Wedding Planning Timeline Blitz : 9+ Months Until "I Do!"

HAPPY JULY 1ST, MY LOVES (: July is one of my favorite months each year because it is my Birthday month -- Power to my fellow CANCERS out there who share the most fun sign of the Zodiac! In honor of my Birthday, I decided to do something a little different this month with this initial July blogpost! There are thousands of wedding planning timelines floating around the world, and in all honesty, they are all fairly subjective! Well, I wanted to share with you MY PERSONAL WEDDING PLANNING TIMELINE, crafted from observing timelines of others, but primarily from my own experiences! Instead of 1 giant blogpost, I am jazzing it up by doing 9 daily installments, starting with today! So for the next 8 days, I hope you`ll enjoy my puzzle pieces for the perfect timeline!

So you just got engaged -- CONGRATULATIONS, Lovebirds! Once you come down from the high of the engagement, you now realize that it`s time to buckle down and start preparing for your wedding day! With so many elements and ideas, it can be overwhelming to know what to tackle first! So, where shall we begin? Let`s start from the engagement and work our way up to your wedding day!

INSTALLMENT I: Today`s Blitz Focus >>

9+ Months Until the Big "I Do!"

• Begin your WEDDING BINDER

→ TIP: Keep clippings from magazines, running lists of ideas as they pop into your head, calendars, and any bits of inspiration in here! It will make your life ten times easier and will help you better maintain your central focus when planning.

• Select your wedding DATE

→ TIP: Be sure to take seasons, federal/religious Holidays, and the time of day into consideration before solidifying! Have a backup option planned in case your venues are booked on your 1st date of choice.

• Determine your BUDGET

→ TIP: Allow yourself MINIMAL and sensible wiggle-room, and then STICK TO IT! Check it often, update it to the "T", and craft it from the beginning with care so that wiggle-room is solely a last resort. Your budget provides the foundation for not only your wedding day, but also your first days as husband and wife, hopefully falling more in love with each passing day instead of consuming yourselves with worry from getting out of debt for your beautifully-exorbitant "I Do`s."

• Hire a wedding CONSULTANT

→ TIP: (i.e. your`s truly hehe)

• Consolidate your GUEST LIST

→ TIP: David Tutera once spoke on this topic and said that your wedding day is often such a beautiful blur, that you probably won`t be able to remember each and every person who was or was not able to help celebrate your special day – until you look at the photographs! If you`ll regret not having their presence in your wedding photos years down the road, invite them. The easiest way to lighten the budget is to trim the guest list!

• Select and reserve your CEREMONY VENUE

• Select and reserve your OFFICIANT

→ TIP: Make sure you inquire to see if wedding counseling is required by your Officiant of choice!

• Select and reserve your RECEPTION SITE

• Select and order BRIDAL GOWN (& accessories, of course!)

• Determine your COLOR SCHEME

• Send an ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT with a cute photo to your local newspaper

• Order PASSPORT/VISA for the honeymoon or your destination wedding!

• Select and reserve your PHOTOGRAPHER

• Select your WEDDING PARTY

Tune in tomorrow for the next installment in my "Wedding Planning Timeline" Blitz, where we will discuss the planning preparations that should be considered 6-8 months prior to your wedding day!

♥

Sources: Personal experience, several event planners I know, and wedding associations (such as the Richmond Bridal Association).