Planning a Wedding in 8 Months

There's a pretty good wedding checklist on here. I'd use that.

Now that you have your venue, book your big vendors: Photographer, Officiant, DJ, Limo. And definitely use the checklist on here.

Also, if you plan to get a designer dress, order now. I ordered mine in mid-July and it's not expected in until February/March. But if you go to David's Bridal and get one of their gown, it will be less time. Or get off the rack and take it home that day. But I would look now.

You're doing pretty good so far - Don't forget officiant, photographer, caterer (if not provided by venue), I would start searching invitations and don't forget your dress and BMs dresses. The checklist here is pretty good!

I agree with the previous poster; I also use the WW check list in addition to a few found on Pinterest.

Congratulations! I too have a similar deadline, engaged on Christmas, getting hitched on September 13th. As a new bride and DIY'er I am learning as I go - here's what I have gathered so far... if people offer to help - take them up on it! Our venue has a 10pm cut off, so my friends and family will be assigned to clean up. We are doing our own catering, cake, decorations, planning, and all the centerpieces. Basically the venue and the DJ and the tablecloths are the only thing we are paying for. Get yourself a planning book and print out the budget guide - make your guest list in order of importance so if you do need to downsize, you can simply cut off the bottom, and get

an army of people to help, most feel special that you asked. Good luck!

First off, welcome and congrats! 8 months is enough time to plan a wedding, but you definitely have to stay on top of it and stay organized. The planning tools on here are amazingly helpful, especially the checklist and the budget tracker. I also found A Practical Wedding website pretty helpful, they have some spreadsheets and stuff you can download for day of logistics and time line, plus some good articles and DIY tips.

If you're planning on using professional vendors (caterer, photographer, florist, etc), start researching and making calls now. Those are the first things you want to figure out before moving on to the details. You're off to a good start! Happy planning!

I live and die by my checklist haha! I am a 10-month bride and it really helped me get started, because I focused on the months I didn't have (most checklists are a year or more) and quickly got a lot of things accomplished so I didn't feel "behind". You are off to a great start. Once that venue contract is signed and you have a firm date, definitely book the vendors that can only be at one place at a time on your wedding day - photographer, DJ/band, ceremony music, officiant (I would do it in that order!). Also caterer if not provided/included by your venue. Also, most dress boutiques require about 8 months out so I would dress shop ASAP! Good luck!!

You can do it--be organized and stay on top of things, but it's totally do-able! I agree that checklists will probably be your friend!

I planned my wedding in 11 months but feel like I could have done it in 9. The checklists on here and The Knot are great. The one thing I'd hurry up and do is get a dress especially if you want one from a boutique. Certain dresses can take up to 5 months to come in and you will want your dress to come in within 8 weeks of your wedding for alterations.

8 months is plenty of time! I had a 1 year engagement but was traveling for work for 4 months of it, and I still did a lot of DIY projects (that take time). Keep the wedding in perspective - it's about marrying the guy you love, not about which napkin matches your forks. Focus on getting the rest of your vendors (catering, photography/video, music/DJ/live musicians, officiant), and keeping your guest list and budget updated.

Thank You !! I appreciate it! This definitley lets me know i am on the right track!

What is the norm for Photography pricing? I have been looking just want to make sure it really is a good deal before puting a deposit in !

I am in the same boat! I have about 8 months until our wedding and we are trying to get these things done as soon as possible. Going to have the "venue" all set next week. The earlier the better! Lots of helping hands to take some stress off, but I know we aren't moving fast enough... well not for my liking! And we are totally out of order. Have dress picked out, family is doing the catering, his mom does cakes... but still need to jump on the venue, officiant, and more...

You've got this! I planned mine in 6 and everything went off without a hitch. Book the big stuff first, then just watch all the DIY, too much and it'll stress you out! Just enjoy, you have plenty of time

Congrats and welcome!!

I'm planning my wedding in 8 months, 73 days to go!! I would get on that dress shopping ASAP!!! That's the ONE thing that I wish I had more time for and the ONLY thing i felt "rushed" at making a decision. Luckily , I did find one off the rack (at a discount too) so I didn't have to worry about rushing the dress or anything.

Other than the dress, like everyone else said, book the big things first and try to limit the DIYs to small stuff.

Once you have your venue booked and finalized, I would start on the Save the dates. I used Paperless Post to save money and time. You really don't have enough time to order save the dates, have them shipped, address them then send them out..just go online for that.

Other than that, get your photographer, caterer (if it doesn't come with your venue), wedding planner (or day of coordinator), florist, cake vendor, book the hotel for OOT guests and start looking at invitations.

Happy planning!!! 8 months is the perfect amount of time to not be too rushed and not have months of "down time" in my opinion.

Just saw your post about photography, it really depends on where you live. In CA, $2000 is on the low end for photography, but in some other states $2000 is on the high end!

Just order your bridesmaid dresses 2-3 months before wedding.

Michaela, I see that you are from Sycamore. I am having my wedding in Rochelle and booked a photographer from Rockford. He was $2800 for 9 hours and he includes a 2nd photographer and guarantees the pictures back within 30 days. His price I found to be relatively cheap from all the photographers I checked out.

If you are looking for something cheaper you might want to check out newer photographers. One of my bm's is a photographer and her prices are cheaper than the one I booked. It all depends on what you are looking for and what you can spend.

Hi dear,

Congratulations!

I can recommend a really good photographer. I made a research for a friend's wedding... they love him. You can google for Peter Lane Photography

Happy planning!

I am in the same boat September wedding. We are using mason jars in our wedding/reception and my FH has actually been helping we are trying to do a etched anchor on them with our intials hasn't been working out so great but I have left that to him I am getting the location booked this weekend and he is finalizing his guest list with me this weekend because my side is actually done. I am working on a photographer which is a friend so it won't be that expensive. I also am plannng my 12 year old daughter's birthday next weekend. I am loving the whole theme of our wedding just seems like a lot to do but I GOT THIS I AM SUPER WOMAN!!!!!!!! I am planning on taking one of my BM's next weekend to dress shop EXCITING although she may not be so excited about it. I am planning on having STD's out next month and then our invitations out in March/April because I personally have a lot of out of town family/friends coming so need to have that finalized. It will all come together soon.

Sweet! Feeling good, Venue is Officially booked!!! Also Found a great deal on Photography and booked that as well. Plenty of other things to start working on but i do feel good know two big things are set!!