Wedding planning tips and expo event for Racine brides-to-be | Racine County Eye (2025)

RACINE, WI — Cheers! You’re engaged and soon the wedding planning can begin.

Right after your special someone pops the question, your first step is to take some time to enjoy yourselves before the hectic wedding planning begins, wedding planners in southeast Wisconsin, and across the U.S., tell newly engaged couples.

“After you get engaged, we recommend you take a few weeks to really soak in that engaged bliss,” said Chloe McClure, planner and director of social media for Milwaukee-based Light as a Feather wedding planning services. “It’s such a special time in life, and there is no reason to jump into planning right away.”

But from there, prepping for your big day will be in full swing. McClure advises clients to start the planning 12 to 14 months before their wedding day.

For many getting engaged this holiday season, and planning for a spring 20​​26 wedding, the upcoming is a great spot for brides in southeast Wisconsin to get all the wedding planning information you need in one place.

The expo will be held on Jan. 12 and will bring together top vendors specializing in weddings and quinceaneras. There you can learn about the latest trends in fashion, decor, catering, and more.

The cost is $10 for general admission and those wishing to attend can grab tickets here.

For planning purposes, the expo will be a one-stop shop for those who’ve set their eyes on a 2026 wedding. It will also help brides who marry in the coming months with any last-minute details.

Wedding Planning Advice: Stay Organized

McClure says the biggest advice she gives to people getting married this spring is to keep all their booking details organized.

Information you should have handy includes all payment receipts, upcoming payments, countersigned contracts, and booking details. For example, a detail you will want to make sure you know is: for how long is your photographer booked?

“Another huge piece of advice is to have all your vendors booked three months before your wedding date,” McClure said.

The January expo can help brides secure last-minute vendors and get ideas for decor elements, DIY projects, and other final details. They could also book entertainment add-ons and other guest experience elements.

For those just starting the planning process, your to-do list will be longer.

Wedding Planning Monthly Checklist

Most major wedding venues, wedding planners, and wedding planning websites provide comprehensive checklists that will guide couples along the way. According to Brides.com, here are some of the biggest items, you will be checking off your list during a 12-month planning process:

12 months out

• Determine your budget
• Hire a wedding planner
• Make a guest list
• Select a venue
• Select a caterer

11 months out

• Hire vendors who book up quickly: photographer, band, DJ, videographer
• Start choosing a color palette and the overall design of your wedding

10 months out

• Start shopping for your wedding dress
• Book hotel room blocks for guests
• Create a wedding website
• Take engagement photos
• Start looking at invitations

9 months out

• Buy your wedding dress
• Send save-the-dates

8 months out

• Select bridesmaid dresses and bridal party accessories and schedule fittings for within a month
• Meet with potential florists
• Register for gifts

7 months out

• Book a rehearsal dinner venue
• Hire ceremony musicians
• Hire an officiant

5 months out

• Book transportation for guests and newlyweds (if needed)
• Book the honeymoon
• Buy or rent tuxedos

4 months out

• Choose your cake
• Buy wedding bands
• Have your hair and makeup trial

3 months out

• Order your invitations and hire a calligrapher
• Create or plan your menu
• Start DIY items
• Write your vows
• Select readings

2 months out

• Send wedding invitations with RSVP one month before wedding
• Have your first wedding dress fitting
• Pick up your marriage license
• Buy wedding party gifts

1 month out

• Pay vendors in full
• Order or make escort cards and place cards
• Have a final venue walk-through
• Put cash in tip envelopes/delegate someone to distribute it
• Assemble gift bags

The full list can be found on Brides.com.