1. DETERMINE THE VIBE
Small and intimate? A huge celebration with all your friends and family? Now is the time to discuss what’s important to each of you—taking into account the essential items you feel strongly about vs. nice-to-haves that you can work through after major decisions like your wedding budget and guest lists are squared away.
2. ESTABLISH A TIMELINE
Before you can set the date, figure out which season best suits the type of wedding you envision. Spring and summer are classic wedding seasons, while fall and winter could lend themselves to anything from a cozy dinner to a Gatsby-style affair.
Once you know the time of year you want to get married, start asking venues about their availability.
Pro tip: You can use our Best Wedding Date Picker to help determine the ideal wedding date for your location. Be mindful of dates to avoid, such as holidays, other weddings, and family milestones.
NAIL DOWN YOUR DRESS CODE & AESTHETICS
Once you’ve chosen your date and location, the real wedding planning can begin! A fun first step on your wedding planning list is your overall wedding style—it will play a part in everything from wedding party looks and wedding invitations to your choice of décor.
Deciding if you want a rustic reception or black-tie event can typically be informed by your choice of venue, but the rest is up to you. Do you want glittering candles or an abundance of flowers? Family-style dining or a formal plated meal? Think about how you want your wedding to feel and how you want your wedding guests to remember it.
4. FIND YOUR VENDORS
Photographers, DJs or bands, caterers, florists—these are the people who will really complete the day. If your venue has an on-site coordinator, they may have a list of vendors they’ve worked with in the past. This is an excellent place to start since those vendors typically have good working relationships with your venue and understand the space.
The further out your wedding date, the more likely you’ll be able to schedule your top picks. However, it’s a good idea to scout second and even third choices, just in case your date can’t be accommodated.
5. REGISTER!
Now is the ideal time to set up an appointment with a registry consultant. Your wedding registry will be the first step you take toward building your new life together—gorgeous glassware for anniversary toasts, luxurious bedding for lazy Sunday mornings, and chef-worthy cookware to make dinners a culinary event.
Finding gifts to add to your registry comes down to one simple thing: who you are as a couple. Choose registry items that reflect your personality, lifestyle, and plans for the future. If you love to host, stock your registry with serveware, stemware, and dining room essentials. If you’re creatures of comfort, spring for the bedding of your dreams. If you love to travel, you can totally register for those streamlined suitcases you’ve been eyeing for years.
When it comes to wedding registry etiquette, think options. Provide your guests with a range of price points and types of wedding gifts so they can find something they’re excited to give. Our Wedding Registry Checklist is a great way to make sure all your bases are covered with plenty of gifting options. It’s also helpful to add your registry to your wedding website so guests will know exactly where to go.
6. PICK YOUR WEDDING PARTY
Gather those besties! Your wedding party can be big or small, even or uneven—the most important thing is that you both have your biggest supporters by your side.
Some couples ask friends and family to be part of their I Do Crew with small gifts, while others plan on giving groomsmen gifts and bridesmaid gifts the day of the wedding. Whatever you choose, it’s thoughtful to show your appreciation with something they’ll love.
Once you have your wedding party in place, it’s time to turn your attention to style. You’ll be helping your party choose their bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen attire, so decide how you want your party to look as a whole. You can have them all match or simply choose a color scheme and have them coordinate.
Pro tip: Copy and paste images of the dresses or suits next to each other (with your and your fiancé’s looks in the middle) so you can see how you’ll all look together on the big day.
7. GET YOUR ATTIRE
While the wedding dress is the main event when it comes to attire, make sure you’re remembering to shop for accessories and outfits for all occasions surrounding the wedding.
These include bridal accessories including shoes, clutches, jewelry, and hair accessories for the wedding day, bridal shower, and engagement party. Likewise, white dresses for the bridal shower, bachelorette party, and engagement party also need to be included on any bride-to-be’s shopping list. Grooms will need to plan for tuxes, suits, footwear, and accessories for all these occasions as well.
If you need inspiration, don’t miss our guides on what to wear to an engagement party (and related events) and how to pick wedding party outfits. For a more personal touch, book an appointment with one of our stylists to create head-to-toe looks for all your events. And remember, our wedding registry benefits and perks offer both the bride and groom 20% off dresses, suiting, intimates, and more.
8. CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING BANDS
Your wedding bands are two of the biggest decisions you’ll be making—you’ll be wearing them for the rest of your lives! Our selection of women’s wedding bands includes various finishes and accents including diamonds and precious stones. We also carry a wide range of men’s wedding bands in different metals and widths. Plus, our Diamond Guide is a good resource for finding the best shape and style for you.
Pro tip: Once you’ve chosen your set, it can be a good idea to insure them, along with your engagement ring. Also, don’t forget to talk to your registry consultants about special in-store offers!
9. PLAN THE HONEYMOON
Arguably, one of the most fun parts of planning a wedding is dreaming up your ideal honeymoon. Whether you’re going near or far, beach or city, plan a trip where you can unwind, explore, and enjoy your time together as an officially married couple.
Pro tip: When you create your wedding registry at Bloomingdale’s, our partners, The Travel Siblings, offer complimentary honeymoon planning—they’ll even get you some additional perks such as upgrades and resort credits.
10. COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRY
Once the vows have been said and the cake has been cut, it’s time to relax and enjoy your new life together. You could take your honeymoon right after the wedding or wait a few months to recharge.
You can also use this time to purchase any items left on your registry. We offer 20% off remaining registry items for six months after your big day, plus bonus gifts from some of our top vendors.
Most importantly, congratulations on your wedding and marriage!