When 2023 rolled around, it was as if a light switch went off in my brain. It’s officially the wedding year and only 9 months to go. Jon and I got engaged in July 2021, so the wedding planning has taken a leisurely pace. We’ve gotten quite a bit done – the planner, venue, officiant, and photographer are all booked. But there’s something about being in the same year that makes the planning feel different. Even when working with a wedding planner, there’s so much to do and so many decisions to make.
The first month of this year has already been pretty busy. Here are some of the wedding planning things I’ve been up to!
Beauty & wellness
I put together this bridal wellness plan for 2023. Overall I’m sticking to a lot of whole foods, extra water, and consistent workouts. But I’m also extending that wellness plan to my mental wellness. Wedding planning can be all-consuming, so I’m trying to journal every morning and take breaks from planning when possible. I also just booked a hair appointment for next month. I go to Sam Brocato in Soho, and I asked to get paired with a stylist who is great for wedding prep and extensions. I’m excited to come up with a plan for my hair over the next several months!
Catering
We just got our initial catering quote last week! Jon and I had the best time trying all the foods when we were in Tuscany in October. It is so exciting to see the menu come together, but it’s also so hard to make choices! We have a lot of fun cocktails on the list and some amazing pasta, of course. The caterers are really great to work with, so our planner is going to share some of our thoughts and ideas back with them. I’m so excited because I know everyone is going to be well-fed at the event. It is Italy after all!
Inspiration boards
I spent quite a bit of time with our planner talking about inspiration boards last week. It is so fun to bounce ideas back and forth and start to see the vision for the wedding take shape. One of the things that has been hard for me is conveying exactly what I want. Our wedding is going to be unique, so I’ve had a hard time finding photos on Pinterest that really encapsulate what we’re trying to do. That being said, our planner has been so awesome and has helped me figure out some really cool decor within our budget. I’m so excited to see it come to life.
Lighting & music
We also received lighting, music, & DJ estimates this past week. Wedding planning really requires so much attention to detail, and I’m so glad we decided to go with a planner. Jill has been really helpful at breaking down estimates and chatting about what we really do or don’t need. Our wedding dinner is going to be al fresco, and I’m so excited to have gorgeous bistro bulbs strung across the garden. I know it’s going to be truly magical. We are also opting for a DJ and contemplating strings for the ceremony.
Shopping
Naturally, I’m continuing to shop for my bridal wardrobe. It can be so easy to buy wayyy too much, so I recently created a spreadsheet to track my outfits. It might sound a little type A (guilty), but it’s also been so helpful to see what I do and don’t need. For example, I’ve got plenty of evening outfits. I really need to focus more on shoes, accessories, and daytime looks for my bachelorette. I made a BHLDN appointment over Christmas break and ended up purchasing this dress that I might wear for our rehearsal dinner/welcome party. I was so glad to try it on in-store because I never would have picked it based on the photos online.
I’m sure each of my wedding planning updates moving forward is going to be full of details. There’s just so much to do! We’ve also been finalizing room blocks, putting together communications for our bridal party, and planning our bachelor and bachelorette parties. I sometimes can’t believe it’s almost here – and then I remember my to-do list. I’m totally thriving in this planning phase and can’t wait to share more with you all soon!
Xx, Kelsey
