The whole “first comes love, then comes marriage” statement is missing quite a few steps if you want to host a wedding to celebrate that marriage! Choosing your wedding venue and selecting vendors doesn’t happen all in a day! (The average couple hires 15 wedding vendors!) There is no exact timing to planning a wedding, however, we have guidelines here based on the average engagement length of 15 months to help decide when to book wedding vendors in Cedar Rapids, IA.
When to Book Wedding Photographer & Videographer
What’s a once-in-a-lifetime event without being able to look back on it and share it for future generations?! While some couples forgo a traditional wedding cake or wear something blue, we don’t suggest skipping out on hiring stellar cinematographers for your big day. You definitely don’t want to leave this to-do unchecked for too long, as many other couples are reserving wedding photographers and videographers early on as well. For that reason, you want to make sure you book your photographer and videographer at least a year in advance.
When to Book Wedding DJ
Since every reception needs one, don’t sleep on reserving this key ingredient to getting the party started! Book your wedding DJ at least nine to ten months out from your wedding day. Same as photographers and videographers, DJs are also one of the most highly sought-after wedding services. They bring your party to life! DJs don’t just play music, but will also be the host of your night to take the stress away from you.
When to Pick Colors or Theme
Picking out your wedding theme and colors has to be one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. If you manage to not even think about it as soon as that ring is slipped on your finger, we recommend finalizing the color scheme by ten to twelve months out from your wedding date. This is because your wedding colors play a role in a lot of different aspects that go along with your wedding. From bridesmaids’ dresses, decorations, stationery, florals, etc. Your color scheme and theme will determine a lot of these choices.
When To Order & Send Invites
When choosing to send your invitations and save the dates, the most important thing to keep in mind is where your guests live. If your guests live in the same country, two to three months out is a safe bet for sending invites. Save the dates are best to send six months out for these guests as well.
Now, it’s much different if your guests live internationally. You want to send save the dates to international guests as soon as you know your wedding date. Yes, that means a year or more out. This ensures that you give your guests plenty of time to save up money and look for plane tickets.
That goes along with invitations. If you have international guests, your timeline speeds up and you’ll also want to send those six months out. This gives plenty of time for them to receive the invite in the mail and for you to receive their RSVP back to you if you’re not doing online RSVPs.
When to Reserve Catering
If your venue has one required catering option, you can rest a bit knowing that the caterer already has your date saved when you reserve your reception space. You do still need to pick out your menu, but this can happen in the final three to four weeks before the event.
If you have multiple options for catering, you’ll want to finalize your choice six to eight months before your wedding day. Typically caterers have multiple menu options (some dozens!), so you still have plenty of time to select the actual meal you’re providing for guests.
When To Buy Men’s Attire
Looking for suits or tuxes takes a little less time than a wedding dress. Lucky for grooms, they will be safe in getting their suit four to six months out from the wedding date. This gives them time to have the suits ordered and tailored. Even if both the groom and groomsmen plan on renting the suits or tuxedos, we’d still suggest checking this off at least four months before.
Florist Booking for Your Special Day
For a beautifully decorated venue, start collaborating with a florist about 6 to 8 months before your wedding. This period is crucial for picking out the perfect flowers that fit your theme and are seasonally available.
Scheduling Beauty Experts
Your wedding look is pivotal, so secure your hair and makeup artists around six months prior. This lead time allows for several trials to finalize a look that makes you feel radiant. Keep in mind the number of people requiring these services, as it affects the day’s timeline.
Wedding Attire Timeline
For brides, the search for the dream dress should commence 9 to 12 months before the wedding. This gives enough time for selecting, fitting, and altering the dress. Grooms should start their suit or tuxedo process 6 months ahead, allowing time for custom fitting and coordinating with the groomsmen.
Arranging Transportation
Don’t overlook the importance of timely booking your wedding day transportation. Whether it’s a classic limousine or bus for guests, arrange these about 5 to 6 months in advance, particularly during busy wedding seasons or for unique vehicle requests.
Setting the Wedding Day Itinerary
About three to four months before your wedding, finalize your day’s itinerary. This detailed timeline should include all events from the ceremony to the reception and should be communicated to all your vendors for a seamless day.
These steps are integral to a well-planned wedding, ensuring that each element of your special day is thoughtfully prepared. Embrace the planning process, and look forward to the beautiful culmination of your efforts on your wedding day.
Complete Weddings + Events Cedar Rapids | Photographers | Videographers | Photo Booth Rental | DJs | Coordination
Complete Weddings + Events offers multiple services to make it easy to reserve your wedding date for the vendors you still need! Contact Complete for availability on needs for your wedding day! We offer photography, videography, coordination, photo booth rental, and DJ services in Cedar Rapids, IA, and surrounding areas.