A Timeline of Planning Milestones Leading to your Dream Wedding
Are you thinking of planning your own wedding, and want a little guidance from a professional on the ultimate timeline on milestones to make the whole process a breeze? Well you’ve come to the right place!
The question has been popped and you’ve shown off that gorgeous ring, now what? There’s no sugar coating it, planning a wedding isn’t exactly easy, it comes with a lengthy to-do list and countless details to arrange. From the outset it can be very overwhelming, which is why so many couples outsource it to professionals like ourselves. But if you give yourself plenty of time, have killer organisational skills and break it down into achievable milestones, the process becomes less stressful and much more attainable.
Twelve Months Out From Your Wedding
Make a rough guest list to get an indication on numbers
Determine your overall budget
Book your planner (hello!) and work with them to secure your dream venue
Eleven Months Out From Your Wedding
Book your other non-negotiable wedding vendors including your photographer, videographer and celebrant
Start your dress shopping! Most Designers and boutiques need eight to ten months to create a wedding dress
Ten Months Out From Your Wedding
Start working with your stationery designer on your wedding suite
Nine Months Out From Your Wedding
Send your save-the-dates
If it’s a destination wedding, consider reserving hotel room blocks
Eight Months Out From Your Wedding
Start working with your stylist (again, hello!), on your design concepts, and book a florist to suit the aesthetic
Hire any entertainment
Six Months Out From Your Wedding
Choose your wedding cake
Buy your wedding bands
Hey grooms, start shopping for your outfit
Five Months Out From Your Wedding
Send out your invitations
Four Months Out From Your Wedding
Have your final tasting with your caterer
Have any hair and makeup trials if relevant
Start shopping for your wedding party outfits if you’ve chosen to have bridesmaids or groomsmen
Three Months Out From Your Wedding
Made it to this point and still doing it all on your own? Go you guys! But, unless you’ve discovered the science behind cloning, we SERIOUSLY recommend hiring an on-the-day coordinator (hi there!) for the final countdown. This service has a professional coming on board to oversee the logistics and details of your day to ensure everything is in order. We’ll be there on the day to set up and pack down your day, taking all the stress and burden off you and your family, so you can be present in all the special moments, and all that’s left for you to do is marry the partner of your dreams. Need more info? See what we do here.
Two Months Out From Your Wedding
Have your final venue walk-through
One Month Out From Your Wedding
Give your venue your final head count
Confirm your seating chart and send it to your stationery designer for printing
Finalise your wedding run sheet
Finalise your floor plan set up and share it with the venue
Pick your wedding playlist and share it with your entertainment team
Organise supplier details such as supplier meals, arrival and pack up time and their on the day requirements
Write your vows
The Week of Your Wedding
Get your wedding outfit steamed
Confirm bump in and out times with your vendors
Get your wedding rings cleaned
Pick up any hire items for your wedding
Print your vows
If you’re undecided about whether to hire a wedding planner, how about you take another look at that list! Having an expert do the heavy lifting for you and staying on top of all things organisation will take the stress off you and your partner and help you enjoy this process. Not only this, but we’ll ensure we deliver a truly memorable day for both you and your guests, one that speaks to the essence of your love story. Here at Bow Creative we offer planning, styling, coordination and event management services - so you can come on board and help deliver the day of your dreams in many different capacities. Want to find out more and see if we’re the right fit for you? Check out our services or get in touch and set up a complimentary consultation.