What To Do Before "I do": 12 Months Out

3 min read September 13, 2026 Team Fun365
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Congratulations - you’re engaged! Take a moment to soak it all in! During this first month of wedding planning, we’ll focus on celebrating your engagement and getting organized before the big decisions come into play.

First, let's throw an impressive engagement party and set up your gift registry. Then, since budgeting and dividing your wedding costs can get complicated, we've provided you with tips for sharing the expenses and how to save money along the way.

Do you need a wedding planner? If not, how do you plan to keep your wedding planning ideas organized? Don’t worry! We’ll guide you through making these decisions and help you feel prepared.

We’ve curated this month-by-month wedding planning guide to ensure a smooth process from the day of your proposal to the day you say, “I do!” Check out all of our tips, tricks and unexpected ideas to keep you inspired and organized through 12 months of wedding planning.

1.
Who Pays for Your Big Day?

Before you get too far into wedding planning, take a look at our guide to covering the cost of your wedding. We have tips for dividing the expenses and provide a breakdown of a typical wedding's expenditures. 

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2.
Down the Aisle, Not the Drain! Money-Saving Tips

If you're not careful, your wedding costs can easily creep above your budget. Take our advice on how to save money and still create an amazing wedding! 

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3.
Do You Need a Wedding Planner?

It should come as no surprise that planning a wedding is a lot of work. We're here to help you determine if you should hire a professional wedding planner to help you coordinate the details. 

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4.
Wedding Dress Shopping 101

With so many wedding gown styles and bridal boutiques galore, shopping for your dress can seem like a daunting task! Review our tips for narrowing your selection and saving money before you and your posse hit the stores.

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5.
Master Your Bridal Organization

Are your Pinterest boards cluttered and full of old, irrelevant wedding pins? Do you have wedding magazines piling up? Follow our tips for keeping your ideas organized and useful to your planning process.

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6.
Celebrate YES! Engagement Party Ideas

Let's pop open a bottle of bubbly and celebrate! An engagement party is the perfect opportunity to show off your ring, tell the proposal story and introduce any unacquainted friends and family members. Check out our tips for throwing an unforgettable party!

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7.
Tips Toward a Successful Wedding Registry

When should you set up a gift registry? Many brides choose to register earlier rather than later and then adjust along the way. Follow our tips for making wedding gift buying and receiving a piece of (wedding) cake!

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8.
Wedding Planning Printable + DIY Clipboard

This DIY clipboard serves as your central location for storing your wedding ideas and clippings. Use our free planning printable to track your progress along the way!

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9.
Modern Marble and Lavender Wedding Table

It's time to start thinking about how you want your wedding to look. Check out this sleek DIY wedding table for inspiration. 

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10.
Engagement Party DIY Wine Chiller Box

This DIY wine chiller box is a classy addition to your engagement party. Fill it with your favorite wine and champagne, and let's get the party started!

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