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!
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:
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.
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.
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:
This helps cut down on day-to-day texts and lets guests stay in the loop without overwhelming your inbox!
If you have not booked your honeymoon yet, do it now! Popular destinations fill up fast and this gives you time to:
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!
Whether it is through your officiant, a spiritual advisor or a counseling center, premarital sessions are a valuable way to:
Bonus: If your officiant is guiding the sessions, it helps them get to know you better and personalize your ceremony!
At this stage, you should choose and communicate attire selections for your wedding party. Whether you are doing:
…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
To avoid last-minute stress, start ordering:
Also, create a list of who is bringing, setting up or taking these items home after the wedding.
Even the most organized couples forget a few things — here is what to keep on your radar:
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.