It’s November, which means we are at the 6 month mark (OMG! and terrifying!) and I’m starting to feel a little bit like this:
It has been a while since I’ve compared my wedding planning achievements to the “experts,” so let’s compare my progress to this 8-6 month checklist from Real Simple.
- Hire the photographer and the videographer. No need to talk specifics yet, but be sure that the people you hire are open to doing the shots that you want.
Done and done! Root Photography was the first vendor we booked (after the venue), and some friends of ours graciously agreed to handle the video for us. Gotta love talented friends who own expensive video equipment!
- Book the entertainment. Attend gigs of potential acts to see how they perform in front of audiences, then reserve your favorite.
Done! We booked our ceremony musician months ago and just recently locked in a DJ. Both came with stellar reviews from friends.
- Meet caterers. If your wedding venue doesn’t offer its own catering service, look for one now and hire the service this month or early next.
Not applicable!
- Purchase a dress. You’ll need to schedule time for at least three fittings. Veil shopping can be postponed for another two to three months.
Done! Dress is in my closet and just needs to be altered come January. I am hand making my veil and I have all the components, I just have to put it all together.
- Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. Pick three hotels at different price points close to the reception venue.
Done, kinda? Disneyland doesn’t really do a room block but guests who mention our special wedding code get a discount.
- Register. Sign up at a minimum of three retailers.
Done! It was rough but we did it and we did exactly three locations (two brick and mortar and one online).
- Launch a wedding website. Note the date of the wedding, travel information, and accommodations. Then send the link to invitees.
This was one of the first things we did after becoming engaged. Soooooooo DONE!
- Select and purchase invitations. Hire a calligrapher, if desired. Addressing cards is time-consuming, so you need to budget accordingly.
- Start planning a honeymoon. Make sure that your passports are up-to-date, and schedule doctors’ appointments for any shots you may need.
- Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses. Allow at least six months for the dresses to be ordered and sized.
- Meet with the officiant. Map out the ceremony and confirm that you have all the official documents for the wedding (these vary by county and religion).
- Send save-the-date cards.
- Reserve structural and electrical necessities. Book portable toilets for outdoor events, extra chairs if you need them, lighting components, and so on.
- Book a florist. Florists can serve multiple clients on one day, which is why you can wait a little longer to engage one. Plus, at this point, you’ll be firm on what your wedding palette will be.
- Arrange transportation. Consider limos, minibuses, trolleys, and town cars. (But know that low-to-the-ground limos can make entries and exists dicey if you’re wearing a fitted gown.)
- Start composing a day-of timeline. Draw up a schedule of the event and slot in each component (the cake-cutting, the first dance).
After reviewing this I feel like I’m in a pretty good place. Still a lot to do but I’m on track.
