Have you just said yes to your loved one ? Congratulations ! In a few months you will live the most beautiful day of your life. But before that, you will have to go through several steps to answer to your question : wedding organization : where to start ?

Once the euphoria and tears of joy have passed, the first questions about the organization of your wedding will come to overwhelm you. Know that you are going to dream, think, live marriage for almost a year because like all brides you want everything to be perfect.

Are you already under stress ? Don’t worry, it’s quite normal. Dream It Yourself is there to guide you in your preparations. To help you, we present you in this article the 9 essential steps to organize your wedding like a pro! You will thus be able to say YES to your fiancé(e) in all serenity.

©Stylemepretty / ©Michael and Carina

Is not wedding planner who wants! Wedding organization is no small task and you wonder where to start ? It is imperative that you enjoy your wedding day. To avoid unnecessary stress, here are the 9 steps you must go through to ensure a perfect day:

• Define your budget ;
• Choose the date;
• Finding your reception location ;
• Choose your providers;
• Find the dress of your dreams and your accessories;
• Send your invitations; 
• Choose the outfit for the groom and the procession;
• Make your wedding rings;
• Choose the officiant of ceremony.
  

_

D-12 MONTHS

– DEFINE YOUR BUDGET –

Starting to organize your wedding without defining a budget can be problematic. You risk having very unpleasant surprises if you start blindly… Indeed, this first step is simply INDISPENSIVE! Unless you have an unlimited budget…

First, sit down around a table with a good glass of wine and open an Excel spreadsheet or take your notebook and pen for the older-school among you. Take the time with your boyfriend or girlfriend to make a list of all the expense items and assign them a cost not to be exceeded.

You must agree as a couple on the overall budget for your wedding. Here is a non-exhaustive list that could serve as a starting list to begin your planning:

• Renting and decoration of the place;
• The invitations (manufacture + sending);
• The service providers: caterer, florist, photographer, videographer, DJ/group;
• The cake;
• Wedding rings;
• Dress, costume and accessories;
• Hair and make-up;
• Car rental (horse-drawn carriage or other…) ;
• Gifts for the guests.

It is important to know that there is no right or wrong budget. The budget you allocate for your wedding depends on a number of things that affect how much money you spend:

1. your number of guests ;
2. the region and/or country in which your wedding will take place;
3. the chosen season.
   

Each couple is free to dedicate the amount they wish in their marriage.

Feel free to take a look at our article: How to establish your wedding budget ?

–

– CHOOSE THE DATE –

You had imagined the wedding of your dreams under the snow ? In the midst of the blazing colors of autumn ? To be surrounded by flowering trees or accompanied by the gentle warmth of summer ?

The choice of the date is a “detail” that may seem trivial to you, but it is extremely important since it will influence many other elements of your wedding such as: the theme, the location and even the model of your dress.

If you wish to get married during the great wedding season (July, August, September for Quebec), the best advice we would have to give you is to take it a long time in advance because the availability of places and providers on its dates are often limited.

Tip : To get better prices and make sure you have your favorite providers and the place of your dreams, why not get married on a Friday or Sunday ? You’ll see, your providers will be more flexible and will even offer you a discount sometimes! 

©Jessica Samyn Photographie / ©Indiaearl / ©Aurelien Bretonniere 

– FIND YOUR RECEPTION PLACE – 

In order to be sure to find the place of your dreams, you should start your search at least a year in advance, especially if you decide to get married during the high season. This is one of the biggest challenge in organizing your wedding.

Your wedding day will be one of the most beautiful and grandest days of your life, so choose a place that suits you and where you feel good from the moment you walk through the door.

As soon as you have booked your venue, you can start to solicit the other wedding providers. This is a crucial step in the process of planning your big day in terms of both planning and style.

Indeed, the chosen location will play an important role in the tone and atmosphere you wish to give to your wedding. In a chalet ? An industrial warehouse ? Or a winery ? On the family property ? Anything is possible !

©Lets frolic together / ©Life Stories Wedding / ©Pinterest

–

D-10 MONTHS

– CHOOSE YOUR PROVIDERS –

At this stage, you only want one thing: to build the shock gang for a successful wedding! However, finding the ideal providers to accompany you on the day is not easy. Photographer, videographer, caterer, makeup artist/hairdresser, florist, etc. You only want to call upon exceptional service providers who will be able to adapt to your desires and needs and who are highly professional.

Start with the providers that are most important to you because, unfortunately, some providers are in high demand and can be booked more than a year in advance. Choose them according to their style, but also by feeling.

Are you lost in the middle of thousands of specialized web pages and advice from those around you? You don’t know where to look anymore and you are completely disoriented?

On our online directory www.jolirendezvous.com you can find the most talented Quebec providers and consult their availabilities online!

D-8 MONTHS

– FIND THE DRESS OF YOUR DREAMS AND YOUR ACCESSORIES –  

Pinterest will become your best friend girls ! This platform will help you find inspiration and define the style that suits you. Thanks to our expertise as a wedding dress boutique, we will guide you in your choice. Be aware that the models you’ll stop on may not be the ones that will create the wow effect you expect, but it’s a first step. Indeed, the fittings can be very surprising!

To help you find THE dress, check out our blog article 5 tips and tricks for shopping your wedding dress.

Tip: Don’t wait any longer, and make an appointment online now at DIY to find the dress of your dreams!

©Mademoiselle de Guise / ©Joanna Bisley / ©Les couronnes de Victoire

–

D-6 MONTHS

– SEND YOUR INVITATIONS –

First of all, if you opt for a personalized wedding, why not create them yourself? Wedding invitations are always very appreciated when they have a personal touch.

If you don’t have the artistic touch, call on a specialized printer.

For a more modern and economical version, you could send your invitations by email. Take a look at the various free software programs that offer the online creation service.

Don’t forget to send them 4 months before your wedding day. You must send a return note for confirmation with a postage stamp already affixed on another small envelope that you will send with your invitation. If your invitation is digital, ask for a response whether it is positive or negative. If you are using Event Brite software, it will automatically handle guest confirmations.

©SunandSparrow / ©Pinterest

–

D-5 MONTHS

– CHOOSE THE OUTFIT FOR THE GROOM AND THE PROCESSION –

Unlike you, the groom’s outfit is easier to find. Just bet on the 2 or 3 piece suit and it’s done.

Same for the members of the procession. After choosing your bridesmaids, get together to discuss the style and color of the dresses. To help you, we offer our Infinity dress. The same dress that drapes around the body in more than 30 different ways.

©Lacabinedemargaux / ©WeddingsbyV

– MAKE WEDDING RINGS –

If you are reading this article, you already have a beautiful engagement ring on your finger. Therefore, it’s time for wedding rings! The choice of this little jewel must be extremely well thought out. Wearing these rings, whether you want them to match or not, is a sign of eternal commitment. They must therefore represent you.

©Weddingchicks

– FIND THE OFFICIANT –

The officiant may be a family member, relative or friend.

In order for your marriage to be valid, you must apply to the Registrar of Civil Status so that the person you have chosen can act as an officiant for your marriage.

To be an officiant, you must meet the following conditions:

• Hold Canadian citizenship or reside in Quebec ;
• Be 18 years of age or older and able to fully exercise all civil rights;
• Speak French or English;
• Have respected all the substantive and formal conditions relating to marriage or civil union in previous celebrations.

The processing time for an application is approximately 4 months.

–

In conclusion, organizing your wedding is a great adventure that will certainly have its ups and downs, but it’s worth the effort! We hope that we have succeeded in guiding you in the organization of your wedding and that we have answered your question: Where to start? We hope that with our advice, you will succeed during your big day to escape without any pressure related to logistics. In a few months you will open a new chapter of a new life… 

Did you like this article “Wedding organization : where to start?” ? Do you need some advice for the organization of your wedding? Please refer to our article The 5 best tips for a successful wedding planning.

Finally, to follow our news do not hesitate to follow us also on Instagram and Facebook!