Planning the perfect Bakersfield wedding has just become much simpler. Here at bakersfieldbridestv.com, we have created the ultimate Bakersfield wedding planning website. Couples can discover and compare wedding ceremony and reception sites, wedding videographers and photographers, florists, bakeries, caterers, and much more - all from the comfort of home. We’ve also provided wedding planning tools to aid in the planning process. Our Favorites, Budget, and Guest List tools can aid you in planning the perfect Bakersfield wedding. Our new Community feature is a forum that lets you connect with other Bakersfield brides to exchange information and ideas for planning your Bakersfield wedding. Use the information below as a checklist to stay on track with your wedding plans.

Throw an Engagement Party/ Send Engagement Announcements What better way to announce your engagement than to throw a party? This is usually just close family and friends, but sending announcements will let everyone else know the important news.

Day or evening? Summer or winter? Have alternate dates in mind, in case the location of your dreams is unavailable on that day or important guests won’t be able to come. Is there a special date that you would like to use? Or maybe a date to avoid? You may find that friends and family can’t make it if your wedding falls on or near a holiday. Keep in mind, too, that Fridays and Sundays can be less expensive than Saturdays.

If money is no object … lucky you. The truth is, for most brides and grooms, the budget can determine when, where, who, and how many. When creating the budget, make a list of all the services that you will require. Prioritize them and put a price estimate or percentage for each. You will find that some things are essential and worth spending top dollar for, while others may be omitted altogether.

If you wish to hire a professional wedding consultant, do it now. They can help you with everything from choosing the location, to finding musicians, to dealing with difficult family members, and provide a seamless planning process throughout. Consultants plan and coordinate these events year-round, and they know where and when to have your wedding to best meet your expectations. They also know who the best vendors are and will definitely have inside knowledge of how to save you money in certain areas. Because of their relationships with some vendors, they may even be able to work out a few extra deals.

Indoors or outdoors? Church or country club? Whether you’re just starting from scratch or eyeing a particular location, go visit. Be sure to have a clear idea of your preferences, but have alternates in mind, in case the venue of your dreams is unavailable on the date you’ve chosen. You may find that some locations are less expensive if you book for a Friday or Sunday rather than a Saturday. Try to look at it from the perspective of all involved: yourselves, the guests, the photographer, the entertainment. Ask to see photos of other weddings held at the same location. Scout out areas where you would want to be photographed. Keep possible weather conditions in mind if the wedding will be held outdoors. Find out if there’s an alternate indoor location, or room for tenting if the weather were to turn foul. Consider how ideal the location will be in terms of time of day and season. You don’t want your guests to freeze or overheat; you don’t want the photographer facing into the sun right at sunset, either.

Make a main list of guests that must be invited (include the wedding party) and then subsequent lists, so that you have some options. Close family usually gets priority on the list, then close friends, then more distant family and friends, followed by the social obligations. This can be a painstaking task, but determining the number of guests is necessary for choosing the ceremony and reception locations. Ask your parents when it comes to time to put extended family or old friends on the list, so you don’t accidentally leave out Great-aunt Edith.

This, of course, is a very personal decision, and something to be considered seriously. It’s traditional for the number of groomsmen to equal the number of bridesmaids, but these days it’s not uncommon to have an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Remember that flower girls, ring bearers and candle lighters should also be chosen at this time. It is perfectly acceptable to have the groomsmen seat your guests, but if you decide to have other people act as ushers, make sure they are informed of their responsibilities at this time.

Consult with a personal trainer and a nutritionist. They can get you started on a personalized program to have you looking your best on your wedding day. Studies have proven that your success rate dramatically improves if you find someone, perhaps your maid of honor or best man (for you grooms reading this), to partner with and to stay accountable to during this time.

Your wedding ensemble. This includes not just your dress, but your head piece, veil, shoes, jewelry, undergarments, garter, etc. You may have to choose your summer dress in fall, but you should be able to get plenty of ideas from magazines, the internet, and of course, the many boutiques around town. If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind or a dress that must be ordered well in advance, start as soon as possible (like we have to tell you twice!).

After you’ve chosen your dress, you can begin looking for the bridesmaid dresses. Also, be on the lookout for flower girl dresses and mothers’ attire. If you want, coordinate their dresses to match or complement the color scheme you’ve chosen for the wedding.

Choosing a florist will involve viewing an album showing their past work. If possible, ask if you can see something they’re working on for another wedding or event. Once you’ve chosen a florist to work with, remember to bring samples of the colors you have chosen for dresses, linens, centerpieces, cake, etc. to your consultation. As many flowers are seasonal, inform the florist of any specific varieties of flowers you would like, and any ideas you may wish to incorporate.

This is one area that must be done right. After all, what good is the perfect dress in the perfect location on the perfect day without the pictures to preserve it for a lifetime? For many people, photographers are referred by a friend or family member who used that photographer for their special occasion. If so, you’ve got the inside track. If not, don’t be afraid to do some research and check out several professionals. Make sure to view a sample album of their wedding work. Don’t settle for a collage from numerous weddings that only captures the “best of” pictures. Ask to see a complete wedding album from a single event. Look at how the photographer does ceremony shots, portraits, and candids. Ask for credentials and testimonials, as well. This is too important an occasion to take chances; be sure to get a signed contract stipulating what you’ll be getting and who will be working your wedding.

A picture may speak a thousand words but a video says it all. With so much time planning and coordinating every last detail, why not capture your wedding day on video? A professional wedding cinematographer can tell the story in a way that the photographer cannot. This is not your older cousin’s wedding video, either – video technology and wedding videography professionals have come a long way in even just the last 5 years. It may cost money, but if you get a real professional, the memories he or she captures will be priceless. The same rules apply here as with wedding photographers; ask for credentials, sample videos, and testimonials. Make sure to get a contract with signatures on it, too.

Do you plan to serve hors d'oeuvres? Steak? Fish? Chicken? Discuss menus, wine lists, beer, cocktails, service styles, etc. Keep in mind that some reception locations require that the caterer be pre-approved. Find out about what is included in the fees and what services/items cost additional money. Don’t forget to make arrangements for guests with special dietary needs: kosher, vegetarian, nut allergies, etc.

This is something often overlooked until required by a venue. Many have minimum coverage amount requirements and can sometimes be met by your homeowner’s policy. You can also invest in a policy that protects your deposits, attire, photographs, and much more.

If you didn’t already create a registry upon getting engaged, now is the time. Try to choose retailers that have locations easily accessible to the majority of your guests. Consider a honeymoon or mortgage registry in addition or as an alternative to traditional household item registries. Another modern idea is to give a list of charities to which your guests can donate in your name instead of giving you gifts.