Wedding 101
How to Plan a Wedding in 12 Months
27 Dec 2023 •7 min read
Exclusive access to expert wedding planning advice and resources from top industry professionals.
You've announced your engagement and you're ready to start planning your big day...hooray! But where exactly should you start? If you're feeling at a loss about where to jump into the whole planning process, we've prepared a detailed timeline of the major things you'll need to do over the next 12 months to get you from engaged to wedded with the utmost ease.
12 Months Before: Setting the Stage
Begin the journey of wedding planning by sitting down with
your partner to dream up the perfect celebration. Beyond setting a rough
budget, envision the atmosphere you desire, whether it's an intimate garden
affair or a grand ballroom spectacle. Choose a potential date and explore
venues, consulting with your favorite spots for availability and cost
estimates. As you delve into possibilities, draft an initial guest list and
discuss potential contributions with your parents. If the idea of a wedding
planner appeals to you, initiate the interview process now, seeking someone who
resonates with your vision.
10-11 Months Before: Sealing the Deals
Now that the groundwork is laid, start locking in those
crucial elements. Book your ceremony and reception venues, choose your wedding
party, and secure an officiant. It's time to find that dream gown and start the
vendor hunt—florists, stationers, DJs, musicians, bands, and videographers.
Plan out your decor, meet with caterers, book your photographer, and snap some
engagement photos. If you're hosting a destination wedding, send out those
save-the-dates.
8-9 Months Before: Nitty-Gritty Details
With the excitement building, delve into the specifics that
will define your big day. Finalize your bar service, be it bespoke cocktails or
a curated wine selection, setting the ambiance for the celebration. Craft a
registry that delights your guests, and reserve rentals to transform your venue
into the dream setting. Consider out-of-town guests by setting up room blocks
for their convenience. The soundtrack of your day is crucial, so secure your
entertainment choices, be it the energy of a live band or the curated playlist
of a DJ. Don't forget the florist, who will bring your floral dreams to life,
and ensure your stationery suite, from save-the-dates to thank-you cards, tells
the story of your love with style.
6-7 Months Before: Building the Hype
As anticipation meets action, craft a captivating wedding
website to share your love story and set the stage for the wedding festivities ahead. Prioritize ordering bridesmaid dresses so that you have ample time for alterations. Start building anticipation by sending out save-the-dates that offer a glimpse into your celebration. Pay
attention to the groom's attire, ensuring it aligns with the overall aesthetic.
Dive into honeymoon planning so that you can bring your dream destination into reality.
This phase is about sharing your wedding style, building excitement, and
ensuring every detail aligns with your vision.
4-5 Months Before: Sparkling Details
In the heart of wedding preparations, focus on the details
that will add a touch of your own unique charm to your day. Symbolize eternal love by purchasing your wedding rings, choosing the styles that fit your aesthetic whether it be classic elegance or contemporary flair.
Introduce the world to your wedding style by ordering invitations. Next up, you'll want to choose the attire for the flower girl and ring
bearer and start doing cake tastings with your S.O. Personalize your ceremony with final arrangements
and selected readings. As you wrap up these details, go ahead and book your
honeymoon.
3 Months Before: Crossing T's and Dotting I's
As the big day approaches, it's time to add the final
touches that will make your wedding a masterpiece. Consider hiring a
calligrapher to infuse a touch of elegance into your invitations and décor.
Celebrate the impending nuptials with those closest to you by having a bridal shower. At this stage, you'll need to secure the venue for the rehearsal dinner, purchase accessories that will
complete your bridal look, and wrap up any lingering DIY projects in order to ensure that every
detail aligns with your vision. And, of course, have that final gown fitting to
make sure everything falls into place. Oh, and one last crucial detail—don't
forget to obtain your marriage license, the official key to your wedded bliss!
2 Months Before: Crunch Time
As the calendar pages turn, the wedding countdown enters a
critical phase. Share the excitement with your guests by mailing out those
carefully crafted invitations. Book hairstylists and makeup artists to ensure
you'll be a vision of perfection on your big day. This is also the moment to
make those heartfelt decisions about your wedding vows, capturing the essence
of your love. As the to-do list shortens, order those essential wedding programs and get those tedious transportation logistics organized to secure your means of getting to the altar in style.
1 Month Before: Final Countdown
With the final stretch in sight, dot those i's and cross
those t's to ensure a seamless celebration. Confirm details with vendors,
ensuring everyone is on the same page for the big day and finalize playlists with your DJ to set the mood for your celebration of love. Send out invites for the
rehearsal dinner and purchase those
thoughtful wedding favors. Most importantly, ensure your gown is ready for its grand entrance.
3 Weeks Before: Last-Minute Checks
The final preparations come into
focus with 3 weeks left until the big day. Chase down RSVPs from those elusive guests, finalize your guest list,
and confirm meals with the caterer to ensure your menu is all ready to go. Attend
to personal details with a final haircut and color, confirm honeymoon travel plans, and put the finishing touches
on the reception seating chart for a flawless celebration.
2 Weeks Before: The Homestretch
It's time to add the final polish! Print or DIY those escort cards that will guide your guests seamlessly through your venue, confirm final details with your vendors, and hand over
your schedule to venue managers. Plan out
the final reception seating once you've received those final RSVPs.
1 Week Before: Ready, Set, Go!
The final countdown has begun. Attend the rehearsal dinner,
surrounded by the warmth of friends and family, and express gratitude to your
attendants with thoughtful gifts that serve as token of appreciation for their support.
Hand over the marriage license to your officiant, pamper yourself with a mani-pedi as well as any final beauty treatments you've planned for this final week.
On the Big Day: Celebrate Love!
The moment has arrived—your wedding day is here. Entrust
your wedding rings to a cherished member of your bridal party, introduce your vendors to the emergency contact, and then, it's time to revel in the joy of the day—eat,
drink, and be married!
After the Wedding: Post-Wedding Bliss
As you bask in the afterglow of your wedding day, there are some final tasks at hand before transitioning into that post-wedding bliss. Express gratitude with thank-you notes to those who
made your day magical, return any remaining rentals, and preserve those special memories by cleaning or storing your gown. Embrace
the significance of the union by changing your last name, marking the start of
a new shared identity. Create a lasting keepsake by ordering your wedding
album, and finally, savor
the sweet moments of your honeymoon, relishing in the joy of newlywed bliss.
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