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Congratulations! You found the love of your life and you are ready to spend the rest of your life with them! You’re probably mastering your ring selfie and cannot stop smiling. We can relate!
You’re about to jump into the most fun, stressful and exciting wedding planning time in your life. Let the ladies at The Crystal Bride walk you through the wedding planning checklist, share our favorite vendors and make this next year (or so) the best time of your life! Feel free to print or save this wedding planning checklist to refer back to so you can check things off your list!

12 MONTHS

PICK A COUPLE DATES: Narrow down a season and a month, choose a few different options. Check with your officiant/venue to pin down THE date.

CHOOSE A VENUE: Keep in mind distance from ceremony to reception locations.

BUILD THE BUDGET: Yikes! It’s gotta happen at some point, so set your budget before purchasing anything! Be realistic and set yourself up to succeed! To give you a point of reference, the gowns at The Crystal Bride range from $1300-$3500

CONSIDER A WEDDING CONSULTANT: This is an often overlooked detail until its too late. The last thing you want to worry about is what happens when your cake doesn’t arrive.
Crystal Bride Recommendation: Estera Events – Chicago IL

11 MONTHS

SELECT YOUR #BRIDETRIBE: Pick your wedding party – These days, bridal parties can have any number of special people (Groomsladies & Bridesmen). Get creative and include your most important people!

DRAW UP THE GUEST LIST: Keep in mind the cost per plate and venue capacity to avoid over inviting. Draft a list for yourself and let your fiance’ do the same. Work together to balance the list and remember you’ll want to visit with and thank each guest!

10 MONTHS

SAY YES TO THE DRESS: The best part of the planning process! We recommend shopping 10-12 months before your wedding date. Wedding dresses take 4-6 months to arrive and alterations can take 3-4 months to complete, don’t rush this process!
Book your appointment here!

HOTEL TIME: Research & book hotel blocks for out-of-town guests. Pro tip: Don’t forget to ask for discounts. Often hotels offer room block discounts for weddings!

PORTILLO’S OR FILET MIGNON: Sit down or buffet, it’s time to book your caterer! Think outside the box and include cuisine that you and your fiance enjoy together.

9 MONTHS

RENTALS: Will you need tables, chairs or a tent? Contact & reserve your party rentals now.

GIFTS GALORE: The hardest task of them all: picking out gifts for people to buy you. Complete your gift registry & add it to your wedding website! Online registries are SUPER convenient, but don’t forget, Aunt Betty still loves going into a store to purchase something for you. Register at 2-3 places to give your guests a variety of price points and items.
Crystal Bride Recommendation: Zola, Amazon, Crate & Barrel & Target

VENDOR CHECK: At this point, you need to book your photographer, videographer, musicians & any other vendors who will aid in creating your perfect wedding.

8 MONTHS

BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Choose & order your girlfriends’ gowns, with enough time for any necessary alterations.

HONEYMOON PREP: Begin researching places for your honeymoon & consider arranging flights/hotel reservations.

FLORAL AFFAIR: Browse floral decor and bouquet ideas, keeping in mind what stems are in season. Hire your florist!
*Crystal Bride Recommendation: Town & Country Gardens

7 MONTHS

SEND THE SAVE THE DATES: If you’re planning a destination wedding, give your guests more time to plan. Local weddings can generally wait until the five-month mark. 

GROOMSMEN GET UPS: Pick out the boys’ fashion for the big day.
Crystal Bride Recommendation: The Groomsman Suit

TROLLEY TIME: It’s a good idea to book your wedding day transportation now, especially if you’re renting a party bus or limousine.

6 MONTHS

PUT A RING ON IT: Don’t leave your engagement ring hanging! Order your wedding bands.

CHOOSE YOUR CAKE: View cake options and book your baker.

INVITATIONS: Pick stationery and order your invitations by the six-month mark.

5 MONTHS

GROOMING: Buy the groom’s attire & make the necessary alterations.

PASSPORT TO PARADISE: Renew or buy your passports if needed for the honeymoon.

FITTING TIME!: Book your bridal gown fitting for next month – don’t wait until next month to call, your seamstresses book up quickly!
Pro tip: Leave your shoes in your car so you never forget them for a fitting!

4 MONTHS

PRE-WEDDING COUNSELING: Start your pre-wedding counseling with your officiant.

NIGHT OF OUTFITS: Purchase your wedding day undies (& wedding night lingerie, ooh la la!)

PARTY TIME: Attend your own wedding shower! This one was easy!

3 MONTHS

BACK TO THE BAKERY: Order your cake & cake topper.

CONSIDERING CALLIGRAPHY: You’ll have to enlist a talented calligrapher, only if you want your invitations formally addressed!

BOOK THE BEAUTY: Find your makeup artist and hairstylist & schedule trials.
Crystal Bride Recommendation: Montage Salon & Spa

2 MONTHS

SEND ‘EM OUT: Address, stamp & send out the invitations. Pro tip: Put a small number in the top corner of your response cards to keep track of what comes back to you. You’ll be surprised by how many people select what they want to eat and forget to include their names!

THE FAVS: Choose & order your wedding favors. Get creative, look into things you and your fiance would use or shows off your personalities.

CONFIRM: Reach out to your vendors and make sure everything is still set for your wedding.

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE: Write those vows!

POINT & SHOOT: Discuss details and “must-have” shots with photographer/videographers.

1 MONTH

MOST NECESSARY: Apply for your marriage license!

GO WITH THE PROGRAM: Arrange & print the programs for wedding guests.

FINALIZE IT ALL: Menus, seating charts, song lists, checklists. Send your bridal party a contact list and day of schedule so everyone can contact each other and not blow your phone up.

THE BEST FOR LAST: Get your engagement ring cleaned, hair colored & nails done! Pick your dress up as close to your wedding date as possible. You typically want to keep the dress out of the garment bag to avoid any wrinkling! Don’t forget to enjoy these times, things can get stressful at the end, but you get to marry your best friend at the end of all this!

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It is essential to get an accurate measurement to ensure the best fit for your wedding dress or bridesmaid dress! Below is a helpful guide on measuring yourself for a wedding dress or bridesmaids dress.

Measuring Yourself for Bridesmaid or Wedding Dress

To begin, you will want to measure wearing the undergarments you plan to wear with your gown. Doing this will ensure the most accurate measurement. Once you feel comfortable, the measuring tape shouldn’t be pulled too tight or have too much slack and should always be parallel to the floor. Don’t let the tape droop or fall lower in the back.

Next, Stand comfortably with equal weight on both of your feet. With your arms resting easily at your sides and your stomach muscles relaxed and stand in front of a mirror.

gown measuring guide
Measuring guide
  • Bust – Standing straight, measure under your arms around the widest part of your back and the fullest part of the bust. Keep the tape measure parallel to the floor.
  • Waist – Measure your natural waistline. Stand up straight, bend at the waist to one side. The crease that forms is where your natural waist is located; take your measurement there.
  • Hips – Stand with legs together. Measure around the widest and fullest part of the hips. The fullest part of the hips could be as high as your lower tummy area, or as low as the upper thigh area.

We hope you found this tutorial on measuring yourself for a bridesmaid dresses or wedding dresses a helpful at home resource. If at all possible, we always recommend coming into the store to be measured by a stylist. We are happy to provide that type of service free of charge!

*Helpful tips courtesy of Essense Designs

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Please carefully read our guidelines below to ensure a healthy and safe environment for our brides and staff:

Alterations Appointments During COVID-19
Effective May 1st – May 29th, 2020.

– We are ONLY available for alterations appointment only.
– Alteration appointments are limited to the bride only
– All employees and brides must wear a face mask at all times while in the boutique
– If you feel ill or have traveled in the past two weeks, we do ask that you reschedule your appointment to a later time
– Curbside pick-up is available by appointment, please give us a call to set that up

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this difficult and unprecedented time. The safety of our brides, staff and their families is of the utmost importance to us. These procedures are in place to protect our community. Alterations Appointments During COVID-19 may look different at different bridal shops, and if you have any questions about the procedures above, please reach out to us at 630-397-5040 or contact us by clicking here. We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy. We look forward to getting back to doing what we love and helping our brides find their dream wedding dress. Thank you for being a Crystal Bride.

Note: This is an explanation for the alterations process at The Crystal Bride from May 1st, 2020-May 29th, 2020. (Phase 1 of our reopen)
Shopping appointments will resume starting May 29th, 2020.
Please see our guidelines on phase 2 by clicking here.
Give us a call if you have any additional questions about phase 2 of our reopen. Thank you again for your patience.

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