Our Wedding Timeline (The First 6 Months)

I’m a very chill bride… I don’t stress over our wedding details and I intend to keep it that way.

Nobody ever wants to hang out or deal with a #Bridezilla … like EVER.

Bernie is also, hands down, the most supportive and cooperative Groom. He’s mastered the art of saying, “Whatever you want, baby”. (joke!)

I was a professional wedding planner & event stylist for about 10 years back in Manila before I moved to the US seven years ago, and I’ve had a few Bridezilla clients. They’re no fun.

But I’ve come to understand that not all Bridezillas are naturally self-absorbed. In some cases, they just don’t know how to effectively manage the stress or communicate their desires to their families and their Bridal Party in a healthy, loving manner. And eventually, the pressure of getting everything “right and perfect” brings out the worst in even the most well-meaning brides.

I can’t speak for every bride-to-be, but what I can share is that keeping a Wedding Timeline is one of the things that help me stay calm and confident that every important detail is taken care of.

There are so many articles and blog posts written and published on the internet about what needs to get done and when. But whichever one you choose to follow as your guide, remember that it’s just that—a guide. A Wedding Timeline should fit every couple’s budget and schedule, and it’s “perfectly” okay to adjust the target dates according to when funds are actually available.

Allow me to share with you our very own Wedding Timeline, at least for the first 6 months:

As you can see, everything that needs to be done 12 months to 10 months prior to The Big Day (between March and May), with the exception of the Engagement Party, has already been taken care of. We didn’t have an Engagement Party to formally announce our engagement because we got engaged last year when parties and large gatherings were out of the question.

As far as what needs to be done 8 months prior (or by July), we’ve already checked off 4 out of 7 tasks. We’re not hiring a wedding coordinator, other than the Day-Of Coordinator that will be provided by the management of Lake Oak Meadows Winery.

The caterer also comes with our venue package and we were informed that our initial meeting with them won’t happen until 4 months before the wedding.

The Engagement Photo Shoot with our photographer, Matthew Reiter, was already booked for July 1st. So that item will be checked off when that day comes.

As for the remaining tasks 6 months prior (or by September)—we intend to order the wedding cake soon after we've had our cake tasting (happening this Saturday, April 10th).

We’ll order the Save-The-Date cards as soon as we receive the photos from Matthew.

I also intend to order my dress by July actually, to give myself ample time to get any alterations done. And booking the hair and makeup trial is easy peasy, so I’m not worried about that at all.

So we’re actually ahead of schedule and don’t have to think so much about the other details until after September. That doesn’t mean I will wait until October before doing some research. During my free time, in between client projects and other responsibilities, I’m constantly Googling and sending out inquiries to vendors. But at least I’m doing it at a relaxed pace. And by the time those things need to be done, I’ve already gathered all the information that Bernie and I will need to make a wise decision.

I’m not saying that wedding planning is an easy undertaking by any means. But you don’t have to lose your sanity in the process. If the members of your Bridal Party start unfriending you on Facebook and Instagram, or your own family starts seeing a therapist, then you’re going through this process the wrong way and maybe for the wrong reasons too.

Right at the beginning of this journey, Bernie and I set the intention that this wedding will be a celebration of LOVE. And that we might not get everything we want, exactly the way we want it, and that’s okay. It’s all good. Nothing that’s done out of love can ever fail.

Will it be perfect? Absolutely not.

But will we have a great time? You can bet your sweet nalgas, we will. 😉