1. Scope out the parking situation ahead of time.  Many venues have worked out deals with parking lots and garages in close proximity.  Make sure your guests know which ones to use so you aren’t dealing with parking tickets on your wedding day.

2.  Involve friends and family in your special day. Reduce your stress on your wedding day while ensuring that your close family friends feel special and involved.  Put together a list of family friends, aunts, uncles, and cousins you think will be available to assist with set-up and tear-down and then assign them specific duties. 

3.  Set up an account on TheKnot.com. This comprehensive wedding website has tools and tips to keep you on track and organized during the planning process of your wedding.  With free tools like a budget calculator, guest list generator and sample timeline, this website is my favorite for keeping you organized.  

4.  Make sure your dress and veil aren’t in the next county the day before your wedding.  To avoid this hassle make sure your dress and veil are pressed in a local facility.  While some cleaners send out veils and dresses for cleanings and pressings, a quick call to your preferred vendor will ensure that your beautiful attire stays in the city with no surprises on your big day. 

5.  Create an hour by hour time-line, beginning with breakfast.  Many brides are so caught up with details and wedding prep that they forget to eat.  A simple breakfast will start you off on the right foot and keep you going through the morning set-up and prep.  A timeline, including hair and make-up time, set-up time, drive-time and vendor arrival times will help keep you organized and on schedule.

6. Don’t forget to apply for a marriage license.  Washington State law requires a 3 day waiting period between your wedding date and the application date and the license is only good for 60 days.  You can apply in person, or by mail to: King County Marriage Licenses, 500 4th Avenue, Room 403, Seattle, WA 98104 – include the $64 dollar fee with your application. http://www.metrokc.gov/lars/marriage/

7. Make copies of your marriage certificate right away.  Even if you don’t plan on changing your name, there may be institutions that require proof of marriage.  Making a few copies and storing them in a safe location will make these requests easy to accommodate when the time comes, saving loads of time and stress.

8. Pre-schedule a final walk-through and meeting with your caterer and venue director.  Many caterers and venue directors will require a meeting to finalize details, but some will not.  If your vendors have not contacted you for this very important meeting, make sure you take the initiative to set one up. 

9. Schedule some time to yourself in the week leading up to the wedding.  You will have a lot going on and last minute errands to run, but don’t forget to take some time for yourself!  Take a yoga class or go out to cocktails with a few close friends (no wedding talk!) to wind down and relax before your big day.  You don’t want to head into your wedding day with pent up tension and stress –just a few hours of downtime can make all the difference.

10.  Your big day is only two months away and your bottom line keeps climbing.  Avoid the last minute over budget trap with a budget calculator and a detailed spread sheet.  In addition to the big ticket items remember to keep track of all of the little details that can really add up.  Staying on budget and being diligent with vendor contract negotiations is your second most important job next to getting married on your big day!

____________________

Tell me your best wedding planning tips in the comment section!