How to organize your wedding step by step
There's so much to consider when planning the perfect wedding, but with careful planning and a few helpful tips, you can navigate every stage of the preparation process easily and confidently. In this section, we'll outline the important dates and the right timeframes to plan every detail and keep everything under control, from the beginning to your wedding day.
Ready... go!!
18 months before
Budgetingt: decide how much you want to spend and remember to keep your accounts updated over time.
Reception Venue: visit one or more venues and ask for each: available dates, room capacity, services offered, time limits, and payment methods. Reserve a date and confirm your choice by paying a deposit.
Ceremony Rite and Location: choose the church or town hall, contact the parish priest or registrar to arrange and set the date and time of the ceremony. Find out what documents you'll need to submit to obtain consent. If you're getting married in a church, start thinking about the wedding booklet: if you plan to personalize it with poems and texts you've composed, consider the time needed.
Premarital Course: ask the parish priest about the timing and duration, as many parishes only hold a few courses per year, and some last a few months.
Catering Service: if you don't have a trusted supplier, contact one or more catering companies and start testing their quality. Evaluate available settings, table linens, menus, and services offered, then request a rough estimate from each.
8 months before
Invitations and Announcements: start compiling both the reception guest list and the list of people to whom you wish to send invitations only.
Guest Accommodations: if you wish, reserve some rooms for out-of-town guests.
Bride's Dress: start thinking about the dress by browsing specialized magazines and browsing boutiques and ateliers to see styles and prices.
Honeymoon: plan your honeymoon by choosing the time, destination, and budget. Evaluate various options and quotes by contacting 2-3 travel agencies.
6 months before
Invitations and Announcements: choose your design and order invitations and announcements. Don't forget the cards and envelopes for thanking your guests.
Premarital Course: if your wedding will be in church, now is the time to sign up for the premarital course.
Bridal Dress: choose a boutique and start working on your chosen dress. Consider setting aside time for customizations and fittings.
Wedding Documents: start preparing the necessary documents, keeping in mind that some are valid for up to three months.
Groomsmen: choose your witnesses and ask for their consent.
Honeymoon: it's time to book to get the best rates on flights and accommodations.
5 months before
Invitations and Announcements: collect all the addresses of your reception guests and the addresses for mailing the invitations.
Wedding Registry: prepare a list of the gifts you wish to receive and choose the boutiques or shops for your registry, preferring those that can handle everything for you (list updates, payments, etc.).
Floral Arrangements: contact the florist and request a quote for decorations for the church or town hall, the reception venue, the car, and the bridal bouquet.
Music and Entertainment: choose the type of musical accompaniment for the church and reception (classical, jazz, DJ, etc.) and/or a special program with entertainment.
Photos and Videos: contact a photography studio to arrange services during the ceremony and reception: request a detailed quote for photos, videos, photo books, or anything else you like.
Favors and Confetti: decide on the gifts you'll give to your guests, considering whether to separate them for witnesses and relatives, and relying on trusted specialists and artisans.
Fireworks Display: if you'd like fireworks, ask the venue manager for authorization and restrictions, then hire a specialized company to handle the necessary paperwork and manage the show.
3 months before
Wedding Rings: visit 3 or more jewelry stores to choose the wedding rings and discuss any alterations and/or engravings.
Wedding Registry: define the gift list, ask suppliers to check their stock and compile the registry.
Honeymoon: if you haven't already done so, choose and book additional services, activities, and... indulgences to enjoy during your trip.
Wedding Car: choose the means of transportation to the church and the reception. A vintage car, a carriage, or a private car. You can also consider renting a minibus or shuttle for guests, if the church-villa route allows.
Invitations: complete and stamp the invitation envelopes and mail them to the recipients.
Favors and Confetti: order guest favors and confetti based on the number of guests, establishing delivery deadlines (a few days before the reception).
Catering Service: confirm the menu, wines, and optional services you've selected.
2 months before
Wedding Registry: request the wedding registry to be published in selected stores and online on their websites.
Invitations: complete and stamp the invitation envelopes and mail them to the recipients.
Mass Booklets: have the booklets for the wedding Mass printed.
Wedding Cake: choose your favorite cake from a trusted pastry chef. Also order the cakes to be served at the buffet and arrange delivery times and methods for the reception day.
Bride's Dress: it's time to choose the details and accessories (shoes, veil, train, tiara, etc.), which should be ordered in advance if custom-made.
Bride's Makeup: contact a beautician, makeup artist, and hairstylist to choose your hairstyle and arrange fittings.
Groom's Suit: choose and try on your suit to decide on any adjustments.
Page boys and bridesmaids: if you want them to walk you down the aisle, start planning by contacting your parents and asking for their consent.
Honeymoon: check the validity of your passports and other documents required for your chosen destination.
15 days before
Bouquet: the groom chooses and orders the bouquet.
Post-Ceremony Dress: purchase your post-ceremony dress if you want to be more comfortable after the formal part of the reception.
Ring Pillow: choose one based on the style and colors of the church decorations and purchase it.
Bride's Dress: final fitting of dresses, accessories, hair, and makeup.
Catering Service: confirm all options and details discussed and rehearse the lunch or dinner menu. Finally, agree on the final price based on the number of guests.
Makeup: begin the series of beauty treatments for face, body, and hair.
Honeymoon: confirm the flights, services, and activities selected for the trip through the agency and book the currency for the destination country, if necessary.
7 days before
Bachelorette and stag parties: if you prefer, celebrate with friends. Otherwise, treat yourself to two days of relaxation at a spa or simply enjoy some well-deserved rest.
Honeymoon: pack your bags and make sure everything is in order for the trip.
Suppliers: contact all your suppliers (musicians, florist, photographer, caterer, etc.) and check that everything is in order. Notify the caterer of the final number of guests.
Seating Assignments: do a final check of the tables and update the layout if necessary.
2 days before
Bride's Dress: collect the dress, accessories, and shoes and check all the details.
Makeup: schedule a visit to the beautician for the finishing touches.
Suppliers: settle accounts with your suppliers.
1 day before
Makeup: confirm appointments with the hairdresser, makeup artist, photographer, and driver for the following morning.
Beauty case: the bride prepares a small makeup bag for a friend with everything she needs to touch up her makeup, as well as a spare pair of socks and a pair of comfortable shoes.
The wedding day
Wake up: get up early; any delays or unexpected events shouldn't disrupt your day.
Makeup: wait for the photographer to arrive at your home, then start having your hair and makeup done by the hairdresser and makeup artist.
Wedding rings: make sure to provide them to the person who will carry them to the church.
Bouquet: the groom collects the bouquet and has it delivered to the bride. The bridesmaids' bouquets are given to their mothers.
Final step: the groom heads early to the church or town hall where he meets relatives, witnesses, and guests. The bride arrives a few minutes late… and now your big moment has finally arrived!