What were some of your big "planning benchmarks"?

We are almost at the "Save the Date" benchmark, too! For some reason, sending save the dates feels like it'll finally make the wedding real! We've finalized our websites, figured out our ceremony and reception timing, booked hotel room blocks, and registered. Starting to get into all the smaller details now! And, since both of our families are at least 2 hours out of town, we are sending STDs right before Thanksgiving- just after the 9 month mark!

Our first benchmark was definitely the date and venue. The second was probably all of our other vendors (florist, photography, cake baker, DJ, ceremony musician). The only thing we don't have locked down is the transportation.

I'm excited to start doing some DIY projects, but I'm sorta sad that after sending STDs, we'll be at a standstill point until January/ February/March when we'll do food tasting, my wedding dress will arrive, and we'll pick out invitations and menswear. I'm definitely looking forward to the six month mark.

Happy Planning!!

We sent our save the dates this morning! It definitely feels like a big benchmark. Picking our date and vendor was definitely our first benchmark, but I feel like every time we book a vendor it's a mini-benchmark. I think our next benchmark will be when all our vendors are booked (still have to book our florist, cake baker, makeup, hair and transportation). Then I think the next one will be locking in our menus and sending out invitations.

We are sending our save the dates the end of January and that has been our benchmark as well. He hasn't confirmed who is going to be on his side of the bridal party so that is his deadline so we can update the website. We have the accommodations already and they just sent me the cards to include with the save the dates, I have my bridal party already picked out, and the website is basically done just waiting on him. ETA: I have also started collecting addresses and keeping them on a spreadsheet.

The "big" bookings/purchases! Venue, officiant, DJ, photographer, dress. Once we had all of that I knew we were good and I could take my sweet time deciding our colours or what to have as centrepieces.

The florist was the last "big" booking and that was a big one for me. Also, STD's was big as well as invitations. Also, even though it wasn't something I did, having my bridal shower felt like a benchmark because it was the first big pre-wedding event, and it was the last weekend of Spring Break, so it was the deadline for all my Spring Break wedding planning goals.

Venue because then I could send the STDs, dress, officiant, and bridal shower!

Deciding on a date and securing the venue was the first "big" benchmark. After that, it was in order of importance color scheme, menu, photographer, dj, and dress. Once those things were decided, the rest could fit around.

Picking the venue and date was the first big benchmark for us!! I have some time before STD's but I can't wait!!!

Booking the venue/Picking a date

Booking all the vendors

Next will be whenever my dress gets here and I try it on for the first time

Then paying off vendors

All the things!

I have 7 months left. I started out with booking a venue. Then with my bridal dress, jewelry, and shoes. after that bridesmaid dresses. I just booked the motel block. Now were onto save the dates.

I am hopefully mailing my Save the Dates out by the end of this upcoming week - it definitely feels even more real! I feel like I've done so much stuff lately; we had cake tasting and booked that (and that was really the last vendor to go, other than possibly hair and makeup if I go the professional route), I ordered our invitations yesterday (super under budget YAY) and I've been plugging away at my DIY projects. FH's custom suit is ordered. It is coming up fast!

EDIT: To clarify - sending the Save the Dates feels like the first "big" benchmark I guess. Although we also just bought our rings too. That felt like a huge one!

Booking a venue. We're set on getting married in May and we still don't have one :-/

Venue deposit. Buy dress. The next big milestone is STD (about 2 months after I wanted) I wanted to give 11 months notice since my entire family has to travel for the wedding but we still haven't. I designed and picked them but haven't ordered. Once you send STDs its like an announcement "this is happening"

Booking venue, buying the dress, e-pics, and now getting ready for save the dates. These have been the biggest "wow, this is real!" moments.

Booking venue (includes cake, food, booze, decorations), photographer, & dj. Buying my dress. Collecting addresses and sending STD's. Those were really the big things that we had to get done. Now the big thing left are that we've got to find an officiant, send invitations, find our rings, and get the marriage license. Other than that, it's small things like the card box, table numbers, tuxes, etc