Landmark Venues' guide to Planning Your Wedding in 6 months or less
You’ve found the love of your life and you’re obviously SO stoked about marrying them. So why put it off for a year? Let’s do this thing and commence the wedded bliss!
Don’t let the traditional wedding planning timelines deter you from pulling off the wedding of your dreams!
6 Months
Determine Your Budget
Up first is determining your total budget for the wedding and who will be contributing (as well as how much).
Book Your Venue
While most traditional wedding venues book a year—or more—in advance, you can still find a venue on a short timeline. Consider alternative dates like Thursday or Sunday.
*Contact our concierge team to check availability at any of our Landmark properties! Call 908-418-4186 | Text 831-273-4960
Secure Your Key Vendors
Wedding vendors can book up fairly quickly so now is the time to lock in your music, florists and photographers. At Landmark our handpicked vendors have been chosen for their commitment to delivering the highest quality products and services. Click HERE to view our preferred vendors list.
Choose Your Dress
While you may be able to have a custom dress made in 6 months, If you can’t quite commit to the ‘one’ right away, there are incredible ready-to-wear options available. The dress-shopping experience should be exciting and fun so grab your entourage and choose a boutique bridal shop with an expert team that will manage your fittings and timelines for you.
Book a Hotel Room Block for Guests
Now is a great time to secure a room block at nearby hotel if you have a lot of guests coming from out of town. Most hotels offer discounts for group bookings.
Schedule Your Engagement Shoot
Now that you have your photographer booked, it’s time to schedule your engagement shoot!
*Pro-Tip: use these photos for your save-the-dates and wedding website.
5 Months
Determine Your Guest List
Keeping your budget in mind, it’s time to determine your guest list. Create the full list of everyone you and your partner have ever wanted to include up to the maximum number. Next, go back through that list and mark people as an A or a B. Your A’s are the ones you must have by your side and your B’s are still people you really want to attend but not necessarily must-have guests. The A group gets the first round of invitations early and any regrets are taken by members of the B group.
Ask Your BFFs to be in the Wedding Party
Don’t wait to have that special moment between you and the people nearest and dearest you want standing next to you at the altar.
Create Your Wedding Website
Your ‘north star’ for all things wedding related and a reliable resource for your guests so ensuring you have your engagement photos back in time to add to your site will add the perfect curated feel. Remember to have your wedding website live and ready to include on your Save-the-Dates, up next!
Send Your Save the Dates
Save the Dates should go out as soon as you have your venue secured. There are more resources than ever for custom save-the-dates in a short turn-around time so take advantage of sites like Zola and Minted.
*Pro Tip: Start working on the design of your invitations so you have them ordered and delivered in plenty of time.
Secure Your Rehearsal Dinner Location
Who doesn’t love a versatile venue? Most of our Landmark Venues have restaurants on site.
*Check out all of our restaurants HERE
4 Months
Finalize Your Vendor Dream Team
Time to secure hair and makeup, rental companies, and transportation among others.
Get Your Wedding Rings
Most wedding rings and bands are made-to-order and could take up to 90 days for yours to be made and delivered so don’t wait longer than 4 months out.
3 Months
Menu Tasting
Our team will work with you to schedule your tasting and we pull out all the stops! Our Event Stylists will host you and your guests and take you through wine pairings while Chef carefully prepares special selections to savor and ensure your menu is as perfectly executed as the rest of your big day!
Plan Your Honeymoon
The planning isn’t just for your wedding, don’t forget about that well-deserved honeymoon you’ll want to be solidified ahead of time. Check out Landmark Destinations for all your travel needs!
Send the Invitations
Time to sign, seal and deliver! Plan to send these out 10 weeks before your wedding.
2 Months
Party Time
Let the celebrations begin! In the final 2 months before the wedding, your shower and respective Bachelor / Bachelorette parties should be happening, further out for destination gatherings. Traditionally, these events are planned and carried out by close friends and family so little planning stress on your end with a lot of laughs and great memories.
Order Your Marriage License
Visit your county clerk’s office to get your marriage license. Ensure this is done ahead of time so when you say “I do” you can feel comforted knowing you’re officially wed!
Do a Hair & Makeup Trial
You’d be surprised to know how many people think they know exactly what they want for their wedding look but end up changing their minds once they see it on themselves. Schedule a hair and makeup trial to see both together and work with your glam squad to evolve the look until it’s perfectly you!
1 Month
Prepare for the Honeymoon
If you’re leaving right away for the honeymoon, take some time ahead of the wedding to pack your bags and ensure you have everything you’ll want (including those trusty passports!).
Confirm All the Details
Work with your event stylist to go over the final seating arrangements and timeline to ensure there are no surprises and everything is planned according to your vision. Any final payments and tips for the day of should be taken care of and allocated so you don’t have to worry about any financials on the big day.
Enjoy the Moment
You did it! And in 6 months no less! All the planning turns into one epic celebration so don’t forget to soak it all in and participate in all of it, every moment!
READY TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP?
