Don’t let traditional wedding planning timelines deter you from having the wedding of your dreams during the season you want most.
6 MONTHS
Determine Your Budget
Up first is determining your total budget for the wedding and who and when they will be contributing. PIPPIN PERK: We’ve partnered with Carats & Cake, a better way to pay, offering the ability to split your payments into smaller monthly amounts, interest-free, with no additional costs.
Secure Your Vendors
Booking your planner should be your first call. Following that, reach out to your top choice vendors shortly after to secure them. PIPPIN PERK: Our Sales Team will share our preferred list of vendors and work with you to recommend the best in the business to come together as your Vendor Dream Team!
Choose Your Dress
While you may be able to have a custom dress made in 6 months, if you can’t quite commit to the ‘one’ right away, there are incredible ready-to-wear options available. The dress-shopping experience should be exciting and fun so grab your entourage and choose a boutique bridal shop with an expert team that will manage your fittings and timelines for you.
Book a Hotel Room Block for Guests and Secure Accommodations for the Wedding Party
If Charlottesville is a destination for a lot of your guests, let us help recommend some local favorites to secure a room block for your guests. PIPPIN PERK: For the couple and close family/friends, we have the perfect charming-meets-convenient Inn to house guests for your wedding weekend.
Schedule Your Engagement Shoot
Have a favorite photographer in mind for your wedding? See if they’re available for your engagement shoot that way you get a feel for working together ahead of the big day and you will have photos for your save-the-dates and wedding website. PIPPIN PERK: Engagement shoots at Pippin Hill are reserved for our wedding couples only!
5 MONTHS
Determine Your Guest List
Keeping your budget in mind, it’s time to determine your guest list. Knowing Pippin can accommodate up to 250 guests, create the full list of everyone you and your partner have ever wanted to include up to the maximum number. Next, go back through that list and mark people as an A or a B. Your A’s are the ones you must have by your side and your B’s are still people you really want to attend but not necessarily must-have guests. The A group gets the first round of invitations early and any regrets are taken by members of the B group.
Ask Your BFFs to be in the Wedding Party
Don’t wait for that special moment between you and the people nearest and dearest you want standing next to you at the altar. PIPPIN PERK: Ask our team about the Wedding Shop to view exclusive custom retail gifts for your BFFs.
Create Your Wedding Website
Your ‘north star’ for all things wedding-related and a reliable resource for your guests so ensuring you have your engagement photos back in time to add to your site will add the perfect curated feel. PIPPIN PERK: All of our couples get exclusive access to our client portal with helpful tools you can use both in the planning process and in building your website! Remember to have your wedding website live and ready to include on your Save-the-Dates, up next!
Send Your Save the Dates
Save the Dates should go out as soon as you have your venue secured. There are more resources than ever for custom save-the-dates in a short turn-around time so take advantage of sites like Zola and Minted. Pro Tip: Sending out electronic Save the Dates allows you to ask if your guests plan to attend ahead of time and get ahead of those A and B lists!
Secure Your Rehearsal Dinner Location
Whether you’re opting for an intimate gathering or a grand welcome party, finding the perfect venue is an essential early step.
4 MONTHS
Hire the Rest of Your Vendors
Time to secure hair and makeup, rental companies, and transportation among others.
PIPPIN PERK: Let our team connect you with our creative partners to ensure a seamless experience with our trusted team of vendors.
Get Your Wedding Rings
Most wedding rings and bands are made-to-order and could take up to 90 days for yours to be made and delivered so don’t wait longer than 4 months out. If you’re looking for a matching set, head to the place your fiancé bought the engagement ring.
3 MONTHS
Menu Tasting
Our team will work with you and your planner to schedule your tasting and we pull out all the stops! Our Event Managers will guide you through wine, beer, and cocktail pairings while our executive chef carefully prepares your selections to savor and ensure your menu is as perfectly executed as the rest of your big day! Our team will also walk you through any accommodations needed for dietary restrictions or allergies so you feel comfortable about all of your guests having a delicious meal.
Plan Your Honeymoon
The planning isn’t just for your wedding, don’t forget about that well-deserved honeymoon you’ll want to be solidified ahead of time so you can just relax and enjoy. PIPPIN PERK: Our sister property, Zero George Street in Charleston, South Carolina is a Travel + Leisure ‘must-visit’ boutique hotel with an award-winning restaurant on-site. Let our team assist with booking at a special rate!
Send the Invitations
Time to sign, seal, and deliver! Plan to send these out 10 weeks before your wedding.
2 MONTHS
Party Time
Let the celebrations begin! In the final 2 months before the wedding, your shower and respective Bachelor / Bachelorette parties should be happening, further out for destination gatherings. Traditionally, these events are planned and carried out by close friends and family so little planning stress on your end with a lot of laughs and great memories.
Order Your Marriage License
Visit your county clerk’s office to get your marriage license, and ensure this is done ahead of time so when you say “I do” you can feel comforted knowing you’re officially wed!
Do a Hair and Makeup Trial
You’d be surprised to know how many people think they know exactly what they want for their wedding look but end up changing their minds once they see it on themselves. Schedule a hair and makeup trial to see both together and work with your glam squad to evolve the look until it’s perfectly you! PIPPIN PERK: Our Loft Hair & Makeup alcove is equipped with professional-grade lighting. Our 3-way mirror is perfectly lit and angled, allowing you to get photos without the photographer in the background!
1 MONTH
Prepare for the Honeymoon
If you’re leaving right away for the honeymoon, take some time ahead of the wedding to pack your bags and ensure you have everything you’ll want (including those trusty passports!).
Confirm All the Details
Work with your wedding planner to go over the final seating arrangements and timeline to ensure there are no surprises and everything is planned according to your vision. Any final payments and tips for the day of should be taken care of and allocated so you don’t have to worry about any financials on the big day. PIPPIN PERK: Our team works directly with your wedding planner to compare timelines and vendor details down to the minute for flawless execution with no surprises!
Enjoy the Moment
You did it! And in 6 months no less! All the planning turns into one epic celebration so don’t forget to actively set the intention to soak it all in and participate in all of it, every moment!
