Wedding Planning Timeline
It can be challenging to set priorities while organizing a wedding because there are so many moving parts. It's simple to skip a step or carry out activities incorrectly.
You'll keep sane while wedding preparation if you know not only what needs to be done but also when to do it. Here is an easy-to-follow wedding timeline as a service to you.
Over the Next Year
Start handling the basic wedding planning activities over a year in advance after relishing in a few weeks of newlywed bliss:
Declare your engagement.
Select the day and hour of your wedding.
Set a budget and determine who will pay for what.
Schedule engagement photos with a photographer.
Build a guest list
Check out prospective wedding locations
Choose your wedding's theme, color scheme, and inspiration.
10–12 months Prior
It's time to go forward and make some important decisions now that you have completed the preliminary research:
Invite your groomsmen and bridesmaids to join your bridal party.
Set up a gift registry or a honeymoon fund.
Buy a wedding gown and veil
Reserve locations for the wedding and reception
Establish a wedding webpage.
Research and reserve your florist.
Collect the names and addresses of guests
Send out the RSVP cards
8–10 Months Prior
It's time to focus on some specifics now that the basic components of your wedding have been decided upon:
Make a block of hotel reservations for out-of-town visitors.
Pick out everyone's bridesmaid attire and make sure everyone has placed their orders.
Create a rough timetable overview for the wedding
Select a caterer.
Engage a videographer
Prior to booking, determine what lights and equipment you'll need.
Arrange for a honeymoon.
Arrange a design meeting on-site to plan everything.
6–8 Months Prior
You have reached halfway! If you've made it this far, kudos to you. Now is the time to make some more crucial choices for your wedding day:
Select the taste and style of the wedding cake.
Hire a bride's hair and makeup professionals.
Plan your ceremony during a meeting with your officiant.
Make sure all the groomsmen have placed their orders and select their clothing.
Organize transportation
Invest in wedding bands
Obtain a picture booth if you'd like.
Order wedding programs, invites, and stationery.
Get entertainment for the wedding and reception.
Choose a menu and reserve a location for the rehearsal dinner.
4–6 Months Prior
Now that you've made all the important choices, you can start organizing some of the little elements that will make your big day run smoothly:
Purchase booze and hire bartenders for the occasion
Finalize the details of the menu and service
Buy gifts for the bridal party.
Make bookings for the necessary equipment after determining your reception's audio demands.
Examine the marriage license
Set the rehearsal venue and time for the ceremony.
Choose the location of your wedding preparations.
Place an order for welcome hampers for out-of-town visitors.
3 Months Prior
The big day is about three months away! It might only be beginning to feel like reality. Planning the specifics, such as your outfits for the wedding weekend, should be your top priority three months beforehand:
Assemble a music playlist for the wedding and celebration.
For people to whom you would like to salute, request speeches.
Consider wearing something that is blue, borrowed, old, and new.
Purchase a dress for the rehearsal dinner.
Set up a trial for your hair and cosmetics.
If you'd like, start taking dancing classes for your first dance.
For transporting your rings down the aisle, choose a ring pillow or another alternative.
Choose your favors and plan where they will go at the reception.
2 Months Prior
It's time to send out the invitations and to begin arranging all the more urgent details:
Send wedding invites by mail
Plan a haircut and color two weeks before the wedding.
Establish the bride and groom's exit strategy with sparklers, confetti, etc.
Make floral arrangements perfect.
Start crafting your own vows, if you so desire.
Buy a garter if you want one.
Select greeters to welcome visitors.
Identify a backup plan in case of unfavorable weather
1 Month Prior
Only one month remains before all of your effort pays off. Heart palpitations coming on yet?
Track each RSVP as it comes in
Verify all of your vendor payments.
With the photographer and videographer, finalize the shot list.
Make a seating arrangement.
Take your wedding rings with you.
Participate in the last dress fitting
Contact those visitors who have not returned your RSVP.
Get a marriage license.
2 Weeks Prior
All of the magic is made possible in the last few weeks. To be sure you've crossed all your ts and dotted all your i's, complete the following last checks:
Provide a final guest list for the reception to your caterer.
For the right number of people, change the cake sequence.
Depending on the final head count, modify your final layout.
Prepare your thank-you speeches and wedding toasts.
Your wedding gown with steam
Pack your baggage for the wedding night and honeymoon.
Put together wedding favors
Make sure DJs and musicians have a playlist.
Provide "scripts" for readings to any readers.
Make plans for someone to deliver presents and cards after the wedding.
A day earlier
Finally, the day has arrived when you will say "I do." Although you should attempt to unwind as much as you can before the big day, there are still a few things to do:
Deliver or arrange for delivery of welcome packages to hotels where your guests are staying
Verify that the groomsmen collected their formal attire.
Get your nails and/or feet done.
Attend the dinner rehearsal and ceremony
Give bridesmaids and guys gifts.
Have a wonderful night's sleep! Tomorrow you're getting married!
