wedding planner
1 2 MON T H S T O T H E WE D D I NG : A C OMP R E H E N S I V E T I ME L I N E
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Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming task. But it doesn’t have to be when you follow this comprehensive timeline, which guides you through 12 months of pre-wedding preparation and offers advice on how to make the most of your time before tying the knot.
You just got engaged. Yes, now is an excellent time to start thinking about what you want, or don’t want, for your wedding. It’s fun to browse through different venues, menus, magazines, and dresses, but it’s essential to have a budget in place and a solid plan. Use the checklist below to stay on track with your wedding planning. 6-12 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING It’s best to start making decisions about what type of wedding you want one year before the date. This is important because it will take some time to find a venue, send out invitations, and book vendors. After you set your wedding date, it’s important to start thinking about what type of ceremony or event you want. This may be different for everyone. There are many ceremony types: traditional weddings (which include the father walking his daughter down the aisle), religious ceremonies, destination weddings, intimate outdoor weddings, and elopements. Once you have a general idea, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty of wedding planning. Do I need an officiant? How many people will be in my wedding party? Do we want a DJ or a band? What are my state’s marriage licensing requirements? What are the latest wedding trends? • Hiring a Wedding Planner — You may need someone to take care of all the little details and keep you on track. A
wedding planner can be employed as an assistant, which means they would work with your budget, or as a coordinator, in which case they may charge more for their expertise. • Setting a Budget — Make a budget and put together a rough timeline for when you want to get married, what type of ceremony or reception you would like, how many guests, etc. • Decide on Your Bridal Party — You are going to need bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, a maid of honor, a best man, and more. • Selecting a Wedding Venue — Starting at around 11 months before the wedding, set up an appointment with a venue coordinator so that they can walk through all the details of the venue you are interested in. • Choosing Your Colors — You’ll want to choose your colors for the wedding and stick with them as much as possible when selecting décor, wedding party attire, and other items. • Choosing a Wedding Dress — Start looking for dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses, and outfits for your attendants 12 months before the wedding; get measurements taken as well, and don’t forget shoes! • Selecting a Caterer — Read reviews of various wedding caterers to find one that is a good fit for the style you wish to create. • Selecting a Florist — Find a florist
that is experienced in your desired style of flowers. You’ll need flowers for the bouquet, altar, and reception. • Selecting a Photographer and Videographer — Your photographer will capture the best moments of your special day with their camera. You can also hire videographers to get all those memorable moments on film. Book early to ensure availability. • Selecting Entertainment — Find entertainment for the event that will suit your wedding style. This should be started around 11 months before the weddin,g so that they have time to plan their musical accompaniment. • Ordering Invitations and Stationery — Order invitations about 12 months before the ceremony so they will have plenty of time to be delivered. • Plannin the Honeymoon — You’ll also need to plan your honeymoon at least 12 months before the big day. • Finalizing the Guest List — Look at the number of guests you have and finalize your guest list 6 to 12 months before the wedding so you can start sending out invitations. Out-of-area guests will need to receive their invitations at least six months before the ceremony to plan travel arrangements. • Deciding on a Wedding Cake — Wedding cakes can be ordered about eight months before the wedding.
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