Let’s be honest...planning a wedding can be overwhelming. If your newly-engaged bliss has quickly been replaced with daunting to-do lists and tasks, you’re not alone. Venues, guest lists, registries—where do you begin?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here is a simple checklist to ensure that the journey to your big day is a smooth, easy ride.

9-12 Months Before Your Big Day

Congratulations, you’re engaged! Your journey begins here, but sometimes the hardest part can be starting. Before you dive in, begin by looking for inspiration. We recommend creating a Pinterest board to gather ideas for color schemes, themes, venues, floral arrangements, etc. If you’re feeling lost, our Pinterest boards might help to establish your vision. 

Now that you have gathered inspiration, it’s time to determine your budget. Navigating your planning process will be much smoother if you have a set budget to work with. Start by reviewing your savings, income, and potential contributions. What percentage of those funds will be distributed to the ceremony, reception, entertainment, floral arrangements, catering, attire, rings, photography, invitations, honeymoon, transportation, and other areas? If crunching the numbers is a bit overwhelming, try breaking it down in a spreadsheet. 

Your next step: hire a wedding planner. S&S Studios offers event planning services that will use your ideas and budget to bring your Big Day to life. Once you begin working with your planner, you will be able to take your next steps: 

• Choose your venue 

• Set a date 

• Create a guest list 

• Determine your wedding party 

• Hire vendors such as photographers, videographers, caterers, etc. 

These big decisions may not seem urgent, but it’s best to tackle them early on. 

5-8 Months Before Your Big Day

It’s time to go shopping! One of the most exciting parts of being a bride is picking your dress. Start visiting bridal boutiques and trying on various styles/fits. Selecting your dress within this time-frame will allow room for proper adjustments to be made. Once you have found your dream gown, you will also need to order attire for your bridesmaids and groomsmen that coordinates with your color scheme and overall theme. Let’s not forget about purchasing your wedding bands!

Once your attire has been determined, you will also need to take these steps:

• Create a gift registry 

• Choose a wedding officiant 

• Reserve a space for your rehearsal dinner 

• Start planning your honeymoon 

• Reserve hotel blocks/housing for your guests 

2-4 Months Before Your Big Day

As your date grows closer, having your big decisions out of the way will allow you to enjoy your last months of engagement. It’s time to send invitations to your guest list! Our event planners will design your wedding invitations to not only fit your theme, but get you and your loved ones excited for your big day. S&S Studios will also be able to create your wedding website. A wedding website provides a space for guests to stay informed on important dates, gift registries, transportation information, engagement photos, and more. In addition to these exciting tasks, you’ll also want to follow through will a few more final steps:

• Receive your marriage license 

• Reserve bride’s hair/makeup appointments 

• Order your wedding cake

• Write your vows  

Less Than One Month Before Your Big Day

A month before your wedding date, you are most likely a bundle of both nerves and exhilaration. That is totally okay! Your final month of wedding planning is all about confirmation and finalization. Take time to ensure that all the decisions you have made are still in place. Here are a few steps you can take to do so:

• Check in with guests who have not RSVP’d 

• Confirm with vendors 

• Have a final dress fitting 

• Create a seating chart/program for guests 

Your time is almost here! 

Once you have completed these final steps, there are only two more boxes to check off your list: don’t expect your big day to be perfect and just enjoy your magical moment! Even the most thoroughly-planned events are bound to have some mishaps. Admire the process you have taken, stay present, and enjoy your happily ever after!