Planning your wedding is a truly magical time. It is easy though, to get stressed when beginning to plan the wedding, but it doesn’t have to be. One way to make sure you are on top of everything is to create a thorough plan of action.
If you are planning for a wedding over a year away, why not put together a little plan that counts down the final year, highlighting where you should be at certain points, and the times we would advise that you make a move on certain items.
1 Year to Go – This is where you should be considering your venue, as many popular wedding venues are booked up a year or two in advance of the big day. Choose a few potential dates and then look at potential wedding venues for both the ceremony and the party. You should also have a clear idea of your overall budget at this point.
11 Months to Go – At this point it is worth thinking about your guest list. Draw up an extended guest list that you would choose if money was no object, and from there you can amend the list as and when you have confirmed numbers from the venue and confirmed price per head information.
10 Months to Go – Choose your bridal party, both bridesmaids and groomsmen. This is also the time where you should be ideally choosing your wedding dress, as it gives enough time to be created and for any alterations leading up to the day. Book an appointment with your preferred bridal boutique at this point in the planning.
9 Months to Go – Choose the menu for your wedding party. Do you go for a sit-down meal and evening buffet, or straight into a buffet and a party in a more relaxed atmosphere? Also, this is the time to think about hiring someone to make the wedding cake, to be your wedding photographer, to be the wedding florist, and to put together a potential gift list.
7 Months to Go – Print out some Save the Dates and send them out to everyone you intend to invite. This is a good time to sort out the bridesmaid dresses and suits for the groomsmen.
5 Months to Go – After some relaxation, now is the time to choose your cake, pick out some floral arrangements, and maybe even choose your ring (though some couples like to leave this until last).
3 Months to Go – Send out your wedding invitations, book your hair and makeup for the wedding day, and sort out a trial so you have plenty of time to decide on your look for the big day.
The Last Two Months – If you are fully prepared, then it is all about finalising things in the last couple of months. Making sure you have all the legal formalities out of the way so that you can actually get married, finalising menus with the venue, booking a band or DJ, checking on the flowers, trying on your dress again after first alterations, and just getting into the mood to be married!
It is so exciting to see you embark on this journey of planning your wedding. When you are ready, book a wedding dress fitting with the bridal boutique that you want to purchase your bridal gown from, allowing enough time to get everything picked, altered and perfect for your big day.
