Wedding Planning 6 Months Before Your Big Day: The Complete Checklist

You’re six months away from your big day, which will either sound like plenty of time or not enough time at all depending on your perspective. Whatever your level of stress may be, this is an exciting moment worth slowing down to enjoy for at least a minute or two. You’re half a year away from the biggest moment of your life (to date), after all, that’s a big deal! And if you’re diving into wedding planning 6 months before your date, you’re officially in the phase where every choice starts to feel meaningful.

Okay, now that the minute’s over let’s talk about the complete checklist of items you should have on your radar as we approach your big day. This blog post is designed to keep you organized and stress-free from now until you say ‘I do’. At Montgomery Creek Ranch, we’ve helped countless couples successfully plan weddings on this timeline, and we’re excited to help you next.

Months 6 and 5: Lay Your Foundation 

Lock in your venue and set your date.

If you haven’t secured your venue yet, this should be your number one priority. Venues have limited availability and only so many open dates each year, so book as soon as possible. Your venue also sets the tone for major decisions like guest count, location, and overall vibe.

Here’s a pro tip: Choose a venue that is transparent and upfront about pricing. That kind of clarity, which we strive for at MCR, saves you time and prevents headaches later. Know exactly what’s included and what isn’t before you sign a contract so there are no last-minute surprises.

As you explore venues, think about on-site lodging too. Do you want your guests close by so the celebration doesn’t end when the music stops? If so, look for venues with overnight accommodations. For example, our 6,000-square-foot lodge is a major advantage for couples who want everything in one place.

When touring venues, be sure to ask the essentials: availability, package inclusions, vendor flexibility, and what the weather backup plan looks like. These questions help you compare options fairly.

Moral of the story? You’re in great shape if you secure your venue around the six-month mark.

Set your budget.

With your biggest expense handled, now is the perfect time to build your budget for the rest of your wedding. Create a realistic spreadsheet and be honest about what you can afford. Decide what matters most to each of you. For example, do you prefer to splurge on photography or on an open bar? There’s no wrong answer, clarity simply helps you allocate funds with intention.

Compare à la carte options with all-inclusive packages. Bundled venues often save you money by including items like tables, chairs, and coordination. These costs add up quickly when sourced individually.

Pro tip: Add a 10–15% buffer for unexpected expenses. They always show up.

With your budget set (and padded), you’re ready to book your vendors.

Get key vendors scheduled.

Start with your venue’s preferred vendor list. If they’re anything like us at MCR, they’ll offer trusted professionals who know the property well. These vendors already understand details like outlets, setup times, and who to contact if something comes up. That experience saves you time and stress.

Pro tip: Photographers book quickly — often 12–18 months in advance. If you’re booking one only 6 months out, act fast and stay flexible.

Next, book your caterer (or food truck, if your venue allows it), followed by your DJ or band. Whether you’re planning 18 months ahead or 6, one rule always applies: stay patient, understanding, and open to backup options if your first choice is unavailable.

Months 4 and 3: It’s All in the Details

Finalize your wedding party and guest list.

With the date, venue, and main vendors locked in and ready to go, now it’s time to bring your friends and family into the fold. As you start to think about your guest list, it’s usually easiest to start with a rough count and then narrow it down to the final list from there. We know how agonizing this part of the planning process can be, but from a logistical perspective it’s best to cast the net wide(ish) before honing in on the ultimate tally. Your venue will help you create a natural boundary, given the space and capacity restrictions you’ll be working within.

The other set of special attendees will be your bridesmaids and groomsmen, the lucky few who will support you emotionally and logistically in this milestone moment. Be sure to set expectations around things like financial commitments (attire, travel) up front. True friends will always appreciate the honesty and the heads up.

Once you’ve finalized your list of lucky invitees and your chosen wedding party, it’s time to send out the save the dates to ensure they can all actually make it to your wedding. Pro tip: Digital save-the-dates are perfectly acceptable for shorter timelines and ensure everyone gets the info immediately.

Book your remaining vendors and start tying the last details together.

If you still need to book vendors like florists, cake, hair and makeup artists, officiants, and videographers, now is the perfect time to lock those in. 

Now is also the time to find your wedding dress if you haven’t yet done so, as most bridal salons need 4-6 months for orders. Many have sample sales or rush options, though, so be up front about your timeline. And once you’ve found the perfect dress, alterations typically require 2-3 fittings over 8-12 weeks, so ordering at the 4-month mark is cutting it close but definitely doable. Get started now if you haven’t already!

Grooms have it easier, as rentals can be arranged 4-6 weeks out. Or just buy off-the-rack and tailor to fit if you’re looking for an option that won’t need to be returned after your big day. When it comes to outfitting your wedding party, be sure to give them clear style guidelines (color, length, formality) and let them choose within those parameters. They’ll appreciate the flexibility to find their own look and style within your guidelines!

Plan your ceremony.

Meet with your officiant, plan out your vows, decide on a ceremony structure, choose your preferred readings, and pick the music that you’d like to be played. Your ceremony is the ‘why’ behind your celebration, after all! So spend some time making it personal and meaningful so it doesn’t end up as just a formality before the party starts.

Pro tip: Writing your own vows? Do yourself a favor and start now with a first pass that you can revise over the next few months. The first draft is always rough, and that’s totally fine.

Months 2 and 1: Polish Everything and Start the Final Countdown

Start your registry, book your honeymoon, and finalize the design details.

Now we’re getting into the fun things and the final details that make everything start to feel very real. 

Your friends and family want to get your marriage off on the right foot by getting you started with the bedding, kitchenware, and linens that will make your house feel like a home. Stock your registry with tons of options at a range of price points, ranging from small pieces to big-ticket items. 

Pro tip: Mix traditional retailers with modern options like honeymoon funds or charity registries.

Speaking of honeymoons, now is the time to book your tropical getaway, your luxurious staycation, or your overseas adventure. Just be sure to account for updated passports if you’re planning on an international trip. And if you’re not ready to commit to a trip right after your big day, consider an extended weekend getaway right after the wedding, and then plan a bigger trip for your first anniversary if the post-wedding budget is tight.

When it comes to finalizing the design details, don’t overthink it too much. Pick two or three main colors and stick with them across the board for florals, decor, and cake. Focus your decor budget on high-impact areas: ceremony backdrop, head table, and entrance signage. But if your venue has a signature feature, like the rustic barn aesthetic at our venue that does most of the heavy lifting, you won’t need elaborate decor to create atmosphere — because the space IS the atmosphere.

Final Weeks: Finalize Everything

Finish your last dress fittings, chase down the outstanding RSVPs, and confirm with all your vendors.

Don’t be shy here. You’ve got timelines to hit and last-minute details to finalize, so make the calls, send the texts, and fire off the emails (nicely, of course) to get the final responses and answers you need. Do a final walkthrough at your venue to make sure everything is scheduled to run exactly as you’ve planned it. At MCR, for example, we schedule a final walkthrough 2-3 weeks before your wedding to discuss setup, answer last-minute questions, and ease any lingering concerns. Check with your venue to see if they do something similar.

Once your dress is ready to go, get some practice wearing it around the house. Ditto for your shoes. Blisters on your wedding day are avoidable! Pro tip: Practice walking, sitting, dancing, and using the bathroom in your dress. Yes, seriously! You’ll thank us later.

Get your marriage license and make final vendor payments.

For marriage licenses, every state has different rules. In Indiana, for example, licenses are valid for 60 days, so be sure to get it squared away 2-4 weeks before the wedding. Allow time for processing in case there are any unexpected delays.

As for completing final payments to your vendors, don’t forget to account for a tip! It’s standard to tip between 15-20%, assuming the service is great. Pro tip: You shouldn’t be worrying about any of the logistics on your wedding day, so assign the disbursement of tips to a trusted person in your wedding party.

You Got This 

Six months is absolutely enough time to plan a beautiful wedding. Just make sure you stay organized, prioritize the things that truly matter (like your soon-to-be-spouse), and lean on the pros to guide you through the process. You hired them for a reason, after all! 

With some of the weddings we’ve has at Montgomery Creek Ranch, we’ve seen that shorter planning periods can actually be really beneficial to minimize stress. When there’s less time to agonize over every little decision, the result is fast-paced planning that carries you straight into your wedding day.

If you’re looking to start your 6-month wedding planning journey with us at MCR, schedule a private tour of our beautiful grounds and discover why couples love our combination of Texas hospitality, central Indiana convenience, and genuine support. Let’s create something unforgettable together!

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