Wedding Planning 8 months before the wedding - Wedding Friends

Wedding Planning 8 months before the wedding - Wedding Friends

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The countdown to your wedding continues and Bianca Bouwer from Pretty Perfect Events is continueing her wedding advice in preparation for your big day. The 8 month mark has been reached and what to do now? All images were provided by Hayley Takes Photos. Happy Planning!

What to do 8 months before the wedding day.

About a month ago we introduced the Wedding Timeline and what to do 9 to 12 months before your big day regarding the planning process. This week we expand on that list by sharing the items that should be completed during month 8 before your wedding. Happy planning!

1. Register your web domain

Are you going paperless for your wedding invitations? Then you might want to consider having a wedding website. There are many advantages to having a dedicated website for your pending nuptials. It allows you to store all the information regarding your big day for your guests so that everyone is well informed. Most sites also include an rsvp tab, where guests can send you their rsvp straight from the site, making life that much more simpler. It is also a great place to showcase your engagement photos if you've had any taken - we can't think of any drawbacks to this element! With easy to use design programs like Wix nowadays, anybody can set up a simple website to house all wedding nitty gritty.

2. Hire a photographer (and videographer)

For most couples this is a big decision. Who will capture your day for all eternity and give you wonderful memories that you can look back on in years to come? We strongly recommend that you book the best photographer you can afford. Your wedding day images are going to last a lifetime and it is best to invest in this element so that you are satisfied for years to come. Many brides enlist the help of a videographer as well, and if we are to be totally honest, videographers capture the day in real time and provide a view that photography alone cannot. Many couples say that their big day goes by in a blur and to be able to relive their wedding day in real time by means of a video is priceless. If you can afford a videographer we would highly recommend it.

3. Book a hair and make up artist

We're sure all you bride to be's want to look your absolute best the day that all eyes are going to be on you. Hair and make up is an essential part of the grooming process on the morning of your wedding and these talented ladies (or gentlemen!) get booked up way in advance. Make sure you reserve your make up and hair artist early to avoid disappointment.

4. Go cake tasting

Who doesn't love tasting a bit of cake! Here you can let your imagination go wild - will you have a traditional white cake, or perhaps a completely outrageous design? Not only are the design options endless, the flavour combinations are just as creative - no boring traditional fruit cake in sight! Go and do this with you hubby to be - it's a process that is equally as fun as it is tasty - enjoy!

5. Book the entertainment

Live band? DJ? Singer? There are lots of options to consider here. Perhaps you'd like some live music for the cocktail hour and leave the party music up to a DJ. Choose a DJ that speaks to you as a couple - your wedding is a marvelous celebration and music often sets the tone for the reception. If you'd like people to have a good time and get dancing, your music needs to be well thought out in order to make sure everyone enjoys themselves. A good DJ/band will know how to work a crowd and get everyone onto their feet.

6. Meet the caterers

If your venue doesn't offer in house catering, you're going to have to enlist the help of caterers. We suggest booking a tasting with your desired caterer to make sure the menu is spot on and exactly what you and your fiancé like.

7. Order the dress

This may seem like a ridiculously far in advance time to order your wedding dress, but trust us on this one. Ordering your dress well ahead of time gives you enough breathing space in case something in the ordering process goes wrong. The dress is often very important to the bride and if worrying about this element can be avoided it will make the planning process that much more enjoyable. Take your time finding the right dress for you and remember (to quote Renee Strauss): "A wedding gown is like a man. When you fall in love, stop looking".

8. Start your gift registry

Start thinking about what items (if any) you'd like to add to your wedding registry to complete you and your fiancé's home. Often couples live together before getting married and as a result not many items are needed. If you and your future hubby have everything that you need, then it is also acceptable to ask for a monetary donation towards your honeymoon or a big ticket item for example. Craft your registry around what you as a couple would prefer.

9. Hotel rooms for family

Chances are your family would like to stay close to, or at the wedding venue if accommodation is available. It is polite to give your family first option to any accommodation in the area. Get your family to reserve this well in advance, especially if you are getting married in peak season. Guest houses and B&B's often fill up months in advance so alert them to possible accommodation options early on.

That's it! You've completed all the necessary items that need to be taken care of 8 months in advance.

Happy planning!

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