Hello!
Wedding planning can be a daunting task, but fret not! Here's a guide to help ease your mind when scheduling your wedding vendors. This plan is based off a 12+ month timeframe.
12+ Months in Advance
1) Planner - If you aren't keen on having someone else plan your wedding, you can skip step 1. However, a planner can help take quite a bit stress off of you when it comes to planning the most beautiful day.
2) Venue - This step needs completed before everything else, except a planner, since a planner could help you find a wonderful location. Finding a venue will allow you to lock in a date for your special day. Without a date set, it's hard to book other vendors based on their availability.
3) ME! (Photographer) - These days photographers are hot commodities for wedding days because we are capturing the memories of their special day. The images we take last longer than a lifetime and are sometimes the only thing people have to remember their day. My wedding availability can sometimes book up a year and half in advance! Not to mention the time it takes to search for the right photographer. So, if you have your eye on a specific photographer, start reaching out as soon as possible.
4) Videographer - The above is the same for videographers!
HISTORIC WHITE OAK FARM | MORROW, OHIO
10-12 Months in Advance
1) Caterer - Food is important, you don't want a bunch of disappointed hungry guests. You'll want to leave enough time to be able to do a taste test and go over different menu options.
2) Florist - Once you have decided the type of flowers and color theme you want to go with for your big day, go ahead and get this booked.
PETALS ALL AROUND | WOOD FLOWERS
6-9 Months in Advance
1) Cake - Once you've decided the kind of cake you will be serving, one large cake, cupcakes, donuts, etc, decide on your preferred baker. Booking your cake 6-9 months in advance leaves enough time to do a taste testing before the big day. Be sure to ask questions like:
- are you available for cutting?
- do you have day-of delivery?
- how much cake do they recommend for the amount of people you are serving?
2) Hair + Makeup - If you have certain make-up artist in mind, reach out to them sooner rather than later. Make sure to schedule a trial run on hair + make up too. This will help ensure your hair + makeup artist(s) are actually knowledgeable in their craft.
3) DJ - Who's going to be playing the jams after your ceremony? You're also going to want plenty of time to come up with a list of songs that you definitely want to hear as well as songs that you absolutely don't want played.
4) Officiant - Who do you want to marry you? Are your super religious? Are you not religious at all? Do you care if they are supportive of the LGBTQ+ community?
BOAT SEND OFF | BRIDE & GROOM
