photos by becca rillo

PICK A DATE Remember: Too close to the holidays can make it pricey for out of towners to travel to you and weeknight weddings may require guests to take off work.

CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING PARTY
Ask your friends and relatives to reserve the date - because you want them in your wedding party!

RESEARCH & VISIT LOCATION SITES
Begin researching and visiting location sites. Call to check availability before you get your heart set on a spot or a date; the best locations can book fast! Your venue will be one of your biggest expenditures, so don't be shy about asking how to make your special day more affordable. Respected venues like Valencia Country Club have staff dedicated to making your Big Day hugely successful, so ask about less-expensive days (Like choosing a Sunday over a Saturday, or even opting for a Friday night!). Another money-saving tip: Choose a location that includes customizable, high-end additions in the price. Valencia Country Club's market lighting is gorgeous - and included, just like their variety of luxurious linens, tableware and more. Not sure a traditional "club" ballroom wedding is for you? Check out VCC's Outdoor Pavilion and Ceremony Garden; these lush locations coordinate with nearly every theme imaginable. 799-1263

SCHEDULE YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION
Celebrate your news with an engagement photo session, which can serve as a trial for your day-of festivities. We love how Becca Rillo Photography uses rich natural lighting and props that pop with personality! 310-6909

CONSIDER A VARIETY OF OPTIONS
What about a pool-side exchange of vows? A rehearsal dinner alongside a double-sided fire place? When you scour for locations, consider a variety of options. The Paseo Club offers several venues to members and guests alike, featuring indoor and outdoor packages to suit every budget. Paseo specializes in offering flexibility to customize your event -whether it's intimate or for a guest list of 300 - and cultivating a unique experience for your guests. 257-0044


SHOP FOR YOUR DREAM DRESS
Yes, your weight might change. Yes, you'll have a tan, your hair will be different and... you still need to start shopping for a dress now. And, more news: You need to leave your house to do it, because all the online shopping in the world won't tell you how your gown will look on you. But where to go? We've been fans of Cruz's Bridal since we were old enough to dream of our own weddings. Adriana and her team will listen carefully to your wants, identify what dress styles will look best on your body type and introduce you to a gown that's even more gorgeous than what the "little you" fantasized about all those years ago. 263-2990

PICK FLOWERS
Once you have your dress and venue sorted out, it's time to take your pick of flowers. Be sure to bring inspirational images you find in magazines and online, but remember - your professional florist, like the gurus at Charmaine's Bouquet Canyon Florist, will guide you on what is in season, more-affordable swaps and other ways to keep your budget from blossoming. 297-3100

EAT UP AND MAKE A MENU PLAN
Here's a fun to-do: Eat! Now's the time to begin scheduling tastings so that you can choose a caterer. Today's catering trends mirror the restaurant community's, so consider impressing your guests with cuisine that's local, fresh, handcrafted and unique. Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co. offers off-site catering options that are deliciously affordable and entirely customizable. Yes, you can have Southwest Tao Eggrolls at your wedding! 263-9653

courtesy of Shutterstock

CUSTOMIZE YOUR VENUE LOCATION
You have a venue - and now it's time to customize it with a reputable rental company like AV Party Rental to fit your theme. Whether it's nestled inside an open barn or set under a web of twinkling fairy lights, rustic wedding themes are becoming more and more popular. With a rustic theme, you can make your guests feel at home with the right rentals. Here are a few we love!

Farm-style tables offer a relaxing, inviting spot to socialize during a family-style dining experience; they coordinate fabulously with wine barrels for your bar or cocktail tables. Vineyard cross back chairs are a perfect compliment to the tables; their weathered finish pairs with an elegant style modeled after European cafe chairs. The burlap table runners give a shabby-chic topper to your decor with lace, wood and burlap elements. Finally, treat your guests to classic beverages like lemonade served in trendy mason-jar glasses. Lemon slices, strawberries or mint make for a pretty display in beverage dispensers. 259-2151


ASK THEM TO SAVE THE DATE
Order and send save the date cards, especially if you are getting married during the holidays or plan on having a destination wedding.
By Invitation Only will customize your cards to your theme and personality. 388-5699

TRAVEL TIME
Start planning your honeymoon!

MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR OUT OF TOWNERS
Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests. Is your venue also a hotel? Lucky you! Now go ask for a deal on booking a block of rooms.


BEAUTIFY YOUR BLOOMS WITH FINAL DETAILS
Finalize your bridal bouquets! Now's the time to confirm any additional details - think rhinestones, family jewels woven into your bouquet or a meaningful floral add-on that gives a shout out to a treasured family member. Celebrate is well known for their "wow" customizations.
255-0255

PUT YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD
Schedule your day-of makeup application. We always suggest a trial; book it on "date day" or when you're heading to a special event so you can test how it stands up to some excitement! Try to avoid dramatic trends; you'll want your photos to seem timeless, not dated in a decade. Fairest of Them All Hair & Makeup says that 2017 makeup trends will make this easy, since "natural beauty" reigns. Let you natural beauty shine through with tinted moisturizer or a light foundation. Use soft strokes for blush for the apples of your cheeks to give you a rosy flush and apply a soft nude lip to complete the look. If you want to enhance your natural glow, use a highlighting makeup on your cheek bones, below your brow and in the corner of your eyes. Remember a little goes a long way! 904-3805

courtesy of shutterstock

GET THE LOOK
Take front, back and detail pictures of your dress, as well as any "inspiration" images of bridal hair design you adore, to your trusted haircare professional. If you're going to get your hair cut and colored, now's the time - but do talk to your stylist - we trust the pros at 'N Style Salon - about maintenance requirements before the big day. 254-4841

FINISH THE FORMALWEAR
Gentlemen, it's your turn! Ideally, clients should drop into J. David's Custom Clothiers two months before their wedding so that the J. David's team can create a registry of all bridal members, along with their preferred styles for the coat, pant, shirt, tie/bow-tie, vest, pocket square and shoes. They can help coordinate looks and styles that tie in everyone from the groom to the ring bearer. They'll use your colors to help coordinate appropriate styles and combinations that best suit your ideal wedding. The rentals will arrive the week of your wedding so participants can drop in and try on their tux/suit. 287-3636


COMMIT TO CENTERPIECES
By now, you probably already determined size and general design. With two weeks left to go, it's time to decide on final quantity based on guest replies. Your centerpieces should be an extension of your bouquets, captivating your guests with the theme of the day and the romance in every moment. Acton Creative Flowers are specialists in "all of the above!" 269-9326

MAKE IT LEGAL
Apply for your marriage license. (This one is easy to forget!)


CHOOSE GROOMSMEN GIFTS
Treat your wedding party... to a portable party! The liquor beverage caddy from Ma Maison will do the trick. 799-7983

BE SWEET TO LONG-DISTANCE GUESTS
Plan on treating out-of-town guests to a sweet surprise when they arrive at their hotel rooms. Cupcakes are cool for kids, but when you're craving a more sophisticated crumb and flavor selection, nothing can beat Nothing Bundt Cakes. Their scrumptious Bunditinis are made from only the purest ingredients including fresh eggs, real butter and real cream cheese and are available in a variety of flavors including Red Velvet, Chocolate Chocolate Chip and White Chocolate Raspberry. Plenty of choices and nothing "bundt" deliciousness. 291-2424


COUNT THE NUMBERS
With one week to go, you need to get hold of your vendors to confirm final quantities. Always order from well-respected rental companies who ensure that they have "more" than you'll need - just in case! 24/7 Events is a celebrated vendor, and with good reason - they carry hard-to-find, unique items... and a lot of them! 24/7 Events offers a wide selection of options to fit any style or theme. If your wedding is woodsy and rustic, the new Vineyard benches will be a perfect addition. If you want to highlight the bride and groom, the Classic ivory tufted chairs are a must! Should your wedding be more contemporary or industrial, 24/7 Events now offers sleek and modern chairs like the rose gold dining chair or the yellow gold Ritz. 775-8111


CELEBRATE WITH CLOSE FAMILY & FRIENDS
Relax and enjoy your rehearsal dinner with your closest family and friends. Make yours one for the record books with an unconventional concept that is as fun as the two of you! Newhall Refinery has hosted numerous such events, including "Craft Beer and Dessert Pairings;" "Pick your Country" concepts that revolve around traditional foods, beverages, sights and sounds of the region; "Mocktail" parties for events where lots of kids are on the guest list (Yes, these non-alcoholic beverages are made with the same fresh ingredients and garnishes as the "real deal," but they contain no alcohol.).; "Cooking with the Chef" events (Book that one for a bachelorette party!); and Progressive Dinners that take guests from one location to another for each course. It's an entertaining, tasty and truly unique way to dine! 388-4477

right (courtesy of shutterstock)

CHEERS!
You made it! Celebrate with a clink of your glass and flutes you can use to toast every anniversary forward. We can't get enough of these beauties from Refined Vintage Boutique. 505-7175

GLAM UP FOR THE BEST DAY EVER
It's time to get your glam on and it's way more fun to do it with your squad.
Blo-Out Lounge Valencia can accommodate even large bridal parties, ensuring that
everyone has a professional, beautiful and consistent Big Day look. 255-2569