What Should I Be Doing ~ 6-9 Month Edition

What Should I Be Doing ~ 6-9 Month Edition
June 26, 2025
June 18, 2025
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Mankin Mansion
Real Weddings
Richmond Weddings
Wedding Decor
Wedding Details
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You have made it past the one-year mark and hopefully have your venue booked, core vendors secured and your wedding vision starting to take shape. Now that you are 6–9 months out, it is time to focus on the next phase of planning — filling in the gaps, finalizing logistics and taking care of often-overlooked details that will make your wedding day smooth, personal and unforgettable.

Let’s dive in!

✅ Lock in Your Remaining Vendors

By now, your major vendors—venue, catering, photo/video, music, planning, beauty and florals—should be booked or well underway.

Now is the time to finalize your second-tier vendors, including:

  • Bakery or dessert provider
  • Photo booth or audio guest book
  • Backdrop artist, signage designer or décor rental
  • Live musicians (ceremony or cocktail hour)
  • Transportation vendors (shuttles, vintage cars, trolleys, etc.)
  • Fun food vendors (think pizza truck, ice cream cart, espresso cart, etc.)

If you have not already, secure your room blocks for out-of-town guests. Hotels can fill quickly during busy seasons, so earlier is always better.

💌 Finalize Your Guest List & Send Save the Dates

You do not need your RSVPs just yet, but you do need a final headcount to move forward with stationery and catering estimates.

Once your list is ready, collect mailing or email addresses and send your Save the Dates — this gives guests plenty of time to make travel plans.

Pro tip: Include your wedding website so guests can access your hotel block info, dress code, transportation, registry, and more.

💻 Build or Update Your Wedding Website

If your website has not been built yet, now is the time. If it is live already, it is time to add detail.

Check out our blog on how to Build the Perfect Wedding Website. Below are the highlights!

Your website should include:

  • Weekend schedule and ceremony start time
  • Transportation and parking instructions
  • Registry links
  • Dress code or FAQ section
  • Hotel block booking info
  • A wedding email address or designated point-of-contact for questions

This helps cut down on day-to-day texts and lets guests stay in the loop without overwhelming your inbox!

✈️ Plan & Book Your Honeymoon

If you have not booked your honeymoon yet, do it now! Popular destinations fill up fast and this gives you time to:

  • Book flights, accommodations and excursions
  • Check your passport expiration dates and apply for visas if needed
  • Schedule any required vaccinations
  • Start budgeting for travel extras like meals, transportation or fun activities

🍽️ Reserve Your Rehearsal Dinner (or Welcome Party!)

Rehearsal dinner spots—especially for large parties—can book up fast. Aim to book your location by the 6–7 month mark.

Thinking outside the box? A welcome party is a great alternative (or addition) that allows you to spend time with out-of-town guests in a relaxed, social setting before the big day. Some rehearsal dinner locations can even open up the room or flip the space quickly to accommodate a rehearsal dinner for a small group and then a welcome party for a larger group. It never hurts to ask!

💬 Consider Premarital Counseling

Whether it is through your officiant, a spiritual advisor or a counseling center, premarital sessions are a valuable way to:

  • Strengthen communication
  • Talk through big life decisions
  • Build an even stronger foundation

Bonus: If your officiant is guiding the sessions, it helps them get to know you better and personalize your ceremony!

👗 Finalize Wedding Party Attire

At this stage, you should choose and communicate attire selections for your wedding party. Whether you are doing:

  • Same color/same style
  • Same color/different style
  • Mixed palette with unifying elements

…make sure everyone knows where to order from and when to have items altered.

Some of our go-to favorites:


👗 Bridesmaids: Azazie, Birdy Grey, Revelry, Lulu’s, Show Me Your Mumu
👔 Groomsmen: Generation Tux, The Black Tux, Indochino, Jos. A. Bank

🛍️ Start Ordering Personal Items

To avoid last-minute stress, start ordering:

  • Hair accessories, shoes, undergarments (for dress fittings)
  • Jewelry and finishing details
  • Décor elements like guest books, card boxes and bar menus (For MM couples ~ check with your MM planner on décor items that are available through the venue!)
  • DIY items or personalized gifts

Also, create a list of who is bringing, setting up or taking these items home after the wedding.

🧠 Commonly Overlooked Details to Tackle Now

Even the most organized couples forget a few things — here is what to keep on your radar:

🚌 Guest Experience
  • Confirm and communicate transportation or parking logistics
  • Plan for accessibility needs—wheelchair access, reserved seating, etc.
  • Finalize your rain plan (and make sure your vendors know it!)
📋 Timeline & Day-Of Roles
  • Create a day-of timeline (prep, photos, ceremony, dinner, dancing, etc.)
  • Assign point people for vendor tips, emergencies, gift/card collection, etc.
  • Build in buffer time for travel, rest and private moments for you two
📄 Legal & Admin
  • Double-check your marriage license requirements and timeline *In Virginia, marriage licenses are only valid for 60 days, so it is important to plan a date close to the wedding to visit your circuit court together!
  • Review all vendor contracts for deadlines, tipping expectations and meal requirements
  • Consider wedding insurance if your venue requires it (or for peace of mind)
🏁 Post-Wedding Logistics
  • Who is taking home your gifts, cards and cake?
  • Do you want to preserve your gown or tux?
  • When will you return any rentals?
  • Plan time for writing thank-you notes and vendor reviews

❤️ Finally… Make Time for Yourselves

Take breaks. Go on dates. Watch a show. Step away from Pinterest. It is easy to get caught up in planning — but this time should be filled with joy, not just checklists!

And remember: your planning team here at the Mansion is always happy to help. Whether you need advice, support or just someone to bounce ideas off of — we are here for you.

Thank You Vendors!

Venue and Coordination:
Dessert:
Band:
DJ:
Photo Booth:
Caterer:
Hair & Makeup
Photographer:
Rentals
Videographer:
Transportation
Florist:
Decor:
Cake:
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