Planning your wedding day is probably something you’ve dreamed of for your entire life. You are certainly not alone, though, if once you started making preparations, you found yourself feeling more overwhelmed than joyful about the upcoming affair. Undoubtedly, there is a lot to do prior to any wedding, but following a simple checklist like the one featured here can make the entire process less stressful.
Since many couples begin preparing for their wedding days about a year in advance, this guide begins twelve months before the big day. If, however, you are getting married in less than a year, simply adjust the timeline to suit your needs! No two weddings are identical, so it’s important to understand that these tips are flexible.
Twelve months ahead of time:
About a year before your wedding day, you should start thinking about the “big picture” of your event. This means you and your future spouse should determine a budget, decide on a basic theme and level of formality for the affair, and figure out what type of food you want to serve. Making these decisions early on will allow you to book an appropriate venue and a caterer you love well in advance. This is important since both sites and catering services often find themselves fully booked for months.
Nine months ahead of time:
Approximately nine months before your wedding day, you can begin focusing on some of the finer details of the event. Brides, for instance, should start shopping for their wedding dresses so there is plenty of time for alterations to be made. This is also a great time to select the wedding party, as many ladies want their bridesmaids to accompany them when they choose their gowns.
Furthermore, you and your future spouse should choose your save-the-dates and wedding invitations at this time. You might feel like you are picking them too far in advance, but save-the-dates should be sent about six months before the big day and it can take some time for custom invitations to be designed and printed. Starting early is wise!
Four months ahead of time:
At the fourth month mark, you should be rounding-in on finishing all of the major details of your wedding. If you haven’t yet, make sure you select favors for your guests at this time. You should also create a seating chart for the reception and make sure a block of hotel rooms has been reserved for out of town guests.
One month ahead of time:
A month prior to any wedding is an extremely busy time, particularly for brides! Ladies need to make sure they have hair and make-up trials at this time and, if desired, schedule a bridal portrait session. This is an excellent way to get to know your photographer better and to get some ideas for poses before your actual wedding day!
On the day of the wedding, it is important for the bride and groom to stress as little as possible. The couple should savor every moment and leave the details to the professionals. At DiBurro’s Function Facility, set-up and teardown are handled by a diligent staff who will make sure your day goes perfectly. As you plan your wedding, we hope to be able to play a role in making it the day of your dreams!