Congratulations! You're newly engaged and it’s time to start planning your dream wedding! Getting started can seem like an overwhelming process, but fear not, our team is here to help. We’ve outlined a timeline you should consider following to make the planning process less stressful and more enjoyable! Your wedding is sure to be one of the greatest day’s of your life, so it’s important to do all you can to enjoy the entire process, not just the day itself.
12 months: Set the Budget
Before you and your partner start planning the big day, it’s important to set the budget. It’s tradition that the bride’s parents pay for the wedding, but some might consider that an outdated tradition. If you or your partner’s parents are paying for the wedding, it’s important to sit them down and discuss the matter ahead of time. If you and your partner are paying for the event, discuss what it is you really want and what is negotiable.
12 Months: Book your wedding planner
Booking a wedding planner will be very helpful. Most likely, this is the first major event you’re planning, so it’s important to have someone knowledgable in the planning process by your side. A major bonus is that planners already know a ton of vendors, so they can book you the best one and get you a better deal. If you want more information on why you should hire a wedding planner, check out our blog.
12 months: create the guest list, decide on the wedding party, & secure the venue
It’s important to have your wedding guest list together before going venue shopping. You want to make sure the venue you fall in love with has enough capacity for your guest list. You and your partner don’t want to fall in love with a venue that can’t accommodate what you’re looking for. You also want to decide on your wedding party. Choose people who have always loved and supported you both. Only good vibes on your wedding day!
9 months: order your dress, Start registering, & book the photographer, caterer, and music
Wedding dresses can take up to 9 months to make, so avoid the stress and get that out of the way. If you’re planning on a short engagement, you can purchase sample dresses at a bridal shop or website. Next, it’s important to start registering so you have time to build you and your partner’s wish list. A good idea is to pick two widely known stores to make purchasing easier on your guests. Lastly, if the venue doesn't provide catering, you need to start looking for a catering company and find a photographer/videographer.
9 months: build a website with all your wedding information
If you’re having a lot of guests flying in for the wedding, consider building a website with all the travel information and an RSVP section. It’ll also make things easier for your guests if you book a few hotel rooms near the venue.
6 months: order invitations, choose a wedding officiant, book the florist, & order the bridesmaid dresses
When picking out wedding invitations, it’s important to choose invitations that reflect your wedding style. For example, if you want your guests to dress super elegant and formal, then send out invitations that reflect that style. Remember that the invitations tell your guests how they should dress. If you’re having a destination wedding, consider sending save-the-dates much earlier so guests have time to prepare. When picking your florist, bring them pictures of what you’re looking for and try to choose flowers that are in season. Lastly, ordering your bridesmaid dresses is as crucial as ordering your wedding gown, so it’s time to start that process now!
6 months: book The honeymoon
Yes, the most exciting part; the honeymoon! You and your partner are so focused on the wedding, but it’s important to not forget the honeymoon. Travel plans can be time consuming, so now is the time to start. Pick a place you & your partner absolutely love or a place you two have never been before. What else is more fun than exploring a new destination with your love?
4 months: plan the rehearsal dinner, Book rentals, & begin dress fitting
At this stage you should start booking a space and the food for the rehearsal dinner. Booking rentals means; tables, linens, tents, etc. You should also create your seating chart, and a great tip is to organize your guests alphabetically so it’s quicker for them to find their seats. Now the most important thing: the dress. You should have ordered your dress already and now is the time to start alterations to make sure it fits perfectly!
2 months: mail out invitations, plan the wedding service, book your hairstylist & makeup artist, and prepare your wedding party gifts!
Once you mail out your invitations, you should be expecting RSVP’s 1-2 weeks before the wedding. Planning your wedding service is a great opportunity to add you and your personal style to it! Do you two want to write your own vows, have a specific song playing, recite poetry, etc. It’s your day, celebrate your union however you both want! When booking a hairstylist and makeup artist, you want to have a few test runs beforehand! Make sure they know your exact style and can accurately provide it every time. On the day of, have your hair done at least 3 hours before the ceremony and your makeup done an hour before. Lastly, providing your wedding party with gifts is a beautiful way to show your appreciation for their love and friendship. It doesn’t have to be an expensive gift, just get something that comes from your heart. You can never go wrong with a lovely bracelet!
6 weeks: tie loose ends & secure the rings!
Now is the time to make sure everything is running smoothly. Make sure everything with the venue is secured, along with caterers, the florist, the rentals, the music, etc. Make sure the rings are ordered and perfectly sized.
4 weeks: finalize the day of schedule, the seating chart, and get your marriage license
Finalizing your day of schedule is extremely important. You want to make sure your vendors are are the same page to avoid any mishaps. Have your rehearsal dinner invitations been mailed? It the answer’s no, let’s do that now. Make sure the seating chart is perfect and that everyone can find their seats is an orderly fashion. If you have multiple guests giving toasts at the reception, let them know the day of schedule so they know when they're talking. Lastly, secure your marriage license!
2 weeks: confirm every detail
Confirm with your photographer, the band/DJ, transportation, last minute head counts, the decorator. EVERYONE. Make sure everyone is secured! If you have a wedding planner, don’t worry, they will be in charge of making sure it’s all in place for the big day.
the week of: packing time
Yay, the week of is finally here! If you have a vacation week at work, now’s the time to use it. You have to pick up your dress and the rings, pack a bag with all the essentials for the big day: undergarments, dress, shoes, jewelry, wedding party gifts, deodorant, perfume, medicine, baby powder, bobby pins, etc. If you have a maid of honor, have her help you pack all the essentials. You also need to pack for your honeymoon. We find it best to plan outfits for everyday of the trip and pack them in an orderly fashion so you don’t forget anything.
Day before: relax!!!
We know, it’s the day before the biggest, most important day of your life, but it’s okay to relax. Only you know how to relax yourself, so whatever that is do it. We recommend getting a mani/pedi with a mimosa or two. Tonight’s also your rehearsal dinner, so practice as much as possible. Quick reminder: this day only happens once. It’s easy to get caught up with every detail and consume yourself with stress, but one day the details you stressed over will seem so small and insignificant.
The day of: it’s going to be the most perfect day!
We’ve made it to the finish line! As we said before, it’s easy to get caught up with stress, but remind yourself to stay present and enjoy every single moment. Remember to stay hydrated and eat a healthy and filling breakfast. It’s easy to forget to take care of your body, but staying hydrated and eating will fuel you through the first half of the day. Lastly, make sure to charge your phone incase you want to add to your Instagram story sharing all the wonderful details of the day!
We know this is a lot of information packed into a short blog and there’s a ton of more details we couldn't possibly mention in just one page. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a wedding planner to relive a lot of the stress. Feel free to send an email, we’re always available to chat and help you maneuver through this monumental day!
let’s make your dream wedding a REALITY!
check out more of our weddings on instagram
