As exciting as it is, the sheer number of tasks involved in pulling off a wedding can seem overwhelming. Not to worry, we’ve created a helpful timeline to keep you on track. The key is starting early and booking your wedding vendors at the optimal times.
Over the next few months, you’ll lock in the significant components and details, leaving just the final touches to complete in the last couple of weeks. Follow this schedule, and you’ll be well on your way to planning a stunning wedding without feeling stressed or rushed. Get ready to dive in—your magical wedding awaits!
Choose Your Dream Venue and Wedding Date
Choosing your dream wedding venue and date is one of the most exciting parts of planning your big day! As Malaysians, you have many gorgeous options, from grand ballrooms to intimate beachfront villas.
Book tours as soon as possible once you’ve narrowed down your top choices. Ask about available dates, pricing, and what’s included. Some venues book up to a year in advance, especially for popular months, so keep that in mind! There’s no better way to determine if a venue is ‘the one’ than seeing it in person.
When you find a venue you love, reserve it immediately by putting down a deposit. Congratulations, you now have a wedding date to work with! Now the real fun begins.
With your venue and date locked in, you can start booking the rest of your dream team. Photographers, videographers, caterers, florists – contact your must-haves 9-12 months before the big day. Remember entertainment like live bands or DJs. The top pros often book 6-12 months in advance.
Brides now are the time to go wedding dress shopping! Grooms, get fitted for your suit or tux 6-8 months out. It can take up to 9 months for a custom gown to be made, so start looking as soon as you have a date.
Before you know it, your magical day will be here! Booking early allows you to relax and enjoy planning your wedding. And remember, 50Gram Wedding is here to help every step of the way!
Book Your Wedding Photographer 9-12 Months in Advance
Congratulations, you’re getting married! Now it’s time to start booking your wedding vendors. As a Malaysian couple, here are some tips for when to book your wedding photographer:
A professional photographer is key to capturing your special moments and memories from your wedding day. Start contacting wedding photographers around 9 to 12 months before your big day. The best ones often book quickly, so get on their schedule ASAP!
Once you find some photographers you like, set up consultations to view their work and discuss packages. Get excited by looking through their online portfolios and past wedding albums! Find a photographer with a style you love, who is passionate about weddings, and who makes you feel comfortable. Ask about their experience, equipment, the editing process, and prices.
After choosing your photographer:
- Sign a contract to reserve your date.
- Meet with them again a few months before the wedding to discuss locations, shots, family photos, and any special requests.
- Put down a deposit to lock them in, usually around 50% of the total cost.
On your wedding day, enjoy yourself! They’re there to catch real smiles, laughter and joy. Your photographer will guide you through the photos and make the process fun. The results will be photos you cherish for years to come.
Booking early gives you the best choice of photographers and more time to plan the perfect wedding photo shoot. Following these tips will help ensure you get a talented photographer and gorgeous photos from your big day in Malaysia!
11 Wedding Photographers in Malaysia to consider for your big day!
Lock in Your Caterer and Florist 6-8 Months Ahead of Time
You’re less than a year away from your big day—congratulations! Now is the perfect time to lock in two of the most important elements of your wedding: catering and flowers. Booking them at the 6-8 month mark ensures you’ll have your pick of dates and the best vendors and gives you enough time to plan all the delicious details.
When interviewing caterers, ask them to sample their signature dishes and cakes. Once you find “the one”, reserve them right away before your date gets taken! Work with them on a custom menu reflecting your and your fiancé’s tastes. Will it be Malay, Chinese, Indian or fusion cuisine? A casual buffet or upscale plated dinner? The options are endless.
Fragrant frangipanis, orchids and roses are always a hit for Malaysian weddings. For flowers, find a florist passionate about creatively using seasonal blooms and greenery. Bring inspirational photos from your Pinterest board and work together on arrangements in your wedding colours that will make jaws drop.
- Discuss catering options for your wedding day brunch, dinner and any cultural ceremonies.
- Remember decor like linens, candles, lighting, etc. The caterer can often provide or recommend vendors.
- Meet with your florist to determine the ceremony’s and reception’s floral needs, including bouquets, boutonnieres, centrepieces, altars, arches, etc.
- Visit the ceremony and reception venues with your vendors so they can visualize your floral and decor vision.
- Once you sign contracts, stay in close contact regarding menus, rentals, floral designs, delivery schedules, payment plans, and other details to avoid last-minute surprises!
Planning a wedding is exciting but can also be stressful. Booking your caterer and florist in advance and maintaining open communication will give you peace of mind that two of the most important elements of your big day are handled, allowing you to enjoy this special time in your life! Focus on the fun parts that are still to come.
Meet With the Wedding Planner or Coordinator 3-6 Months Before the Big Day
Congratulations, you’re 3-6 months away from your wedding day in Malaysia! Now is the perfect time to meet with your wedding planner or coordinator to start finalizing the details. A good wedding planner will make the entire planning process fun and stress-free. They’ll keep you on track and handle all the logistics so you can focus on enjoying this special time.
- Schedule your first meeting with some potential wedding planners you’re interested in. See who you connect with! Once you’ve found “the one”, get ready to dive into planning mode.
- Your planner will review your vision for your wedding day and ensure all key details like venue, catering, and entertainment are booked and confirmed. They’ll create a personalized timeline to keep everything on schedule.
- Time to pick out those gorgeous wedding invitations! Your planner can recommend some great stationery vendors. They’ll also help assemble and mail the invitations to your guests.
- Finalize the details of your wedding wardrobe, flowers, cake, transportation, and anything else you need help with. Your planner is there to take the stress out of decision-making.
- Most importantly, enjoy this experience! Your wedding only happens once, so appreciate all the special moments along the way. Your planner will make sure it’s a day you’ll never forget.
The next few months will fly by, so make the most of working with your wedding planner. Focus on what matters: celebrating your love and commitment to one another. They’re the key to ensuring your wedding vision comes to life and that you remain blissfully calm.
Reserve Transportation, Accommodation and Entertainment 2-3 Months Out
Only 2-3 months left until the big day—it’s time to start finalizing the details that will make your wedding celebration memorable! You’ve already booked your major vendors, like the venue, caterer, photographer, and florist. Now you can focus on reserving transportation to get your guests to the venue in style, booking hotel rooms for out-of-towners, and lining up entertainment to keep the party going all night!
Reserve a Fun Fleet
- Keep the celebration flowing! Your guests will appreciate not having to drive after dancing the night away! Charter busses, vans or limos to transport guests from hotels to the venue.
- Book a vintage car or two for stylish photos of the bride and groom arriving at the ceremony.
- Remember transportation from the ceremony to the reception if they are in different locations.
Block Hotel Rooms
- Reserve a courtesy block of 10-15 rooms at a nearby hotel for out-of-town guests. They’ll appreciate the discounted group rate and convenience.
- Provide guests with booking details and a cutoff date to reserve their room. Any unbooked rooms will be released back to the hotel.
Line Up Lively Entertainment
- Hire a DJ, emcee or band to keep guests on the dance floor during your reception. Meet with them to discuss music styles, special songs, and the overall flow and schedule of events.
- Book additional entertainment like a photo booth, games, or live performances to delight your guests.
- Make an announcement at the reception to ensure guests stay until the final farewell! The party’s just getting started.
With transportation, hotels and entertainment arranged, you can now sit back and enjoy this special time leading up to your big day! Your guests are going to love celebrating with you from start to finish. Happy planning!
Conclusion
You’re in the home stretch now; just a few more months until the big day! With the major vendors booked, you can now focus on the fun details to make your wedding reflect your unique style as a couple. Remember to schedule a time to enjoy this special time in your lives – go on dates, take walks together, look through old photos and share memories. The wedding planning will be over before you know it, so savour each moment of the journey. Most of all, remember why you’re doing all this in the first place: because you found the one you can’t wait to build a lifetime of cherished moments with. Congratulations again, and best wishes for a joyful wedding and a long, happy marriage!
FAQ
To ensure you have a wide range of options and the best chance of securing your preferred vendors, it is recommended to start booking your wedding vendors 9-12 months before your wedding day.
When choosing a wedding venue, consider the capacity to accommodate your guest list, the availability of dates, the amenities and services provided, and the overall ambience and style that align with your wedding vision.
It is advised to book your wedding photographer 9-12 months in advance. This timeframe allows you to secure the services of a talented photographer who aligns with your style and preferences.
It is recommended to lock in your caterer and florist 6-8 months before your wedding day. This timeframe gives you ample time to discuss your preferences, sample their offerings, and finalize all the details for a seamless culinary and floral experience.
Meeting with your wedding planner or coordinator 3-6 months before your wedding day is advisable. This allows sufficient time to finalize all the details, review your wedding vision, create a personalized timeline, and ensure a stress-free planning process.
