After making the broad wedding planner, the first step is to start planning & listing the details of major tasks. If required you can divide these major tasks into sub tasks. Then you need to decide the timelines & person responsible for completion of each task. You can use the month wise planning checklist so that you can easily keep a track of the progress of each task & manage your wedding in a more effective way. Some of the first major tasks which you should start with are listed below & you can use the ready to use checklist to keep a track of all the tasks::
- Finalize the budget of your wedding. Allocate amount from the total budget to the major expenses under various heads. (eg: functions, food, decoration, lodging, clothes, etc.). Here you need to decide the major expenses only; the detail allocation of cost under each head can be done a little later.
- If you wish to have a theme based wedding then you should start exploring various themes (for eg: Royal wedding, Romantic wedding, nature wedding, etc.) & finalize the theme. Your venue should be in synchronization with your theme.
- Finalize the wedding location.
- Visit venues on the finalized location & make a list of 5 venues from which one can be finalized for the wedding.
- Start searching for vendors for designing & printing invitation card.
- Start preparation of tentative guest list.
- Start planning for each function i.e. First Ceremony, Engagement, Haldi, Mehendi, Sangeet, Wedding and Reception as per the function planning sheet.
- Visit & prepare a list of various photographers/videographers.
- It is necessary to initially discuss & divide the tasks between both the sides they are going to share the responsibilities. This will avoid last moment confusion & panic.
- Start exploring various caterers based on the type of food you want to select. Start preparing a tentative menu list.
- Start exploring honeymoon destinations. It may take time to prepare visa & complete other formalities if you want to go to any international destinations. Also keep your passport ready.