You’re Engaged!!! Now what!!?! One of the first things couples like to do once they get engaged is start the prep!! As a Las Vegas wedding photographer, I wanted to share some wedding planning timeline tips to help you feel ready and prepared!
But before I share ideas, I just want to remind you from the get-go, that if your prep looks different from what you expected (or anyone else’s!) that’s okay! Maybe you’re putting things together quicker, or doing less – all. good.
This is YOUR big day, and the experience starts the moment you start planning. And I’m a firm believer that ALL of the experience should feel organic and authentic to you.
So when putting together your wedding planning timeline, keep that in mind!
One of the first steps I recommend taking is hiring a wedding planner! They will help you pull together all the details and stop this process from quickly becoming a full-time job. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or spending way too much time running down a Google rabbit hole… I recommend hiring a planner!
Another step I would start with is securing your highest-priority vendor. Whether that is a photographer, like myself, or a videographer/DJ/florist/venue etc. A lot of us book about a year out, so if you have your heart set on someone – reach out before picking your date! This will give you the best chance of getting your dream vendor team.
Side note on vendors: make sure you’re looking at their portfolios and ensuring they have worked weddings like yours before. Do they have people you relate to in their portfolios? Have they created the product that you want?
Once you have your vendors set, then pick a date and set a budget!
Next in the Wedding Planning Timeline:
The fun stuff! Here is where you get to design your big day! Do you have a color scheme? Are you doing a wedding party? What’s your cake going to be like? Reception vibes?
The #1 piece of advice I can give you for this stage is to do what sounds fun to you.
Block out all the noise about what is trendy. Or even, what is traditional. And do what makes you HAPPY. You don’t have to overthink it! You want to get Taco Bell as newlyweds?! DO IT.
You want to go on a leisurely, private stroll after your ceremony? DO IT.
Whatever feels authentic and real to you & your partner is what matters. You can weave personal, sentimental details into any plan or theme. So just pick what day sounds fun to YOU TWO.
When you’re about 8 months out from the wedding, this is when you’re going to want to start buckling down on appointments and fittings.
Here is a list of common things to do in the last several months leading up to your big day:
- Schedule a rehearsal dinner venue
- Do a fitting for bridesmaids
- Order rentals
- Book transportation
- Book honeymoon
- Buy rings
- Hair and makeup trial (engagement photos go really nicely on this day as well!)
If you want a more extensive checklist, Brides.com has a really good one here!
And in the final few weeks of your wedding planning timeline, here are the last minute things you will want to do!
- Assemble gift bags
- Finalize seating chart
- Finalize photography timeline for formal photos + first look
- Prepare cash tips in envelopes
- Pack for your honeymoon (and order that extra swimsuit!)
- Write your vows
- Create a “just in case” kit with bandaids, sewing kit, bobby pins, your fav concealer and lipstick, etc.
- Coordinate with your wedding planner
Sometimes getting married can feel like a huge undertaking, but I hope this list makes it feel more manageable. You don’t have to do it all, and you don’t have to do it all at once. This is a day of celebration, and I hope the prep-process feels that way too!
