Wedding next year? What you should be doing now!

planning advice

Oct 27

Destination wedding photographer for Italy Maaike Kolner — Photo: Maaike Kolner Photography

It’s happening - the countdown to the end of 2024, and the start of your wedding year! In a pop of a prosecco bottle it will be here and if you’re a 2025 couple, now is the time to go all in on planning. You’ve got from October to April to get s**t done before vendors go into wedding delivery mode again. So how do you make the most of this time?

You need a plan! Say ciao to our best all-round planning tool - The Wedding Tracker. Managing expectations over who does what is key to wedding planning peace and joy, so align your priorities and make sure you both know the tasks ahead to better split responsibilities.

Your Vendors

Have all booked by Christmas, with contracts signed.
If you are yet to decide on some vendors, then plot a timeline of decision-making and a deadline for all bookings to be closed with contracts.
Reach out to any key vendors that you’ve booked and check in to see if they need anything from you. Use this time to confirm their deadlines i.e. catering need mis en place and furniture by January. Get all this information in your plan so you don’t miss anything! Do not assume they will chase you.
Produce a detailed (and realistic) timeline highlighting when and what you need to communicate with your vendors about over the next 6 months i.e. January - inform catering of your mise en place; March - chase florist for updated designs etc.

Start your styling

Get clear on what you want and start to refine your moodboard.
Make life easier and download our Style Guide available in The Club.

Wet Weather Plan

Head in the sand? Pull it out and get your plan B booked! Please, please DO NOT avoid this! Rain cannot be wished away.

Trips

If you haven’t already book in a tasting or a final venue visit to plan your layout and design, then do so now.

Need-to-know

Many vendors, photographers in particular go away on their holidays in late December, early January. Bear this in mind when you are contacting them.

Many venues close down in January, so be mindful of this when booking trips or liaising with them about your wedding booking, as they might be slower to reply.

Your Glam

Book your hair & makeup trial ASAP.

Guest Management

Now is the time to increase your communication to guests. This might involved sending invites, an email and/or updating your wedding website. Prepare a small communication plan - when and what you need to say.
If you don’t have a stationer then book one - they get booked up fast!aharder to get in touch with.

Our biggest advice, is to get ahead because as the new year starts so will the wedding pressure! We know you don’t want to make any mistakes, so get a framework in place to help you feel centred.

Is now the time to join The Club, our planning membership? We think so! Tools and tutorials to support every step of wedding countdown. With personalised support direct from wedding planner and La Lista founder, Lucy.