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Writer's pictureLinda Prock

What should you do 12 months before your Wedding?

Updated: Dec 4

A 12 month wedding timeline for engaged couples to follow when planning their Antler Ridge Wedding located near Grand Junction CO

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Colorado barn wedding venue with views of the San Juan Mountains.

Planning a DIY barn wedding at Antler Ridge Weddings can be a breeze! Remember, you will have a year to organize and do all your advanced planning. If the task seems overwhelming and you don't have the support of family and friends then, you may want to consider a day of event planner . Antler Ridge works closely with our local vendors and we can reccomend several event planners in our area . This blog will provide you will a 12-month timeline, so you can plan the perfect barn wedding, from booking the venue to sending out your invitations.


Bride,Groom, holding hands, Bride and Groom leaning against a large Cottonwood tree, Sunset at Antler Ridge Weddings
Bride and Groom at Antler Ridge located 60 miles from Telluride Col

Planning your wedding is most likely something you have not done before. so at Antler Ridge we want to make sure it is a seamless and stress free task that will be fun and exciting.

Planning your wedding is an exciting journey that often involves stepping into uncharted territory. At Antler Ridge, we want our brides to focus on the joy and anticipation of the special day. If you choose, a local event planner they will guide you through each decision with expertise and together you can create the perfect timeline for dream wedding.

Whether you do it yourself or hire an event planner your goal should be to transform your vision into a reality, creating a day that reflects your unique love story and style. After choosing your barn venue your wedding planning can begin !


‍Antler Ridge Weddings, nestled in the picturesque surroundings near Grand Junction, offers a 12 month wedding timeline that serves as a guide for engaged couples. This timeline is designed to alleviate the stress and anxiety often associated with wedding planning.


12 Months Before: Set A Budget, Choose A Venue, Start Guest List



Montrose wedding couples first kill as Mr. and Mrs. Photo by Sarah hall Photography
First Kiss as Mr. and Mrs.


It's never too early to start thinking about your wedding. In fact, the sooner you start planning, the better. Here is a timeline of some of the important things you need to do when you are around the 12 month marker.

Set a budget: This is one of the most important things you need to do when planning your wedding. Figure out how much money you have to work with and start allocating funds for different aspects of the wedding. This will help you make clear decisions moving forward knowing what will work and what won't.




Rustic Chic Wedding Barn at Antler Ridge Weddings near Delta Colorado
Barn Wedding Venue with rustic charm located in Montrose Colorado

Choose a venue: Once you know your budget you can start looking at potential venues for the ceremony and reception. Keep in mind that the time of year and location will affect the cost of renting a venue. If you fall in love with a venue, but it doesnt work in your budget consider a mid week wedding or a Sunday wedding. Getting your tour and venue booked is one of the first things you should do. . Antler Ridge Weddings, offers private venue tours on Sundays to make sure you get all your questions answered and so we can fully understand your vision. Antler Ridge Weddings offers several packages to choose from . Our packages include full service using an event planner to DIY packages. And , if you are considering a micro wedding, intimate wedding or an elopement package just let us know. Antler Ridge typically books a year out, so the sooner you get through this process the better. Especially if you have a preferred date.


9-11 Months Before: Book Vendors, Send Save The Date

Usually, as you reach this stage, it's advisable to consider securing your vendors. Caterers, photographers, and DJs tend to get booked up in advance. Securing them early ensures you can reserve your preferred vendors for your desired date.

Your wedding day is one of the most exciting and important days of you life. So of course, you will want everything to be the way you have envisioned it. Choosing the right vendors will help make your dream day become a reality. aworks very closely with the top vendors in the area , that provide high quality service and knows everything about our venue. When you book with Antler Ridge Weddings ,we provide you with our preferred vendors list.

Why is that important? When you not only work with quality vendors but ones that know our venue it means everything will run smoothly. Working with a vendor that has never been to our venue can create hiccups in the flow. We have spent years dialing in our vendor list to take all the guesswork out for you, so we always strongly encourage our couples to go with our preferred vendors to ensure the quality of the wedding experience.

Saving the date is also an important part of any wedding timeline. They give your guests a heads up about when your big day is and ensures that everyone can block off that date in their calendar. First, considerate your family or friends that may be traveling from further distances or need to request time off. Antler Ridge is conveniently located near a regional airport in Montrose Colorado. So, your out of town guest should be able to fly into the western slope with ease. It is important to have several dates in mind. Sending out your wedding invitations can be exciting and a time when your wedding is starting to become real! There are so many creative ways wedding couple are sending out their save the date invitations.



6-8 Months Before: Finalize Menu, Choose Bridal Party



Delta Colorado bride and bridesmaids at Antler Ridge celebrating
photo: Sarah hall Photography
Grand Junction groomsmen at Antler Ridge waiting for ceremony to start

As the wedding day approaches, the excitement increases, and along with that come some important details to finalize. One of the most important decisions is choosing the menu. This should be done 6-8 months before the big day. 


First, decide what type of food you want to serve. Will it be a formal sit-down meal , buffet style , or maybe a food truck At Antler Ridge ,we can accommodate all of those options. Once you have an idea of the type of food you want, start looking at different caterers or restaurants. We at Antler Ridge, can make the process completely stress free for you . Our

preferred vendors list won't disappoint. They provide excellent food options that will leave your guests raving about it.


Along with the catering, another important detail to finalize 6-8 months before the wedding is choosing the bridal party. This can be a difficult decision, one that can be filled with emotion. But, the most important thing to remember is this is your wedding . However big or small your wedding party is it is up to you. This is ultimately your decision and it is your day!

3-5 Months Before: Send Out Invitations, Start The Dress Fittings


Montrose Bride at Antler Ridge admiring her wedding dress before walking down the aisle
Photo: Sarah hall Photography

Grand Junction Bride getting ready at Antler Ridge for her wedding day
Phot: Mindy Stratton Photography

When it comes to planning your wedding, there are a lot of things that need to be done in order to make sure everything goes smoothly. Now that we are getting down to the home stretch, 3-5 months before the big day, you should be sending out invitations and starting the dress fittings.

If you wait too long, it can affect getting an accurate count of who is attending. That can affect your caterer especially if you are doing a plated meal. You should consider sending out reminders to get their RSVP's . At this time you should go for your dress fitting. Remember to factor in enough time to make any alterations that might be needed.

So, if your wanting everything to go as smoothly as possible, it’s important that you take care of these two things 3-5 months before your wedding day. Trust us, it’ll be one less thing for you to worry about and help minimize those unexpected surprises.

1 Month Before: Finalize Remaining Details, Wedding Rehearsal

At this time, the anticipation and excitement is really building! Before we go into full celebration mode you need to make sure everything is good to go. That includes the wedding rehearsal. Here is a checklist you can use to make sure the rehearsal covers everything it is supposed to.

  1. Confirm the date and time of the rehearsal with all participants.

2. Choose who will lead the rehearsal (usually the officiant or coordinator).

3. Send out a reminder to everyone about what to bring to the rehearsal (guests' list, marriage license, etc.).

4.Plan for a run-through of the ceremony, including any readings or special songs.

5.Rehearse the processional and recessional.

6. Work out any kinks in the plan so that everything runs smoothly on the big day.

7. Make sure everyone knows where they should be and when they need to be there on the day of the wedding.

Check in with your make vendors to make sure everything is good on there end. Be sure to communicate who will be providing the catering tables, linens, and if it is outside who will be responsible for the caterers tent. A simple email can avoid a lot of stress on the day of the wedding.


When booking your wedding at Antler Ridge you have the options to have your rehearsal dinner here as well. Our outdoor rustic Gazebo is perfect for this occasion. Having your wedding and wedding reception all in one place makes for a relaxing wedding weekend!


Ridgeway  engagement couple posing with Beer Burros
photo: Jayna Rose Photography

1 Week Before: Pack For Honeymoon, Enjoy The Day!

At this point everything major should be done. So, the week leading up to your wedding will be a whirlwind from packing for the wedding, packing for the honeymoon, and welcoming any family or friends that traveled in for your special day.

The next chapter in your life is ready to begin. This week is time to take some time for each other before the wedding . Weddings are a lot of fun and filled with a lot of excitement! It is a time to stay focused and it is certainly a time for celebrating your love and union.

Conclusion: Wedding Planning Timeline

In conclusion, following a 12 month wedding timeline will ensure that your big day is everything you’ve ever dreamed of. By planning early and delegating tasks, you can avoid becoming overwhelmed as the date approaches. Most importantly, remember to enjoy the engagement period and savor every moment leading up to your wedding day.

Antler Ridge is a premier Colorado Barn Wedding Venue with amazing mountain views and sunsets. We offer 2 day wedding packages that take all the stress out of your wedding day.

You can create and design our wedding or we can offer a full package that includes a day of event planner.


Antler Ridge is a locally owned Wedding Venue located near Grand Junction Co The Montrose, Colorado wedding venue has been in business for 8 years. We hope you have enjoyed reading this blog and have gotten some information to help you plan your special day. We would love to meet you and hear about your wedding vision. Schedule a tour today.

A shout out to the following Independently owned and operated wedding venues around the country that continue to inspire on a daily basis:


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