Ultimate Wedding Planning Timeline

The average US engagement is now 16 months.  So to help keep you on track, we’ve broken down the tasks in an easy to use wedding planning timeline.

Sixteen to Nine Months Before

Get Inspired.  Start thinking of how you want your wedding day to look and feel.  Visit Pinterest for inspiration, start clipping images and articles and bookmark your favorite blogs.

Decide your organization system.  Don’t try to reinvent your organization system.  Are you a digital person?  Make use of planning apps.  Like the security of a hard copy?  Start a planning binder.  Whatever works for you, pick a system and stick to it.

Have a family meeting.  Have a discussion with each family to determine their level of involvement and budget contributions.  

Decide budget.  After talking to your family, begin building your wedding budget.  For an idea of what to expect, click here.

Ask your bridal party.  Decide with your fiancé who you would like to invite to be part of your bridal party.  While you don’t have to have equal numbers on each side, it is most common to do so.

Begin guest list plan.  You don’t have to finalize your guest list yet, but creating a preliminary one will help you to decide if your budget is on track and will help you as you look at potential wedding reception venues.

Finalize a date.  Before you begin meeting with wedding vendors, you need to have a wedding date decided!  Availability and contract price will be determined by your wedding date.

Select your venue.  Once you have decided on a wedding date, selecting your ceremony venue  and wedding reception venues is typically the next stop.  Location and time of service will often dictate availability from other vendors.

Hire a wedding planner.  If you are considering a wedding planner or day of coordinator, consider doing so early.  A wedding planner can help you with vendor selection, planning and ideas and often have negotiated discounts for their clients from select vendors.

Book your wedding DJ.  Popular wedding dates close out early.  Make sure that you have contracted your wedding DJso that your guests can enjoy your party!

Hire your wedding photographer and videographer.  The most creative and talented wedding photographers andvideographers are often booked early in the wedding planning timeline.  To make sure you can capture all your wedding memories, book these two important services early.

Begin shopping for dresses.  If you are having a custom designed or imported gown, you’ll need extra time for its arrival.  Begin looking for styles you like in magazines and then schedule time to view offerings.

Eight Months Before

Hire your wedding officiant.  If you are not planning for a church wedding, it may be necessary to hire a wedding officiant.  Check out these tips for hiring an officiant.

Meet caterers.  If your wedding venue doesn’t offer its own catering service, you’ll need to secure one early.  Ask your venue for recommendations and then meet to discuss availability, pricing and menu ideas.

Purchase a dress.  If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to order a gown!  You’ll likely need 2-3 fittings (budget for those too!) so give yourself time.  It’s a good idea to purchase your wedding accessories from the same shoppe so that you can match to your gown.

Block hotel rooms.  Look for venues close to your wedding reception venue for out of town guests.  Hotels may offer a discount for a block of rooms.  Consider those that offer a shuttle service to keep guests safe.

Seven to Six Months Before

Purchase invitations.  Once your venue and times are set, begin ordering your wedding stationery.  You’ll need to allow time for printing, addressing your invitations and response so order early.

Start planning a honeymoon.  If you are traveling out of the country for your honeymoon, make sure your passport is current.  Check to see if immunizations are recommended and the schedule you need to follow.

Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses.  Bridesmaids dresses need to be ordered in time for their arrival and alterations.  Decide what look and level of coordination you would like for their dresses.  Be mindful of everyone’s budget when selecting a dress.

Schedule premarital classes and counseling.  This will vary by religion so be sure to have a conversation with the officiant and schedule any sessions necessary.

Finalize guest list.  Not everyone that you invite will be able to attend, but you should expect 80% to do so.  You may also want to keep a second list that can be invited as you receive regrets.

Schedule your engagement session.  If you will use your engagement session images to create guest books, signature mattes, or save the date cards, schedule your engagement session at least six months in advance of your wedding day.

Send save-the-date cards.  Include the date and ceremony/reception cities so that guests that need to make travel arrangements can do so.

Book a florist.  Plan on meeting with a few florist to discuss your vision and budget.  Not sure what to ask?  Click here for a few suggestions.

Arrange transportation.  If you are planning a peak date for your wedding, be sure to lock in transportation early.

Five to Four Months Before

Register for shower gifts. Choose at least one national retailer for out of town guests.  Register for a variety of items and multiple price points so guests can gift individually or as a group.

Schedule your rehearsal.  Your ceremony venue may offer rehearsals on a particular evening each week.  Be sure to lock in the rehearsal date.

Book rehearsal dinner.  It is customary to host a dinner after the rehearsal.  While it can range from casual to extravagant, it’s time to decide on a location and make sure the budget is covered.

Order the cake.  If your wedding reception venue does not include cake service in the contract, it’s time to select a design and baker.  Click here for some sweet inspiration.

Create a shower guest list. Provide the host of your bridal shower with a list of suggested invitees.

Purchase wedding shoes.  You’ll need to bring your wedding shoes with you for your alterations.  It’s good to begin wearing them in the house to gently break them in.

Schedule hair and makeup stylists.  If you will hire professional hair and makeup stylists, schedule a trial run to make sure you like the look before the big day.

Three Months Before

Finalize the menu and flowers. Wait until your guest list is finalized before ordering food and decor.  The number of guests you anticipate will determine what is needed for both.

Order guest favors.  If you will give guests a thank you gift or welcome basket, order the items now.

Purchase your undergarments.And schedule your second fitting.

Order wedding rings.  Some metals can not be sized and will need to be ordered.  If you are engraving your wedding rings, do so now.

Write your vows.  If you have decided to write your own vows, do so now so that you may share them with your officiant, if needed.

Finalize ceremony details.  Decide with your officiant the order of the ceremony, special readings and any personal requests you will make.

Order wedding menus and programs.  Once the menu and ceremony details have been confirmed, order these items if you choose to include them.

Two Months Before

Send out the invitations.  Send invitations 8 weeks before the wedding to allow time for RSVPs.  Consider setting the deadline early so that you may add guests if space allows.  For tips on adding guests before the ceremony, click here.

Schedule your last fitting appointment.  This final appointment should be all you need.  Be sure to bring your shoes and wedding day undergarments!

One Month Before

Track RSVPs.  Ask your maid of honor or parents to contact those who have not responded.

Get your marriage license.  Check with your licensing authority for exact

Make final payments.  All contracts are different, but most wedding payments are due one month prior to the date.

Decide seating. Consider working on a digital seating arrangements or with removable labels so that you can get the perfect layout.  For tips, click here.

Plan for photography. Discuss your wedding photography likes and dislikes, requested shots and ideas for your day with your wedding photographer.

Begin thinking about music.  You’ll need music for your wedding ceremony and some key moments at the reception.  Begin thinking about your must-play, try-to-play and do-not-play lists.

Finalize timeline.  Create a final timeline that includes arrival and departures, supply arrivals and location changes.

Enjoy a party.  Decide as a couple if you will have separate or combined last night out parties.  And be sure to discuss what each of you is and isn’t comfortable with.

Give final count.  Provide final count to the caterer for your reception dinner.

Week of the Wedding

Confirm vendor times.  Make sure that anyone that is part of your wedding day understands the plan.  

Review the playlist with your wedding DJ.  While it’s not a good idea to pick every song of the night, let your DJ know your must-play, try-to-play and do-not-play lists.  Use his expert advice to help you create a timeline and plan for the wedding reception music.

Set aside checks for the vendors.  Designate someone, usually the best man, to make payments or provide tips on your wedding day.

Have A Fully Charged Phone.  Your wedding vendors will be in contact with you during the final days leading up to your wedding day.  Be sure you have a charged fun and be in the habit of checking your voicemails.

Ask Someone To Collect Gifts.  This is a job that you can give to your most trusted friend.  At the conclusion of the reception, someone should be tasked with collecting the boxes, bags and envelope holder.  Decide in advance who this person will be and where they will place the items. (Click here for more reception exit stategies.)

Dress Cleaning and Preservation.  If you will be leaving for your honeymoon after your wedding, ask someone to take your wedding dress to the cleaners for you.  You have a better chance of removing spots and stains, if they occur, by doing this as soon as possible.  (For tips on keeping your dress picture perfect, click here.)

Arrange Transportation.  Even if you will have a limo to take you to the church and reception, you will need to make arrangements to get yourselves and bridal party to the starting pick up location and arrange for transportation after the reception.

Relax.  You’ve planned your wedding for a long time, now it’s time to relax and get ready for your big day.

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Get inspired!

14 Tips For Stronger Relationships

In the spirit of the upcoming Valentine’s Day, we are sharing some easy ways you can show those you love how much you care.  These tips work with your fiance, spouse, family, bridal party and all those you care about.  As you plan your wedding, these tricks can be invaluable to remaining friends after the wedding and developing deeper relationships.

Show the love – everyday.  In every encounter, you have the opportunity to make the other person feel valued, loved and respected.  Here are some ways you can do just that:

The Golden Rule.  Sure we learned to treat others as we want to be treated as kids.  But as adults, it goes beyond sharing the best toys.  Being on time to events, being involved in the other person’s life, showing genuine interest, keeping confidences and treating with respect is what it looks like for adults.

Understand what the other person needs.  Before you get annoyed with the bridesmaid that isn’t helping, ask yourself if you’ve explained the duties of a bridal party member.  Is your groom not helping, or have you not given himtasks that grooms enjoy? Be mindful that you are giving each person what they need from you as well.

Be supportive.  You have a lot going on when you are planning a wedding, but that doesn’t give you excuse to tune out.  Have a friend going through tough times, be the shoulder they are used to.  Before telling someone what they need to do – ask if they just need to talk or want help.  Sometimes all you need to do is be a friend.”

Keep traditions.  Whether its Friday night date night as a couple, game night with friends, monthly girls night or guys basketball, or Sunday family dinners, traditions are what allows us to keep the bonds made over time.  It’s important to have time as a couple, but also important to stay in contact with those who have been in your life.  Missing these events can send a signal to others that you aren’t as interested in them and can lead to hurt feelings and misunderstandings.

Mix with care.  Just like your wedding reception seating plans, the mix of friends is a delicate one.  The longtime friend can be jealous of the new friend – remember Bridesmaids!  Just because you love them all, doesn’t mean they will mix well.  If you sense tension, it may not be the right mix.

Keep in touch.  Are you one to send personal cards, make calls for no reason or send quick texts to make someone laugh?  If you’re known for these things, try to keep it up.  Those individual efforts mean a lot to the receiver.

Address what needs it.  And we’re not talking about invitations!  If there is an issue that is causing friction, it’s time to talk it out.  Misunderstandings left unresolved tend to grow over time.

Offer grace.  Being sympathetic, supportive and trying to see the world from the other’s eyes is a good practice as you head into your marriage.  Apologize when you have caused others pain.

Frame it well.  Wedding planning can bring out the best – or most annoying – traits in those you love.  Instead of focusing on things that drive people apart, focus on what made them important to begin with.

Watch your words.  Words have real power.  When you define someone as a “know-it-all”, “drama queen”, “lazy”, etc. you are framing your interactions with them – and others opinion.  Try to focus on the positive attributes of others.

Find common ground.  When differences turn nasty, pause and find common goals, values and bonds with the other and rebuild from there.

Recognize the small stuff.  It’s easy to get worked up over the details – andweddings have lots of details.  When it’s something worth fighting over, stand your ground but do so with love.  Unless the other person is intentionally sabotaging you (and who would do that?!), it’s just a difference of opinion.  Try to remember that.

Be real.  With email, texting, Facebook, how much of your communication is still face to face, or at least by voice?  You may think you’re staying in touch, but are you?  Here’s a way to keep the human element in your interactions.

Not everything is newsfeed worthy.  With Facebook changing the rules for what shows in a newsfeed regularly, you can’t assume friends will see what’s going on in your life.  For truly important news, you should reach out directly.  Not only will you be sure the person knows it, they’ll feel valued by the personal attention.

Be present.  Is there anything better than a real visit to catch up with friends.  Schedule to busy to meet for lunch?  Try scheduling a weekly phone call.

Respond promptly.  When someone sends you an invitation, let them know you are excited to be included.  When you get an email or text, respond in kind.  Use technology as the quick tools they are meant to be.

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What To Do When You're Engaged

Planning a wedding can be some of the happiest time of your life, but where do you start?  Here’s some tips to get you moving in the right direction:

Shortly After the Big Announcement

• As you begin to have ideas about the wedding, sit down with both families to formulate a budget. Remember, parents who planned their wedding twenty or thirty years ago can be surprised by today’s costs. Expect to be flexible.
• Decide on a date that works for both families and your work schedules.  Be aware of family birthdays, anniversaries or annual events that may cause a conflict.

12 to 18 Months Prior to the Wedding

• Begin visiting venues!  Peak dates go quickly, so if you have your heart set on a Saturday in June, lock in your venue early.
• If you are using a wedding planner, begin interviewing now.  They can help you with the decisions to follow.
• Visit bridal shows, the Internet, and look in current magazines or directories for ideas for your wedding day.

9 to 18 Months Prior

• Hire the photographer, caterer, videographer, officiant, and DJ. Prime dates book quickly, as do good vendors. The earlier you book, the better chance you’ll secure your first choice vendors.
• Begin looking at wedding dresses.  If you are considering a custom designed dress, you’ll want to leave plenty of time for it to be prepared.
• Schedule your engagement session with your photographer.

6 to 9 Months Prior

• Bridal party dresses should be ordered, save-the-dates mailed, overnight accommodations reserved for wedding guests.
• Order your wedding cake, flowers and transportation for the wedding and reception.

4 to 6 Months Prior

• Reserve rehearsal dinner location, establish bridal registries, rent tuxedos, order wedding invitations, reserve necessary rental equipment.

2 to 4 Months Prior

• Book your honeymoon and secure arrangements for wedding night accommodations.
• Schedule appointments for hair, makeup, facials, massages and spa treatments
• Order reception favors
• Begin dance lessons if you want a choreographed first dance

2 Months Prior

• Mail wedding invitations
• Verify requirement for marriage license
• Purchase bridal party gifts
• Create ceremony program

Final 6 Weeks 

• Confirm all vendors, finalize food and beverage choices with your caterer or reception site. Schedule a final dress fitting (tuxes for the gentlemen) and plan seating arrangements for your reception.
• Establish a timeline for the wedding day.
• Select songs for your ceremony and special dances
• Schedule a consultation for your hair and makeup.  Many brides do a “dress rehearsal” to make sure they like the look.

Week of Your Wedding 

• Confirm timeline and desired shot list with your photographer and videographer
• Discuss song selections with your wedding DJ
• Get plenty of sleep and practice good nutrition
• Relax!  It’s almost time for the big day!

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10 Budget Friendly Reception Centerpiece Ideas

You’ll spend the majority of your wedding day at your reception venue, so it makes sense that you give a lot of thought to your wedding reception centerpieces.  You can have beautiful reception tablescapes without busting your wedding budget.  Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Simple votives have a bigger impact when clustered together.

A single rose submerged in water will open throughout the day creating visual interest.

Think beyond floral displays.  Candelabras can often be rented for a fraction of the cost of wedding flowers.

Instead of one large, costly display think of small groupings for big impact.  Mix mason jars, glass bud vases and white porcelain vases with a mixture of blooms in a similar color scheme.

Vintage vases stacked upon old books creates a comfortable, classic vibe for the wedding reception.

Mixed displays of branches and leaves are perfect for a fall wedding.

Blinged out glass cylinders are perfect to bounce candle light.

Stacked ornaments and silver sprayed branches are perfect for a winter  themed wedding.

A simple lantern embellished with artificial or natural blooms creates a cozy centerpiece.

Floating candles accented by your wedding colors are low enough to allow guests to converse easily.

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