Now that we’re less than 4 months away from w-day, I find myself getting things done left and right! Ceremony music selected? You betcha. Candy for our centerpieces selected? Dunzo. Mr. FF’s wedding suit picked out? Yep! Invitations? Printed and cut! Side note: more on the invites later, but in the meantime check out Mr. FF wielding the corner-rounder like a pro:
While it feels good to be getting so much done, I was thinking today about how it feels to be staring down the barrel of the gigantic “to-do list” at the beginning of planning.
Most brides print out or otherwise obtain a to-do list early on in the game, and oftentimes, it is page upon page of panic-inducing items. I know that when I started planning I looked at the items on the list and thought, ‘It’s never going to get done.’
Well, my dears, I’m here to reassure you: it will get done. And guess what? That pre-determined to-do list in your wedding binder? You might end up not using it. ::GASP!:: Yes, it’s true.
Lately, I don’t know if my bride Spidey-sense has kicked in, but I haven’t felt the need to check that list lately; to make sure that we’re “on time” with our planning. I’ve just sort of mentally gone through what’s left to do, and things have been moving along quite well on their own. And besides, some of the things on that list (including: check to make sure your insurance policies cover each other!) can’t be done until much later — or after the wedding! — so it doesn’t make sense to worry about them right now. Logging in to a certain ubiquitous website, I noticed alarm clocks next to around 20 or so items on our list, indicating that we were “LATE! VERY LATE!!! OVERDUE!!!” I couldn’t help but laugh, because I don’t really need a reminder to start my pre-wedding workouts, thankyouverymuch.
So, I guess if you get nothing else out of this post, I hope that you understand that you don’t need to stress about your to-do list. Yes, it’s a great tool, and helpful for making sure you’ve gotten your ducks in a row. But do you really need a reminder to think about how to wear your hair? I think not.
How do you view your to-do list? Do you adhere to it pretty strictly, or have you tossed it aside as you’ve delved deeper into planning?
Great advice!! I also stopped looking at the pesky timelines when they told me to start my workouts. 
I’ve cut things but it was more of a budget issue than a time issue. So I definitely agree with you.
I’ve been so bad about following my super-strict to-do list. It’s terrible, but I’ve gotten over it, I think.
I think I got over it too. Eventually it’ll all get done. I did split up my tasks though so I can concentrate on certain things each month and not stress out about things that won’t happen till the month before the wedding.
it’s fun in the beginning but then i think most people transition to figuring out something on their own. i even canceled my knot account because i couldn’t stand the timeline.
Ha – literally 10 minutes ago I logged onto that ‘certain ubiquitous website’ and checked off all the alarm clock items without reading them
I have my own list of stuff I know I need to get done and I’m working on it! Sloooooowly but surely, ha.
I think I have ten different to-do lists milling around. I like to write things down but never reference them, apparently. But, like you said, it will all get done!
The to do lists are definitely daunting. Good for you for getting things done!
I paid attention to the to-do list to make sure I didn’t forget about big stuff and have to take care of it at the end. As I get closer, it’s been less helpful.
I stick pretty close to my to-do list…that being said, after we got engaged I crafted my own month-by-month to do list that includes everything under the sun – from the biggest idea to the tiniest detail. Since the time line is my own and works the way I work (duh, since I made it)…I actually find it helpful. I’m also only 4 months in with 8 months to go….maybe as time goes by I’ll leave it be a little more.
I… am still figuring out what the heck I”m doing. Floundering is really the best way to put it, I think.
I like to follow my own timeline. I have my own personal To-Do, but it’s not in any particular order. I figure I’ll get to it when I get to it… Let it happen organically. Of course, I could just forget about the important stuff until a week before the wedding and have a huge SPAZZOID panic attack. But lets hope that doesn’t happen… Fingers crossed!!
I kind of have my own to-do list. Project Wedding sends me reminder emails that I use as a guideline, but I’ve sort of followed my own path since we’ve been engaged for so long. Most of those lists are for one-year engagements, and we’re pushing two by the time wedding day rolls around.
I have less than 4 months as well! I feel very good in my planning and very happy that I am not overly stressed – very little stressed at all! All is going well – I have definitely managed the mental list as you mentioned – my Fiance asking me whats on it and me reciting the major points – including his duties. a little over 100 days to go and got all the major stuff done!
I remember seeing that checklist item about envisioning your hairstyle and wanting to gag. I mean, really!? I think Project Wedding’s checklist is much better, but I agree after you get all the big ticket items done it’s kind of pointless!
I have been doing my own checklist, but definitely glance at any timeline I find to see how “on track” I am. I do have to admit there is something really satisfying about actually taking a pen and checking it off
I’m just ignoring all things “to do” for the next couple of weeks. With all this family drama I’ve been having, I’m giving myself a few weeks to de-wedding
I’m going to start following your advice about this – my to-do list is starting to totally overwhelm me!
I love the sneak peak of your invites! Can’t wait to see them!
Oh man, the Knot’s to do list used to stress me out so much! But it was so satisfying checking off those little boxes.
Some days I feel great about my list. “Psh. I’ll be done weeks before the wedding!” And other days, I feel like to get everything crossed off I’ll have to drop out of school and becoming a full time wedding freak out-er.
Mrs. French Fries, Milwaukee Age and Occupation: 27, Paralegal Fiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Investments Advisor Engagement Date: September 20, 2008 Wedding Date: June 2010 Venue: Ceremony: Catholic Church, Reception: Hotel Ballroom About Me: I'm a Midwestern girl who longs to live in a warmer climate (my feet would be happy in flip flops any day!). I love travel, impromptu napping, grilled cheese sandwiches, my iPhone, singing with reckless abandon in my car, and Mr. French Fries.
Latest Gallery Pics