How To Plan A Wedding

Congratulations, you’re getting married! Now what? Well, it’s time to start the preparations for your wedding day. Not to worry, though – as long as you schedule out your planning, you can get everything pulled together.  Assuming you have a year to plan before walking down the aisle, here is a general outline of how to plan your wedding.

The First Six Months 

At a year prior to the wedding it is best to carve out your basic guest list. Set a budget and choose a date and time, checking with preferred venues to ensure they are available. If utilizing a wedding consultant, this would be the time to research, meet up with, and retain their services.

Throughout the next couple of months you'll want to peruse gowns and wedding party attire, decor, entertainment, and food options. Reserve a hotel block or other accommodations for out-of-town guests. Decide whether you will need rentals such as tables or canopies, and contact suppliers for pricing and options.

By the six month mark you should have musicians booked, wedding party attire ordered, and save the date cards ready to send. Are you planning on a romantic getaway following the wedding? If so, begin making travel plans and verify that passports are up to date, if needed. Make sure the rings have been ordered.

Three Months and Counting

By three months prior to your big day, have your cake ordered and any wedding transportation reserved. At two months, it's time to mail invitations. This is also the time to have a test run with your hair stylist and make-up artist.

At the one month mark, check in with vendors to go over final plans. Print out wedding programs and stop by the courthouse to apply for that marriage license. Final fittings should be done now. During the next two weeks, send a list of preferred photos to your photographer including who should be in formal shots, and decide when the photos will be taken.

The Final Week

With one week left, give venues and catering companies your final headcount. Put final touches on the seating plan and place cards. Confirm with vendors to ensure there are no last minute requests and, if so, be sure this gets translated to the venue manager. Also verify arrangements for the return of any rentals. 

A few days before, make sure all gowns and formal wear are pressed or steamed. Plan out positioning for each member of the wedding party during the ceremony. Confirm all plans with vendors and verify transportation for both the wedding party as well as any needed for out of town guests.

The day before, take care of any remaining monetary exchanges. That evening bring the marriage license to the rehearsal to hand to your officiant. Once the wedding has occurred and you’re a happily married couple, take some time to enjoy your wedded bliss ... then get to work on those thank you notes.

Photography by Greer Gattuso