12 Month planning timeline

You’re officially engaged, yayyy! Now the planning begins! This year-long journey involves many details - from finding vendors to writing your vows. It’s no easy feat but with the right systems in place, the time leading up to your wedding can be exciting and not stressful! We’ve broken down the 12-month process.

Following a planning timeline is crucial to ensure everything goes as planned. It also holds you accountable for completing tasks on your to-do list. Depending on priority, availability and requirements, some should be completed at the very beginning, while others can wait closer to your wedding day. We’ll begin our timeline from the 12-month mark. If you have a shorter engagement, write the tasks down in order of priority, and adjust the timeline to fit your schedule.

  • Set a Wedding Buget

  • Pick a Date

  • Draft your Wedding Guest List

  • Tour and Book your Venue(s)

  • Hire a Wedding Planner / Coordinator

  • Start Researching Vendors

  • Choose your Wedding Party

  • Create a Pinterest Mood Board

12 months

  • Create a Wedding Website

  • Book Your Photographer and Videographer

  • Take Engagement Photos

  • Go Wedding Dress Shopping

  • Choose Bridesmaids Dresses

  • Order your Save-The-Date Cards

  • Set Up Your Wedding Registry

  • Meet with Caterers

  • Book your Florist and Decor

  • Book DJ / Entertainment

  • Book your Officiant

9-11 months

  • Finalize Guest List and Compile List of Addresses

  • Send out Save-The-Dates

  • Order Wedding Invitations

  • Arrange Wedding Day Transportation

  • Book a Block of Hotel Rooms for Out-of-Town Guests

  • Book Wedding Night Accomidations

  • Reserve Rentals (Chairs, Tents, Linen, etc.)

  • Choose Groom’s and Groomsmen Attire

  • Choose Flower Girl and Ring Bearer Attire

  • Purchase Wedding Bands

  • Go Cake Tasting and Book your Baker

  • Book Your Bartending Services

  • Book your Hair and Makeup

  • Book Rehearsal Dinner Venue

  • Start Planning Bridal and Bachelorette Party Guest List

  • Start Planning your Honeymoon

  • Register for Gifts

6-8 months

  • Create Your Music PlayList for DJ

  • Start Working on Your Day-Of Timeline

  • Start Creating A Floorplan

  • Attend Your First Dress Fitting

  • Go for a Hair and Makeup Trial

  • Book Your Honeymoon

  • Start Planning Your Rehearsal Dinner

  • Purchase Bridal Shower Attire & Accessories

  • Book Rehearsal Dinner Venue

  • Book Photo Booth or Speciality Vendors

  • Sign Up For Dance Lessons, If Desired

  • Start Ordering Decor

4-5 months

  • Meet with Officiant To Go Over Ceremony

  • Finalize Catering Menus

  • Order or Print Menu Cards

  • Order or Print Ceremony Programs

  • Order or Print Wedding Signage

  • Order Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

  • Finalize Wedding Music List

  • Order Wedding Favors

  • Final Dress Fitting

3 months

  • Send Out Wedding Invitations

  • Order Rehearsal Dinner Invites

  • Get a Marriage License

  • Write Your Vows

  • Work on Rehearsal Dinner Toasts or Speeches

  • Meet with Photographer To Discuss Wedding Day Shot List

  • Meet with Florist to Go Over Final Orders and Details

  • Review Music Playlist with DJ or Musicians

  • Ensure Wedding Party Has Rented Their Attire

  • Send Out Final Payments

  • Check In With Any Other Vendors

  • Track RSVPs

  • Finalize Seating Arrangements

  • Order Gifts for Spouse, Wedding Party or Parents

2 months

  • Get a Marriage License

  • Send Out Rehearsal Dinner Invites

  • Purchase Alcohol or Finalize Signature Cocktails

  • Send Wedding Day Timeline To All Vendors

  • Send Any Final Payments Owed To Vendors

  • Follow Up with Guests Who Have Not RSVPed

  • Finalize Your Seating Chart for Reception

  • Start Organizing All Decor

  • Confirm Honeymoon Reservations and Details

  • Confirm Wedding Day Transportation

  • Confirm Hotel Blocks

  • Break In Wedding Shoes

1 month

  • Check In w/ Vendors One Last Time and Confirm Arrival Times

  • Send Final Guest List to Catering

  • Confirm DJ has Correct Playlists

  • Send Must Have Shot List to Photographer

  • Delegate Any Last Minute Tasks To Friends and Family

  • Send Wedding Day Timeline to Entire Wedding Party

  • Send Any Final Payments Owed To Vendors

  • Ensure You Have Ready Any Vendor Day-Of Payments

  • Prepare Vendor Tips in Labeled Envelopes

  • Get Final Haircut / Color

  • Pack For Your Honeymoon

  • Have Attire Steamed or Pressed

  • Finish Organizing Personal and Decor Items

  • Pack an Emergency Kit

  • Schedule a Date Night For You and Your Fiancé to Destress Before Wedding Day

1-2 weeks

  • Go Over Our Wedding Day Checklist

  • Make Sure You Have All The Essentials Laid Out

  • Make Sure Everything Is Packed For Honeymoon

  • Go for a Mani / Pedi

  • Check In and Bring Items To Hotel

  • Enjoy Your Wedding Rehearsal and Dinner

  • Get Excited! You’re Getting Married Tomorrow!

  • Hydrate and Go to Bed Early!

1 day

  • Breathe!

  • Eat a Healthy Breakfast!

  • Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

  • Check In to Flights for Next Day Honeymoon Travel

  • Have An Amazing Day!

Wedding day!

  • Return Tuxes and Rentals

  • Preserve Wedding Flowers

  • Take Dress to Cleaners

  • Send Thank You Notes

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