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Planning a wedding in six months is a quite an endeavor but it can be done if you use your time wisely.  It will seem daunting and overwhelming but if you stick to the timeline and cut the things that you really don't care about, you will be fine. A coordinator/day of planner is going to be your best investment.  The best way to do this is to keep it small.  Bridal party should have 1 or 2 on each side.   

We have some great previous episodes to binge on that will be very helpful: 

Information That You Need Before You Meet with Your Vendors – Episode #75     Wedding Day Delegating – Episode #136  

Wedding Planning Roundtable Discussion – Episode 100 (with vendors) 

As soon as you get engaged

• Announce engagement 
• Pick a few dates 
• Secure a planner/coordinator 
• Approximate guest list (for the venue options) and bridal party 
• Colors and/or theme, be aware seasons availability of flowers 
• Venue, choose a few and make sure they are available on your chosen days 
• Fridays and Sundays often have discounts or are a bit cheaper 
• Visit them 
• Decide on one and set the date 
• Set wedding budget- in doing your budget please do some research on what is appropriate for each vendor 
• Research vendors IE. photographers, bands, florist, caterers… 
• Ask friends who have recently been through a wedding 
• Ask friends who are in the wedding biz 
• Find a group of wedding planning peeps in your area (on FB) and ask for referrals 
• Announce and as soon as you have a venue secure 

6 - 5 months – squeezing in a few things that might should have a couple more months to do. You may have to compromise on your favorite vendors. 

• Photographer and videographers and band/DJ, musicians for ceremony need to be hired/booked 
• Caterers meet with and booked, bartenders also 
• Dress search, designers, bridal shops, resales 
• Hotel rooms for guests 
• Register!!! Have fun with this but from experience register for all areas, not just kitchen and bath. 
• Launch wedding websites 
• Give as many details as you can 
• Schedule hair and makeup artist 
• Set guest list and gather addresses 
• Send save the dates

5-4 months – much like an extended timeline, not many changes 

• Purchase invites 
• Start planning the honeymoon, if going immediately after the wedding 
• Bridesmaids dresses, order everything needed (accessories, shoes) 
• Officiant – check to see if they require pre-marital counseling or coaching 
• Reserve lighting designer including pipe and drapes 
• Book a florist and décor 
• Transportation, limos, buses, antique cars… 
• Start a day of timeline  
• Rehearsal dinner venue 
• Verify wedding invitations 
• Order your cake(s) 
• If you are having a shower, send guest list for the shower to the host/maid of honor who is traditionally the host. 
• Wedding shoes and dress fittings 
• Choose music: first dance, father-daughter, processional and recessional 

3 –2 months 

• Finalize menu and floral 
• Order favor if having, s'mores packages, candy bags… 
• Make a list of toasters 
• Finalize readings 
• Purchase bridal lingerie 
• Schedule second fitting with your lingerie 
• Finalize the timeline for ceremony and the reception 
• Finalize catering, create menus as well as programs (your invitation designer may also offer these) 
• Purchase wedding rings if need 
• Send event schedule to your vendors 
• Set final meetings with vendors 
• Playlist to band/DJ 
• Send out invitations 
• If needed send out newspaper wedding announcement 
• Plan bachelorette party with maid of honor 
• Update RSVP lists
• Marriage license 
• Contact rehearsal dinner guest for final count 
• Final dress fitting 
• Get final count to bartenders and caterers and venue 
• Final payment to vendors 
• Confirm all vendors, time of delivery… 

One Month before 

Episode #66 

• Book spa treatment, nails, facial, waxing 
• Break in shoes 
• Seating charts, if you are doing them 
• Bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts, and bride/groom gift 
• Write vows 
• Get your hair done, cut and color

Week of wedding 

• Delegate, pick up guest from airport, someone in charge of gifts, rental returns, handing out tips, point of contact person for each vendor 
• Pick up dress 
• Pack for honeymoon 

Day of timeline and emergency kit – Episode #6 

We know that this is a lot of info to take in if it helps print this out and use it as a checklist! You can do this even if you do decide to forgo the planner. You have friends and family that are probably eager to help so gather your people and give them some work to do.   

 MANLY BANDS

ZOLA

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-Until next time, No Stress No Worries Keep Calm and Listen On-