Hey there! I know things are weird right now and all of us are starting to feel a little antsy about what’s going on in the world. For me, I’ve found that a great way to keep the blues at bay is to keep busy and focused on the things that I CAN do right now. With that in mind, I thought it would be helpful to make a list of tasks that all of you engaged couples out there can do at home this weekend.

Here are 10 wedding planning tasks you can do from home this weekend!

Make your guest list/backup list

Your guest list has a huge impact on your overall wedding budget so getting that in order early on is one of the most important things you can do to get your wedding planning off on the right foot. Once you’ve figured out about how many people you can afford to invite, create your primary list of people that you absolutely need to invite. Some may not be able to attend for whatever reason, so having a B list of people that you would love to host, but couldn’t fit on the first list is a great way to fill in any empty slots on your list.

Refine your budget

Once you set your initial wedding budget, it’s important to view it as a living/fluid tool, rather than a set-in-stone document. Here’s why: As you shop for and book your wedding vendors, you may find yourself spending a little less in some areas and a little bit more in others than you originally budgeted for. Perhaps you had a particular budget in mind for a certain vendor but then realized that in order to get a higher quality service it was worth it to spend a little more. Or maybe your florist was able to recommend some less expensive florals that you liked better than your initial request. Remember to keep tabs on your budget as you go so that you can reallocate excess funds or re-evaluate budgets for things that are lower on your priority list as you go. This can help you stay close to your overall budget target.

Virtual Tours/Vendor Interviews

If you’re still early in your planning process or your date is set for 2021 and beyond, don’t feel like you have to hold off on all your planning. This is a great time to set up zoom/facetime meetings with potential vendors, ask all of your questions, and see if their personality/vision aligns with what you have planned for your big day. Some venues are even taking couples on virtual tours so you can scope out their space from the comfort of your own home! Contact the vendors you have on your wishlist and set up an appointment with them to get more information.

Refine Your Pinterest Board

I put this one on the list because I know how I personally tend to go overboard when I’m making a vision board on Pinterest. I get so excited that I start over pinning, my board becomes overwhelming, and my vision gets lost in the minutia. It helps to go back and narrow down your pins, eliminating ones that aren’t quite on par with your theme. I’ve found that limiting myself to about 25 pins gives me plenty of options to work with, without overdoing it.  As your wedding plan starts to come together, it’s not a bad idea to revisit your pinboard and refine it as you go. Of course, make sure that any vendors who may be referencing that board are kept in the loop of any major changes so that they can bring your ideas to life correctly!

Spend some quality time on your relationship & fortify your marriage

If you only do one thing from this list, let it be this one. A wedding day is definitely special and important, but compared to the relationship itself all of those other things are NOTHING. Even the best relationships out there will always have room for some TLC, maintenance, and refinement. You and your fiance will know what your specific needs are, but here are a couple of suggestions:

1. Spending quality time together and reflecting on why you fell in love to begin with, no wedding talk allowed.
2. 3 of the biggest things that cause miscommunication in marriages today are finances, children/no children, and intimacy. Why not stay ahead of things by making sure you’ve each had a chance to communicate your feelings on these topics before you tie the knot?
3. Pre-marriage counseling/advice

Leave reviews for the vendors whose service you’ve loved so far

Even though your wedding day hasn’t happened yet, you can still leave reviews for the vendors whose services you’ve already experienced. Perhaps your wedding planner has been a huge source of support or relief during the COVID-19 chaos. Or maybe your photographer created an incredible engagement session experience for you. Leaving a review now is a great way to support the businesses you’ve worked with and help other couples who are planning as well. You always have the option to revise your review or leave an additional review after the wedding if you have more you’d like to add later.

Shop Online for Bridal Party Gifts

A thoughtful and personal gift to say thank you to all of your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and any other wedding helpers you have is always a kind gesture. In addition to supporting you and your fiance they are still caring for their families and careers, and some of them may even feel a little left out while you’re busy with planning, so don’t forget to show your appreciation for them! Check out my guide for Bridesmaid gift ideas!

Order takeout from one of the local caterers who are offering foodservice

This is a great way to try out their cooking, support a small business, and save yourself from another night of cooking. Two I’d recommend checking out are 24 Carrots (based in Orange County) and Spotted Hen Catering (Los Angeles).

Write vows/a letter to your spouse to be

If you plan to write your own vows, no is a good a time as any to get started and at least get an outline of what you want to say on paper. It never hurts to get things done early and you can always revise as your day gets closer.

If you’re not planning to write your own vows, you can (and should) write a letter to your spouse to be. I did an anniversary session with a couple a few years back who had been married for over a decade and before their session I asked them each to write a letter to each other to read during the session. The photos we got were so beautiful and emotional, and later the couple expressed to me how it was so meaningful to them to stop and pour their hearts out to their beloved, even after all this time.

Remember, a wedding is just a day, but what you’re really building here is a lifelong relationship! Invest in that, put pen to paper and tell them again why you are totally smitten by them.

Write Thank You Notes

This one is pretty self-explanatory… If anyone has sent a gift, or if you’ve already had your shower, it’s smart to send out thank you cards as soon as you can so that you don’t get distracted with other tasks and forget! Be sure to also include people that have helped your relationship or wedding planning process in some way, they deserve a little love too!

I hope you enjoyed these tips! If you thought of other wedding planning tasks that you can do from home that I didn’t already mention, please feel free to share in the comments! I’d love to hear your thoughts! Happy planning everyone! 🙂