It’s recommended to start shaping the “big picture” of your wedding day one to two years in advance:

• Start forming the guest list

• Choose the wedding party (bridesmaids and groomsmen)

• Select a venue

• Decide on a date

Once you’ve planned the major aspects of the big day, it’s time to start filling in the details:

• Hire any vendors needed, including photographer, caterer, and entertainment

• Start shopping for dresses for both bride and bridal party

• Join gift registries

• Send save-the-date cards

Checklist: Three Months Prior Two to three months before your wedding is a great time to build a schedule for the big day:

• Plan the behind-the-scenes schedule (When will bridal party portraits be taken? Where will vendors park? Etc.)

• Book hair and makeup artists

• Put a plan in place for the reception (decide on music, organize guests doing toasts, finalize the menu, etc.)

• Purchase wedding rings

Almost time for the big day!

• Obtain the marriage license

• Assign tables and seating

• Pick favors

• Write vows

Consider your guest list and budget, then ask the following questions to determine what type of venue will work best:

• Will the wedding be intimate or require plentiful seating?

• Is an indoor or outdoor space preferable? How about a mixture of both?

• Will your ceremony be religious?

• Is your ideal day a California beach wedding, or perhaps it takes place at a luxury resort?

Here are a few timeless ideas for wedding themes:

• Elegant: Think big floral arrangements, rose gold place settings, and candles to provide romantic ambiance.

• Rustic: A forest wedding is a nice take on a rustic theme, complete with wooden dining tables and lanterns hung from the trees.

• Vintage: Decorate the venue with antique touches like bronze chandeliers, lace fabric, and charming teacups. Bridesmaids can don vintage dresses, while groomsmen wear suits with classic tailoring and touches like bowties or retro cufflinks.

Brights: This year, pops of color are trendy for wedding palettes. To avoid gaudy decor, use brights only in big details – like a wedding cake decked out with bold candy flowers, and floral arrangements in a color to match.

Rose Gold: This metallic hue is popular for weddings in 2015, and makes a great touch for small details, like vases or lighting.

Pastels: Subdued hues will never go out of style. Try using muted colors like pinks or yellows in combination with beiges and whites.

Wedding Cost

Then: It has long been tradition for the bride’s parents to cover the cost of the wedding.

Now: These days, many couples and their parents now split wedding costs, or make similar arrangements.

Bridesmaid Dresses

Then: In previous decades, bridesmaid dresses were often designed to fit a niche wedding theme.

Now: Many brides now prefer neutral colors for bridesmaids dresses, providing complete flexibility so such an investment can be worn again.

Registries

Then: Wedding gifts have been fairly traditional for years, with guests frequently opting to purchase silver, kitchen appliances, or china.

Now: With the advent of the internet, couples now have the option to join any registry they’d like, from home improvement stores to honeymoon tour groups.

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