The big decisions are done. Now what? The date is set, the venue is booked, and you’ve got your budget sorted. You probably have a pretty good idea of how you want your wedding day to look and feel too.

So, what’s next?

Now come all the little things. Gown fittings, your pre wedding shoot, the wedding programme, getting your bridal party together, and all the details in between. 

This is when the wedding starts to come together and, suddenly, it all feels a lot more real.

If you’ve read our guide to The First Three Months of Wedding Planning, this is where we pick up.

Let’s take things one step at a time.

Month 4 (9 Months Out)

At nine months out, you’re moving beyond the big picture and starting to get into the fun details. Your wedding is still some time away, but this is when you’ll start seeing your ideas come together and feel more real.

Here are some things to work on:

• Gown fittings

• Pre-wedding shoot

• Discussion on wedding programme ideas

• Design and send your wedding Save the Date

A little tip from us

Your Save the Date doesn’t need to have everything figured out yet.

Keep it simple and give your guests the important details they need.

From brides who’ve been there

“Don’t be afraid to speak up during your gown fitting.”

It’s easy to feel like you should just go along with what’s recommended, especially when there are so many opinions around you. 

But if something doesn’t feel quite right, say it. Whether it’s the neckline, the fit or simply how you feel when you look in the mirror, your gown should still feel like you.

Month 5 (8 Months Out)

Now it’s time to think about the people who will be part of your wedding day.

Your bridal party will probably be the first group that comes to mind, but there may also be family members and friends who will have a role during your celebrations.

Here are some things to work on:

• Finalise your wedding crew list

  • Bridal party

  • Family members

• Review your stylist’s moodboard for the dinner and after-party, if applicable

• Review the stylist’s preliminary quotation

• Start thinking about wedding favour ideas and design

• Make sure all your vendors are booked and secured

A little planner insight

This is also a good point to make sure you have one clear list of your vendors.

Keep their contact details, quotations and payment information somewhere easy to find. It may not seem necessary now, but once you have more vendors and more details to keep track of, having everything in one place will make things much easier.

Month 6 (7 Months Out)

Your wedding might start to feel a little less like an idea and more like the real day you’ve been imagining, as the ideas you’ve talked about begin to come together.

Here are some things to work on:

• Finalise your wedding programme ideas

• Review your stylist’s decoration proposal

• Discuss your wedding layout

• Book your wedding officiant

The layout is a good opportunity to think about how you want the day to flow. Beyond how you’d like the space to look, think about your guests’ experience too. Where will they gowhen they arrive? How will they move around the space? Where will the ceremony, dinner and other parts of the celebration happen?

The same goes for your programme. Start with the moments that are most important to you, then build the rest of the day around them.

 

From brides who’ve been there

“Don’t pack your programme too tightly.”

It’s easy to look at your programme and think of more things you’d like to add. Just remember to leave some time to eat, take photos and enjoy the day with your guests.

A little extra time can make the day feel much more relaxed.

A Little Note From Us

There’s a lot that goes into planning a wedding, and it can feel like a lot at times. But you don’t have to figure everything out at once.

Start with the big decisions, give yourselves time, and take it one step at a time. 

When all the little details start to feel overwhelming, come back to one simple question: What matters most to us? Let that guide you along the way.

And if you need a little help along the way, that’s what we’re here for.

With Love,

Vows At Dawn