Image from Martha Stewart Weddings
Anna’s Question: I’m still 12 months from my wedding, but I’m so excited that I want to start planning it. What should I focus on right now, since I still have a lot of time?
April’s Answer: First, congratulations on your engagement Anna. I understand being a long way from your wedding and still wanting to plan – I got engaged 3 years before my actual wedding date! But before you know it, these 12 months will have flown by. There are definitely some things you can start doing 12 months before your wedding date. Here are some things to start out with:
1. Go to your local florist and look at the flowers that are available during the time of year that you’re having your wedding. Make a list of the ones that you like and want to consider for your wedding. Using local flowers that are in season will save money and help the environment!
2. Start subscribing to your favorite wedding blogs, looking around on popular wedding websites such as the knot, Brides, and Martha Stewart Weddings, and make a folder on your computer to save all the ideas that you fall in love with.
3. Make a file of the wedding dresses that you like, so when you head out to the salon you’ll have some pictures to show your consultant.
4. If you’re going to hire a full-service wedding planner, you can start the interview process now. I would interview 3 that fit into your budget and pick the one that fits your personality the best. Here is an article that will help you even more: A Guide to Hiring a Wedding Planner.
5. Arrange for your families to meet – if they haven’t already.
6. Sit down with your fiancé and begin to discuss the budget. Figure out who is contributing and how much they are contributing. Discuss your “dream wedding” with each other, and determine your top priorities. If you have dreamed about wearing a Jim Hjelm dress for the past 5 years and your fiancé has always wanted a live a band at his wedding, then these should become your top priorities. Determine what is realistic and start to sketch out a rough budget for different areas of the wedding. Read this article for more information on setting a budget: Common Wedding Budget Questions Answered.
Good luck and I hope to hear more from you in the future!
2 Comments, Comment or Ping
I would also say, if you have any DIY projects you know you are going to do and you know exactly what you want to do, do them NOW. For example I wanted to make little clutches for my bridesmaids, had the pattern and the fabric, so I made them ASAP . . . I would have hated trying to do those last minute when I had too many of the other “little things” catching up with me. Get anything done early that you can!
September 2nd, 2009
Thanks for adding this tip! Definitely get started on DIY projects ASAP.
September 2nd, 2009
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