You've almost made it!  You are down to the final month before you start the rest of your life together.  You'll have a few items to wrap up and then hand everything off to a Day of Coordinator so you can enjoy your wedding day.

1. Finalize your guest count.  If you haven't received all your RSVP's, make sure you call, email, text to follow up with each person on your list and get their final response.  You will need to let your venue, caterer, cake designer, florist, etc. know this final count so they have everything prepared for your wedding.

2. Purchase guest book and other details.  Make sure you have the guest book, plenty of pens, unity candles and holders, frames for any photographs to display, etc.  Go through the plan table by table on what you will need and make a list.

3. Finalize day of timeline.  Sit down with your Day of Coordinator and get all the details worked out.  That will allow you to focus on your fiance and soak in the day.  Make sure they coordinate the timeline with your photographer so everyone is on the same page.  Get copies sent out to all your vendors and your bridal party.

4. Final site walk through.  Now that you have the final guest count, your venue or planner will finalize the layout for ceremony and reception.  You should also talk through a rain contingency plan and when that decision needs to be made.  Get everything prepared now so you don't stress about it the week leading up to your wedding.  (and remember, even if it rains, you will be married and enjoying the time with friends and family!)

5. Break in your wedding shoes.  You'll be dancing the night away so make sure they are comfortable.  Wear them around the house, show them off to friends, whatever you need to do to make sure you don't regret your choice.  This goes for heels or flats!  I neglected to break in the ballet flats I chose for my wedding day and quickly changed them out for flip flops at the reception (which, is also an OK back up plan).

6. Develop seating chart for reception.  If you are doing a seating plan, now is the time to set that up.  You'll have the final guest list and layout to work from.  Think through groups that will like to sit together, mix it up with the "life of the party" guests throughout the plan so everyone stays entertained.  Check out our post here for more seating plan tips.

7. Get your marriage license!  You'll go to the courthouse in the county you will be married in to get this important piece of information.  Post the required selfie on Instagram.

And then, try to relax!  If you've followed our tips along the way, you'll have the details covered.  Focus on getting those last items packed for the honeymoon!
- Becky
Find out about tasks for 2 - 3 months here.

Good news - the "to-do" lists are getting shorter! (Unless you're like my husband and I who planned our whole wedding in 3 months - then you're probably just getting started - feel free to hit me up for advice if you're there with us!)

1. Discuss pre-wedding parties with Maid of Honor and Best Man.  Fun stuff!  Decide what you want to do to celebrate with your bridal party.  An all out bachelor party?  A weekend at the lake?  It's totally up to you and your crew.  If your Maid of Honor and Best Man really know you well, let them plan it!  Again, one less thing for you to do.

2. Purchase wedding day accessories for bride.  Finalize those details - the earrings, necklace, hair accessories.  All the sparkly little details that complete your wedding day look.  On wedding day, make sure you have all these things set aside for your photographer to capture.  (Read more about details to discuss with your photographer here).

3. Schedule your stylist trial sessions.  Once you have your inspiration photos nailed down, set up time with your stylist to do a trial.  This lets you see the results and tweak it so your stylist will have it perfect on your wedding day.  This is the time to speak up if something isn't exactly the way you want.  Your stylist wants to know so they can make you feel beautiful!

4. Mail Invitations.  Check, check!  Make sure to ask for RSVP's before the 30 day mark.  You'll need that info for vendors and we all know someone will be late.  You will probably have to follow up with some people who don't RSVP.  Call, text, email.  Make sure you know who is and isn't coming so you don't pay for extra guests.

5. Decide on your bridal party processional order and ceremony details.  Nail these down with your officiant and coordinator.  There are several ways to structure your processional and ceremony.  The only wrong way is the one that doesn't fit you as a couple.  Your officiant can give guidance on ceremony details and what you may or may not want to include.  Sit down with your coordinator to understand some common bridal party processionals and what fits your wedding.

6. Order guest favors.  If you are providing favors for your guests, order those now.  There are endless options for guest favors - food related items are the most often taken home!  We've had couples that hand made candles or soap for guests.  Our Farm to Table weddings have used our handmade goat milk soaps or lotions for favors.  A late night cookie truck as a take away?  Yes, please!

You probably have a lot of non-wedding related items going on now, too.  Getting settled into a new house or apartment, getting used to your fiance's pets full time, spending more and more time with each other's families.  Planning a honeymoon!  Take time to focus on those items, too.  Enjoy the last bit of time before your last name changes.  We know you're looking forward to the big day and starting your life together, but savor the moments as they come - you won't regret it.
- Becky
Get your 4 month "to do" items here.
​Find your next steps for 1 month out here.

You're getting closer to your big day!  Which means just as you finished your checklist from last month, you better start on the next one.  At 4 - 5 months out, you'll want to focus on getting details wrapped up in some areas.

1. Choose your something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.  As a blueberry farm, we are a bit partial to anytime a bride uses our blueberries as their something blue!  This is a great opportunity to include details and people that mean something to you in your wedding.  Pinterest is full of ideas and we love seeing creative ones.

2. Book your wedding cake.  After you've done your tastings, confirm with the cake designer of your choice.  Finalize the design and give them a guest count estimate.  (Bonus points if you include blueberries - something blue AND extra tasty!)

3. Prepare for your first fitting.  Buy your lingerie and any other essentials you need to make sure your fitting is accurate.  What you wear under your dress can make a big difference in how the dress fits, so make sure you have those details down and your get the most out of your fitting.

4. Find inspiration photos for your hair and makeup.  Pinterest is your friend again for these photos.  Another great place to look are styled shoots which are often published on bridal websites or in magazines.  Hair and makeup artists will show the latest trends in these shoots and give you some great new ideas.

5.  Choose your bridesmaids accessories.  Earrings, necklaces, shoes - all the finishing touches.  This can also be a great idea for bridal party gifts.  Who doesn't love something new and sparkly?

6. Finalize attire for other bridal party members.  Flower girl dresses, bow ties for ring bearer or groomsmen.  Get it all finalized and ordered.  There are so many details that go into planning your wedding.  Keep an eye out for things you can ask others to help with.  If you trust your sister's taste and her daughter is your flower girl, maybe give her a general idea of what you like and let her choose something.  If your groom's style is one of the reasons you love him, ask him for ideas for his groomsmen.  You'll need as much help as you can get as the wedding day gets closer!

7. Purchase your wedding bands.  It's common to purchase the wedding band along with the bride's engagement ring, but you probably need to pick out your groom's band.  There are a ton of great options for guys bands, besides the traditional gold band.  Titanium is a great option if he's hard on things.  Wood or horn inset bands are understated.  There are even non-metal options which are great for some professions or fit an athlete's style.

That's it for month 4!  Good news is, your check list should have a lot more checks on it than empty boxes now.  Make sure you take plenty of breaks from wedding planning to spend time with your fiance (not discussing wedding plans).  Spend time with friends and family too - again, not talking about wedding planning.  Those breaks will keep you from rehashing decisions over and over, and keep you sane.  As always, feel free to drop us any questions in the comments!
- Becky
Read the previous post on 6 month planning.

At 6 months out, things start to come together quickly.  You'll have several final orders to place, final decisions to make on food, design, etc.  We've got them all listed for you below!

1.  All the dresses.  Once you've found that perfect dress, get it ordered!  You'll need time for it to come in, get fittings and alterations done before you walk down the aisle. 
​Confirm your bridesmaid dresses.  Thank goodness it's OK to mix and match bridesmaid dresses - sometimes it's too hard to pick just one!  Look for inspiration on Pinterest for ideas on how to mix styles, shades of the same color, different colors, prints and more.

2. Book your hair and makeup artist.  Decide where you will be getting hair and makeup done - salon, house, venue, etc.  This will help you narrow down your options on who you want to work with.  Look through their previous work and talk with them about the style you want to make sure they can give you the perfect look.

3. Save the Dates and Invitations again.  It's time to get your Save the Dates in the mail!  After that you can finalize all your invitation details and get them ordered.  Double check ALL the information - ceremony time, venue address, spelling of names, etc.

4. Schedule tasting with caterer and set menu options.  Selecting a menu that provides plenty of options for all your guests and dietary needs can be stressful.  A great caterer can help you choose a delicious menu that provides options for everyone.  Ask your caterer to label items as Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, etc. on the buffet so guests can easily choose what they need.
If fresh and flavorful food is right up your ally, consider a Farm to Table menu.  Farm to Table menu's work with local farmers to source fresh, sustainable meats paired with the freshest, in season vegetables.  The menu will reflect your tastes and the flavors of the season making for a unique dining experience for your guests!

5. Schedule your cake tasting.  In our opinion, one of the best meetings!  Enjoy tasting the cake and icing flavor combinations.  Talk through design ideas with the cake designer, also.  Wedding cakes are truly an art that should be both beautiful and taste delicious!  If cake isn't your thing, get creative.  What about a pie bar?  Donut wall?  Or dessert bar with lots of options.  At our wedding, my husband and I had a dessert reception - it definitely reflected my personality.  Instead of one cake, we had several of my family favorites plus pie, cheesecakes, cookies, brownies and more.  Yummm...

6. Start the playlist for your DJ.  Think through ceremony songs as everyone walks down the aisle and again after you're pronounced man and wife!  Go through options for your first dance, parent dances, etc.  Your DJ can be a great resource on which songs or types of music will get everyone on the dance floor!

7. Design your table settings.  So many options!  Choose your linen colors, place settings, specialty chairs for sweetheart or head table, centerpieces, etc.  There may be several vendors involved in creating your table settings - florist, rental company, planner, venue, china vendor, etc.  Make sure you connect them all to ensure your design flows seamlessly.  Once you have a plan in place, get those items reserved!

8. Book transportation.  For your guests and yourselves after the wedding!  Make sure everyone is taken care of.

9. Reserve any rentals.  Need a dance floor?  Specialty tables or chairs?  Anything your venue or vendors aren't taking care of, you need to get reserved.  You don't want to wait until a month before the wedding and realize the gorgeous handmade farm tables you were dreaming of have been booked for another wedding.

10. Rehearsal dinner plans.  We'll end on another food topic!  Start researching options for your rehearsal dinner.  Will you host it at the venue?  Are there nearby restaurants with private dining room options?  Or perhaps the groom's parents would like to host it at their home.  Talk about who will be invited to the rehearsal dinner.  Start with those in the wedding party and immediate family.  If you have close friends or family traveling from out of town, you may want to include them also.

You're getting closer to the big day! 6 months may still seem like forever when you're waiting to begin your life with the one you love, but it will fly by.  As always, let us know what questions you may have for us.
And if you haven't already started to consider it, a full service wedding planner can take A LOT of stress off of you by managing this list of to do items for you!
- Becky
Next steps - 4 months out.
Previous planning for 9 months before your wedding.