By the six-month mark, your venue, date, photographer, and guest list should be settled. Now the focus moves to the suppliers and details that shape the day itself: food, flowers, music, attire, and transport. This is the busiest booking phase for most couples.
Focus this month: caterer, florist, music, hair and makeup, attire, and transport. These suppliers have enough demand that leaving them later can mean missing your first choice.
Book your caterer
If your venue does not provide catering, this is your next priority. Catering is usually the second-largest wedding expense, and good caterers book up fast.
- Decide on style: sit-down, buffet, sharing plates, or food stations
- Get quotes based on your current guest count
- Ask about dietary requirements, children's meals, and service charges
- Confirm tasting dates before signing
- Check corkage if you want to supply your own wine
Choose your florist
Florists often take on a limited number of weddings per weekend, so six months out is the right time to book. Come prepared with your colour palette, venue photos, and a sense of which arrangements matter most to you.
- Bouquet, buttonholes, and any ceremony flowers
- Table centrepieces and venue styling
- Seasonal flowers to save money
- What the florist provides: vases, candles, arches, delivery
Book your music
Whether you want a live band, a DJ, or a curated playlist, book your music now. Great bands can be reserved a year in advance.
- Decide between band, DJ, or both
- Check sound equipment and power requirements at the venue
- Confirm set times, breaks, and first-dance arrangements
- Ask about music during the ceremony and drinks reception
Book hair and makeup artists
Artists who specialise in weddings often have multiple bookings on the same day. Six months out is the safe window to secure your preferred team.
- Book a trial for both hair and makeup
- Confirm how many people they can style on the morning
- Ask about travel costs to your venue or getting-ready location
- Bring photos of your dress and colour scheme to the trial
Order wedding attire
Wedding dresses typically need 6–9 months from order to fitting. Suits and bridesmaids' outfits need less time but should still be ordered now.
- Order wedding dress and schedule fittings
- Arrange suits or outfits for the wedding party
- Choose shoes and accessories
- Book dress alterations early — good seamstresses get busy
Arrange transport
Transport is easy to forget until late. Book now if you need wedding cars, minibuses for guests, or any special arrivals.
- Transport for the couple and wedding party
- Guest minibuses if the venue is remote
- End-of-night taxis or shuttle for guests
- Backup plan for bad weather if transport is open-top
Book your officiant or registrar
For civil ceremonies, you need to give notice and book the registrar. For church weddings, book the church and officiant. For celebrant-led ceremonies, book your celebrant and plan the legal paperwork separately.
- Confirm ceremony type and legal requirements
- Book registrar or officiant for your date and time
- Arrange to give notice in the required window
- Start thinking about vows, readings, and ceremony structure
Plan your honeymoon
If you are travelling soon after the wedding, start planning now. Popular destinations and flights book up, and you may need vaccinations or visas.
- Choose destination and travel dates
- Book flights and accommodation
- Check passport validity and visa requirements
- Arrange travel insurance and any vaccinations
Other tasks at 6 months
- Start designing invitations — final wording comes later, but start the design now
- Book a videographer if you want one and have not already
- Order wedding cake — book tastings and confirm style
- Reserve accommodation for yourselves and a hotel block for guests
- Choose groomsmen and bridesmaids and ask them formally
Frequently asked questions
Can I still book a good photographer at 6 months?
It depends on the date. Saturdays in peak season are often fully booked by now. Fridays, Sundays, and off-peak dates may still have availability. If photography is a priority and you have not booked, move this to the top of your list.
What is the biggest mistake couples make at 6 months?
Leaving attire too late. Wedding dresses need long lead times, and rush alterations are expensive. If you are six months out and have not ordered a dress, treat it as urgent.
Should I send invitations at 6 months?
Formal invitations usually go out 8–12 weeks before the wedding. At six months, focus on save the dates if you have not sent them, and start designing invitations for a later send.
Keep your 6-month plan on track
ForeverAfter's checklist tool automatically surfaces the tasks that matter at each stage. Connect it to your budget and guest list so every booking decision stays grounded in what you can afford.
Related guides: 12 Month Wedding Checklist, 1 Month Wedding Checklist, Complete Wedding Planning Checklist.