With your date and venue secured, this is where wedding planning really starts to take shape. The focus during this stage is building your vendor team and making some of the larger decisions that will define your wedding day.
If you’re just getting started, begin with Planning 12 to 18 Months Before Your Wedding.
Find and Order Your Wedding Attire
If you haven’t already started shopping for wedding attire, this is a good time to begin.
Some wedding attire can take several months to arrive, and alterations may require multiple appointments. Starting early gives you time to find what you want without feeling rushed.
Accessories and some of the smaller details can always be finalized later.
Book Your Key Vendors
This is an important time for building the team that will be part of your wedding day.
Depending on your plans, that might include:
- Photographer
- Videographer
- DJ or band
- Wedding planner or coordinator
- Florist
- Caterer
Some vendors book dates well in advance, particularly for popular Saturdays. If you find someone you want to work with and you’re comfortable moving forward, there isn’t a reason to wait just because a planning checklist says you have more time.
Plan Your Entertainment
Think about what you want the entertainment to feel like throughout the wedding.
That might include:
- A DJ or live band for the reception
- Ceremony music and audio
- Music for cocktail hour
- Live musicians for part of the day
You don’t need to choose every song yet. At this stage, the bigger decision is choosing the right entertainment for the kind of celebration you want.
When comparing DJs, bands, or musicians, look beyond a list of equipment or songs. Pay attention to how they approach weddings, communicate, work with other vendors, and handle the flow of the day.
Begin Planning Your Menu
If catering isn’t included with your venue, begin researching caterers and discussing your options.
Start thinking about:
- Buffet, plated dinner, stations, or another style of service
- Dietary needs
- Cocktail hour food
- Overall guest experience
Your catering decisions can also affect the reception timeline, so this is something that will eventually need to coordinate with your venue, planner, DJ, photographer, and other vendors.
Start Designing Your Floral and Decor Style
Begin narrowing down the overall look you want for your wedding.
You don’t need every flower or decoration selected yet. Having a general direction will make conversations with florists, rental companies, and your venue much easier.
Arrange Guest Accommodations
If you expect guests to travel for your wedding, start looking into hotel accommodations.
Depending on the number of out-of-town guests, you may want to arrange a room block or provide a few hotel recommendations near the venue.
You can share those details later through your wedding website or save-the-date information.
Create Your Wedding Registry
If you plan to have a wedding registry, this is a good time to start putting it together.
You don’t need to complete it all at once. You can continue adding or changing items as the wedding gets closer.
Explore Rentals
Talk with your venue about what is already included before renting anything separately.
Depending on the venue and your plans, you may need items such as:
- Tables and chairs
- Linens
- Tents
- Specialty furniture
- Additional lighting or decor
Knowing what the venue provides first can prevent you from planning or paying for things you don’t actually need.
Consider Wedding Insurance
Wedding insurance may be worth looking into depending on your venue, vendors, and overall investment.
Coverage and requirements vary, so review what is included and whether your venue or any of your vendors require particular coverage.
Build Your Wedding Website
A wedding website can give guests one place to find the information they need as plans develop.
You might include:
- Wedding date and location
- Travel information
- Hotel accommodations
- Schedule details
- Registry information
- RSVP information
You don’t need every detail available when the website first goes live. It can grow along with your plans.
What Comes Next
With many of the major pieces in place, the next stage starts focusing more on ceremony details, invitations, transportation, rentals, and the beginning of your wedding-day timeline.
Planning 6 to 9 Months Before Your Wedding