The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Wedding: Everything you Need to do 6 Months Before Your Big Day
With your wedding day inching closer, it’s time to shift gears and focus on the finer details. By now, you’ve laid the groundwork and set the stage for a memorable celebration. If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out our comprehensive list of everything you should do 12+ months before your wedding.
As the countdown continues, here’s a guide to what I recommend you focus on approximately six months out from your wedding.
Finalizing the Key Details
At the six-month mark, it’s time to start turning your wedding dreams into reality. Begin by finalizing that key details that will make your wedding day YOU.
Select Your Wedding Attire: If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to choose your wedding dress and formal wear. Ensure you schedule fittings and take alternations into account when planning.
Book your Vendors: By now, you should have already started contacting and securing your vendors. Six months out, it’s absolutely essential to lock down any remaining services that you haven’t secured. This includes your wedding coordinator, photographer, videographer, florist, caterer, and any other vendors crucial to your wedding day.
Finalize Your Guest List: If you haven’t yet, narrow down your guest list and make any necessary adjustments. This will be the primary indicator of your overall budget, so it is important to have this set early. Ensure that you have accurate contact information for everyone you plan to invite.
Invitations and Save-the-Dates
Your save-the-dates and invitations set the tone for your wedding and are the first tactile piece of your wedding that will provide your guests with essential information. Here’s what you’ll need to do six-months out (or earlier):
Design Your Invitations: Work with a graphic designer or stationary artist to create beautiful, cohesive invitations that match your wedding theme. Include all of the necessary details, such as date, time, location, and RSVP instructions. If you prefer to DIY this, Canva is an excellent resource in graphic design and offers printing services.
Send Save-the-Dates: If you haven’t done so already, send out save-the-dates cards to your guests. This will allow for ample time for your guests to make arrangements and mark their calendars. HINT - if you took engagement photos, these can make for beautiful cards!
Order Invitations: Once your design is finalized, place your order for the invitations. Make sure to order extra copies for any last-minute additions or mistakes. Prefer to go digital? Greenvelope is a fantastic solution for couples who prefer to go paperless.
Personal Touches
Adding personal touches to your wedding will make it feel uniquely yours. Focus on these details now and plan accordingly to craft a memorable experience.
Choose Your Decor: Decide on the overall look and feel of your wedding decor. Refer back to any moodboards that you or your wedding planner crafted to see if there are any colours or themes that you naturally gravitate toward. This includes selecting centrepieces, table settings, lighting, and any additional decorations that will enhance your venue. HINT - a wedding planner can help you in securing decor rentals from a variety of vendors. Work with them in crafting your vision!
Choose Your Floral Design: With your florist, craft the look that you want to capture for your wedding day. Ensure to take into account the season and what will be readily available from both a budgetary and planning perspective. Looking to DIY your florals? Now is a great time to order some flowers and practice some arrangements! Costco has a great selection for an affordable pricepoint.
Plan Your Music: Often overlooked until the last minute, be sure to choose your music for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Create playlists or work with your DJ/band to ensure a seamless musical experience. Be prepared to provide song requests for your processional, recessional, first-dance, parent dance, and more.
Craft Your Vows: It’s never too early to start this process. Begin writing your vows if you plan to personalize them. Take this time to reflect on your relationship and what you want to express. This will make your vows heartfelt and meaningful.
Logistics and Timeline
Organizing the logistical aspects of your wedding will help ensure everything runs smoothly on the big day. If you haven’t yet, securing a wedding planner can help immensely in mitigating the stress of the logistics.
Create a Wedding Day Timeline: With your wedding planner, outline a detailed timeline of the day’s events, including the ceremony, reception, and any other activities. Share this timeline with your vendors and wedding party to keep everyone on the same page.
Plan Transportation: Arrange transportation for you and your wedding party. This could mean booking a limo, shuttle, or any other necessary vehicles. If you are not providing transport for out-of-town guests, ensure to communicate viable transport options that are readily available and affordable.
Confirm Accommodations: If you have guests travelling from out of town, ensure you have blocked off hotel rooms and communicate accommodation options to your guests
Start a Wedding Website: Create a wedding website to keep your guests informed and excited. Include details about the schedule, accommodations, transport (if providing), and any other important information. If you have registry, you can also link it here.
Final Preparations
As you approach the six-month mark, it’s time to take care of any final preparations to ensure everything is place for your big day.
Schedule Beauty Appointments: Book hair and makeup trials, and schedule appointments for the big day. Consider pampering yourself with a manicure or pedicure leading up to the wedding.
Plan Your Honeymoon: Start planning your honeymoon by researching destinations, booking flights, and securing accommodation. Consider what activities and experiences you want to enjoy as newlyweds.
Following these steps will ensure you’re well prepared for your big day. With six months to go, take a deep breath and enjoy the process of turning your wedding dreams into reality.
Happy planning!
Meg
