Now that you’ve answered “yes” to the big question, what’s next? Well, you are about to dive into the thrill of wedding planning and everything that comes with it. Now, you have heard that this will be the most exciting thing for you, but what about everything you have to do concerning organizing your whole celebration? You will have so many things on your plate, so you probably wonder how so many responsibilities can be exciting. The answer is devising an ultimate wedding planning guide!
Undoubtedly, a good plan can lead you to the goal you are trying to achieve. Although this sounds simple enough, you are back to square one if you do not know where to begin. However, there is no room for panic because we have got you covered. Our ultimate wedding planning guide covers everything from the beginning to the end. We will lead you, step-by-step, through the whole process, and in the blink of an eye, you will have your plan ready! And without even being aware, your excitement will start to build, and you will begin to understand what the craze is all about!
So, let’s go through the steps together and ensure you are about to create an amazing plan without missing a single detail!
You Are Engaged, So What Is Next?
Many couples begin their initial preparations the second they get engaged. However, we have something better for you. While getting married is the whole engagement point, we should not forget that this is also an exciting period for you and your loved one. So, instead of starting to plan a wedding right away, let yourself enjoy this moment in time for a bit. There is a reason why couples go through these stages before becoming married. Every single moment of the engagement to the actual union brings unique joy, and you should allow yourself to revel in it.
You may want to throw an engagement party, but you have to be mindful of your budget. Since weddings aren’t the cheapest affair, you will have to determine how much you can spend on additional parties and celebrations. If you have the budget for it, then you can consider organizing a gathering where you can commemorate your engagement authentically.
On top of that, there is another, more cost-effective option for achieving the same goal - an engagement photo session. You will want to remember these moments forever so you can book a photoshoot and commemorate your engagement in Dallas uniquely. The great thing about having this shoot is that you can get as creative as you want. You can pick several locations, your photoshoot time, attire, and even props! The only priority is finding a Dallas engagement photographer who will listen to your ideas and help you obtain the outcomes you desire. Luckily, we can do that for you, and you may even snag a good deal, saving you more money for the “official” celebration!
While a party for your engagement might be a great idea to celebrate your big moment, stunning Dallas engagement photos of it will stay forever with you. You can always opt for both, but you need to consider your costs. Our payment plans will allow you to have the photo session you want and stay within your budget.
On to The Next Step: Plan a Wedding Like a Pro
Once you finish with your Dallas engagement photos and related festivities, it is time to think about the best way to plan your big day. We are not going to lie to you; there will be a lot of things to figure out and take care of, so it might get overwhelming. However, if you start things on the right foot, you will be able to make everything go smoothly and easily. That is why we have prepared the ultimate wedding planning guide to lead you every step of the way. Your bridal celebration will be one of the most joyful journeys you have ever had in your life, so ensure that you enjoy it to the fullest - even during the planning stages!
To make this possible, you need to begin your preparations early and create your planning wedding checklist. A personalized list of the tasks you need to do is crucial for the success of your union. It will guide you through the whole process and ensure you do not omit or forget anything.
We always recommend starting one year in advance with the preparations so you can handle everything stress-free. Being relaxed is essential when you plan a wedding. Otherwise, you will end up getting overwhelmed and stressed over every single detail. So, this is an idea of how your ultimate wedding planning guide should look like:
12 months before the wedding:
- Do research and get the idea for your big day
- Set up a budget and establish your priorities
- Decide whether you will need a wedding planner
- Check out venues
- Establish the style and theme of your wedding
11 months before the wedding:
- Set up a date
- Find and book vendors
- Choose your wedding party
- Create and finalize your guest list
10 months before the wedding:
- Choose your wedding attire
- Book hotel and transportation for the big day
9 months before the wedding:
- Plan your entertainment for the celebration
- Book rentals if you have planned them for the big day
- Create invitations
8 months before the wedding:
- Set up your registry and create a website for your union
- Send invitations
- Plan your dream honeymoon
7 months before the wedding:
- Purchase your bridal attire
- Finalize your vendors
- Find a location for your rehearsal dinner
6 months before the wedding:
- Shop for wedding rings
- Establish your hair and makeup team
5 months before the wedding:
- Create your reception menu
- Buy pre-wedding attire
- Book your honeymoon trip
- Book a ceremony officiant
4 months before the wedding:
- Plan a bridal shower and invite guests
- Create a list of tunes you want at your big day
- Establish personalized details for your celebration
- Create a program for your union
3 months before the wedding:
- Have your bridal shower
- Buy gifts for your wedding party
- Schedule trial makeup and hair appointments
2 months before the wedding:
- Have your bachelorette party
- Write your vows
- Determine party favors
1 month before the wedding:
- Apply for a marriage license
- Make final changes to your bridal attire
- Create a seating chart
2 weeks before the wedding:
- Talk to your Dallas wedding photographer and establish locations for your photoshoot
- Determine whether everything goes according to plan with vendors
Our ultimate wedding planning guide includes a suggested checklist, but you are always free to change it the way suits you. Even if you do not begin to plan your big day one year in advance, you can still use this list to help you establish everything and have fun while doing so.
Now, we are going to take a detailed look at how your preparations should be. There are things you should not omit, or you will be faced with headaches right before your big moment.
12 and 11 Months Before The Big Day
The first two months of a bride’s guide to wedding planning are crucial. This is when you establish the most important details for your celebration. They will determine how your planning process will go until the end. Of course, there will probably be some alterations because not everything goes according to what you originally planned.
Once you have your initial checklist, ensure that you follow it from the very beginning to the end. Start by extensively researching what your big day would look like. This means getting some inspiration from other weddings online, looking into styles and themes, and finding what suits you best. After you decide on the style, you will automatically narrow down your list of bridal options and eliminate those that do not suit you.
At this point, you will also know how big of a wedding you want, which in turn will help you with establishing your budget When determining how much you can spend on your celebration, you should consider who will be involved in the payment. Some couples decide to foot the bill independently, while others also include their parents. If you do opt for the latter, then you have to decide how involved they are going to be in the whole planning process.
The next step after determining your budget is deciding whether you need a bridal planner or not. Undoubtedly, a planner will make the whole process easier and take loads of tasks off your back. However, if you cannot afford this kind of vendor or you just want to be the sole organizer of your celebration, then you can surely manage on your own. Still, make sure that you make your decision sooner rather than later.
After this step of the ultimate wedding planning guide is settled, you can start thinking of the ideal date as well as checking out some possible venues. This is where the process gets the most exciting. You get to look into your options, and you will see that there are many of them. It can become a bit too much, but if you know what you are looking for, then you will handle this quickly.
During the first two months, you should also establish your wedding party and think of possible vendors. If you want high-quality bridal providers, then you may need to book them in advance. These vendors get hired months before celebrations, so if you are sure that you want them, you should hire them during these stages.
10 and 9 Months Before The Big Day
If you look into our ultimate wedding planning guide checklist, you will see that these two months will be quite relaxing. They include only checking out and visualizing parts of your big day. During this time, you should start looking into possible options for your bridal attire. You can start your search online, but also check out some bridal stores and even try out gowns. This way, you will see what suits you and how to continue your search further.
Moreover, in these months, you have to consider whether you need to book a hotel for your big day. Many couples decide to do their getting-ready stage in hotel suites, so you may need to book in advance if you want a luxury hotel that quickly gets booked. In contrast, if your wedding is outside your city, then you will probably need transportation, so ensure that you manage all of these details in advance.
Your last task would be to create invitations and cross them off your planning wedding checklist. Having your invitations designed and ready is crucial so you can send them out on time. No one wants to get notified about a wedding at the last minute, so these are details that need to be handled early.
8 and 7 Months Before The Big Day
By this time, your invitations will be ready, meaning you can start sending them out to your guests. If you have a lot of them, this can be a time-consuming activity, so doing it early is your best solution. After you get this done, you can start envisioning your dream honeymoon. A bridal celebration deserves a dreamy trip as a cherry on top. So, begin researching popular destinations and whatever suits your taste and style. You do not have to book it right away, but having an idea of what your options are is crucial.
Since you will be close to your chosen date, you can buy your bridal attire so you can make the necessary adjustments later. You do not want to rush these things because, after all, the spotlight will be on you. Furthermore, during this time, you should finalize all your vendors, including your Dallas wedding photographer. You should already have an idea of what kind of photographs you want and whether you will need a bridal video as well. The person you choose should be aware of these details, so they can prepare as well.
6, 5, and 4 Months Before The Big Day
Our ultimate wedding planning guide considers these months ideal for beginning the bridal festivities. As the big day is approaching, you should use this period to make some final bookings as well as organize and have your bridal shower. It is time to start celebrating and slowly prepare for what is about to come.
You should also buy your wedding rings as well as schedule your hair and makeup appointments. Additionally, decide on who will be officiating your marriage. It is necessary to do this early so you can have everyone in sync during the celebration.
3, 2, and 1 Months Before The Big Day
These months are all about handling small details, such as attire changes, party favors, and thank-you gifts for your wedding party. When you plan a wedding, you may discover that these are the most exciting times before the big day comes. Despite being small, you should still handle them the right way because they will make your celebration complete!
While organizing a bridal celebration is quite thrilling, if you do not have an ultimate wedding planning guide to lead the way, you may end up stressed and frustrated. That is why having a well-established checklist is of great help. Moreover, having the right people and vendors by your side can add to this enjoyment. So, be careful with your choices and ensure you have the best for your big day!
If you are interested in more bridal advice, please visit our blog page. Do not hesitate to contact us to book an appointment because we are always here for you. And, if you are ready to hire our services, you can choose from the packages we offer online
