Wedding planning can be one of the most exciting yet stressful times of your life. You’re excited to marry your favorite person, but if you have never planned a wedding before when to book can get overwhelming pretty quickly. Where do you start? With decades of experience in the wedding industry, Complete Weddings + Events Grand Forks has created a wedding planning timeline to help you know when to start booking certain vendors.
When to Book Wedding DJs in Grand Forks
As a company that initially started with just the DJ service, we recommend booking your wedding DJ at least nine to ten months out from your wedding day. DJs can make or break your wedding reception, so selecting professionals can be highly sought-after. Beyond playing music, DJs host the evening festivities to take the stress away from you, ensuring you can enjoy the party!
When to Book a Grand Forks Wedding Photographer & Videographer
One of the first services you want to book is your wedding photographer, then your videographer. They tend to be some of the most sought out services when it comes to weddings. For that reason, you want to make sure you book them at least a year in advance.
Odds are, if you have a specific photographer in mind and you’re two months from your wedding date, they are most likely booked. Do yourself a favor and book them well in advance so it’s one less thing to check off your to-do list.
When to Schedule Engagement Photo Shoot
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but booking your engagement photoshoot as soon as you’re engaged is a great idea! Well, maybe not right away. Enjoy at least a week or two of being in that newly engaged feeling before you begin wedding planning. The engagement photo shoot is one you want to do in the early stages of planning because you want to capture those raw emotions at their peak! Bonus, your engagement photo shoot can be a great way to get to know a possible wedding photographer.
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 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.
When to Plan Seating Arrangement
If you have decided on having a seating arrangement for your wedding, deciding on when to actually draft up the arrangement can be exciting. This will be something you want to do about two months out from your wedding. As you begin to get your RSVPs and finalize your guest list, you’ll also finalize your seating arrangement about three or four weeks out. This makes sure to give your booked vendors (especially your caterers) a good idea of how many people will be there and need to be fed!
Florist Engagement for a Dreamy Setting
Flowers set the mood for your wedding, so secure a florist approximately 6-8 months in advance. This timing is essential for choosing blooms that not only complement your theme and color palette but are also in season.
Hair and Makeup: Pencil It In Early
To ensure you look your absolute best, book your hair and makeup artists at least six months ahead of your wedding. This timeframe allows for multiple trials to experiment with various styles, ensuring you and your bridal party look picture-perfect. Remember, the number of people needing these services will affect your day’s schedule.
Dress and Suit Fitting Schedules
The quest for the perfect wedding dress should ideally start 9-12 months before the wedding, leaving ample time for browsing, fittings, and alterations. Grooms should begin their suit or tuxedo preparations 6 months in advance, which is enough time for tailoring and coordinating with groomsmen.
Organizing Wedding Transportation
Transportation is an often-overlooked yet crucial aspect of your wedding day. Arrange your desired vehicles, whether it’s an elegant limousine or a set of guest buses, about 5-6 months before the wedding. This is particularly vital during peak wedding seasons or if you’re seeking special vehicles.
Finalizing the Wedding Day Agenda
Three to four months before your wedding, you should finalize your day’s schedule. This includes planning the timing of the ceremony, reception, and any other activities. Share this schedule with all your vendors to ensure everyone is aligned for a smooth event.
By following these timelines, you can navigate the complexities of wedding planning with ease. Each step is a building block towards creating your perfect day. Enjoy every moment of this journey, leading up to the magical day when you celebrate your union.
Complete Weddings + Events – Wedding Vendors in Grand Forks, ND
Complete Weddings + Events Grand Forks 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!