Napa Valley Wedding Checklist
Wedding season is right around the corner here in the Northern California, and now is a great time to start planning your Napa Valley Wedding! To help you make your special day that much more memorable, we’ve put together a checklist you can use for planning your Napa Valley Wedding.
Here is your Napa Valley Wedding Checklist:
1. Choose Your Date
Your wedding day is the most important decision you’ll make in this entire process. Be sure to choose a day that’s right for both of you first and then begin thinking about your guests. The sooner you can choose a wedding day, the better. Venues in the Napa, CA area definitely book up fast.
2. Hire A Napa Valley Wedding Planner
If you’re on the fence about hiring a wedding planner, this is the part where we push you over to the definite YES YES YES! Weddings are stressful events. You should take time to plan your wedding day carefully, but you really need to partner with someone who understands the local Napa Valley area to get the best possible results. This is especially true if you don’t live in Napa, and you’re planning a destination wedding (which is most likely the case). Choosing a qualified and trustworthy wedding planner can take a lot of headache out of the planning process. It is important to note that wedding planners have local insider information and work with site coordinators, cater’s, florists, Dj’s and photographers on a daily basis. Once they speak with you they can make suggestions on seeing your vision come to light. If your looking to get married in either the Sonoma or Napa Valley we recommend the dynamic duo over at Cole Drake Events. Their team and industry knowledge is second to none.
3. Secure Your Napa Wedding Venue
Once you have your date in mind, you’ll want to start looking at options for where you’ll hold the wedding ceremony and reception. Lots of things to consider here — what’s your budget? what are your religious needs? will you hold wedding and reception in one place or separately? If you’re located here in California, take time out to visit these locations. Otherwise, search online forums and blogs to find candid photographs and reviews of venues you’re considering.
4. Hire A Napa Valley Wedding Photographer
A wedding is just one day, but your pictures will last a lifetime. That’s why you want to choose a Napa Valley Wedding Photographer who will capture every precious moment while you actually enjoy it. You want someone organized, responsible, and (of course) really good at taking great pictures! Obviously, we have to recommend our services here.
5. Hire A Napa Valley Wedding Catering Company
People always remember the food and, after all, you are getting married in Napa Valley — one of the greatest “foodie destinations” in the world (let alone North America). Food, wine, cake… it’s all important and you definitely will want to taste it long before your guests sit down to dine. Pity you! 🙂
6. Organize Your Wedding Party
Gather all your friends around for a wine tasting event at your home or the home of your maid of honor, best man, or parents. This is a fun way to bring people together before the event and break the ice before you exchange vows.
7. Plan All Of The Pre-Wedding Parties
Bachelor parties and bachelorette parties are a must. Will you hold these in other exotic locations like Miami or Europe long before the wedding? Or will you have mini parties just before the wedding here in Napa? It’s completely up to you, but this is a must for your Napa Valley Wedding Checklist.
8. Order Your Save The Dates & Invitations
Take your time to choose the right stationary and the right supplier. These will also last a lifetime, and they’ll make an important impression upon your guests before the event. You want your guests to be as excited as you about your special day. (Plus, they get to come to Napa!)
9. Create Your Wedding Day Itinerary
Now you can begin piecing the puzzle together, planning things out by the day and by the hour. Don’t be too much of a micro-manager, though. Save room for fun, relaxation, and open socializing. Also, be careful not to make your guests feel too ordered around by your planning.
Although this list is a great start, it’s in no way comprehensive. We’ve left a few obvious things off this list on purpose — music or DJ, specific religious considerations (Christian wedding, Jewish wedding, etc), and other items more specific to your custom needs. Just add those items to this list as you think of them to keep building your list. The idea is to do as much organizing and planning now as you can so you can be as stress-free and relaxed as possible on your actual wedding day.
Filled Under : Weddings