Congratulations on your engagement! First, take some time to revel in this momentous occasion that signals the beginning of your life-long adventures with your soon-to-be spouse. Your engagement is a special time, and you deserve to enjoy every moment of it.
Engagement is one of the most exciting parts of their lives for many people, but it also comes with the stress of wedding planning. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed during this time since every minor decision can significantly impact the ceremony.
Having a gorgeous wedding is possible when you plan it right. At the start, you will have a seemingly endless list of things to accomplish. However, if you break up the tasks by month and create a wedding planning checklist, everything becomes much more manageable.
A year may feel like a long time. But when planning your wedding, those 12 months will pass in a flash. If you are a bride feeling overwhelmed with wedding plans, we prepared a detailed wedding planner checklist outlining every step of the planning process. Here are the things you should focus on each month:
12 Months Before the Wedding
The most crucial step in planning a wedding is setting the budget because it influences everything that follows. For example, your guest list entirely depends on how much you are willing to spend. The more people you are planning to invite, the larger your budget will be. Once you and your partner have agreed on a number, it’s now time to do the following:
- Book the venue.
- Book the caterer.
- Book vendors such as the band or DJ, photographer and videographer.
Most wedding venues, carters and vendors have a 12-month to a 15-month waitlist, so booking them at the earliest opportunity is crucial.
11 Months Before the Wedding
The next part of the wedding planner checklist is the part brides are usually most excited about – choosing a color and theme for the occasion! Select a color palette and create a mood board. Pinterest is an excellent resource for gathering inspiration.
10 Months Before the Wedding
This is one of the most special moments when it comes to planning a wedding – finding your perfect dress. As wonderful as the moment will be, finding the dress may require trial and error, so you need to start looking for your wedding gown early on. Don’t be afraid to hop from one shop to another to find the perfect one!
9 Months Before the Wedding
After a month of searching, it is time to buy your dress. You should also start picking out dress styles for your bridesmaids and the rest of your bridal party, then schedule fittings within the month.
8 Months Before the Wedding
Most brides forget about rental items for the wedding, but it makes a world of difference on the day itself. Rentals like specialty chairs, lounge furniture, linens, drapings and a dance floor make the experience for you and your guests even more special.
7 Months Before the Wedding
Hire your florists, musicians and lighting technicians this month. In addition, you must hire an officiant if you aren’t marrying in a church. A quick search online will introduce you to a handful of professional wedding officiants but if you want an intimate approach, ask for recommendations from your close friends and family.
6 Months Before the Wedding
This month, it’s all about the groom and his groomsmen. First, you should decide with your partner if you will buy or rent a suit. Buying is more expensive, but the price doesn’t matter if you’re after sentimental value. However, renting is the more budget-friendly option.
5 Months Before the Wedding
It is now time to rent transportation for the newlyweds and guests. Of course, you can use your car as your wedding vehicle, but if you want a little one-on-one time with your spouse after the wedding, you can rent a limo for your special day. As for your guests, providing free transportation for them is a thoughtful gesture, especially if you have already asked them to travel for a destination wedding. Consider renting a shuttle bus or van so your guests can arrive at the wedding location without issues.
4 Months Before the Wedding
Next up on your wedding planning checklist is buying the wedding bands and choosing a cake. These items are significant to your union, so team up when shopping for these items.
3 Months Before the Wedding
Typically, brides need to undergo two dress fittings. The first one has to be three months before the wedding so the seamstress can make alterations to the gown to best suit your body. Then, the second fitting has to be done two weeks before the wedding.
2 Months Before the Wedding
It’s time to send out the invitations for the rehearsal dinner. The wedding dinner rehearsal is necessary to ensure everyone is on their A-game on your special day. Aside from practicing for the ceremony, it is also a chance for both families to spend time together and bond. Include the address and expected attire for the occasion. The rehearsal dinner is less formal than the wedding, but the dress code depends on where the event takes place.
1 Month Before the Wedding
Paying your vendors in full is one of the essential parts of your wedding planning checklist. After all, you don’t want to deal with a vendor chasing you for money right before your wedding. So keep careful track of what you need to pay.
The Day Before
The big day is just a day away! At this point, you have done everything to ensure your wedding day is a success. The only thing left for you to do is to relax and pamper yourself and get a good night’s sleep.
Have the perfect wedding at Hollow Hill, the award-winning Fort Worth venue that looks like it could only exist in a storybook. Your special day can be magical with its picturesque sights and accommodating staff. Contact us today!