Your Love Story, Beautifully Planned: The Ultimate Guide for the Viva Por Ti Couple

The First Steps: 12+ Months Out

This is the season of dreaming, where the vision for your day begins to take shape. The choices you make now are the broad, beautiful brushstrokes on your canvas.

• Celebrate Your Engagement: Before you dive into planning, take a moment. Breathe in this unique, beautiful time. Celebrate with those you love and simply enjoy the promise you’ve made to one another.
• Envision Your Day: Close your eyes. What do you see? An elegant black-tie affair in a historic ballroom? A romantic, open-air celebration under the stars? Discuss your dreams, your priorities, and the overall feeling you want to create.
• Set Your Budget: Have an open conversation about your financial comfort zone. This will be the foundation for your decisions, allowing you to allocate funds to what matters most to you.
• Curate Your Guest List: Begin drafting a list of the family and friends you cannot imagine celebrating without. This will be essential for the next step.
• Select Your Venue & Set the Date: Your venue is the stage for your story. Its architecture, light, and landscape will shape the entire aesthetic of your day and your photographs. Secure your perfect setting and, with it, your wedding date.

The Vision Takes Shape: 9-12 Months Out

With your foundation set, it’s time to assemble the artists and professionals who will bring your vision to life. These are your creative partners, chosen to make your day seamless and beautiful.

• Hire Your Wedding Planner: A trusted planner is the conductor of your orchestra, ensuring every detail is flawlessly executed so you can remain present in the moment.
• Secure Your Storytellers: The Photographer & Videographer: Well before the flowers are chosen or the invitations are sent, you choose who will preserve these memories for a lifetime. The most sought-after visual artists are often booked more than a year in advance. This decision is about finding a style that speaks to your soul and a presence you’ll be overjoyed to have by your side.
• Book Your Engagement Session: This is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate your relationship and become comfortable in front of the camera with your chosen photographer. The images become treasured keepsakes and are perfect for your save-the-dates.
• Assemble Your Core Creative Team: Select the other key partners for your day: your caterer, florist, and entertainment (band or DJ).

The Details Emerge: 6-9 Months Out

This is when the tangible, beautiful elements of your day begin to come together, adding layers of personality and style.

• Find Your Wedding Attire: Begin the search for your gown, suit, or chosen wedding attire. This can be a magical process, so give yourself ample time for discovery and alterations.
• Announce Your Celebration: Send your save-the-dates to give your guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements.
• Design Your Invitations: Work with a stationer to create an invitation suite that offers the first glimpse into the style and formality of your wedding day.
• Arrange Hotel Blocks & Transportation: Make it seamless for your guests by reserving blocks of rooms at local hotels and arranging transportation if needed.
• Launch Your Wedding Website: This will be a central hub for your guests, containing all the essential details and stories about your relationship.

The Tangible Touches: 4-6 Months Out

The finer details are now falling into place, adding flavor and sweetness to your celebration.

• Select Your Wedding Rings: Choose the bands that you will wear for a lifetime as a symbol of your commitment.
• Attend Your Cake Tasting: A delightful task! Select the confectionary masterpiece that will be a centerpiece of your reception.
• Finalize Your Wedding Party Attire: Guide your bridesmaids and groomsmen in selecting and ordering their outfits.
• Make it Official: Research the requirements and timeline for obtaining your marriage license in your state and locality.

Finalizing the Narrative: 2-3 Months Out

Your story is almost fully written. This phase is about refining the script and ensuring every moment flows beautifully.

• Mail Your Invitations: Send them out 8-10 weeks before the wedding date.
• Write Your Vows: If you are writing your own, begin to put your promises to paper. Let the words come from the heart.
• Plan Your Ceremony: Meet with your officiant to create a personal and meaningful ceremony program.
• Create a Photography Timeline: Sit down with your photographer to map out the flow of the day, ensuring you have abundant, relaxed time for the portraits you’ll cherish forever. Discuss your must-have photos and family groupings.

The Crescendo: The Final Month

The final countdown is on. It's a time for confirming, finalizing, and anticipating the joy ahead.

• Confirm Everything: Follow up with all your creative partners to confirm arrival times, final details, and send them a copy of the master timeline.
• Finalize the Seating Chart: A puzzle of love! Arrange your guest seating for the reception.
• Have Your Final Attire Fitting: Bring your shoes and accessories to ensure a perfect fit from head to toe.
• Pack for Your Honeymoon: The wonderful escape that awaits after you say "I do."

The Wedding Week: Breathe & Celebrate

The planning is done. Your only job now is to be present, to soak in every moment, and to celebrate the love that brought you here.

• Delegate Final Tasks: Entrust a trusted friend or your planner with any last-minute duties.
• Indulge in Self-Care: A massage, a quiet dinner together—do whatever makes you feel calm and centered.
• Attend Your Rehearsal & Rehearsal Dinner: Walk through the ceremony and then celebrate with your closest family and friends.
• Get a Beautiful Night's Sleep: Rest well, for tomorrow, your forever begins.