planning your wedding
He popped the question. You said yes. Relationship status is changed on Facebook. Pictures and videos have been posted on Instagram and Snapchat. Now what?
Below is a helpful guideline for planning your big day.
6-8 Months Before Your Wedding
- Choose your bridal party and dresses.
- Begin shopping for your dress, shoes and accessories. Remember to leave plenty of time for dress alterations if needed.
- Select your officiant.
- Book hotel rooms or reserve a block of rooms for out-of-town guests.
- Decide on music for your ceremony and reception. Reserve the DJ, band or sound equipment.
- Select your photographer and videographer.
- Schedule an engagement shoot with your photographer. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know your photographer and for them to see how you interact as a couple prior to the wedding.
- Set-up your registry.
- Choose your florist.
4-6 Months Before Your Wedding
- Order your invitations.
- Decide if you will need transportation for your ceremony and/or reception and reserve it.
- Reserve any rentals you need for the ceremony and/or reception (linens, tables, chairs, etc.).
- Create or order your wedding favors.
- Book the rehearsal dinner venue.
- Book your honeymoon.
- Schedule your hair and makeup stylists.
2-4 Months Before Your Wedding
- Finalize the details of your menu with the caterer. Tip: If you are on a budget, forgo the dessert course and skip ahead to the wedding cake.
- Select and prepare your ceremony service with your officiant.
- Schedule the rehearsal time.
- Mail your invitations.
- Write your thank-you notes as gifts begin arriving. This will save you a ton of time and stress after the wedding.
1-2 Months Before Your Wedding
- Buy a guest book.
- Confirm all vendors (photographer, florists, etc.).
- Get your marriage license.
- If you intend to change your name, prepare the necessary documents to do so.
- Send a change of address information to post office.
- Do your final dress fitting with veil, shoes and accessories.
- Prepare a seating chart, if necessary.
- Confirm final guest count with vendors.
- Prepare toasts for rehearsal dinner and wedding reception.
- Finalize speeches and itinerary.
1 Week Before Your Wedding
- Finalize transportation arrangements for ceremony and reception.
- Make sure all your items for the big day are organized and packed up for delivery to the venue.
- Prepare tip and payment envelopes for your officiant and vendors. Tip: Designate someone to be in charge of giving the payments to each, so you can sit back and enjoy.