If you follow @thejunkdrawerswfl or @montannahonc on Instagram, you already know that I am engaged! Our wedding story will be coming soon–but for a brief update:
One quiet afternoon, we went out on the boat. It was just another ordinary day–until it wasn’t! He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him at one of our favorite waterfront places, Cayo Costa, Florida.
We have been together for ten years and I was still surprised when he finally asked! I wanted to share our wedding planning journey with everyone, so I have been working on a wedding series (this is our first post) that will be taking you through our planning process, our budget breakdown, how we accomplished our theme/styles, and the honeymoon of our dreams.
After getting engaged, the wedding planning began right away! Who knew you needed to book a venue like the very next day? Since I love all things organization, my mom talked me into buying an actual physical planner for our wedding. I was a little hesitant at first because I usually keep all my notes and calendar appointments online through Google, so I was isn’t sure if I would use it as much. However, it has made the wedding planning process much easier and I can add all those appointments to my calendar still in order to have access from my phone, tablet, or laptop.
Wedding planners from (L to R): Pink Foil Wedding Planner $16.95 @ Paperchase, C.R.Gibson Winks Planner $45.00, C.R. Gibson Gold Striped Planner $14.99 @ Target, Kate Spade Love Is in the Air $48 @ Dillard’s, and Bloom Daily Planners Gold Foil Scallops $29.92 @ Amazon.
I went with the C.R. Gibson Gold Striped Planner from Target. This planner is wonderful for keeping track of deposits, a timeline for scheduling events, a task checklist, and it has pockets for venue flyers, catering menu, etc.
I put together a timeline that outlined our needs and tips on how to use it. I will also include our personal picks as we cross them off.
Six to Twelve Months Before the Wedding
- Determine what kind of wedding you will have (beach, garden, rustic, vintage, formal, informal, destination, etc.)
Intimate Vintage Garden - Choose a date and time
April 6th, 2009 - Select and officiant
Bride’s aunt - Choose your attendants (bridal party)
3 Groomsmen, 3 Bridesmaids, 3 flower girls - Choose a color scheme
Slate Grey & Dusty Blue - Set a budget
$10,000 - Choose Bride’s Attire (dress, veil/headpiece, accessories, and shoes)
For the Bride - Choose Bridesmaid’s Attire (dress, accessories, and shoes)
For the Bride - Begin to compile guest list
- Plan reception, book venue
All Inclusive venue - Choose & Book photographer
Reddoor Photography - Choose & Book videographer (optional)
- Begin Caterer selection
Missions BBQ - Begin Music selection (DJ, Band, Live Musicians, etc.)
- Select Wedding Bands
- Begin Honeymoon Plans
Kauai & Maui, Hawaii
Three to Four Months Before the Wedding
- Choose Florals (florist vs. artificial)
- Attend Pre-Marriage Counseling
- Complete Wedding Registry
Wayfair - Select & Order Invitations
BasicInvite - Begin planning catering menu
Missions BBQ - Plan your ceremony service
- Make Honeymoon Reservations
Gulf Coast Travel World, Inc. - Mother of the Bride/Mother of the Groom Attire
- Finalize Guest List
- Complete Reception Arrangements/Order Rentals
All Inclusive Venue - Confirm Catering Arrangements
- Confirm Musical Arrangements
- Confirm Photographer/Videographer Arrangements
- Begin Planning Transportation to and from Venue
- Choose and Order Groom’s/Groomsmen Attire
- Arrange Bridesmaids’s Dress Fittings
Two Months Before the Wedding
- Order the Cake
Batter Up Bakery - Address and Mail Wedding Invitations
- Plan rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
- Choose & Purchase Bridal Party gifts
- Make Appointment to Get Marriage License
- Confirm Floral Arrangements
One Month Before the Wedding
- Buy Groom’s Gift
- Begin planning Bride’s Bachelorette Party
Glamping @ Westgate - Begin planning Groom’s Bachelor Party
Offshore Fishing Trip @ Florida Keys - Record Wedding Gifts and Send Thank You Notes Promptly
- Make Accommodations for Out of Town Guests
- Arrange Transportation for Wedding Party
- Complete the final bridal fittings
- Confirm and Finalize Honeymoon Arrangements
- Finalize arrangements for pre-ceremony (guest book, flower petals, candles, sparklers, birdseed, etc.)
- Get Bridal haircut, facial, and try out wedding day make-up
- Set appointment for hair & makeup for ceremony
- Remember something old, something, new, something borrowed, something blue
Two Weeks Before the Wedding
- Pick up wedding rings
- Send wedding announcements to publications (optional)
- Finalize wedding menu
- Make a seating plan for reception (place cards)
- Reconfirm cake delivery with baker
- Reconfirm florist delivery
- Pick up marriage license
- Reconfirm guest accommodations
The Week Before the Wedding
- Finalize plans and guest count with venue and caterer
- Finalize plans with musicians, baker, photographer/videographer
- Schedule pick up of rental items
- Begin packing for honeymoon
- Reconfirm rehearsal plans with all involved
- Have rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
- Practice hair and make-up
- Double check fitting of wedding attire
- Double check ring fitting
- Double check location of marriage license
- Get manicure and facial
The Junk Drawer 