The social distancing and lockdown have got everyone in a panic over what will happen next. Stress levels have increased, as one may think that you are just stuck at home all day long for God knows how long. 

During this time, we look around for answers and we often find them right around us. For those couples who are still confused about what to do with their time indoors, we have a few suggestions for you. 

If you are newly engaged and in the process of planning your wedding in the next year or two, you can start by: 

1. Create/update your wedding website         

SAWC Classy Complete Planning SAWC 2020 Couple Harum & Danial used Appy Couple to make their wedding website

Wix, Appy Couple, Zola and WeddingWire are our top 4 recommended wedding website platforms that will make your wedding planning as easy as baking pie – something you and your partner could try out in this time you have together

With Wix, you get a custom domain, modern, minimalistic and chic layouts, customizable templates and you can password protect specific pages you may not want your guests to see. 

Appy Couple features modern and classy design layouts with which you can send out digital Save-the-Dates and have your guest management done for you automatically with its RSVP alerts and guest messaging. Another plus is that you can invite certain guests to only specific pre-wedding events if not all. Appy Couple is great for guests management. 

Zola Weddings is a free suite of wedding planning tools including your wedding website, registry, checklist, and guest list. Sign up to create a free wedding website where you can personalize one of our beautiful, easy-to-edit designs with photos, stories, and all of your wedding details.

WeddingWire is one platform that offers all the essential features for free with a custom domain that you can get with a priced upgrade of not more than $15. It helps in finding your wedding vendors from places around, one of them being hotel accommodations for out-of-town guests.

2. Update your Pinterest board with design inspiration and creative photoshoot ideas

SAWC 2020 Manu & Calvin have their decor visuals in place with the inspiration Pinterest Board they created for their wedding

Having to put down your ideas on what your wedding should feel and look like may get a bit difficult sometimes and may also confuse your decorator or any other wedding professional. You could make your job and their job easier by making Inspirational boards on Pinterest with ideas you find and like and decide on a theme. 

And with the consistency of new decor trends coming in every day, its the best time to update those Pinterest boards. Here are some ideas on how to make a Pinterest Inspirational Wedding Board. 

3. Create a shot list of pictures for family pictures and/ or bridal party 

Save time and create a picture list for your photographer and let everyone in the list know they are involved and needed at this time for pictures. Here is a sample wedding family photo checklist for you and your photographer. 

4. Work on your wedding invitation wordings 

Many times, most couples are the first of their generation in the family to get married in this 21st century where the way one plans and executes a wedding has changed. 

One of the essential parts of this planning is sending out the wedding invites to your guests and more important is the way you invite your guest. 

By following these wedding invitation wording etiquette, you are sure to impress your guests from the start. With some inspiration from these Indian Wedding Invitations, you can write down your wedding invitation wordings quickly and easily and move to the next step in the planning process. 

5. Discuss transportation and accommodation for your guests 

When you have guests coming from out of town, you are very much likely to spend a few $$$$ on their transportation and accommodation during the wedding festivities. This would be the best time to get in touch with transport agencies, hotels near the event venue(s) and see their best offers and early booking perks. 

6. Make welcome bags for any out-of-town guests 

It’s the little things that matter! Create a special welcome package for your guests for them to know that you appreciate and thank them for being a part of your special moments from far and near. 

Here are some ideas on what you can do. 

7. Start working on your seating chart if you already have your 80% RSVPs in 

Creating a seating plan for the night of celebration is one of the most important things. Having open seating will create some hassle as your very important guests eg extended family and friends may not be able to get the best view at the front of all the happenings of the night because they arrived a little later than other guests who ended up sitting at the prime tables. To save the stress and hassle of finding a table, it is recommended by all wedding professionals that the couples have an assigned seating arrangement for the night. 

You can create your seating chart by outlining where the main stage will be, where the DJ would be situated, remember, the Dj should have a clear view of the dance floor, and where the food will be served, if buffet. Here are some tips to help you create an ideal seating chart.

8. Think of entrance songs and speeches for your pre-wedding events and receptions 

Many couples tend to choose songs for their entrances and dance performances and first dance closer to the date of the event(s) but as a wedding planner, I recommend to choose these songs before as through the journey of getting engaged to the wedding day there usually are songs that mean more to a couple than the newly released ones. 

And as for dance performances, if you have chosen your song early enough, you can practice and get comfortable with the dance routine before your performance. 

Speeches are something that the couples’ very close family and friends give at the sangeet or at the reception. Here is a guide on how to write some of the best speeches for the night. 

9. Perfect timing for DIY Projects

For those who want to lower their budget but still get the things right, here are some DIY wedding projects you could work on during this time.

Most importantly, spend this time together as a couple 

In a normal time, you are busy with work as is your partner which is why take this time and spend it with your partner and get to know them closely.

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After getting your wedding preps out of the way, here are some indoor date ideas for you and your partner to get to know each other: 

1. Get cooking and compete it out to see who would be on Kitchen duty in the future 
2. Learn each other’s talents and skills or a mutual new one 
3. Tackle a puzzle or any game(s) of choice 
4. Paint nights are a huge success 
5. Practice some yoga to chill out or turn up the volume and dance it out 
6. After that yoga session, have yourselves a spa day 
7. Relax and enjoy that movie you’ve been wanting to watch 

One last thing that may be important is giving each other some space whenever needed. Yes, this time is great to bond but you need your own time to relax and refresh. 

With all that said and done, stay safe, stay home and have fun! 🙂 🙂 

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