The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist

Hey! We're Josh & Alisha Croghan, a husband and wife wedding photography team based in the Carolinas. We love camping, nerding out, and telling your love story.

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Hidden Hill Venue and Conference Center – Morganton, NC

The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist to Help You Ditch the Stress

Planning a wedding can be stressful! Even if you are using a wedding planner, there are just so many things to do and decisions to make before your big day. Sometimes, you just aren’t quite sure when you should do something. Perhaps you can wait a few weeks, maybe it should have been done a couple months ago! Never fear, let our years of expertise guide you as you plan for your big day! Keep scrolling to see our Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist and download your own copy to help keep you on track!

Sweetheart table Hidden Hill Venue
Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist

12+ Months from Your Wedding Day

  • Choose a date
  • Determine your budget and who is paying for what
  • Decide who will be in your wedding party
  • Create a Pinterest board for inspiration
  • Create a wedding website (We recommend Wedsites)
  • Start interviewing venues and other wedding professionals (Venues, planners, and photographers book quickly!)

10-11 Months

Hidden Hill Venue - Wedding Dress

8-9 Months

  • Create your guest list and send out save the dates
  • Research hotels and plan for out-of-town guests
  • Begin your wedding registry
  • Design your wedding invitations (We love using local calligraphers, but Minted is a great budget-friendly option)
  • Begin booking your honeymoon

6-7 Months

  • Begin creating your ceremony timeline with wedding planner and officiant
  • Discuss if a First Look is right for you
  • Reserve chairs, linens, lighting, and decor
  • Schedule cake tasting choose wedding cake flavor and design
  • Determine groomsmen attire
  • Book ceremony music
  • Order Invitations and Thank You cards
Hidden Hill Venue - Wedding Decor

4-5 Months

  • Complete flower order with florist
  • Write wedding vows
  • Create a playlist and Do-Not-Play list for DJ
  • Finalize guest list
  • Plan and book rehearsal dinner
  • Schedule dress fitting and alterations
Hidden Hill Venue - Wedding bouquet

3 Months

  • Finalize honeymoon plans
  • Create seating arrangements for reception
  • Complete hair and makeup trial
  • Celebrate with a Bridal or Bridal Boudoir Session
  • Finalize Menu with the Caterer
  • Order Favors
  • Mail Invitations (Pro Tip: number your RSVP Cards so you know which ones are missing!)
Hidden Hill Venue - Wedding bouquet
Hidden Hill Venue - North Carolina Wedding Photographer

2 Months

  • Apply for Marriage License
  • Finalize Wedding Day Timeline and share with Vendors
  • Arrange Wedding Day Transportation

1 Month

  • Complete Final Dress Fitting
  • Pick up marriage license and wedding rings
  • Confirm all reservations with vendors including a final meeting with photographer
  • Avoid the wedding day hangover and have your bachelorette party now!

2 Weeks

  • Follow up with any missing RSVPs
  • Send final guest count to Caterer (Don’t forget to include your vendors!)
  • Update registries
  • Delegate wedding day duties
  • Finalize any last minute payments to vendors
Hidden Hill Venue - North Carolina Wedding Photographer

1 Week

  • Pack for honeymoon
  • Review your wedding day timeline to confirm no changes need to be made
  • Relax! Have a spa day!
  • Get a manicure/Pedicure/Massage!

1 Day

  • Attend rehearsal
  • Enjoy rehearsal dinner with your family and wedding party
  • Get a good night’s sleep
Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist

Wedding Day – Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist Complete!

  • Congratulations! You made it! Enjoy your wedding day!

If you enjoyed this Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist, don’t forget to share with other engaged friends!

These images were captured at a recent editorial shoot and workshop. We enjoyed working with each of these vendors and could not recommend them more! This venue is absolutely gorgeous, with a view that can’t be outdone! If you are getting married in North Carolina, you have to check them out!

Venue // Hidden Hill Venue and Conference Center
Planner/Designer // Graceful Gatherings
Maroon Florals // Sharon Sturgess Florals
Hair // Sharpe Styles
Makeup // Alexis Faith
Bride & Groom Apparel // Tracys on the Square
Jewelry // Oz’s Jewelers
Rentals // Cook Rentals
Catering// CP Clontz
Cakes & Calligraphy // Kayli Fox
Watercolor Stationary // Neer the Creek
Styling Mats// Sophia’s Art
Host Photographers //Katelyn Shelly & Amy Leigh Griffin

Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist

We're Josh & Alisha

Just two lovebirds, enjoying everyday life.

Photographers. Artists. Creatives. Parents to two. Nerds. Foodies. Lovers. Friends.

We have been friends since 2006, married since 2008, and capturing memories through photography since 2010. The years of experience in all three make us uniquely qualified to tell your budding love story. If the years have taught us anything, its that fulfilling, long-lasting marriages have a foundation of friendship, and are built with joy - and perhaps quite a few carbs! 

We strive to help you feel confident during your big day, and not awkward or stressed - so you can look back on joyful memories that tell your love story.

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Hi! I'm Alisha!

I'm so excited you're here! 

In addition to being a lady-boss photographer, I am a wife, a mom, a teacher and a follower of Jesus. Those things are the center of everything about who I am, what I do, and how I do it. That means I believe in how important family is, whether you are just starting your own, or are celebrating all of those special milestones. Josh and I have been married for over 12 years and photographing weddings and families for over 10 of those years. Our style has evolved over time, but we love capturing images that are bright, colorful, and tell the most important story - yours!

When we are not shooting, I love going on adventures with our two beautiful girls, trying new recipes, or catching up on my favorite shows with my hubby.

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Hi! I'm Josh!

I want to capture your day!

Having the opportunity to live in a town as beautiful as Kernersville, NC is great. Being able to be here with Alisha is even better. I've been married over twelve years to the love of my life and for most of that time we have worked closely as wedding photographers. Because of this, we have a unique outlook on the wedding experience. Having the opportunity to find the joy and love in that special day and share it with you and your family and friends is the best thing about what I do. That's why I never miss getting a photo of the groom's face when he sees his bride for the first time.

When I don't have a camera in my hands, I enjoy coffee dates and car-sushi with my bride, board games before bed, and binge watching Netflix.

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capturing Authentic Love Stories

Winston-Salem • North Carolina • Worldwide

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Him & Her Photography is a husband and wife Winston Salem wedding photography duo who value

They photograph weddings, engagements, and elopements in Winston Salem, North Carolina, as well as destination weddings worldwide.

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josh@himherphoto.com

(336) 457-9042