I can hardly believe it—six months to plan our wedding, and we’ve picked Halloween as our big day! It’s such an exciting mix of joy and a sprinkle of “How in the world do we pull this off?!” But that’s all part of the fun, right?
I feel a bit nervous about how Hector’s family will take the news, especially since I’m unsure if they’ve heard anything yet. I mentioned to Hector that I’d like a bit more space from his family for now, and he’s been pretty quiet about it. Family dynamics can be a bit tricky, but I know we’ve got each other to lean on, and that’s what truly matters.
In the meantime, I’ve been diving into many fun tips and creative ideas to ensure our wedding is everything we’ve dreamed of, even with just six months to plan! Most sites share similar checklists, but I’m super excited to keep track of everything and see how my wild ideas match up with reality. It’s going to be such an incredible journey!
6 Months Out
1. Book the wedding venue and set the date.
I would love a big, fancy wedding, but we’re on a budget (because, you know, adulting). I wanted to get married at my family’s church, but that didn’t work out. Luckily, a dear friend has offered her beautiful backyard for the day, which is honestly perfect for the cozy, intimate vibe I’m going for. It’s going to be so special.
2. Hire your wedding vendors!
Planning a wedding can feel like a never-ending list of to-dos, but there are many helpful resources. Some vendors I’ll be looking into include:
- Wedding planner (if you’re lucky enough to have the budget for one!)
- Caterer (if your venue doesn’t provide food)
- Florist
- Rental companies (for things like tables, chairs, etc.)
- Photographer
- Videographer
- DJ or live music (I’ll probably stick to a playlist for simplicity)
And many more!
For us, I’m keeping things simple: Apple Music and a speaker for the tunes. The one thing I really want to splurge on? Cake and cupcakes. Priorities, people. Priorities.
3. Finalize the guest list.
I come from a big family, and trimming the guest list is challenging. I’m hoping to keep it under 100 people, but cutting down can be tough. Hector’s family is a bit smaller, so I’ll be handling most of the invites. If you have any tips on gracefully letting people know they won’t be invited, I’m all ears!
4. Buy wedding attire.
So, here’s my question—where do guys usually get their tuxes or suits? Do people typically rent, or do they buy? I’m a little lost here. But, the best part? My mom is making my wedding dress, and I’m beyond excited! She’s made so many beautiful pieces over the years, and it means so much to me that she’ll be creating something truly special for the big day. I can’t wait to see it!
5. Book hotel room blocks and transportation.
Since most of our guests are local, we don’t need to book a block of rooms or worry about transportation. If people want to stay over, they’re more than welcome to make their own arrangements!
6. Schedule an engagement photo session.
Not our thing. We already have 800 pictures on our phones of us smiling awkwardly. We’re good, thanks but if it’s your thing, I say go for it!
7. Create a wedding registry.
We’ve been living together for a while now, so our home is pretty much set. We could use things like a new Swiffer or an expresso maker with a built-in milk frother. But honestly, your presence is the best gift!
8. Build a wedding website.
I think we’ll pass on this one. If you’re looking for the details, you have to ask me directly!
9. Buy and send save-the-dates.
Save-the-dates sounds cute in theory, but $1.25 a card for 50 people? That’s $60 just for saying, “Hey, save this day for me!” that does not include spending that again for actual invitations. I’d rather keep things simple and let everyone know the date through text or email—still personal, just more affordable.
10. Start planning your honeymoon.
I’d love to take off somewhere amazing, but since this wedding is happening during the semester, the honeymoon will have to wait until after finals. We’ll make it happen, though!
11. Shop for wedding rings.
We’ve picked them out! Now we just need to finalize the sizes and all that fun stuff.
12. Book your rehearsal dinner venue.
Is this a real thing? I thought we were just supposed to eat tacos the night before and practice not tripping while walking down the aisle. No rehearsal dinner for us!
13. Start shopping for wedding invitations.
I’ve saved a ton of designs on Zazzle, so now it’s just about narrowing it down to the one. It’s like trying to choose your favorite ice cream flavor—so many choices!
5 Months Out
14. Plan the wedding reception menu.
We’re keeping it cozy and casual—spaghetti and pizza. It’s not your typical wedding fare, but it’s totally us. Plus, we found these adorable skull-shaped pizzas, which are perfect for our Halloween theme. I can’t wait for everyone to try them!
15. Order wedding invitations.
A month to pick invitations? Feels a little rushed! But hey, I’m sure I’ll figure it out—after all, this is what Pinterest is for, right?
16. Book honeymoon.
Like I said, after the semester is over, we’ll be planning our getaway. But for now, I’m focusing on the wedding.
4 Months Out
17. Finalize ceremony details.
We’re keeping it simple and heartfelt with vows from Corpse Bride. It’s spooky, romantic, and fits the Halloween theme perfectly!
18. Order ceremony programs.
I’ve been to a lot of weddings, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a program. So, we’ll skip this one and just let the ceremony speak for itself.
19. Create song lists.
I’ve already started a 100-song playlist, and I’m asking guests to add their favorite songs when they RSVP. It worked great for Hector’s birthday, so I’m hoping it’ll create a fun and diverse vibe for the wedding.
3 Months Out
20. Attend pre-wedding parties.
No bachelor or bachelorette parties for us. We’re more into relaxing and enjoying time together before the big day.
21. Purchase thank-you gifts.
What’s the difference between thank-you gifts and wedding favors? If anyone knows, feel free to share—I’m genuinely curious!
22. Complete hair and makeup trial.
I think I’ll do my own hair and makeup. It’ll be less stressful, and honestly, I love doing my own thing when it comes to that stuff.
2 Months Out
23. Send wedding invitations.
This feels a little late, so I might move this to 3 months out to be sure everyone has enough time to RSVP.
24. Write wedding vows.
We’re all set with our vows from Corpse Bride. They’re perfect—romantic and full of meaning.
25. Order wedding favors and welcome bag items.
Done! My mom found the cutest mini-shot glasses at a closing store, and they’re perfect for our theme. I’m excited to share them with our guests.
1 Month Out
26. Obtain a marriage license.
We’ll make sure to check out the marriage license rules in our state—can’t forget this critical step!
27. Finish attire alterations.
Once my dress and Hector’s suit come in, it’s time for any final tweaks to make sure everything fits perfectly.
28. Start the seating chart.
There is no seating chart for us! We’re keeping it super relaxed—guests can sit wherever they like. It’s a casual celebration, so everyone can enjoy the day how they want.
2 Weeks Out
29. Provide the photographer with a shot list.
We’re doing it live. Everyone with a phone can be the photographer. I’ll just give them a high-five for capturing the moment. We’ll make a big album together afterward. It’s the best way to get candid shots, and I love the idea of everyone being involved!
30. Schedule final meetings and conversations with wedding vendors.
This is mostly just confirming the catering order and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
31. Discuss music requests with the DJ, wedding band, and ceremony musicians.
There is no DJ or band here—just Apple Music and a speaker! I think that’ll work perfectly for our vibe.
The Week Before
32. Share the final headcount with the venue, caterer, and other vendors.
I’m ordering food for around 100 people—hopefully, they all show up, but if not, I guess Hector and I will be eating pizza for a week!
33. Share contact information with all vendors.
Since we’re only dealing with a few vendors, this one’s easy. I’ll confirm everything when I place the catering order.
The Day Before
34. Organize gratuities.
I’m a fan of tipping—some of these vendors go above and beyond to make your day memorable. Just make sure you don’t accidentally tip them in “wedding cake.”
35. Give gifts to loved ones.
I’ll definitely be giving gifts to my mom and friends who’ve helped so much. They’re the ones making this whole thing possible!
36. Bring any special items to the wedding venue.
I’m on it—just making sure everything is packed and ready to go.
37. Rehearse the ceremony and have the rehearsal dinner.
We’ll definitely rehearse the vows, but as for the dinner? We’ll keep it simple and focus on the love.
The Day Of
38. Get married!
All the planning will come together, and I’ll be surrounded by the people I love most. Hopefully, I won’t trip down the aisle, but if I do, it’ll just add to the charm of the day!
