As we head into the winter months, this is one of the best times to regroup and get organized with your wedding plans. The slower season naturally lends itself to focus since vendors finally have breathing room after a busy summer, and you likely have a little more headspace too.
After the holidays, I often see couples feeling a little stressed, and it makes sense. You’ve just spent Thanksgiving and Christmas surrounded by family, and inevitably, the wedding becomes a major dinner table topic. Suddenly, everyone is asking questions you might not have answers to yet. So before those conversations roll around, let’s get ahead of them.
Here are the top areas to focus on as we move into winter planning season.
Reconnect With Your Vendors
By now, most of your core vendors are likely booked, but it’s probably been a few months since you last checked in. Now that the 2025 wedding season has wrapped up, vendors are catching their breath and starting to prep for 2026, which makes this a perfect time to reach out.
- Caterer: Get your tasting scheduled. Most caterers hold tastings from January through March, but it’s smart to get on their calendar early.
- Rental company: Ask to set up a showroom appointment so you can see your napkins, linens, chairs, and tableware in person. This is one of my favorite winter tasks because it helps you visualize your tablescape and lock in design choices before spring.
- Hair and makeup: Book your trial appointment now, even if it takes place after the holidays.
- Cake tasting: Many bakeries start tastings in the new year, so reach out now to reserve a spot.
Attire and Alterations
If you haven’t booked your alterations yet, now is the time. Seamstresses can book up months in advance, and it’s one of those appointments you’ll be grateful to have secured.
If your partner or wedding party is suit shopping, note that most suit companies like to start the process about four months out, so use this time to browse styles and get ideas.
You’ll also need outfits for events around your wedding like bachelorette, rehearsal, or brunch. Go ahead and secure outfits for those events. In addition you can also start purchasing accessories for the day.
I’ll throw rings into this category. Start wedding band shopping. I recommend tackling this around the 4 month mark.
Invitations and Stationery
Get your invitation proofs finalized, start gathering addresses, and confirm mailing timelines.
If your wedding is in early spring or summer, you can even send your invitations alongside your holiday cards for a creative and efficient way to combine two mailings.
Don’t forget your stamps. Buy them early and store them with your invitation suite so you’re not scrambling later.
Photography
If you haven’t yet, reach out to your photographer to schedule your engagement session. Fall and Winter dates tend to book fast.
You can also start working on your family photo shot list in your down time.
DJ
This is a great time to think about all the music elements for your day. Couples will procrastinate this task but it’s one you can accomplish in advance. Select music for all of those key moments.
Timeline
Let’s get a draft of your timeline started! You already know your venue access times and your vendors’ contracted hours, so start sketching out the day.
When does your photographer start? How long do you have the space? Where are you staying the night before? The more details you fill in now, the smoother your planning process will be later.
Having a rough outline also helps you spot missing pieces like transportation windows, vendor arrival times, or setup logistics.
Final Vendor Bookings
If you still have a few vendors left to book, such as your florist, rentals, dessert, calligraphy, or photo booth, do it now.
Once January hits, couples start to realize, “This is the year we’re getting married,” and vendor inboxes fill up fast. Beat the rush and lock in your dream team before the new year scramble begins.
DIY Projects and General Item To Purchase
Start working on your DIY projects now! This is a frequent stress point for my couples because they are doing them all within the last month of planning.
Start collecting items that you are going to need the day of.
- Card Box
- Any photos and get them framed
- Guest Book
- Any decor you are bringing
- Wedding Party Gifts
- Toiletry Baskets
- Pens
- Cake Cutting Knife
- Cake Topper
- Grand Exit Supplies
If you don’t want all of these items sitting in your house atleast save the links so when you are ready to purchase it will be a quick task.
Book a Check-In Meeting
If you’re one of my couples, this is the perfect time to book a winter planning meeting.
We’ll go over your floor plans, timeline drafts, and next quarter goals and make sure you’re on track heading into spring. Winter is our chance to get strategic and plan with calm instead of chaos.
We also have a la carte planning meetings that you can book if you don’t need a planner but would like some assistance with the logistics.
With Love & Logistics,
Philadelphia
