Are you thinking about having a simple wedding with your close ones and not sure where to start? This guide will be perfect for you. It highlights the key items and activities involve in planning a simple and stress-free wedding. It also includes an easy-to-follow timeline which lists when you should be doing what. With the constantly changing government restrictions that we have all experienced in the past years, a lot of engaged couples are evaluating the possibility of having a smaller and more intimate wedding. Hopefully this guide will be useful in your planning process.

A simple checklist for simple weddings

If you are about to start planning your simple wedding and don’t know how, here is a straightforward wedding check list. It is comprised of tasks common to most weddings.

1. Decide on a wedding date and who to invite

2. Secure a location.

3. Book service vendors such as photographer, makeup artist, hair stylist and officiant.

4. Order wedding items such as rings, outfits, bouquets and cake.

When and with whom

The very first task that you and your fiancé need to do is to come up with the wedding date. Some couples chose a date that is meaningful to them, such as their anniversary date, their engagement date or one of their parent’s anniversary date. Alternatively, some couples pick a date most convenient for their guests. If you are still not sure, write down 2 to 3 dates.

Once you an idea on the wedding date, the next important item on your checklist is to come up with a gust list. It does not need to be finalize until a later date, but you need to have a rough idea of who you plan to invite. The date and size of your wedding will drive subsequent decisions. A simple process to come up with a guest list is to start with family members, which include parents, grand parents and siblings. Work your way out to extended family members. Then your friends from childhood, school and work. Also think about if you want to have a bridal party, and who you want to be part of it.

Location

Once you an idea on the wedding date and how many guests, the next important item on your checklist is to look for a venue. To keep things simple, try to find venues that can comfortably host both ceremony and reception. There are many options in Toronto. I recommend searching for venues that fits your style and character. If you like rustic and industrial look and feel, I believe the distillery district and hotel ocho are both good choices.

The cost of booking a venue takes up to 50% of a wedding budget. Once you have reviewed quotes from various venues, you should have a rough idea on what a realistic overall budget should be set to.

Service vendors

After you have finalize the wedding date and location, the next task is to book your service vendors. Typically, this includes your wedding photographer, make up and hair team, and officiant. Ideally you should book them between 6 to 12 months before your wedding date. The reason is that there is a limit on how many clients these vendors can take on. This is particularly true in a city like Toronto, in which most weddings happen between May to September. Word-of-mouth and Google search are great ways to find vendors that fit your needs. If you are looking for a photographer for your intimate wedding, I would recommend taking a look at the wedding photography packages listed here.

Wedding items

Once you have secure service vendors, the next task on the list is to shop for wedding items. The first item on your shopping list should be outfits for the bride, groom as well as the wedding party. This should be the most fun part of your planning process. You get to visit shops and try out different outfits with your love ones. You should aim to order a dress at least 10 months before your wedding date, in case alternation is required. The other outfits can wait a bit longer.

The other items wedding bands, flowers and cake. Generally, aim to order them six months before your wedding date.

Wedding checklist timeline for simple weddings

What should be done 12 months before marriage? What should I do 8 months before my wedding? Here is a wedding checklist in chronological order.

12 months

• Decide on a date

• Come up with an initial guest list

• Secure a location

• Book service vendors such as photographer, makeup and hair team and officiant

10 months

• Order a bridal dress

6 months

• Order grooms and wedding party outfits

• Purchase wedding rings

• Finalized guest list and send invites

4 months

• Order flowers and cake

2 weeks

• Reach out to your vendors to confirm details of your wedding date