Wedding Planning Tips: 6 Months Before the Wedding

Embark on a whirlwind of wedding planning with us as we delve into the crucial tasks to tackle 6 months before the big day. From vendor meetings to outfit selections, get ready to bring your dream wedding to life!

The wedding planning process is often described as a rollercoaster – with a big event like this, you can expect a few ups and downs along the way. However, the 6-month milestone is where you will probably start feeling the heat and become very aware of time disappearing quickly. Don’t fear, there is still plenty of time - some couples even manage to plan a whole wedding in 6 months - it's all about staying organised and in control – easier said than done, especially if you're doing this without a wedding planner. Within the last six months, you may have already tackled quite a lot regarding your wedding planning, but if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed and wondering what you might need to do next, here are our 6-month wedding planning prompts.

If you missed or need the instalments of our wedding planning series, catch up here… Wedding Planning Tips: 12 Months Before the Wedding Wedding Planning Tips: 3 Months Before the Wedding Wedding Planning Tips: 1 Month Before the Wedding

Meet with your key wedding vendors

There’s nothing like meeting your vendors in person, putting a face to the name, and getting the awkward greetings over and done with before the big day. If possible, we would encourage you to meet your vendors at your chosen wedding venue. This way, you can discuss logistics and timings in real-time, with your venue contact hopefully in attendance as well. This way, nothing gets missed, everyone’s kept in the loop, and you can work through any issues/ideas in person.

Order hire items

Understandably, the majority of couples like to put their own stamp on their special day. Whether that’s through interesting lighting, or show-stopping décor, colourful tablecloths, or luxury furniture, whatever your wedding style, now is the time to get in touch with hire companies and confirm what it is you’d like to hire to personalise your big day. Don't forget the technical stuff too – check with the wedding band whether their PA and lighting are suitable for the venue, and consider whether you'll need a projector for any of the speeches.

Book wedding transport

Consider where different stages of the wedding day are happening and logistically whether you need to book transportation to facilitate this for the key people in the bridal/grooms’ parties, but also for your wedding guests too. The bride’s transport is often the main focus, but what about her bridesmaids and the groom? How is he getting to the church? Do you need to transport your guests from the ceremony to the reception venue? Cover all scenarios and then book your transport.

Shop for wedding attire

Your venue is booked, and you've found the perfect wedding dress; now it’s time to start shopping for your wedding party. Look at the time of year, the other colours within your venue/wedding décor and of course, what your best mates will feel most comfortable in. Budget depending, don’t forget to investigate last season’s sales, upcoming trade shows, pre-loved sites, and the high street.

Confirm your catering options

By this point, you should have received some sample menus for your rehearsal dinner and wedding breakfast from your caterer and hopefully been able to narrow it down to a few dishes that you might like to sample in person. Don’t forget to include a vegetarian/vegan option and something for the kids (if you’re having a child-friendly wedding). Your menu will inform the drinks you choose for your wedding reception, too, so why not use the opportunity to make it a well-rounded culinary experience for all your guests?

Consider stationery for your wedding day

Not everyone chooses to have stationery for their wedding, but some popular options to consider are physical wedding invitations, venue signage, a table plan, order of service, place name cards and menu cards. Many couples choose to go digital these days, sending e-vites through wedding website platforms such as Say I do, but if you prefer a traditional invitation, or maybe a blend of the two, now is the time to start researching a stationer.

Decide on a gift registry / wishing well

The majority of your guests will likely want to give you a gift to celebrate and acknowledge your special day. So, unless you explicitly state ‘no gifts’ on your invitations, it’s best to have something in place, such as a wedding registry or wishing well, so that you can have a little control over what you might receive. This ensures your wedding gifts are helpful, thoughtful and something that would be a beautiful addition to your life as newlyweds, rather than another set of wine glasses.

Book your hair and makeup trial

Your venue may already have some local hair and makeup artist recommendations, which is a great place to start, but as the date edges closer, now is a good time to consider the beauty style that you’d like to recreate. Contact some vendors to request their availability and secure some appointments for a hair and makeup trial before the big day.

Research honeymoon options

Honeymooning is one of the most fun parts of getting married, right?! Taking some time away as newlyweds on a once-in-a-lifetime trip is a great way to kick-start your married life. Or maybe a low-key few days R&R in a cottage/cabin would suffice. Either way, you are going to need a little break after all this wedding planning and excitement, so make sure you schedule some time to discuss and research your options, and possibly even book flights!

Send save the dates to your guest list

With the venue secured and less than a year to go until your wedding date, now is the perfect time to send your save-the-dates if you haven't done so already. If you're planning a destination wedding or wedding weekend, you might even want to skip the save the dates and send out your invites now. People are busier than ever before, so the more notice you can give them, the better, especially if you are expecting them to travel far/book their own accommodation and take some time off work.

We hope you have found this super helpful on your wedding planning journey. Up next…Wedding Planning Tips: 3 Months Before the Wedding.