How to Plan your Wedding in 6 Months

This is where you lay the foundation for everything. If you slack here, you’ll be stress-crying in Month 5.

So no time for “thinking about it.”

Decide.

Move.

Commit.

Step 1: Lock in on Your Budget

Sit down with your partner and go line by line on what you can actually spend.

• Be ruthless. If you don’t have $10K for a venue, stop looking at $10K venues.

• Assign percentages: Venue (40%), Food (20%), Dress (10%), Everything Else (30%). Adjust as needed.

Bonus Tip: If your budget is tight, skip fancy wedding favors and upgrade your food. Nobody remembers a monogrammed keychain, but they will remember a good meal.

Step 2: The Guest List Bloodbath

• Make a list of everyone you’d invite if money and space weren’t a thing.

• Now cut that list in half. Yes, I said half.

• Keep only the people who:

-You’d actually recognize in a grocery store.

-You wouldn’t feel awkward crying in front of.

-Won’t bring unnecessary drama.

Bonus Tip: If you haven’t spoken to them in a year, they don’t need an invite.

Step 3: Venue & Date—Non-Negotiable Decisions

• You need a venue yesterday. Call places, check dates, book it.

• Be flexible. A Thursday wedding? A morning brunch wedding? Both are cheaper than a Saturday night.

  Bonus Hack: Look for venues that include tables, chairs, and basic decor so you’re not paying extra for rentals.

Now that you have a date, it’s time to lock down vendors before they’re gone.

Step 4: Book Your “Big 4”

Photographer – Look for someone whose editing style you actually like (not just who’s available).

Caterer – Buffets are cheaper than plated meals. Food trucks? Even better.

Music – DJ, band, Spotify playlist? Pick one and move on.

Officiant – If you need someone licensed, book them. If Uncle Bob is doing it, make sure he actually knows how.

Pro Tip:Ask vendors for referrals ...your photographer probably knows a good florist, and your venue might have an in-house caterer.

Step 5: Dress Shopping (Yes, Already)

• If ordering custom, you need at least 4-5 months for production and alterations.

• If buying off-the-rack, check sample sales.

  You can save thousands.

Comfort Test: Sit, dance, and go up stairs in the dress. If you can’t move, rethink it.

Now that the big pieces are in place, it’s time for everything else.

Step 6: Invitations & Wedding Website

• Digital invitations? Saves money and time.

• Physical invitations? Order them now so you’re not scrambling last minute.

P.S: If tracking RSVPs is stressing you out, I created a tool (The Wedding Planning Bundle) and one of the many features is a built-in guest list & RSVP tracker ...to help you keep everything organized.

So you’re not chasing down responses like a debt collector.

But ...We'll talk more about it at the end, so check out for that

• Wedding website? Use it to keep guests informed (less texting questions like “what time does it start?”).

Bonus Tip: If people are traveling, add hotel info now so they don’t book some random hotel 40 minutes away.

Step 7: Real Talk About DIY

• DIY only if it’s actually saving you money. If supplies cost the same as buying it? Skip.

• Prioritize high-impact, low-effort DIY (table numbers? Easy. Giant floral arch? Girl, no.)

• Batch it. Invite friends over, order pizza, knock it all out in one day.