The other day we shared with you some tips from wedding pros couples can use to maneuver their wedding planning during COVID-19. Today, however, we are sharing with you 10 things you can check off your planning to do list during your wedding planning (COVID or not) from Exclusive Private Estate and Ranch Wedding and Logistics Guru Jill Remy from Jill and Co. Events:

1. SAY CHEESE! Create your photo list including photos which are important to you. This is something you can do anytime during your wedding planning. No need to put it off until the last month of planning, since you know your family and wedding party will be there.

   • Ask parents/key family members to help you in the list making so you don’t forget anyone.

   • Be sure the list includes who is in each photo shot groupings by name + family member description (ie: Suzy Q, bride’s Aunt).

   • Pick/assign a representative from each family to help gather people/family during photos so the group can be ready for the next snap, saving time and stress the day-of.

   • Not sure how many photography hours you might need? By Cherry Photography’s “How Many Hours of Wedding Photography Should I Get?” tip sheet can help you decide.

2. ROCK-IT! Listen to some tunes with your fiancé(e), and create your music playlist for your “specialty songs” including ceremony, first dance, father-daughter, mother-son, and last dance numbers.

3. SAY IT! Write your Ceremony Vows, yes, don’t wait until the 12th hour, we see this far too often.

4. LET’S DANCE! Choreograph your first dance, make it unique and super memorable.

5. WRITE IT! Get ahead of the stationary game, which includes invites, save the dates, escort cards, programs, table numbers/names, menus and thank you cards.

6. BOTTOM’S UP! Cheers, stock your home bar and create some mixology date nights to create your perfect signature drinks. You can also purchase wines and have an at home ‘wine tasting’ to pick your vintner favorites to serve on your wedding night celebration.

7. COMMUNICATE! This was a big one! We hear you, you are unsure of what is going on right now with stay at home, so imagine what your guest must feel, and, it is your responsibility to ensure they’re up to date as well. Sending emails is easy, but one sided. In order to personalize and be able to update all, modify you wedding website to include a Q+A section, or create a Facebook Group to let your friends and loved ones know what is the latest and greatest. This keeps the calls to a minimum and includes guests to share their own current happenings.

8. SELF-CARE-YOU - I’m an optimist, so here are some ideas for getting your mindset ready to conquer the unknown. Whatever you do, take this time for yourself to help you relax, recharge, and put you and your fiancée in a much better headspace.

   • Sweat it out - get into wedding-day shape with yoga, cardio, a bands, a hike or simply by having dance parties at home, (BE SURE TO TURN UP THE VOLUME)!

   • Soak it up - draw a hot bath and throw a bath bomb in there. I love supporting Two Sisters who have a cool story and superior product.

   • Manifest - journal your vision of your big day, or life after the wedding, turn those dreams into reality! My favorite I use for my day-to-day life is Freedom Mastery Journal.

   • Binge it - there’s nothing wrong with watching Rom-Com movies all day snuggled with your fiancee, or enjoying back to back episodes of a favorite show. Here is a list of 20 Best Wedding Movies shared on Harpers Bazaar

9. REMEMBER that although you’re planning your forever, this craziness will not be forever. We will get out of this in due time, and things will be ok. Even during pre-COVID wedding planning there needed to be flexibility, plans B and C as well as an open mind to create your dream day…….so stay positive and shift what you have to with an open heart, and an open mind.

10. GET SOCIAL! (this one is from us…..) Join our private Wedding Planning Facebook Group, dedicated to providing resources and support for couples planning their wedding.

We hope you continue to enjoy your wedding planning and this gives you some tips to make it more memorable, special and unforgettable for you and your guests!