12+ MONTHS

Determine where your wedding will take place - do your research and tour the venues you love. Find out their availability and if it works with your ideal wedding timeline and important guests schedule, book it. Once you book your venue and date, you have some breathing time. This will provide you some time to think about your next decisions. Next, we encourage you to think about if you want to hire a full-service wedding planner, a day-of coordinator or something in the middle.

8 - 10 MONTHS

You have your planner and venue booked, now time to decide on your photographer and videographer. These are two key vendors for your day. They will spend the majority of the time with you capturing candids, portraits and more for you to reminisce on in the years to come.

Next comes your entertainment - do you want a band or a DJ? During this timeframe, we also encourage you to create your guest list. Having these numbers will help you when you begin conversations with the caterers you're considering.



This is also a great time to reserve room blocks for your out of town guests.

6 - 8 MONTHS

The countdown continues! You have some of your major vendors booked, now let's start talking design. Florals, rentals, layout, and colors! The fun begins! Also, sit down and talk with your fiance to think further about suit/tux colors and bridesmaids' dresses. Once you have an idea, you and your best gals can go hit the town and shop away!

It's also a great time to design your save the dates and invitations! Sending these out right around the six-month mark gives your guests the perfect amount of time to plan ahead.
 

4 - 6 MONTHS

Honeymoon talk! Pause the planning process and think paradise! Do you want to explore the world or relax knee-deep in the water somewhere?!? Booking this makes it feel so real, you're big day is just a few months away!!

This timeframe should also be used to finalize any of your smaller details. For example, do you want special favors? Begin to think about cake or desserts, wedding bands...And the most important detail yet, hair and makeup.

3 MONTHS

So close, yet still so far from your big day! At this point, you should have all of your vendors booked who are aware of all of your hopes and dreams for your wedding day. Your planner may be stepping in to begin to organize your day from start to finish, along with making sure your rehearsal dinner is set in stone. Your bridal shower is right around the corner and your closest friends and family are ready to shower you two! Fellas, you should have your attire ordered around this time as well.

2 MONTHS

It is about to get real! You're sending out your invitations and awaiting for your rsvp's to come back. This is a great time to begin organizing your seating chart too (if you're having one).



We also always encourage brides to do a trial run for their hair and makeup before the big day. This way you are ensured it will look exactly how you're envisioning on your day!

1 MONTH

At the one month mark, you want to finalize all the details with your coordinator. At Merrimon-Wynne we love to host a final walkthrough on site to help envision the space and make sure all vendors are on the same page for your wedding day. You're probably waiting for a few more rsvp's and giving your final numbers to your vendors who need it. This is also when most final payments are due so make sure you've checked in with your vendor team and are up to date on your payment schedule.

Give your self a few weeks to begin thinking about specific photography shots you would like on the day of. Your photographer may have a few questions for you around this time to ensure they capture everything!

Your DJ or band may be asking for any songs and playlists you'd like, so this is a good time to begin that thought process too.

1 WEEK

This is your time to relax and take it all in! The planning process should be complete for the most part and you should be enjoying the week surrounded by friends, family, and especially your fiance (the last few moments of calling them that)!

HERE COME THE WEDDING BELLS!