Just Engaged? Now What? : Your Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist for Wisconsin & Minnesota Couples
Congratulations on your engagement! Now that you’ve said “yes,” the exciting—and sometimes overwhelming—journey of wedding planning begins. As you embark on this adventure, it’s important to have a roadmap to guide you through the process. Whether you're in Wisconsin or Minnesota, we’ve created the ultimate wedding planning checklist to help make your special day as smooth and stress-free as possible.
1. Choose Your Priorities Together
Before diving into any details, it’s crucial to sit down with your partner and discuss what’s most important to both of you. Do you want a small, intimate celebration, or are you dreaming of a large celebration with hundreds of guests? Is the venue or the food the most important? By aligning your priorities, you’ll make clearer decisions later in the process and ensure that both of you are on the same page.
Pro Tip: Northwoods Event Service can help guide this conversation! With years of experience working with couples in Wisconsin and Minnesota, we can provide helpful insights to ensure your priorities align, making your wedding planning process more streamlined.
2. Create Your Guest List
One of the first steps in the wedding planning process is determining how many people you want to invite. Creating a guest list is an essential task that affects the choice of venue, catering, your wedding style, and your overall budget. Consider how large or small of a celebration you’d like, taking into account family dynamics and your personal budget. Don't forget to start collecting addresses early so that you’re ready to send out invites when the time comes!
Need Help? Managing a guest list can be a challenge, especially when dealing with multiple family dynamics. Our wedding coordination team can help streamline the process, ensuring that your invitations are sent out on time, and RSVPs are properly tracked!
3. Set Your Wedding Budget
Now that you’ve established your guest list and priorities, it’s time to set a budget. It’s easy to get swept away by all the beautiful options, but setting a realistic budget early on will help you avoid unnecessary stress later. Consider all major costs like venue rental, catering, attire, and photography, and make sure to leave some wiggle room for unexpected expenses. A solid budget allows you to prioritize what matters most to you and your partner.
Feeling Overwhelmed by Budgeting? With our exclusive budget workbook at Northwoods Event Service, you’ll be able to estimate and track all your wedding expenses easily.
4. Choose Your Wedding Date
When it comes to selecting a date, you’ll want to consider seasonality, weather, and any special dates that hold significance for you and your partner. Wisconsin and Minnesota have stunning wedding venues, but keep in mind that popular dates in the spring and summer months tend to fill up quickly. If you’re aiming for a winter wedding, you’ll enjoy a unique, intimate experience—especially with a beautiful snowy backdrop.
5. Find Your Dream Wedding Venue
Choosing the perfect venue is one of the most exciting steps. Whether you envision saying "I do" lakeside by Lake Superior, in a cozy cabin, or at a rustic barn in Wisconsin or Minnesota, there are countless options to fit your style. Consider your ceremony and reception needs—will you need both indoor and outdoor spaces? Make sure to visit multiple venues to find the one that best aligns with your vision.
6. Hire Your Wedding Planner or Coordinator
A professional wedding planner can take a significant amount of pressure off your shoulders. If you want a seamless, stress-free experience, hire a wedding coordinator who is familiar with Wisconsin and Minnesota venues and vendors. They’ll handle the details, create a timeline, and be your go-to resource for anything that arises, allowing you to focus on enjoying the engagement period and your big day.
Pro Tip : Let us take the stress out of wedding planning and coordination! With our thoughtfully crafted packages, you'll receive proven guides, expert recommendations, a personalized workbook to track your budget and every detail of your big day—and so much more! We’re here to ensure your wedding journey is seamless, stress-free and unforgettable!
7. Book Your Wedding Vendors
Once you have your venue and planner in place, it’s time to secure your wedding vendors. This includes photographers, florists, DJs, caterers, and even a baker for your cake. Start in your respective state and read reviews to find the best fits for your needs. Be sure to book your vendors well in advance, as many are in high demand, especially during peak wedding season.
8. Choose Your Wedding Attire
Finding the perfect wedding attire is one of the most fun parts of the planning process. Start early, so you have plenty of time for fittings and alterations. Look for bridal shops in Wisconsin and Minnesota that offer a wide variety of styles, from classic ball gowns to more modern, sleek designs. Don’t forget about the groom and groomsmen—suits and tuxedos should be ordered early to avoid last-minute stress.
9. Select Your Catering and Cake
Food is a big part of your wedding celebration, so selecting the right catering company is essential. Do you want a plated meal, a buffet, or perhaps a food station or food truck for something unique? Local farm-to-table options are popular in Wisconsin and Minnesota, so consider using fresh, regional ingredients. And don’t forget the cake! Schedule a tasting with your baker and choose a design that complements your theme.
10. Send Invitations and Manage RSVPs
As your wedding day approaches, it’s time to start preparing for your invitations. Remember to send out “Save the Dates” around 6-8 months before the big day, and formal invitations 8-10 weeks ahead of time. Be sure to track your RSVPs carefully, as you’ll need them to finalize your guest count for catering and seating arrangements.
Track with Ease: Don’t stress over the details—Northwoods Event Service offers RSVP management services, helping you keep track of responses and finalize the seating arrangements with ease.
11. Plan Your Wedding Timeline
Creating a timeline for your wedding day is essential for smooth coordination. With Northwoods Event Services, we’ll work with you to craft a detailed schedule, covering everything from vendor arrivals to ceremony details, speeches, cake cutting, and your first dance. We’ll then distribute it to your vendors and wedding party, ensuring everyone is on the same page and your big day goes off without a hitch.
Pro Tip: Always build in extra time for unexpected delays, like weather, traffic, or last-minute wardrobe adjustments. Having a buffer will help keep everything on track and reduce stress on the day of your wedding.
12. Prepare for Your Wedding Day
As your wedding day approaches, it’s time to confirm the final details. Double-check your marriage license, finalize your seating chart, and prepare a wedding day emergency kit with essentials like safety pins, aspirin, and stain remover. It’s important to have everything in order so you can relax and enjoy the day ahead.
Northwoods Clients: We’ll handle the final coordination with your vendors and wedding party, ensuring everyone is aligned and ready. Our team provides a comprehensive wedding day checklist, an onsite emergency kit, and a detailed packing list—all to leave you stress-free and focused on enjoying every moment of your big day.
13. Enjoy Your Wedding Day
The day has finally arrived! Trust in your team of vendors and your wedding coordinator to make sure everything goes smoothly. Don’t worry about the little things—just focus on enjoying your wedding day with your loved ones. You've put in the work to make it special, and now it’s time to savor the memories you’ve been dreaming of.
Conclusion
Getting engaged is one of the most exciting moments of your life, but the journey ahead can feel overwhelming. By following these essential steps, you’ll stay organized and focused as you plan your perfect day. From creating your guest list to choosing your vendors and finalizing your timeline, every decision counts. Remember, you don’t have to do it alone—working with Northwoods Event Services can make all the difference in bringing your stress-free vision to life.