So, you’re engaged! Yay! …now what? If your brain is swirling with an endless list of to-dos and no idea where to start, never fear! Your perfect wedding checklist is here! So, sit back, relax, and check out our twelve-month top tips.
Think About the Big Picture First
There’s no need to think about the guest list today. (Although, let’s be honest, lists are so much fun). Twelve months ahead of your wedding date is perfect because it gives you al the time you need to draft a big-picture plan you’re comfortable with and then zero in on the details as it gets closer to your big day. So, at this stage, start by drawing up your budget. Having a clearly defined financial plan will help you to avoid disappointment and set important limits early on. Here are a few steps to consider when designing your wedding budget:
Who’s paying for the wedding?
Communication is key with this stage. Talking about money can be so awkward, but sadly, you’ve got to do it sometime! Whether you and your partner prefer to cover the entire cost yourselves or you’re getting some help from family, it’s important to clearly establish who will be paying for what and exactly how much each party will be contributing. (Yikes!) If you’re not sure how to go about starting this discussion, you might try asking both sets of parents to be up front with you about a specific dollar amount or asking each set to help with one specific aspect of your wedding so that everyone’s clear on their commitments.
Figure out how much you actually need
Splurging on a new pair of shoes you don’t actually need is one thing; chances are, you’ll make that $50 back before you start missing it too much. But given that the average wedding costs upwards of $30,000, it pays to think a little more carefully about whether or not you actually need some of the things on your list. Small decisions like choosing a cheaper type of wine or making your guests’ treat bags yourselves can make a big difference in the amount of money you save! So, think carefully about which parts are the most important to splurge on.
Another important big-picture step is determining your unique wedding style. Everyone has multiple different elements to their personality, and while you want your wedding to be a reflection of yourself and your love story, it’s also important to make sure that you don’t have too many conflicting themes at play in one ceremony. (For example, a rustic wedding with strong elements of boots and burlap won’t pair well with any touches that have a Disney princess or fairytale aesthetic). So, take some time to evaluate what stands out to you and what really connects with your vision for your wedding.
And as you contemplate your budget and style, you may find it helpful to enlist the services of a wedding planner. Wedding planners are awesome because they can help you figure out your style, make helpful suggestions, and work with you in coordinating vendors. However, hiring a wedding planner doesn’t necessarily mean you’re committed to working with someone full-time until the day of your wedding. You can bring someone on board as early or as late you need! (Not that, as wedding planners, we’re biased or anything!)
During this phase of plan, you should also take care of a few other slightly important details. Just those little things like:
Choosing your venue
(See why we suggested choosing your budget first!)
Choosing your wedding party
(While you’re sharing the big news, go ahead and ask your favorite people to get involved! Bonus fun activity: brainstorming cute gifts or gestures to ask your bridesmaids, maid of honor, etc. to be in your wedding).
Drafting the guest list
Now Zoom in a Bit
Now that you’ve made a few big picture decisions, it’s time to narrow in on the details. At this stage, you’re about eight to ten months out from your wedding date, and now it’s time to dive into the fun part! Shopping around for a wedding gown now is a great idea because it leaves lots of room to get alterations if you need them. This is also the time to:
Think about planning the menu
(Do you want a breakfast bar? Light hors d’oeuvres? Just cake? The sky’s the limit!)
Consider what type of entertainment you want
(Are you thinking a classy piano lounge kind of vibe or your thirteen-year-old nephew as a DJ?)
Check out save-the-date cards
(It’s starting to feel real now!)
Register for gifts
(Ahh, the really fun part!)
Make a wedding website
(Not going to lie, having a one-stop online spot for consolidating RSVPs, registries, and the million questions your guests will have is beyond convenient!)
And while you’re brainstorming all those fun details, this is also the perfect time to start checking out potential wedding vendors. Begin making a list and contacting your favorite options for:
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- Catering
- Cake
- Photography and videography
- Reception venues
- Any and all entertainment
- Your florist
The Home Stretch
At six to eight months from your wedding date, you’re almost there! (Congrats!) This point should be the follow-up or decision making stage for all the lists you were making earlier. So, go ahead and lock in your bookings with your musicians, florists, caterers, and everyone else you’ll need on the big day. You should also start deciding on and ordering your wedding party’s attire now. This is also a great time to order invitations and check out calligraphers if you’re interested in using one.
That wasn’t so bad, was it? Although planning your wedding might sound really stressful, breaking down the process by sorting your tasks through a simple month-by-month calendar can take away a lot of the pressure and confusion. And while you’ll still need to put together a few extra details closer to the day of your wedding, by this stage in the process, you’ve gotten all the big stuff out of the way. (Plus, your wedding planner can help tie up all the loose ends! That’s totally not a shameless plug for why you need a wedding planner…)
