[With checklist] Eight-item to-do list to prevent forgetting things when preparing for your wedding!

Once the wedding is decided, many couples wonder how to proceed with the preparations. Planning a wedding involves a lot of considerations and takes a great deal of time. Most couples decide on a date with a preparation period of typically 12 to 8 months.

Here, we have summarized the necessary wedding preparation items by category.

At the end, you'll find a [Permanent Edition] original checklist, so please print it out and use it by filling it in according to your own schedule!

 

Essential Wedding Preparation Checklist

Weddings involve an astonishing number of items, from venue decorations, music selection, and small gifts for guests to favors, and even the attire for the bride and groom and their relatives. First, let's look at the essential wedding preparation checklist and get a general idea of what you can do yourselves and what you might want to outsource.

Essential Wedding Preparation Checklist Items What about the venue? Where will the after-party be? What kind of wedding do you want? What is the budget? What about the bride and groom's attire? Japanese traditional wear? Western dresses? What color bouquet? What about bridal accessories? Rent? Is buying better? Will there be an outfit change? How many guests will be invited? What about arrangements for travel and accommodation for guests from afar? Ceremony and reception program and entertainment What about parents' attire? Will you ask for bridesmaids? What about bridesmaid dresses and matching accessories? Will paper goods and carried-in items be handmade or outsourced? Favors and small gifts Food, drinks, and wedding cake Flower arrangements and table coordination Finding a photographer and MC Photography (pre-wedding and post-wedding shoots) Videography (opening and ending movies) BGM selection Bridal nails? Bridal esthetic treatments?

 

Among these, the bride's attire and accessories, being the main focus of the day, seem to cause the most deliberation. More and more people are choosing to have accessories that can be cherished as a lifelong memento, rather than renting them.

Amidst this trend, custom-made accessories have become popular among brides who want to express their individuality.

Since they offer total coordination for everything from earrings and necklaces to hair ornaments and even bouquets, allowing you to express your individuality according to your dress,

custom-made accessories that can be cherished as a lifelong memory are highly recommended.

Let's narrow down the considerations based on your preferences and the style of wedding you want, and then think about the preparation time required for each item.

 

Once Your Wedding is Decided - 12-8 Months Before

Once your wedding is decided, start by visualizing your ideal wedding.

12 to 8 months before is the time to envision what kind of wedding you want, what season you prefer, etc.

This is when you start to imagine the wedding you've dreamed of.

Once you decide you want to have a wedding, start by gathering information on what kind of wedding you want and potential venues. You can easily find wedding information in magazines, online searches, and on social media, so make good use of these resources.

 

4 Essential Decisions to Make First for a Smooth Wedding Planning Process!

1. Style of wedding you want (Shinto, Christian, non-religious, etc.)
2. Location (shrine, church, restaurant, hotel, garden, resort, etc.)
3. Cost (varies greatly depending on the number of guests)
4. Gift custom (Shugi-sei (gift money system) or Kaikai-sei (fee system), etc.)

You can't really start planning until you've established a direction for these areas, so it's a good idea to grasp them early and compare your options. While gathering information, it's also helpful to start envisioning attire such as traditional Japanese wear or Western dresses.

 

Wedding Preparation: Venue Search

Once you have an idea of your desired wedding, it's time to search for a venue.

Once you have a clearer vision of your ideal wedding, start looking for a venue that can bring that vision to life. There are several ways to search for a venue, and it's recommended to start early.

○ Attend bridal fairs

Bridal fairs are often held throughout the year, so it's a good idea to visit any venues that pique your interest.

At bridal fairs, you can also get a rough estimate. By getting multiple estimates, you can grasp the approximate market price for a wedding, which will help you decide on your budget.

You might also receive benefits for attending or signing a contract at a bridal fair, so it's worth checking them out!

○ Search for venues on search sites

We also recommend using party venue search sites. These sites allow you to search for venues used for events, parties, and ceremonies other than weddings, so you can find the perfect venue for you with a broad perspective.

Things You Can Do in Advance for Wedding Preparation - 7-5 Months Before

When you're 7 to 5 months out, it's time to gradually pick up the pace of your wedding preparations.

Once you have a clear idea, let's organize the detailed aspects.

Since meetings with the venue typically start 4 to 3 months before the wedding, it's crucial to do what you can in advance so you don't feel rushed later.

If you want to DIY invitations or small items, start working on them around this time to ensure you have enough time.

 

Deciding on the Wedding Venue

Compare multiple venues based on whether they match the atmosphere you envision and their pricing. Then, choose the venue that sparks the most excitement and feels like the best fit.

While the appearance, atmosphere, and cost of the venue are important,

• Are there hotels available for guest accommodation?
• Is there a wide selection of dresses at the affiliated dress shops?
• Will shuttle buses be provided?

It's reassuring to also check these finer details.

 

Choosing the Bride's Attire to "Be Your Ideal Self" for the Wedding - 4-3 Months Before

The period of 4 to 3 months before is when serious preparations begin.

With many decisions to make and numerous meetings, those who work should plan their schedules with ample余裕.

I believe that a wedding is meaningful as an opportunity to show gratitude to family and those who have supported you.

However, for the guests attending, the main attraction is still the bride and groom in their celebratory attire.

Showing guests the happy future you will build together is just as important as expressing gratitude, so I recommend taking ample time to choose attire befitting the leading roles.

Selecting attire that suits the venue's atmosphere and the season is also an important point.

Especially for bridal attire, coordinating the dress and veil length with the venue is essential. Depending on the hair arrangement, it's also important to consider whether to pair it with a tiara, a headpiece, or a flower crown, whether to use large, impactful earrings, or whether a necklace is necessary depending on the neckline.

 

4 Steps to Coordinating Your Bridal Look!

It is recommended to choose the bridal attire after the venue and season have been decided.

・Decide on the volume and length of the dress to match the season and venue.

・Next, decide on the image for your hairstyle.

・Choose accessories to match your hairstyle.

・For accessories, it's recommended to consider the volume, impact, and splendor for a cohesive overall look.

 

For more details on how to choose bridal accessories, please refer to this article!

→"The Complete Guide to Choosing Bridal Accessories Without Mistakes!"

 

RYONA SONG ORIGINAL COLLECTION A collection recommended for those who want to find their favorite accessories right away. Please also take a look here.

 

Wedding Preparation: Deciding on Attire and Hair & Makeup

Decide on hair and makeup to match your attire.

If you choose custom-made accessories that allow you to achieve your personal style, a designer will totally coordinate and create unique accessories for you, from earrings and necklaces to headpieces and bouquets.

For full custom orders, it's best to consult at least three months in advance.

Unlike rentals, you can create memorable accessories that will last a lifetime, and you can even celebrate anniversaries each year by wearing these cherished pieces.

Not only for the ceremony, but these custom-made accessories can also be worn in daily life, remaining as precious jewelry long after the wedding. Wearing something truly special, created exclusively for you, gives you the confidence to walk with pride on your big day, creating unforgettable memories that won't fade for years to come. Therefore, custom-made accessories for such an important day are a highly recommended service for all brides.

If you have an ideal image, it is recommended to save photos on your smartphone, as this will help in smoothly deciding on the design.

 

What About Wedding Venue Flowers and Table Arrangements?

Flower arrangements and table coordination are key elements that significantly impact the venue's ambiance. You might discuss these with your planner or directly with a florist.

Let's coordinate to match your desired image. Here too, if you have any inspiration images, saving them on your smartphone will make the process smoother.

At RYONA SONG's "Be Your Ideal Self" custom-made accessory service, the designer, who is also an interior designer, can offer advice on spatial decoration and also accept orders for custom-made bouquets & boutonnieres.

If you're unsure what to do, consulting the same designer for all your items is recommended to ensure consistency on the day.

As your dedicated designer, we will provide comprehensive support from accessories to bouquets.

 

For consultations regarding RYONA SONG's "Be Your Ideal Self" custom-made accessory service, please click here.