Wedding planning

Are you ready to start planning your dream day??

I know there is SO MANY DETAILS that go into a wedding day so I wanted to make this blog post to help out anyone who may be struggling. I am very goal oriented so being able to have a list to look at and check things off of will always be helpful for me. With this post I am going to cover things that may not apply to you and your wedding, so don't stress! You do not have to have everything mentioned on this guide, take what applies to you and leave the rest!!

12 months away

• Celebrate!! This is the only time you will be ENGAGED! Soak in every moment!!
• Determine your budget and what is most important to each of you
• Determine your wedding date (or have a few options)
• Begin Researching/Touring:
• vision board (Pinterest!!)
• venues
• vendors
• Start talking about guest lists
• Decide if you are using a wedding planner

11 MONTHS AWAY

• Start planning guest lists + gathering mailing addresses for invitations
• Start reaching out/booking vendors that book up quick
• You will need to book most vendors months in advance! I book clients out a year in advance but other vendors can book a few years in advance.
• Finalize Your Date
• Determine Wedding Party

10 MONTHS AWAY

• Finalize Guest List
• Keep in mind your vision and budget (intimate or large wedding) + venue regulations. Invite who YOU and your partner want.
• Decide wedding formality and overall theme
• Use your partner and Pinterest board to see what themes are common! Look at overall color palettes, the design, decor, attire, etc. You want your wedding day to be cohesive and you and your partner both want to enjoy how it looks visually.
• Start looking up wedding invitation designs
• This is something I also go to Pinterest for. Your invitations can reflect your days vibe! These will be used for details photos with your photographer/videographer.
• Brides it is time to start shopping and buy your wedding dress!!
• Custom dresses usually take anywhere from 6-9 months to make, but be sure to talk to your designer just to be sure. You want to have it a few months before your wedding day just to be safe!
• Take supportive people with you to try on dresses! This is supposed to be a fun experience for you!
• Decide on veils, shoes, jewelry, accessories to complete your bridal look. You don't have to buy all of that from the same place, but you can still get an idea of what you are wanting!

8-9 months away

• Create your wedding gift list/registry
• This can include anything you want and gives a guide to guests who want to bring a gift to a shower or to your wedding!
• Book your Florist
• This is when you will decide if you want to use real or fake florals for your wedding day, meet with your florist and discuss your vision.
• Choose Wedding Cake Supplier
• Cake artists can book up pretty quickly and if you are wanting to test flavors, this is a great time to book with them.
• Engagement Session
• I usually recommend booking your engagement session between 6-9 months out, depends on if you want to use those photos for save the dates, invitations, etc.
• Send out Save the Dates
• You can send these out 8-9 months before your wedding date. The sooner the better just so your loved ones can take off work and start planning transportation if needed.
• Create Wedding Website
• LOVE THESE! I can't tell you how many times I have misplaced the invitation but its so easy to find the wedding website and refer back to dress code, rsvp, and this just makes it easier for those who always have their phones!

7 MONTHS AWAY

• Start Planning your Honeymoon
• So fun!! After your wedding day you are going to want to relax and just enjoy being married! Start planning your get a way early so you don't have to stress about this. If you are going out of country, please make sure you have your passport up to date.
• Start Crafting DIY Projects
• If you are planning to DIY anything for your wedding day it is best to start on it early, just in case!
• Secure Rehearsal Dinner Location
• Finalize all Vendors

6 months away

• Choose Bridesmaid Dresses/Groomsmen Attire
• Design Wedding Invitations
• Whether you are hiring someone or doing it yourself six months will give you plenty of time to design and get them printed and in the mail. Make sure to include the wedding address, time of events, wedding dress code, wedding website, etc.
• Pick out wedding band
• If you are having a custom one please reach out to the designer before to make sure it will be ready for your wedding day!
• Renew your Passports if Needed

5 MONTHS AWAY

• Book Hair and Makeup Artists
• Also ask about doing a trial run for your bridal session if you have one booked.
• Arrange Wedding Transport
• Buy or Rent Groom's Suit

4 MONTHS AWAY

• Start Looking into Marriage Paperwork
• It is different for most states I believe, but for Arkansas both people must be present together when the license is issued. The marriage license itself is $60 and usually cash only.
• Send Shower Invites
• Create a Music Wishlist

3 months away

• Write Wedding Speeches
• Decide who is going to make speeches and give them ample time to write/rehearse their speech.
• Organize Guest Favors
• Create Seating Plan

2 MONTHS AWAY

• Finalize wedding timeline/flow of events
• As a photographer I like to do this 1-2 months out so you have less on your plate. I usually do a rough estimate timeline as soon as you are booked and then a more detailed one 1-2 months out.
• Send out Wedding Invites
• Since we started planning them earlier, they should be ready to go and send out! Usually these are sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding date.
• Reach out to Vendor
• Touch base with your wedding vendors, share the timeline with everyone so everyone is in the loop!
• Write your vows
• Whether you are sharing private vows or sharing them in front of friends and family, it is best to write them early so you have them. Writing them down on paper or in a vow book is the best way.

1 MONTH AWAY

• Apply for Marriage License
• Final Wedding Dress Fitting
• Finish Paying Vendors
• Contact Guest who Haven't RSVPED
• This is so you can confirm your final guest count, confirm seating arrangements/catering
• Speak with Photographer/Videographer
• Set up a meeting with both just to confirm details and share any important moments you want captured
• Bridals
• Depending on your photographers turn around time, book your bridals for 1-2 months before your wedding date

ONE WEEK BEFORE

• Celebrate!! You are one week away from getting married!!
• Make sure everything on your checklist is checked off
• Start gathering details box for photographer
• invitations, shoes, jewelry, vows, perfume, cologne, etc. just so it is all in one place!
• Practice your vows out loud
• Get your ring cleaned
• Pack bags for your honeymoon if you are leaving right after your wedding
• Treat yourself!
• Get your nails done
• Book a massage
• RELAX
• A cute thing you can add: writing a note to your partner about how excited you are to marry them + celebrate life together!!

ONE DAY BEFORE

• Congratulations!! Your day is finally here!!
• Drop off all decor items at venue
• Steam Wedding Attire
• Rehearse Your Ceremony
• You could exchange notes with your partner the night before!
• Enjoy your Rehearsal Dinner

AFTER HONEYMOON

• Write thank you cards
• Enjoy being newlyweds!!