From 'Yes' to 'I Do': Your Monthly Wedding Countdown
Expert advice for stress-free wedding planning
If you said ‘Yes’ to the person of your dreams recently, first off, congratulations on this beautiful new chapter in your life! As exciting as it may be, it’s pretty common to also feel overwhelmed while figuring out where to even start when you’re newly engaged. Let’s be real… why should we have any clue where to begin if we’ve never done this before?! So don’t worry, all of your feelings are completely valid. As a bride myself, I have learned really valuable tips and tools that have helped me navigate through my own journey. Let me know what topics you want me to cover by commenting below or DM’ing me on Instagram, and I’ll be here each week to help guide you through your journey. I’m thrilled to share these newsletters as your go-to source for all things wedding planning as you embark on this incredible journey leading up to your big day.
So let’s begin what many of you are asking for - a monthly wedding countdown checklist:
12 Months
Draft an Estimated Guest List: start compiling a list of family and friends you’d like to invite - trust me, this will be very helpful when touring venues and budgeting.
Black List Dates: if you have a few friends or family members you know you can’t get married without them there, make sure to get a list of any blackout dates to avoid conflicts before touring venues.
Set a Budget: create a preliminary budget to guide your spending.
Create a ‘Wedding Priority List’ for your vendors: create a priority list of all of your vendors starting with the most important as #1. This will help you determine where to splurge when looking for different vendors and where you can cut back. For example, if the venue is the most important thing to you and you don’t care so much about your invitations, maybe you do digital invites to get married at the venue of your dreams.
Find Your Wedding Venue: Research and visit potential ceremony and reception locations that can hold your rough estimated guest list & fit within your budget.
Lock in your Date: choose a date at the venue you choose to get married at.
Secure your Wedding Music: booking your preferred DJ or band well in advance is crucial to ensure that they’re available for your special day and to avoid scheduling conflicts, so research ones that you like and book this as soon as you can. Music is such an important element to any party.
11 Months
Create a Wedding Gmail account: make a wedding Gmail account that you and your partner can use throughout your wedding planning. This will be your go-to for communicating with wedding vendors and staying organized without any clutter.
Create a Wedding Website: design a website that includes all the details such as your story, photos, your registry, and any necessary travel accommodations for your guests. If your travel accommodations are not yet ready, don’t worry just write something like “Travel accommodations coming soon!”
Build your Wedding Registry: select preferred gifts by choosing from one or more stores, both online or in physical locations, to establish your registry. This will allow your guests to purchase engagement and wedding gifts for you and your partner that align with what items you want in this next chapter of your life together.
Begin Bridal Dress Shopping: start early and embark on your bridal dress shopping journey to allow ample time for fittings and alterations. Begin with online research to identify styles and designers you love, and then schedule appointments at bridal boutiques to try on a variety of gowns. Don’t forget to bring along a trusted friend or family member to share in the excitement and offer valuable opinions as you search for your dream dress.
10 Months
Book Photographer & Videographer: reach out to several photographers and videographers asking for their pricing packages and portfolios. Then, compare your options and narrow it down to your few favorites within your budget. Once you’ve found the perfect match, secure your services by signing a contract and paying a deposit to lock this in.
Book Florist: begin by seeking recommendations, reviewing portfolios, and conducting consultations with potential florists to find the perfect match who can bring your floral vision to life.
Book Caterer: begin your caterer search by reaching out to your venue and inquiring about their recommended caterers. Many venues have established partnerships with experienced caterers who are well-acquainted with the venue’s facilities and layout, making them a valuable resource for guidance. After you get recommendations, you can review their tasting options and schedule a tasting of your own to see if it’s the fit for you.
Book Rehearsal Dinner Venue: reserve a venue for your rehearsal dinner for your closest friends and family to rehearse and enjoy time together the night before your wedding.
Figure out Guest Accommodations: begin the process of securing accommodations for your guests by setting up room blocks at nearby hotels. Negotiate rates and booking details to make it convienent and affordable for your guests. Simultaneously, explore transportation options to ensure smooth transit to and from your wedding venue, such as shuttle services or transportation partnerships with hotels. Once you’ve arranged this, make sure you to communicate these arrangements to your guests well in advance by posting it on your Wedding Website and word-of-mouth.
Book a Brunch Venue: book a venue to host a brunch at the day after your wedding. Typically you’ll invite your closest friends, family and any out of towners.
9 Months
Book Hair & Makeup: research hair and makeup artists, and consider scheduling trials with them to secure the ideal professionals who can bring your dream wedding look to life. Don’t forget, it’s important to find people whose personalities you mesh really well with. You’ll be spending a lot of your wedding day with these people by your side, so make sure to find people you love
Choose Your Bridal Party: Select your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other key roles and ask them in a fun way. Let your bridal party know what color gowns you’d like them to wear on your wedding day or if you plan to have them get a specific one you selected.
8 Months
Save the Date: whether you choose to do print or digital, it’s a good idea to send your save the date cards about 8 months prior to your wedding date to give your guests ample time to plan and make arrangements.
Choose your Bachelorette Party & Destination: decide who you want to invite on your bachelorette party whether that be just your bridal party or extended crew. Then, have your Maid of Honor let the crew know where you’ve decided to go as your bachelorette destination.
Book Your Invitation Company: secure a reputable invitation company for your wedding stationary needs. Discuss your vision, style, and any special customization you want for your invitations.
7 Months
Design Invitations: collaborate with your invitation company to design your wedding invites. They’ll likely send you a few drafts after hearing your style & vision before you finalize the details. Do this for both your wedding invitation and your bridal shower invitation if applicable.
Engagement Shoot: have an engagement shoot with your partner to capture moments of this special stage of your life!
6 Months: Fine-Tuning Details
Order Your Invitations: once you come to a sample invitation that you love, place the order based on your finalized designs.
Plan Your Honeymoon: begin planning your honeymoon by selecting a destination and potential travel agency if you plan to use one.
Begin Your Health & Wellness Journey: start focusing on your health and wellness to look and feel your best on your wedding day. This can include fitness routines, skincare, nutrition plans, facials, dental cleanings and more.
Book your Food Tasting: book your food tasting with your caterer for 2-3 months prior to your wedding day as it’s usually season dependent.
Shop for Bachelorette Party: purchase any accessories and outfits needed for your bachelorette party!
5 Months
Order a Ketubah if applicable: if you plan to include a Ketubah in your wedding ceremony, now is the time to order this as it could take a few months to go into production.
Go Wedding Band Shopping with your Partner: go to your jeweler with your partner to explore options for wedding and eternity bands and make selections that will compliment your engagement ring.
First Dress Fitting: attend your first dress fitting for your bridal gown, and make sure to bring someone along with you for support!
Begin Tux Shopping: begin shopping for a tux with your partner.
4 Months
Bachelorette Party: celebrate your bachelorette party with your closest friends and have fun!
Bridal Shower Invites: send out invites to your bridal shower for your guests.
Write Vows: start writing your wedding vows or choose readings for the ceremony.
2nd Dress Fitting: attend your second dress fitting to ensure your gown fits perfectly.
Food Tasting: sample and finalize your wedding menu by attending a food tasting session with your partner. Have fun with this!
Vendor Appointments: make sure to check in and schedule meetings with your vendors such as your band, photographer, florist, etc. to re-confirm all of the details and vision for your wedding day.
3 Months
Bridal Shower: enjoy being showered with love, a special celebration hosted in your honor.
3rd Dress Fitting: attend your next dress fitting with a trusted friend or family member!
Marriage License: obtain your marriage license, a critical document for your wedding ceremony. Have fun with your partner doing this!
Send Out Invites: mail out your wedding invitations to your guest list.
Get a Haircut: schedule your haircut to ensure it looks fresh and perfectly well-groomed on your wedding day at the exact length you want.
2 Months
4th Dress Fitting: attend your 4th dress fitting, making any last minute adjustments and tweaks as it becomes more fitted to you
Hotel Guest Bags: prepare your welcome bags for your hotel guests filled with thoughtful items and information about the wedding weekend. Hosts typically include a card with wedding details including transportation and timing of events, along with a sweet and/or savory snack, a water bottle and some even throw in any travel sized items.
Wedding Bathroom Bins: arrange bathroom baskets with essential items for guests at the wedding venue restrooms. This can include items such as tampons, gums, mints, deodorant, safety pins, etc.
Cake Tasting: attend a cake tasting session from a company of your choice to choose the perfect wedding cake!
RSVPs: keep track of the RSVPs that come in that way you can start mentally preparing your seating arrangements rather than waiting till the last minute.
1 Month
5th Dress Fitting: closer to the finish line, attend your fifth dress fitting as the dress becomes more fitted and customized to you.
Seating Arrangements: finalize your seating arrangements for your reception once all of the RSVP’s have come in. Pro tip: take loose leaf paper and draw the layout of each table with chairs as circles on a separate sheet of paper. Then lay the papers on a large table based off your exact floor plan. Then take sticky notes and put a sticky note on each chair, and move people around until you find the perfect seat for all.
Confirm Final Payments: reach out to all of your vendors to ensure you paid in full and confirm details of their services.
Glam Up: treat yourself to teeth whitening, facials and workout classes to look and feel your best as you lead up to your wedding day.
2 Weeks
Pack for Honeymoon: begin packing for your honeymoon and make a checklist of all of the essentials.
Send out ‘Day of Wedding Schedule’ to your Bridal Party: send a text or email to your bridal party with the day-of-schedule to ensure everyone is on the same page with timing, outfits, etc.
Finalize Seating Arrangements: last minute changes happen all of the time, especially with RSVPs, so make sure to move around anyone as needed if people drop off or are added on.
1 Week
Final Dress Fitting & Pick Up Your Gown: attend your final dress fitting, and pick up your wedding gown!
Pack Your Hotel Bag: prepare a bag for your stay at the hotel on your wedding night.
Get Your Bridal Manicure & Pedicure: Treat yourself to a bridal manicure and pedicure for flawless nails on your big day.
Get Some Sleep: in the week leading up to your wedding, make sleep a top priority. Rest not only ensures you look and feel your best, but also helps you stay sharp, focused and energized to fully enjoy every moment of your special day.
12 months may seem long at first, but trust me every month flies by. In the blink of an eye, your wedding day will be here before you know it. My biggest piece of advice is to never wait until last minute. Start early and get ahead that way you can have a stress-free wedding planning. This will allow you to become more excited with every month, rather than becoming more stressed about your to-do. If you love this list, and want my monthly checklist tracker that’s helped me to stay organized and on track, subscribe below for more:
Cherish every moment as you plan each detail and leave any questions or comments you may have along the way as I’m always here to lend a helping hand. Happy planning!