What should you do 12 months before your Wedding?
- Linda Prock
- Sep 5, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 25
Getting engaged is magical. If you are newly engaged...... Congratulations! This blog will focus on what you should do 12 months before your wedding to stay organized , stress-light and still enjoy the process. Before you start signing contracts and organizing your pinterest board or starting spreadsheets just PAUSE. Celebrate your engagement.! Take engagement photos, have a small dinner with loved ones. or simply soak in the moment.
Planning your wedding is most likely something you have not done before. So, now that you are engaged and ready to start planning your big day on the Western Slope, Don't sweat it. We at , Antler Ridge Weddings , a rustic, elegant barn wedding venue with over 10 years of experience want to share a timeline to help with your planning. We want to make sure it is a seamless and a stress free task that will be fun and exciting.
Now, it is time to set your wedding vision. Before, you book anything, get clarity on
Overall vibe:romantic, modern, ruistic,elegant. or micro wedding
Guest count : Have a rough estimate
Season + perferred date
Indoor vs. Outdoor
12 Months Before: Set A Budget, Choose A Venue, Start Guest List
It's never too early to start thinking about your wedding. In fact, the sooner you start planning, the better. Here is a timeline of some of the important things you need to do when you are around the 12 month marker.
Set a budget: This is one of the most important things you need to do when planning your wedding. Figure out how much money you have to work with and start allocating funds for different aspects of the wedding. This will help you make clear decisions moving forward knowing what will work and what won't.
Book Your Wedding Venue
Your venue dictates your vibe, date and often your guest count-so this is a big one!
Choose a venue: Once you know your budget you can start looking at potential venues for the ceremony and reception. Keep in mind that the time of year and location will affect the cost of renting a venue. If you fall in love with a venue, but it doesnt work in your budget consider a mid week wedding or a Sunday wedding. Getting your tour and venue booked is one of the first things you should do. . Antler Ridge Weddings, offers private venue tours on Sundays to make sure you get all your questions answered and so we can fully understand your vision. Antler Ridge Weddings offers several packages to choose from . Our packages include full service using an event planner to DIY packages. And , if you are considering a micro wedding, intimate wedding or an elopement package just let us know. Antler Ridge typically books a year out, so the sooner you begin this process the better. Especially if you have a preferred date.
9-11 Months Before: Book Vendors, Send Save The Date
Usually, as you reach this stage, it's advisable to consider securing your vendors. Caterers, photographers, and DJs tend to get booked up in advance. Securing them early ensures you can reserve your preferred vendors for your desired date.
Your wedding day is one of the most exciting and important days of you life. So of course, you will want everything to be the way you have envisioned it. Choosing the right vendors will help make your dream day become a reality. Venues work very closely with the top vendors in the area , that provide high quality service and knows everything about their venue. Be sure to ask if the venue has a preferred vendors list. When you book with Antler Ridge Weddings ,we provide you with our preferred vendors list.
Why is that important? When you not only work with quality vendors but ones that know the venue it means everything will run smoothly. Working with a vendor that has never been to the venue can create hiccups in the flow.
Saving the date is also an important part of any wedding timeline. They give your guests a heads up about when your big day is and ensures that everyone can block off that date in their calendar. First, consider your family or friends that may be traveling from further distances or need to request time off. Antler Ridge Weddings is conveniently located near a regional airport in Montrose Colorado. So, your out of town guest should be able to fly into the western slope with ease. It is important to have several dates in mind. Sending out your wedding invitations can be exciting and a time when your wedding is starting to become real! There are so many creative ways wedding couple are sending out their save the date invitations.
6-8 Months Before: Finalize Menu, Choose Bridal Party
As the wedding day approaches, the excitement increases, and along with that come some important details to finalize. One of the most important decisions is choosing the menu. This should be done 6-8 months before the big day.
First, decide what type of food you want to serve. Will it be a formal sit-down meal , buffet style , or maybe a food truck At Antler Ridge ,we can accommodate all of those options. Once you have an idea of the type of food you want, start looking at different caterers or restaurants. We at Antler Ridge, can make the process completely stress free for you . Our preferred vendors list won't disappoint. They provide excellent food options that will leave your guests raving about it.
Along with the catering, another important detail to finalize 6-8 months before the wedding is choosing the bridal party. This can be a difficult decision, one that can be filled with emotion. But, the most important thing to remember is this is your wedding . However big or small your wedding party is it is up to you. This is ultimately your decision and it is your day!
3-5 Months Before: Send Out Invitations, Start The Dress Fittings
When it comes to planning your wedding, there are a lot of things that need to be done in order to make sure everything goes smoothly. Now that we are getting down to the home stretch, 3-5 months before the big day, you should be sending out invitations and starting the dress fittings.
If you wait too long, it can affect getting an accurate count of who is attending. That can affect your caterer especially if you are doing a plated meal. You should consider sending out reminders to get their RSVP's . At this time, you should go for your dress fitting. Remember to factor in enough time to make any alterations that might be needed.
So, if your wanting everything to go as smoothly as possible, it’s important that you take care of these two things 3-5 months before your wedding day. Trust us, it’ll be one less thing for you to worry about and help minimize those unexpected surprises.
1 Month Before: Finalize Remaining Details, Wedding Rehearsal
At this time, the anticipation and excitement is really building! Before we go into full celebration mode you need to make sure everything is good to go. That includes the wedding rehearsal. Here is a checklist you can use to make sure the rehearsal covers everything it is supposed to.
Confirm the date and time of the rehearsal with all participants.
2. Choose who will lead the rehearsal (usually the officiant or coordinator).
3. Send out a reminder to everyone about what to bring to the rehearsal (guests' list, marriage license, etc.).
4.Plan for a run-through of the ceremony, including any readings or special songs.
5.Rehearse the processional and recessional.
6.Work out any kinks in the plan so that everything runs smoothly on the big day.
7. Make sure everyone knows where they should be and when they need to be there on the day of the wedding.
Check in with your vendors to make sure everything is good on there end. Be sure to communicate who will be providing the catering tables, linens, and if it is outside who will be responsible for the caterers tent. A simple email can avoid a lot of stress on the day of the wedding.
When booking your wedding at Anter Ridge Weddings ,you have the options to have your rehearsal dinner here as well. Our outdoor rustic Gazebo is perfect for this occasion. Having your wedding and wedding reception all in one place makes for a relaxing wedding weekend!
1 Week Before: Pack For Honeymoon, Enjoy The Day!
At this point everything major should be done. So, the week leading up to your wedding will be a whirlwind from packing for the wedding, packing for the honeymoon, and welcoming any family or friends that traveled in for your special day.
The next chapter in your life is ready to begin. This week is time to take some time for each other before the wedding . Weddings are a lot of fun and filled with a lot of excitement! It is a time to stay focused and it is certainly a time for celebrating your love and union.
Wedding Planning Timeline
Following a 12 month wedding timeline will ensure that your big day is everything you’ve ever dreamed of. By planning early and delegating tasks, you can avoid becoming overwhelmed as the date approaches. Most importantly, remember to enjoy the engagement period and savor every moment leading up to your wedding day.
If you are interested in a Western Slope barn wedding venue that has 10 years of expertise to share with you Antler Ridge Weddings is ready to help. Our Colorado Western slope venue has a elegant rustic barn
with amazing mountain views and sunsets. We offer 2 day wedding packages that take all the stress out of your wedding day . You can create and design our wedding or we can offer a full package that includes a day of event planner. We are known for our flexibility and the ability to make your vision come true.
Antler Ridge Weddings is a locally owned Wedding Venue located 1 hour from Grand Junction and serves brides all over the Western Slope. We hope you have enjoyed reading this blog and have gotten some information to help you plan your special day. We would love to meet you and hear about your wedding vision. Schedule a tour today.
A shout out to the following Independently owned and operated wedding venues around the country that continue to inspire on a daily basis:
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