A Timeline for Connecticut Wedding Planning: What to Know BEFORE You Hire A Wedding Planner

Congratulations on your engagement! Now that you’re engaged, you’re probably eager to start planning your dream wedding. But where do you begin? One of the most important aspects of planning a wedding is finding the right vendors to bring your vision to life, but this can be an overwhelming task. To help you out, we’ve put together a planning timeline for when to book your Connecticut wedding vendors, including some tips and advice you may not have thought of (like hiring a Connecticut Wedding Planner!).

12-18 (or more!) Months Before Your Wedding

Wedding Planner: If you’re planning to hire a Connecticut Wedding Planner, it’s best to do so as soon as possible. A Wedding Planner can help you with everything from finding the perfect Connecticut wedding venue to hiring your vendor team to managing your budget and timeline. Most Wedding Planners offer Full Service Planning & Design, which can book out as early as two years in advance! Wedding Planners that offer Event Management (commonly referred to as Day-of Coordination) tend to offer the service within 6-8 months before a wedding date, if they have remaining availability on their calendar.

Wedding Venue: Your Connecticut wedding venue is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, as it sets the tone for your entire day. Popular Connecticut wedding venues can book up quickly (with most Saturdays during wedding season almost guaranteed to be booked at least a year in advance), so it’s best to start your search as early as possible. If your wedding date is flexible, aim for a wedding date that is outside of wedding season or on a Friday/Sunday for more availability. A Wedding Planner who offers Venue Sourcing as a service can help you narrow down the many options to locate your perfect wedding venue in Connecticut.

Photographer/Videographer: Your wedding photos and videos will be cherished memories for years to come, so it’s important to choose a photographer and videographer whose style you love. Many talented photographers and videographers in Connecticut book up well in advance, with couples often knowing who they want to capture their wedding memories before they’ve even locked in their date! Your Wedding Planner will help you find someone who not only matches your style, but who’s personality and vibe are the right fit for you.

Caterer: Connecticut is known for its delicious cuisine, so it’s important to choose a caterer who can create a menu that reflects your tastes and preferences. Your choice may be easy for you if your venue has an in-house caterer or a preferred vendor list, but that’s not always the case. With options ranging from buffet, plated, family-style, food trucks, vegan, vegetarian, farm-to-table, BBQ, Italian, Greek, and so much more, choosing a caterer can be a tough choice. Be sure to work with your Wedding Planner to narrow down the options and find your perfect fit.

8-12 Months Before Your Wedding

Florist: Your wedding flowers can add color and beauty to your day, so it’s important to find a Connecticut florist who can create arrangements that fit your vision. Consider factors such as seasonality, color palette, and style when choosing your florist. Your Wedding Planner and florist will work hand in hand throughout the design process to bring your wedding theme life.

DJ/Band/Musicians: The music at your wedding can set the tone for the entire event, so it’s important to choose a DJ, band, or musicians who can create a playlist that fits your style and gets everyone on the dance floor. Your Wedding Planner will be able to help you choose an entertainer who not only fits into your budget, but who also matches the vibe that you’re aiming to create for your wedding day.

6-9 Months Before Your Wedding

Hair and Makeup: You want to look your best on your wedding day, so it’s important to find a Connecticut hair and makeup team who can create a look that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Keep your wedding party in mind when looking for a team and be sure to take into consideration the various skin tones and hair types of the people having services done. You’ll want a team who showcases a broad range of clients, one as diverse as your wedding party!

Transportation: If you’ll need transportation for your wedding party or guests, it’s important to book it well in advance. Consider options such as limousines, party buses, and vintage cars to find the perfect fit for your day. There is even a company that offers horse drawn carriage rides in Connecticut!

Rentals: If you’ll need rental items such as tables, chairs, and linens, it’s important to book them well in advance. The recent ride in tented backyard weddings has caused rental companies to book out as early as a year in advance. If you’re having your wedding at home, you’ll be “building” your venue from the ground up and should aim to secure your rentals even earlier! Consider factors such as style, color, and quantity when choosing your rental items, which your Wedding Planner can assist with.

4-6 Months Before Your Wedding

Officiant: Your wedding ceremony is the heart of your day, so it’s important to choose an officiant who can create a meaningful and personalized ceremony. Connecticut offers many officiant options, including some who will help you create a custom ceremony to be performed by a loved one of your own choosing.

Wedding Cake & Dessert: Your wedding cake is a sweet symbol of your love, so it’s important to choose a baker who can create a delicious and beautiful cake that fits your style and taste preferences. There is also the option to add everything from a cupcake tower to donuts to ice cream bars!

Invitations: Your wedding invitations can set the tone for your day and give guests important information. Work with a stationery designer to create invitations, programs, menus, and other items that fit your style and color palette.

2-3 Months Before Your Wedding

Wedding Coordinator: If you’ve opted for an Event Management service over Full Service Planning, this is often where your coordination services will begin. Your CT Wedding Planner will begin reaching out to your vendor team and take over as your main point of contact while you focus on your family and friends.

Wedding Day Stationery: If you’ve hired a stationery designer, that artist will help you to create wedding day stationery items to complement your invitations and match your wedding theme.

1 Month Before Your Wedding

All of your Connecticut wedding vendors have been booked and it’s time for your to enjoy the countdown to your big day. The final month leading up to the wedding can be an emotional one as you finalize all of the details: your photography shot list, rehearsal dinner plans, seating charts, final fittings, friends and family arriving from out of town, hotel welcome bags, packing and so much more! Having a Wedding Planner who can assist you with all of the details can make all of the difference.

Enjoy your wedding day!