Getting married probably ranks in the top 10 of the scariest life moments a human being can have. And while this is usually chalked up to nerves and overthinking, many people still do genuinely live happily ever after. 

All fairy tales aside, getting married is a process. And this process begins the day that you put a ring on your significant other’s finger.

The process of getting married also takes considerable time on average, sometimes longer than a year. And while there are many who choose to elope and get married without having big gatherings, traditionally the wedding planning phase is something that must be considered by both parties.

The truth is, there are many moving parts to planning a wedding between the proposal and the wedding, and this is only the beginning of a lifelong commitment to your significant other. In this post, we’ll outline a few milestones along the road to your wedding day.

Planning the Honeymoon

While buying a wedding dress and picking out the entire wedding ensemble from the shoes to the colors on your handkerchief will take some serious planning, if you’re wanting to take an epic honeymoon, you’ll want to start planning it immediately.

A honeymoon can be as big and elaborate as you like, or as small and personable as you prefer. Regardless, you’ll want to have this planned and paid for no matter which direction you decide to go well in advance.

This is especially true if you’re planning an overseas honeymoon, or if you’re planning to go to a popular resort destination. Depending on the time of year and the location you’ll be heading, rates can rise and fall and availability can be scarce, so it’s best to plan at least a year ahead of time and have the trip completely paid for well before your wedding day to get the best rates.

Choosing the Date

Believe it or not, there’s a true science behind planning your wedding date. Research suggests that the average engagement time spans about 15 to 18 months on average, and during this time you’ll have plenty to consider. 

The date is actually one of the most important elements of wedding planning, because the time of year that you choose may dictate a lot about the overall plan. For example, if you choose to have an outdoor spring wedding, you’ll have specific florals that are in season, you’ll also have springtime colors to consider. 

The same is true of any season that your wedding might fall in. Holiday themes are popular if incorporated into a wedding, especially those that fall close to Christmas. 

Choose a date that both parties can agree on and in a season that is feasible for the activities you want to enjoy. Another aspect to consider is timing of the year, especially if you have school-age children due to the multitude of school functions and activities that children must be present for in a given school year. 

The Bachelor Party

Perhaps the most fun part of any wedding plan is the bachelor and bachelorette party plan. Though this is usually left up to bridesmaids and groomsmen, you can still have a little say in your last night of freedom before tying the knot. 

A bachelor party is supposed to be a night to remember, and traditionally, this usually entails strippers, attention-grabbing party favors, and a lot of alcohol. But, it can also be something entirely different and unique as well. 

Perhaps you want to plan an epic bachelor party on Lake Tahoe or take one last road trip to your favorite fishing spot. Regardless of your destination, you’ll need to coordinate this traditional send-off with your wedding party, while hoping that everyone behaves themselves accordingly. 

Wedding planning can be a stressful time, and many consider this interim period to be one of necessity in order for both parties to be completely certain of their commitment to one another. But with a little prior planning, this process can be made much more enjoyable.