Six months out feels far away. Until it does not. In the wedding world, six months is when the planning shifts from exciting to urgent. The decisions you make in this window shape how smooth your final stretch will be.
Here are the ten things I walk every one of my brides through at the six-month mark.
Pull out every contract you have signed and review it. Confirm dates, times, payment schedules, and deliverables. Make sure your vendor has the right date, the right venue address, and your current contact information. This takes one afternoon and prevents a lot of headaches.
Six months out is the time to send invitations, especially for a destination wedding or if many guests are traveling. Your guests need time to book travel, request time off work, and make arrangements. A good rule of thumb: mail invitations 8 to 10 weeks before the wedding with an RSVP deadline 4 weeks out.
Your hair and makeup trial should happen 2 to 3 months before the wedding, which means booking it now. Do not skip the trial. This is your chance to test the look, give feedback, and walk into your wedding day knowing exactly what you will look like. Bring photos of your dress and any inspiration images.
If you have a florist booked, now is the time to finalize your design direction. Bring your color palette, inspiration photos, and any specific flowers you love or hate. Your florist needs this information well in advance to source materials and plan accordingly.
If you have out-of-town guests, a hotel room block should already be in place but if it is not, do it now. Room blocks have deadlines and rooms release back to the public if not reserved. Make sure your room block information is included with your invitations or on your wedding website.
Work with your caterer or venue to finalize your food and beverage selections. If there is a tasting, schedule it. Now is also the time to nail down your bar package and confirm any dietary accommodations your guests may need.
A detailed, realistic timeline is the backbone of a smooth wedding day. It should account for getting ready, travel time, ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and every vendor arrival. If you have a planner or coordinator, they will build this with you. If not, start now, it takes longer than you think.
Book your rehearsal venue and time, confirm attendance with your wedding party and family, and connect with your officiant. Your rehearsal is the one chance everyone has to walk through the ceremony before the real thing. Do not leave it to the last minute.
Bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen suits, flower girl dresses, and ring bearer outfits all need to be ordered with plenty of time for shipping and alterations. Six months out is the right time to have these ordered and confirmed.
This one is not on most planning checklists but it should be. Six months out, take a moment to check in with how you are feeling. Wedding planning is exciting and it is also a lot. Make sure you are taking care of yourself, staying connected to your partner, and remembering what all of this is actually for.
You are marrying your person. Everything else is just details.
If you are six months out and feeling overwhelmed by the list, reach out. That is exactly what I am here for.
— Alison
