Congratulations on your engagement! This is going to be the most exciting time of your pre-marital life
Once you’re engaged, it’s time to start planning. The first thing you want to do is book your wedding date and venue so that you can begin to plan. Next, you should begin to plan your engagement party, if you’re having one! From there, we put together a checklist that starts 365 days out.
12+ months out:
- Put together a budget. Things add up - fast!
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Research vendors and put a list together of your top 3 for each category.
- Top categories include photographer, florist, band/dj, caterer, rentals, officiant, hair/makeup etc.
- Start to put your guest list together.
- Create your wedding website.
- Choose your wedding party.
- Begin dress shopping.
11-9 months:
- Hire all of your vendors, if you haven’t already.
- Take your engagement photos.
- Buy your dress. Check out Our Story Bridal as an option!
- Reserve a hotel block.
- Create and order save the date invitations.
- Begin your registry.
- Book your officiant.
- Start to plan your honeymoon.
8-6 months:
- Send out your save the date invitations.
- Buy your wedding invitations.
- Finalize your guest list.
- Finalize and order wedding party attire.
- Make sure you’ve hired all of your vendors by now. They book up quickly!
- Arrange transportation for your guests - from the hotel to your venue and back.
- Eat cake and decide which you love the most!
- Book your venue for your rehearsal dinner.
5-3 months:
- Order your cake.
- Make sure your registry is finalized in time for your bridal shower.
- Finalize your processional music, first dances (you/your husband or wife, mother/son, father/daughter).
- Go to your first dress fitting.
- Print your wedding menu.
- Print your ceremony programs.
- Finalize your flowers with your florist.
- Buy your wedding rings.
2 months:
- Have your bridal shower.
- Enjoy your bachelor/bachelorette party.
- Have your final meetings with each vendor to finalize anything that hasn’t been finalized.
- Send out your wedding invitations. Don’t forget to add rehearsal dinner invitations to those who are invited.
1 month:
- Get your marriage license. It’s almost showtime!
- Have your final dress fitting.
- Confirm times with your vendors.
- Finalize your seating chart for the reception.
- Write your vows.
1 week:
- Put all of your payments, including tip, into marked envelopes for your MOH to hand out to vendors on your wedding day.
- Send your bridal party a wedding timeline if you haven’t yet.
- Pack for your honeymoon.
- Get excited!
Wedding day:
- Relax, enjoy and have the best day. Congratulations to you and your husband or wife!