Organizing a marriage is one of the most fun and exciting processes you will ever go through, but it involves making a lot of decisions, coordinating in many aspects and working under an orderly schedule.

What should be taken into account for the organization of a marriage? Check out this complete checklist and downloadable template that will guide you through the main tasks you need to plan. It will come in handy!

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12 steps to organize the perfect marriage

Marriage of Juan Pablo & Bernardita

The task agenda

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12 steps to organize the perfect marriage

1. We are getting married! How to announce it?

What should you do before you get married? If you've decided to get married, you'll want to tell your closest friends and family the news. If so, you can organize an intimate meal at home, but without revealing the reason so that the surprise isn't lost. Above doing it via text, video conference or phone call, seeing the face-to-face reaction of your loved ones will be heartwarming.

But if you don't want to wait a minute and long for the whole world to know about it, then you can take to your social media to announce the engagement. For example, by posting a picture of the engagement ring on Instagram. You'll get a lot of reactions!

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2. How to choose the date

There are different factors to consider And don't forget to have a plan B in case you have to change the date.

It is important to look from the general to the specific; first define in which season you want to get married, for example, if you choose spring/summer, you will have to consider that the demand is high and the prices are higher.

If you choose autumn/winter, demand is lower, but you won't be able to get married outdoors, for example. You should also look at the calendar and pick a date that doesn't coincide with public holidays or vacations, as this could affect guest attendance.

Although Saturday afternoon is the preferred option, Sunday at noon has become an increasingly requested alternative for intimate weddings.

And Friday is another day they might consider, knowing that it is a work day and, therefore, the wedding would have to be PM. On the other hand, there are couples who want the marriage to take place on a special date, such as their anniversary or someone's birthday.

And if you are an esoteric couple, you may want to be guided by the lunar cycles: new moon, crescent, full moon and waning quarter. These correspond to the different illuminations that the moon presents in the time it takes to go around the earth, in 29 days with respect to the sun. New Moon is associated with a cycle of good energies; Crescent Quarter with the beginning of projects; Full Moonwith prosperity and abundance; and the Waning Quarter with a period of reflection.

And then, as a matter of taste, you can decide at what time you want to get married.

3. The budget

Just as important as choosing the right date to organize the wedding, it is important to determine early on the budget you will have. Will you save X amount of money in as many months? Will you ask for a loan from the bank? Who will pay what? Will you receive contributions from your parents? Do you already have the money you need?

Whatever the formula, it is essential that define an approximate amount to spend In order to organize your wedding, don't forget to use Matrimonios.cl's tool, the Budgeting tool, which will allow you to have everything related to the expenses in the most detailed way. Among other things, there you will find the different items classified by categories, which you will be able to fill in according to "estimated cost", "cost", "estimated cost", "estimated cost", "estimated cost", "estimated cost", "estimated cost", "estimated cost", "estimated cost", "estimated cost", "estimated cost", "estimated cost", "estimated cost", "estimated cost", "estimated cost", "estimated cost" and so on.and "paid" and everything will be updated based on your progress.

But beyond the total amount available to them, it is essential that they know how to manage it well In fact, if you don't have a lot of resources, there are several tips to cut costs, such as inviting singles without a partner, emailing the parties, opting for a brunch or cocktail party, renting wedding suits, using your own car for transportation, and making the favors yourself (DIY).

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4. The guest list

For many couples, drawing up a guest list is one of the most complicated items to prepare, so the advice is to make a first draft with all the guests This way you will see that there are family members and friends who are essential, while others could be left out. You can do all this through the Matrimonios.cl tool, Guest Manager.

Depending on your budget and the type of wedding you want, you will also need to decide if there will be children and which guests will attend with or without a partner, and if there will be, don't forget to include "engagement guests" such as the boss or a co-worker.

Now that you have readjusted the draft, the idea is that the list is balanced with respect to the guests of each groom. And if the list is still long and you need to trim it down further, ask yourself about those people: "have we communicated this year", "did we talk during the pandemic?

5. Suppliers

Who organizes a marriage? This is when the suppliers become the protagonists, because the choice of suppliers will largely depend on how your celebration turns out. Therefore, it is essential that you choose them very carefully. How? The fundamental thing is to review in detail the services they offer But it is also important to check the opinions, reviews and suggestions of other brides and grooms who have hired the same services. In Matrimonios.cl, for example, the same couples rate their providers.

In addition, before choosing one or the other, it is ideal to meet personally with suppliers to clarify additional questions If you don't feel confident or feel distant, it's best to keep looking.

6. How to choose the location of the ceremony and reception

There are many factors to consider when choosing a location for your wedding. On the one hand, for the religious ceremony it is key to look at the capacity of the church, because if there are few people, a church can feel cold and unwelcoming. Or on the contrary, if there will be many guests, perhaps in a small chapel they will be uncomfortable. You should also consider the contributionThe economic support requested by each temple, which can range from a voluntary tip to over $500,000, depending on each case. And do not underestimate the importance of technical issues, such as lighting and sound that has the place.

As for the location for the banquet, besides being guided by the number of guests and the budget, which will consume much of the total, it is essential to be clear about the style of wedding you want For example, a manor house or plot of land will be ideal for a country wedding, while an elegant hotel lounge will suit an urban-chic wedding.

You should also make sure that both locations, for the ceremony and the banquet, are easily accessible and have parking facilities.

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7. What style of marriage to choose

To plan a marriage, the first thing to define is whether it will be a wedding with many guests, with guests in the average or with few guests And at the same time, if they will invest a lot of resources or if it will be more austere. Once they have these guidelines clear, they can then lean towards a particular style. For example, they can opt for a romantic, rustic/country, vintage-inspired, shabby-chic, bohemian, or beach wedding, eco-friendly hipster, minimalist, urban, industrial, classic or glam.

These styles will mark the decoration and setting, although there is also the possibility of celebrating a themed wedding, for example, inspired by a movie, TV series, video game, musical group, city or decade, among other options.

And beware that the style or theme you choose will be decisive. Not only in the decoration, but also in the location, in the bridal stationery and even in the bride and groom's dresses.

8. Bridal styling

It is recommended that the bride choose her wedding dress at least six months in advance, while the groom should choose his suit at least three months before the wedding. You should consider that, once you decide on a model, you will have to attend at least two dress fittings for adjustments and touch-ups.

Keys to get it right? The first thing is to establish an available amount The prices of both wedding dresses and groom's suits can be very varied, from very expensive haute couture suits, to designs of national brands for cheaper prices. And you can even rent.

When it comes to the wardrobe, besides being guided by the formality of the event, you should choose the fabric according to the season in which you will say "yes", as well as other details that may be decisive. For example, long sleeves for a winter wedding or transparencies for a summer one. And the latest trends in bridal fashion can always take them frominspiration.

But the looks of both will not be complete without their respective accessories. In the case of the bride, the trousseau is made up of shoes, lingerie, jewelry, veil and bouquet, while the groom will have to look for shoes, belt, collars, tie or humita and boutonniere.

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9. Stationery

Choosing the wedding stationery will be one of the items you will enjoy the most. And the fact is that there they will be able to express all their creativity Whether you make it yourself or have it made by yourselves or have it made.

Wedding stationery comprises 10 main points, although there can be more.

• The save the date which is a card that is sent to guests to reserve the date, without adding any other information.
• The wedding parties already incorporate all the coordinates, including the label.
• The wedding program, which is handed out at the beginning of the celebration and contains the schedule.
• The wedding signage, which can be welcome boards or decorative signs for the bar.
• The seating plan which is an outline designed to inform guests where they will be seated at the banquet.
• Table markers, which indicate the specific place where a person should sit at each table.
• The minutes, which contain all the information related to the menu.
• The names of the tables, which serve to number or name each table.
• Thank you cards for the guests, which can be handed out during the wedding, or delivered a few days later.
• And the signature book or fingerprint album, if you prefer, in order to immortalize the wishes of your family and friends.

If you have already chosen a wedding style (classic, vintage, boho chic...), the ideal is that your stationery follows the same line. This way everything will be in harmony.

10. How to choose banquet menu

Depending on the celebration, you will be able to choose between different types of banquets and wedding menus. The traditional one is lunch or three-course meal The main course is generally beef.

Another popular one is buffet banquet This is more dynamic, as it is the guests themselves who choose their food and bring it to the table, where, in addition to meats, pasta and a variety of salads and side dishes are offered.

There is also the cocktail banquet This is suitable for intimate or relaxed weddings, as guests can enjoy a selection of hot and cold dishes standing up, while if you choose to get married in the morning/middle of the day, a brunch will allow you to mix breakfast and lunch alternatives, such as omelettes, sandwiches and pil-pil shrimp.

And the format of foodtrucks is another of the most demanded for informal celebrations. It consists of installing several trucks or vans that prepare themed meals on the spot. You can choose between foodtrucks fast food, such as hamburgers or tacos, or, alternatively, to prepare more elaborate dishes, typical of Peruvian gastronomy, for example.

But, whichever banquet you choose, don't forget to consider a celiac, vegan or vegetarian option or a children's option, depending on each case. Also, don't forget to go to the menu tasting.

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11. How to seat guests

If you have successfully completed the task of putting together the guest list, deciding how to place your guests will be very easy, especially if you use the Matrimonios.cl tool, the Table Organizer, with which you will be able to will be able to accommodate the diners in their respective seats. To do this, they will have to add the guests, classifying them by categories and choose a name for each table, detailing the number of chairs. As they form the tables, with the presidential table as a starting point, they will be reflected in a plan that simulates the room. Ready to print!

How to seat your guests? The infallible formula is to arrange the tables in groups. family (one for uncles of the groom, one for cousins of the bride), by affinities (co-workers, friends) and by age (children, teenagers). And you can also designate a table for your guests of honor - if you will opt for a table for the bride and groom, you can also designate a table for your guests of honor. sweetheart table- The wedding party will include groomsmen, witnesses, bridesmaids and best men.

Regarding the style, you can choose between rectangular, square, round or imperial tables, whether they are all the same or mixed, trying as much as possible to have the same amount of seats. Also, do not forget to place the seating plan A nice touch is to include table markers to seat your guests.

12. How to make the playlist

Until a while ago, people only thought of putting together a playlist for the dance party. However, nowadays, they are more and more moments that are personalized and, therefore, a comprehensive playlist is necessary.

For example, they will probably want to choose a song for the entrance to the ceremony (church or civil), another one to set the atmosphere for the declaration of vows and one more for the exit, once they have become spouses. They will also want to musicalize the cocktail with songs of their style, the entrance to the reception, the first dance of the bride and groom and also the dinner. And then, other moments that deserve a song are thebouquet and garter toss, and the cutting of the cake.

All this, without forgetting that the party should have a playlist of songs that is to your liking and ideally the majority.

The task agenda

Perfect Moment

So that you don't miss any homework, you will find here step by step with one year at your disposal But if you have more or less time, you can always arrange the different tasks according to your own schedule.

From 10 to 12 months

• Define date and type of ceremony: You will have to decide if it will be religious or civil, massive or intimate, urban, country or beach style. This will allow you to outline the general aspects.
• Establish budget: How much will you spend on the wedding? It is key that you define an amount to spend, as well as an average of how much you will spend on each item.
• Download the Matrimonios.cl App: The Task Planner will be your best ally in the organization of the wedding. This tool, which you can use from your PC and mobile phone, will allow you to customize tasks, link them with their respective suppliers and recommend inspirational articles, among other practical functions.
• Manage paperwork: Find out about the requirements and procedures for getting married, whether you are getting married in a church or in a civil ceremony. In fact, in both cases you will need to make an appointment well in advance.
• Create a guest list: although you will be able to adjust it later, it is important to have a first list to start quoting suppliers.
• Hire location and caterer: after evaluating options, the most urgent thing is to hire the event center and the banqueting, since they are the most demanded items.

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From 7 to 9 months

• Send the save the date : For guests to reserve the date now.
• Create the marriage website: With the information revealed, they will be able to open their website in Matrimonios.cl. It is a free space where they can upload photos, tell unpublished data of their love story and provide practical information, as they move forward in the preparations.
• Hire photography and video: They will be the memory that will remain of your big day, so you should choose these suppliers with special rigor.
• Hire music: Include the DJ, but also if they will want to have a choir at the ceremony or an orchestra at the party, among other options.
• Search for the wedding dress: It will be one of the most exciting processes for the bride-to-be, and it is also a good time to improve your eating habits, do sports and start taking care of your skin and hair, if it is not part of your routine.
• Search for alliances: Especially if you want a custom design, don't wait any longer and focus on finding your wedding rings.

From 4 to 6 months

• Send invitations: With six months to go, it's time for you to send out wedding announcements to your friends and family, and you'll have a choice of physical or digital invitations.
• Hire the honeymoon: After you have quoted different packages, start closing everything related to your honeymoon trip.
• Hire a wedding car: If you want a particular vehicle to transport you, whether it's a sports car, a chariot or a vintage van, check out alternatives and book it.
• Contract complementary services: It refers to the candy bar, photocall, beauty corner The restaurant also has a children's games and a beer bar, among other services that may or may not be included in your celebration.
• Search for the groom's suit: In order not to be caught by the calendar, it is time for the future husband to find his suit to say "yes".
• Define wedding night: If you want to spend it in a hotel or a cabin, it is important that you make the date in advance.

Last month

• Order souvenirs Having defined what you will give to your guests and how you will personalize them, go for your souvenirs.
• Select add-ons At this point, both the bride and groom should already have their respective accessories ready, including the bouquet of flowers.
• Choose dance Will it be the classic bridal waltz or a contemporary theme? Either way, rehearse to get the rhythm of the song.
• Tidy up the tables If a guest has not yet confirmed, you will have to ask him/her directly, so that you can order the tables and send the definitive design of the room to the supplier with the distributed tables.
• Attend the last test: Both wardrobe for both, and hair and make-up for the bride-to-be.

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2 weeks

• Prepare the speech: With excitement running high, they will be ready to write the speech they will give at the start of the banquet.
• Assemble the emergency kit: It alludes to everything you might need for the big day, for example, a mini sewing kit, spare socks or stockings, wet wipes, migraine tablets, etcetera.
• Go to the hairdresser/beauty salon: The groom will have to make an appointment at the salon to have his hair trimmed, and both of you can go to a beauty salon for a facial, manicure/pedicure and/or waxing, among other services.
• Packing: Have your luggage ready for the wedding night, but also for the honeymoon if you are leaving the day after the celebration. Don't forget to check your documents and keep them in sight.

Last day

• Review the wedding vows: Whether you will read them or say them from memory, review them one last time in the tone and rhythm in which you will say them.
• Remove the cake: The wedding cake must be fresh, so you will have to go for it on the last day.
• Go get the bouquet: The same goes for the bouquet of flowers so that it is in impeccable condition.
• Relax: The night before, a good idea is to take a bath, eat a light meal and go to sleep early.

How to organize a wedding and enjoy every stage? Don't let this question stress you out too much, because with this list you will see that it is possible to plan a wedding. And when you are married there will still be some tasks to do, such as sending thank you cards to your guests, ordering the photo material you will receive and sending your wedding dresses to the cleaners to keep them as good as new.