest boards to get an overall idea of what you are looking for before shopping.
4. Plan Honeymoon: The first step to planning your honeymoon, is to determine your budget. As you are discovering, the key to minimizing wedding stresses, is to have a budget, and stick to it. Once your budget is set, you and your fiance should discuss what it is, that you want out of your honeymoon. Relaxation? Adventure? Foreign Lands? The Beach? This will help steer you in the right direction towards deciding where you want to go for your Honeymoon.Once you have decided on a location, you need to decide on the where and when as soon as possible, to ensure you get the best deals. Book accommodations close to the vocal point of your honeymoon plans such as a beach resort or a cabin close to skiing. Make sure the place is highly recommended, either by friends or online reviews. Keep in mind that you don't have to book your honeymoon for right after the wedding. Choose a time that works best for you and your fiance, and also coincides with the best possible weather for your destination. I am getting married in February, but because my fiance and I plan on going to the Bahamas, we will honeymoon during a much warmer month.
5. Order Wedding Favors: Your wedding favors are a great way of thanking guests for joining you on your big day, while also sending them home with a memento of this special occasion. If you are having a themed wedding, bring this into the selection of your wedding favors. You can find great ideas on Pinterest or Etsy, or if you're crafty, you can even try a DIY wedding favor. Remember that the more guests you have, the more wedding favors you will have to purchase/make, so choose something that sticks within your budget.
6. Buy/DIY Centerpieces: Wedding centerpieces can be as simple or as extravagant as you'd like, once again depending on your wedding theme and budget. The first step is to find out if wedding centerpieces or vases are included with your wedding venue rental. Some barn wedding venues will even have complete table decor with matching centerpieces, available for your use. Since you have already selected your wedding colors and flowers, you can determine what needs to be changed or replaced with the available centerpieces. This is a great money-saving factor to consider when selecting your wedding venue.
If your barn wedding venue doesn't include centerpieces, you can either order or make your own. You can purchase custom bouquets from your wedding florist, order custom vases or jars from Etsy, or make a DIY Barn Wedding Centerpiece from my step-by-step blog. Whatever the choice, be sure to incorporate your wedding flowers and theme into this design.
4 Months Before Your Barn Wedding
1. Send Out Your Invitations: It's now time to mail out your wedding invitations. You can get one invitation weighed at the post office, to ensure that you are using the proper stamp amount per an invite. Next, be sure to include a stamp and return address on all RSVP cards. Sending out your invitations is an exciting moment, as it symbolizes the beginning of the final stages of wedding planning. Congratulations, you have completed 3/4 of your Barn Wedding Timeline!!!
2. Purchase Shoes: Now that all of the wedding attire has been picked out, you can begin to choose and purchase wedding shoes. The most important consideration to make when selecting shoes for the entire wedding party is COMFORT! Choose shoes that will be comfortable for dancing and easy to walk in. Keep in mind that not everyone likes the same type of shoe, so consider choosing a low heel over a high heel, or even a flat heeled shoe.Your wedding theme will play a huge roll in shoe selection, so choose shoes that coincide with the rest of your wedding attire. It is very important that you purchase your shoes prior to being fitted for alterations.
3. Schedule Alterations: Schedule alterations for your wedding dress approximately 4 months before your big day. Custom alterations can take up to 8 weeks, so you want to give yourself ample time to make sure your dress fits perfectly. Make sure you wear all wedding undergarments and wedding shoes while getting fitted, to guarantee the dress is altered to your exact needs. This is also the time to schedule alterations for all members of the wedding party. Advise everyone to wear their undergarments and shoes as well, to ensure that everyone looks their best on your big day.
4. Find Wedding Party Gifts: Wedding party gifts are special presents you give as tokens of appreciation for those you have chosen to be a part of your big day. These gifts should be thoughtful, and useful to each individual member of your wedding party. This means that you shouldn't feel obligated to give all of your bridesmaids or groomsmen the same gift. Take your time thinking of great ideas, or use Pinterest to come up with the perfect gifts for each person. I love the idea of buying handcrafted items by local artists and business owners. Local art shows and Etsy will have a lot of inspiration if you are looking to go this route as well.
5. Buy Wedding Bands: This is a special experience that the bride and groom can enjoy together. Select your wedding bands based off your budget, style, and what feels most comfortable to you. Your wedding bands should be made of the same type of medal as your engagement ring, and mesh well with your engagement ring style. If you plan on wearing your wedding and engagement rings together, you can select a simple band designed to interlock with your engagement ring. If you plan on only wearing your wedding ring, you may want to find a wedding band that is a bit more decorative. The key is to find what you like as a couple, because you will be wearing these rings every day, following the ceremony.
6. Plan Rehearsal Dinner: The rehearsal dinner is a great way to get both sides of the family, the wedding party, and any out of town guests acquainted before the wedding. The wedding party typically has a rehearsal of the actual ceremony prior to the dinner, so make sure you time the dinner accordingly. The rehearsal dinner can be as formal or informal as you'd like, and can take place at the wedding venue, a restaurant, or even a backyard BBQ. It is the perfect time and place to hand out wedding party gifts, and a great way to kick off your wedding celebration. If you are booking a venue or restaurant for the rehearsal dinner, be sure to do so at least 4 months in advance, to ensure that they can accommodate a large group.
3 Months Before Your Barn Wedding
1. Bridal Shower: The Bridal shower is typically put together by the mother of the bride, bridal party, or maid of honor. If that is the case, you can simply show up and enjoy your day. It's a special time to bond with your wedding party and closest friends and family. Bridal showers usually take place 2-3 months before the wedding.
2. Confirm Vendors: Be sure to confirm with ALL vendors approximately 3 months prior to your wedding day. It is important to make sure the vendors know what time they are expected so they are not late. It's also important to provide any final details they might need regarding the service they are providing. Florists will need to know a final flower count and a time-frame for delivery prior to the wedding. The stylist will need to know the amount of people requiring their services and what type of looks/hairstyles you would like. The more detailed instructions you give your vendors in advance, the smoother things will run on your big day.
3. Write Vows: Writing vows can be a very intimidating process for the bride and groom. The key is to keep it short, true, and personal. Start off with a list of promises you would like to make to your spouse. You can also include any memorable quotes, poems, or moments that relate to your relationship and how you fell in love. If you are still having trouble, try talking to your friends to develop a structure to your vows, or you can even google examples for more inspiration.
4. Choose Music: It's important to provide your wedding DJ or Band with any special music requests prior to the wedding. Compile a list of songs that you would like played and any special dances, (ex: Couple's First Dance, Mother/Son dance, Father/Daughter song,). Choose meaningful songs that are easy to dance to. Your wedding style and personal preference will play a huge roll in your wedding playlist. Be sure to include your favorite songs from different genres and styles of music. Provide a good mix that will be enjoyable to everyone attending your wedding.
5. Wedding Program: Your wedding program is the perfect way to share the timeline of events with your wedding guests. You can order or design your own individual programs that coincide with your wedding theme, or some couples choose to purchase or make a sign that is visible for all guests to see. If you decide on individual programs, you should include the approximate timeline of events, all wedding participants, and a final message from the bride and groom. For more ideas on unique and formal wedding programs visit Pinterest and type in "Barn Wedding Programs".
1 Month Before Your Barn Wedding
1. Call Non-RSVP Guests: By this time, you have hopefully received most of your RSVPS, but there will always be guests that simply forgot to mail it in. To prevent any misunderstanding about the number of guests that will be attending, it is a smart choice to call or text any guests that did not respond to your invitation. If you are feeling overwhelmed, this is a great task to hand off to your mother, his mother, or even your maid of honor. It is very important to have an accurate headcount at least one month before your big day.
2. Give Caterer Final Count: Now that you know how many guests will be attending, you can give your caterer the official plate count. It is important to let the caterer know the exact number of guests, so that they can be sure to prepare enough appetizers and entries for everyone. A common problem, and one of my wedding day fears, is not having enough appetizers for everyone. Make sure you order a sufficient amount of food for your final guest count.
3. Marriage License: You cannot officially be married, without first obtaining a marriage license. Most states require that you visit your local city hall or town clerks office to apply for a marriage license. You and your spouse must both be present and provide all state required legal documentation. In most states, your marriage license is valid for 30 days before your actual nuptials take place, but make sure to check your state laws ahead of time. For more information on your state's marriage license laws, you can go to USMarriageLaws.com
4. Confirm Rehearsal Plans: If you are having your rehearsal at a restaurant or venue, call and confirm your reservations and number of guests. You should also confirm the ceremony rehearsal location and time with all members of the wedding party.
5. Complete Seating Chart: Once you have a final headcount, you can begin to put together your seating chart. Although a wedding seating chart is not a MUST have, it's a great way to organize guests in a complimentary fashion. You can also choose to assign tables, but not seats, if you are providing a buffet style dinner. If you are providing selected course options, it might be helpful to assign seats, so that the caterer can deliver food efficiently. Either way, you will have to decide on who to seat together at the same table, which can be a difficult decision. It's easiest to start by splitting the tables into groups, depending on how many seats there are per a table. The bridesmaids/groomsmen will usually sit next/closest to the bride and groom's table. I will also be placing our immediate families, such as parents and siblings, upfront close to our bride and groom table. The rest of the tables can be sorted based on who knows who, similar personalty types, or even just based on what side of the wedding party someone knows, (bride or groom). Do not put too much pressure on who you sit next to who, because there will be plenty of time for guests to mingle with each other during the reception.
6: Create Place-cards: If you plan on seating guests in designated seats, you will need to create or buy place-cards. This is another opportunity to get creative and theme-orientated. There are many different and unique ways to display a guest's name, at their assigned seat. If you are planning on assigning tables, but not seats, I would seriously consider a large table chart that lists guest names under each table number. In order to prevent confusion, you will need to make or buy table numbers to display at each table. I plan on having my table-chart custom made by a local wood artist, and will post photos and ideas in a future blog. I love using my theme as my inspiration for all wedding details and cannot wait to see how it all turns out.
7: Purchase Guest Book: Next you need to decide on the type of guest book you would like as a memento from one of the most important days of your life. Traditionally, this would be a book that each guest fills out with their name and warm wishes. If you are looking to go the non-traditional route, there are tons of creative ways to commemorate your wedding and those that shared the day with you. This is another fun detail where you can truly let your personality and wedding theme shine through. I will be posting a blog in the upcoming weeks, full of Barn Wedding Guest Book Ideas, for further help in selecting a fun and unique guest book.
1 Week Before Your Barn Wedding
1. Pick Up Your Wedding Attire: Make sure that everyone tries on their wedding attire BEFORE leaving the alteration shop. You should most definitely try on your dress prior to this final pickup date, but if your wedding party hasn't, now is the time to do it. Keep your dress and his suit in a safe place where they won't be damaged or wrinkled.
2. Pack for the Honeymoon: If you are leaving for your honeymoon right after the wedding, you will need to pack ahead of time. What you will need depends on where your honeymoon destination is, and you should pack accordingly. Don't forget to pack any fun bridal shower party gifts that you might want to surprise your future husband with, and if you're going to a foreign destination, don't forget your passports!
3. Organize Final Vendor Payments: I recommend organizing final vendor payments and tips into separate envelopes for each vendor. You can even assign a trusted wedding party member to be in charge of these payments once the envelopes are labeled and sealed. This will create a smooth exchange once your vendor's services are completed.
4. Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties: One of the funnest pre-wedding celebrations, is the bachelorette/bachelor party. How you celebrate your last days as an unwed woman/man depends on your personality type and what you consider the most fun. I've actually decided to help plan a "Bachelorette Weekend Getaway" with my bridesmaids, as sort of a mini vacation prior to the wedding. This is a huge life-changing event that should be celebrated to the fullest by you and your closest friends. Enjoy it!
5.Review Your Checklist: With your big day only one week away, it is important to review your checklist to ensure that all details are taken care of. Writing down everything you have done, and everything you still need to do, is a great way to ensure that you don't forget any major wedding details. This is also the time to ask for last minute help from your family or wedding party, if needed. Don't be afraid to ask those that care about you for help when it comes to crunch time. Everyone knows that a Happy Bride = Happy Wedding
1 Day Before Your Barn Wedding
1. Manicure/Pedicure: The day before your wedding should be as stress-free and easy as possible. Everything should be planned out and ready, so that you can truly enjoy this day. Take this as an opportunity to treat yourself, by booking a manicure/pedicure. You've worked hard planning your big day, you deserve a little pampering!
2. Rehearsal Ceremony: The rehearsal ceremony is a quick, practice run of the wedding ceremony. All of the wedding party should be in attendance, including the bridal party, flower girl, ring bearer, and ushers. It is a great way to let everyone know when and how to walk, where to stand, and how to exit after the ceremony. This is an important step in the wedding ceremony process, so that everyone has a full understanding of what is expected of them.
3. Rehearsal Dinner: Immediately following the rehearsal ceremony is your rehearsal dinner. Enjoy this time with your loved ones, knowing that your big day is less than one day away! This is also a great way to introduce and familiarize any out-of-town guests with both sides of the family.
4. Give Wedding Party Gifts: The rehearsal dinner is also a great opportunity to express your appreciation for your wedding party. Hand out their personalized gifts at the end of dinner, to let them know how grateful you are to have them in your life and apart of your wedding.
5. Good Night's Sleep: At the end of the night, it is tradition for the bride and groom to say goodnight and goodbye until wedding ceremony time. Kiss each other goodbye for the last time as an unwed couple, because the next time you kiss, you will be man and wife. Make sure you go to bed at a decent time, so that you are well-rested and ready for your big day tomorrow!
Congratulations, your wedding timeline is complete and you are now ready to walk down the aisle!!!!
