A wedding is a big event, and there’s a lot to plan and coordinate in the months leading up to the big day. At Villa La Mansion in Puerto Vallarta, we can help you find the right wedding planner to make sure you stay on track with your wedding planning. Here’s a general schedule of things to do for a wedding, broken down by timeframe:
12+ Months Before the Wedding – Planning a Destination Wedding
- Set a budget: This is the first and most important step. Determine how much you can afford to spend on your wedding and allocate funds for different categories, such as the venue, attire, food, and photography.
- Choose a date and location: Once you have a budget in mind, you can start thinking about dates and locations. Consider factors like seasonality, availability of vendors, and accessibility for guests.
- Guest list: Create a guest list and start sending out save-the-dates.
8-12 Months Before the Wedding
- Book major vendors: This includes your venue, photographer, caterer, and florist.
- Shop for your wedding dress: This can take several months, so factor in time for alterations.
- Choose your wedding party: Ask your bridesmaids and groomsmen to be in your wedding.
6-8 Months Before the Wedding
- Order your wedding invitations: Allow plenty of time for addressing, assembling, and mailing.
- Book your transportation: This includes transportation for you and your wedding party on the wedding day, as well as transportation for guests if necessary.
- Book your honeymoon: Start researching and booking your honeymoon trip.
4-6 Months Before the Wedding
- Finalize your menu: Work with your caterer to finalize your wedding menu.
- Order your wedding cake: Order your wedding cake or choose a baker.
- Book your hair and makeup artist: Book your hair and makeup artist for the wedding day.
2-3 Months Before the Wedding
- Send out wedding invitations: Mail your wedding invitations.
- Order wedding favors: Order your wedding favors, if you’re planning on having them.
- Write your wedding vows: Start thinking about and writing your wedding vows.
1 Month Before the Wedding
- Confirm details with vendors: Confirm all final details with your vendors, such as arrival times and menus.
- Get your marriage license: Apply for your marriage license.
- Break in your wedding shoes: Break in your wedding shoes so you can avoid blisters on the wedding day.
1-2 Weeks Before the Wedding
- Have your final wedding dress fitting: Have your final wedding dress fitting to ensure everything looks perfect.
- Pick up your wedding attire: Pick up your wedding dress, tuxedo, and any other wedding attire.
- Delegate tasks: Delegate tasks to friends and family members to help out on the wedding day.
The Week of the Wedding
- Get a manicure and pedicure: Get a manicure and pedicure for the wedding day.
- Relax and enjoy!: Relax and spend time with your loved ones before the big day.
The Wedding Day
- Get ready: Get ready for the wedding with your wedding party.
- The ceremony: Enjoy your wedding ceremony!
- The reception: Have fun at your wedding reception!
After the Wedding
- Send thank-you notes: Send thank-you notes to your guests for their gifts and well wishes.
