You’re engaged! Congratulations! I want you to keep that excited feeling all throughout the planning process, so I’ve created the below list to keep those stressed feelings at bay. Just trust the process, and enjoy this time because you will be saying “I do” before you know it! Don’t let the timing on this guide intimidate you. This schedule can be stretched out or expedited to meet your needs. Now, let’s plan your wedding!
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12-9 MONTHS PRIOR:
Determine Your Budget. Once you know what you want to spend, you can determine what’s most important to you. Assigning percentages of your budget based on priorities will help you decide what to spend in each category.
Start Your Vision Board. This step doesn’t need to be complicated. Just start a shared Pinterest board with your fiance and start throwing on anything that speaks to you. The vision will start to become clear, so have fun with it!
Hire A Wedding Planner. If it makes sense for your budget, find a planner that you connect with. They will help you get a more realistic feel for what vendors charge. They can also help you pull together a cohesive design from your Pinterest board! If you don’t want to go with a planner, ask one of your recently married friends out to lunch so you can pick their brain about their experience!
Make A Guest List. Once you know how many people you can invite, then you can find the perfect location to accommodate your numbers.
Tour Venues. Take into account what rentals are included, which have exclusive vendor lists, and how many guests each can accommodate. Pay special attention to things like parking, general accessibility and bathroom locations.
Choose Your Vibes. Have a conversation with your fiance about what is really important to you. What do you want this day to feel like? How does this impact your budget and which venue checks these boxes?
Book Your Venue. Yay! You’ve got your venue, so let’s start finding your vendors!
Buy Wedding Insurance. Make sure you are purchasing insurance at the level required by your venue.
Book Your Caterer/Bar. Ask for pricing information (pay special attention to service fees and gratuity), read reviews and book tastings when you can! Caterers get booked quickly, so the sooner the better!
Book Your Photographer & Videographer
Ask them for full galleries so you can see how they photograph in different lighting situations. Also consider timing limits, travel fees and what’s included in their packages. Remember that this person will be with you almost all day, so make sure your personalities jive too!
Book Your Florist & Rentals. Knowing what you are willing to spend is helpful, but if you don’t know your floral/rental budget, your vendor can give you what I call the “full fantasy” option. Then you can work together to get it where it needs to be. If you need to book a tent/tables/chairs for your wedding, be sure to consider those too. You may also need to bring in a lighting or sound designer, based on your venue so keep that in mind, too!
Book Your Entertainment. Ask your planner and other vendors who they recommend. They all work together and will have great insight!
Start Wedding Dress Shopping. The sooner you find the perfect dress, the longer you have to get it altered. If you’re intimidated (totally get it!), maybe schedule an initial try-on by yourself or with a friend. Try to have your dress purchased by 9 months out, if possible.
Reserve Hotel Room Blocks. I recommend giving guests at least two options in different price ranges – if you want to have a block at a fancy hotel, make sure you have a budget-friendly option, too.
Build Your Wedding Website. Include your room block info, registry, and all other pertinent information.
Take Engagement Photos. These will be so cute on your Save-the-Dates!
Start Working on Invitations. Always a good idea to start looking into this early, in case you decide you want to get a custom design.
Send Save-the-Dates. If your wedding requires your guests to travel, the sooner you send these out the better. Including a QR code to your website is always helpful!
Chris Rettman Photography
8-6 MONTHS PRIOR
Select Your Bridesmaids/Groomsmen Attire. Once you have your crew onboard, start nailing down what you want them to wear so everyone has time to get their orders in and alterations completed.
Book The Rehearsal Venue. This is traditionally booked by the groom’s family, so make sure everyone knows who is doing what early to avoid any awkwardness or confusion.
Book Your Glam Squad. If you want to do trials with a few different artists before deciding, just account for that in your budget so it doesn’t become stressful for you.
Secure Wedding Invitations. Choosing now will give you plenty of time for a reprint, if something were to happen to the first batch!
Account For All Rental Items. Keeping a master list of what each vendor is bringing will help to make sure all linens, chairs, furniture, etc are accounted for.
Hire Your Officiant. If this is someone that you don’t know personally, make sure they understand the vibe you want at the ceremony.
Transportation Needs. Always remember that if you transport your guests to your wedding venue, you need to have a plan for getting them back to their cars. This is also the time to consider whether you also want to book transportation (exit vehicle, etc.)
Book The Honeymoon. Take a fun break from the wedding planning to get your romantic getaway booked!
Groom’s Tux Fitting. Whether buying or renting, be sure to give yourself plenty of time for alterations.
Book Your Wedding Cake. Have a few tastings before you decide.
Wedding Nail Trials. If you have a few ideas for your wedding nails, try out a different one at each of your appointments leading up to the wedding!
5-3 MONTHS PRIOR
Secure Your Marriage License. In Florida, you can get the 3-day waiting period waived if you do premarital counseling, and you’ll also get a discount on the fee. Start making your plan now!
Book Your Final Tasting. If you don’t love something you try, let them know! They will be so glad to know they are making exactly what you want.
Buy Your Wedding Bands. Make sure you like the way yours fits with your engagement ring!
Secure Bridal Party Outfits. Never a bad idea to check in!
Final Hair & Makeup Trial. This is your chance to speak up if you want something to change something. Vendors will always value your honesty!
Re-Evaluate Budget. Are there items you weren’t sure if you’d have the budget left over for? Whether it’s favors or a photobooth, evaluate whether your budget can support adding it on.
Start Your Vows. I recommend having a note on your phone so you can start adding thoughts to it as they come to you! This will help to circumvent overwhelm later.
Prepare Invitations. If you are having a destination wedding, consider sending them 3-4 months out. If not, 2-3 months gives you plenty of time.
Select Readings For Ceremony. If you have family members or friends you would like to read at your wedding, be sure to let them know around this time so they have time to prepare.
First Wedding Dress Fitting. You want to schedule this 3 months out, so you have plenty of time to get it just right.
Chris Rettman Photography
2 MONTHS PRIOR
Schedule RSVP Reminders. This will help you do the outreach needed to have your full guest list by 30 days out.
Send Rehearsal Invitations. If they are not included with your invitation suite, be sure to send them out now.
Second Wedding Dress Fitting. Schedule this about 6 weeks out, and purchase the proper undergarments.
Finalize Floral/Rental Order. You can generally adjust guest numbers up to 30 days out, but check now to make sure.
Marriage License Appointment. Schedule now to save yourself the stress.
Song Selections/Playlists. Send to your entertainers, and don’t forget to make your Do Not Play list, too!
Start Breaking in Your Shoes. This goes for bride and groom. Don’t be uncomfortable on your happy day!
Schedule Your Appointments. Manicure, Pedicure, Spray Tan, Massage – go ahead and get them on the calendar!
Share Master Timeline With Your Planner/Photographer. Make sure the timeline works for you.
1 MONTH PRIOR
Think About The Small Things. Do you still need a cake topper? Cake cutters? Champagne glasses for toasts? A card box? This is the time to take inventory!
Welcome or Gift Bags. Check to see if your hotel can distribute them for you!
Final Guest Count. Be sure to get this number to Caterer, Bar, Florist, Venue and Rental company.
Make Final Vendor Payments. Everyone has their own schedules, but most require that final payment 30 days out.
Finalize Seating Chart. Include any dietary restrictions to the caterers. Make sure you have any necessary seating chart signs or place cards, as well.
Final Venue Walk Through. Come prepared with any and all questions!
Chris Rettman Photography
1 WEEK PRIOR
Pack Your Wedding Day Bag. Create a checklist and pack your bag early!
Make Your Mini Schedules. I always make mini schedules for bridal party and family that only shows exactly when and where they need to be day-of.
Final Dress Fitting. If you have a complicated bustle, take a video of how it works to show whoever is helping you dress on the wedding day!
Pack Your Details for Photos. Try to keep all of the details you want in your photos in one place to make it easier for your photographer.
1 DAY PRIOR
You Made It! Take a deep breath and remind yourself what is most important!
Stay Hydrated. Don’t go too hard on the champagne while you’re getting ready.
Keep Healthy. Get a good night’s sleep and eat regular meals!
Dress & Veil. Take your dress and veil out of the bag the day before, if possible. Don’t forget your steamer!
Eat, drink and be MARRIED!
AUTHOR: Brooke fleming
Owner & Lead Planner
Unbridaled Weddings
beunbridaled.com
