top of page
Bride's Book- Everything you need to plan your wedding, literally wedding planning,local wedding vendors,wedding inspiration, wedding photos, wedding, tools, favors and more
Start Planning Your Wedding
The 101s, checklists, and timelines to help you kick off the big-day preparations
 12+ MONTHS: SET YOUR BUDGETPhotography: Andrew Ingalls Discussing finances is like watching a love scene in a movie with your parents: It makes us all uncomfortable! However, this is a conversation you need to have with your future spouse, both families, and anyone else who may chip in—don’t put a deposit down on anything without a budget. If you two are paying for the wedding yourselves, allocate funds for what you can pay off in six months, and open a separate bank account; |  12+ MONTHS: DRAFT THE GUEST LISTPhotography: Patricia Lyons If deciding who’s coming (and who isn’t) threatens to either bankrupt you or start a war with your families, many planners recommend scaling back and homing in on the people who really matter. “Look at extending invitations not as a social obligation, but as being surrounded by those you love and who love you,” says Fiscus. |  12+ MONTHS: FIND AND SECURE YOUR VENPhotography: Brklyn View Photography “Draw up your guest list before booking your venue,” says contributing editor David Stark, of David Stark Design and Production in Brooklyn. “There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a locale and wanting way more guests than it can accommodate.” Every venue has its pluses and minuses, so find a spot that’s convenient, exciting, and cost-effective. |
|---|---|---|
 12+ MONTHS: PICK A COLOR PALETTEPhotography: Matthew Moore Photography What makes a wedding feel customized and look cohesive (and gorgeous)? Color, color, color. Choose two or three favorites that work in your venue and with each other, and use them from start (save-the-dates) to finish (favors). Show your vendors and attendants paint chips or fabric samples in your colors. That way, you’ll all mean the same shades when discussing pink and green etc. |  12+ MONTHS: BOOK A PLANNER, IF USINGPhotography: The Nichols He or she can help find and negotiate with the other vendors you’ll want to start hiring now as well. |  12+ MONTHS: BEGIN REGISTERINGPhotography: Jonny Valiant People will send gifts starting with the first party thrown for you, be it an engagement celebration or a shower. Set up your wish list (ideally, at two national stores and one local) to make their lives easier. |
 9+ MONTHS: ORDER YOUR DRESSPhotography: DONNA NEWMAN It can take up to nine months for a gown you’ve ordered to be made; if you select one early, you’ll avoid rush fees. Very short engagement? Don’t panic. Purchase a sample from a bridal shop, or buy off the rack from a store or resale website. |  9+ MONTHS: PUT TOGETHER YOUR WEDDINGPhotography: Matthew Moore Photography Ask people who love and support you to be attendants. You don’t need an even number of groomsmen and bridesmaids. Loved ones don’t come in matched sets; your wedding party doesn't have to, either. |  9+ MONTHS: BOOK THE CATERER, PHOTOGRPhotography: Steve Steinhardt If the venue doesn’t provide food, you’ll want to start looking into catering companies now. When hiring a photographer or videographer, ask to see an entire wedding he or she has shot, not just the highlights. Also secure the band or DJ for your big day. |
 6-9 MONTHS: ORDER STATIONERYPhotography: Matthew Moore Photography The first hint guests will have of your wedding’s style is your invitations. Make sure they represent it well. Sending something too cutesy is confusing if you’re having an elegant formal wedding, warns Clark. “If the stationery is discordant, you might accidentally prepare people to dress inappropriately.” If you are using a calligrapher, now would also be the time to book his or her services. |  6-9 MONTHS: BOOK THE FLORISTDo you want a florist who just deals in blooms, or an event designer who handles flowers, lighting, and décor? Naturally, you’ll want a bouquet and centerpieces (which should either be shorter than 14 inches or raised more than 24 to allow for conversation). But will you use flowers in other ways, such as for a cake topper or favors, or to decorate a chuppah? Either way, choose blooms that are in season. If specific flowers are a big part of your dreams |  6-9 MONTHS: HIRE THE OFFICIANTPhotography: Thayer Gowdy If you’re getting married in your church, synagogue, mosque, or temple, you likely know the clergyperson who will be performing your service. When a ceremony combines religions and cultures, a unitarian minister is a good option. A judge or justice of the peace will serve if making it legal is what counts. And if you would like to be wed by a friend or relative, he or she can become ordained online (try themonastery.org). Whate |
 4-6 MONTHS: FACTOR IN FOOD AND MUSICPhotography: Jillian Mitchell Not all receptions need to involve a five-course dinner and dancing. Yours could be brunch, a cocktail affair, or an intimate family-style gathering. The few musts: The food, the cake, and the music ought to reflect you as a couple, work with the other elements of your celebration (a string quartet doesn’t jibe with a barbecue picnic), and delight guests. Also consider how guests will be served. |  4-6 MONTHS: DEVISE A RECEPTION TIMELPhotography: Lisa O'Dwyer Copy ours below, or create your own play-by-play to keep things moving smoothly. 00 Cocktail hour starts. 1:00 The couple enter and have their first dance. 1:30 At a sit-down dinner, the first course is served. The host and best man offer toasts. 2:30 The main course is served. 3:00 The newlyweds dance with their folks; guests join in. 3:50 The cake is cut. 4:00 Cake and dessert are served. 4:45 The bouquet is tossed. 5:00 The bride and groom depart. |  4 to 6 months:BOOK RENTALSWe’re talking tents, tables, linens, you name it. When it comes to tables, you can mix both square and round shapes at your reception. The only caveat: If you’re going for rectangular tables, separate them every 50 people (25 per side), suggests Stark. Any longer and guests may have to walk around to get to the dance floor or restroom. Staffers will have to do the same to serve, delaying dinner. |
 4-6 MONTHS: DECIDE ON DRINKSWhat beverages will you serve? “If you want a signature drink passed, don’t order one for each guest,” says Savage. “It’s a waste of money. The guy who wants his vodka and soda won’t drink your pink martini.” To avoid bottlenecks at the bar, have bartenders distribute wine, champagne, or signature cocktails on trays, says Kristin Burgess, of By Emily B in New London, New Hampshire. |  2-6 MONTHS: MAIL INVITATIONSPhotography: Bryan Gardner All invites should be sent at least six weeks ahead, allowing your guests adequate time to respond and ensuring that you will get a reliable head count a week or two before the event. |  2-6 MONTHS: PLAN THE SERVICEPhotography: Max Wanger When it comes to walking down (and back up) the aisle, you can stick to the standard order. The groom waits at the altar as the wedding party enters, then the ring bearer and flower girl, then the bride escorted by her father or parents. Or, mix it up. You might ask a person of mutual importance to escort both of you, one on each arm; walk one behind the other with your respective parents; or proceed down the aisle together hand in |
 2-6 MONTHS: PERSONALIZE THE CEREMONYPhotography: Rylee Hitchner Customize your service by choosing songs and readings, or by writing your vows. Look to poetry, literature, song lyrics, and even your own love letters for inspiration. Feel free to “think outside the Canon-in-D processional, and pick songs that really speak to you,” says Kalabokes. For her own wedding, she chose “I’ve Got You Babe” for everyone to walk in to, and Queen’s “You’re My Best Friend” for the recessional. |  2-6 MONTHS: BOOK THE HAIRSTYLIST ANDSchedule hair appointments for three hours before and makeup appointments at least an hour before; you won’t be harried and attendees won’t be kept waiting. |  -USE THOSE VACATION DAYSPhotography: Q Weddings Job permitting, “Take a few days off before the wedding,” says Karen Kaforey, of Signature Events Nashville. “You need the time to wrap up details, greet traveling friends and family, go to appointments, and to breathe!” |
 START PACKINGPhotography: Jennifer Emerling Think like a Boy Scout, and be prepared. You’ll need all the following gear on the big day. You Should Bring Your dress, shoes, undergarments, and jewelry The groom’s and attendants’ gifts (if you didn’t give these tokens of appreciation the night before) Your vows, if self-penned, and the wedding bands to hand off to the best man Your MOH Should Bring Ibuprofen Bobby pins A sewing kit Earring backs Buttons Krazy glue Deodorant Baby powder Stain remover |  Day Of:TAKE CAREPhotography: Nancy Ray Photography Naturally, you’ll have butterflies in your stomach. But these tactics will keep you smiling and glowing. Hydrate: “It’s not just an important day, it’s one of the most ‘talky’ days of your life,” says Savage. Sip water regularly as your wedding day approaches, and take it easy on the alcohol. And while a massage sounds relaxing, don’t have one just before the wedding; it can be dehydrating. Eating: Breakfast has never been more vital. |  Day Of -GET TECHNICALPhotography: David Wright Weddings Weather looking dicey for your walk? Check the Dark Sky app for minute-by-minute predictions. For the best natural light, plan portraits using the Sun Seeker app. Get guests to share photos with the Wedding Party app. (All available through iTunes.) |
 DAY-OF: ENJOY IT!Your monumental day will go by so fast. Take care to stay in the moment. First, stay close to your new spouse. “Try to stick together the entire reception,” says Kaforey. “Having shared moments of your wedding is so important to set off on your life as a couple.” Also, don’t forget dad. If you have a good relationship with your father, build a memory by having a moment with him after you’re dressed, Savage suggests. “It gets forgotten in the first look with the fiancé.” |
Your Ultimate Wedding Planning Timeline " Ckick on gallery to view full discription"
bottom of page