Planning timeline
You’re officially engaged, 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 begin our timeline from the 12 month mark but if you have a shorter engagement, write the task down in order of priority, and adjust the timeline to fit your schedule.
12 Months♡ Set a Wedding Budget
♡ Pick a Wedding Date
♡ Draft Your Wedding Guest List
♡ Tour and Book Venue(s)
♡ Hire a Wedding Planner / Coordinator
♡ Start Researching Vendors
♡ Choose Your Wedding Party
♡ Create a Pinterest Mood Board
9-11 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
♡ Meet with Caterers
♡ Book Your Florist / Decor
♡ Book DJ / Entertainment
♡ Book Your Officiant
6-8 Months♡ Finalize Guest List & Gather Addresses
♡ Send Out Save-The-Dates
♡ Order Wedding Invitations
♡ Arrange Wedding Day Transportation
♡ Book Hotel Block for Out-of-Town Guests
♡ Book Wedding Night Accommodations
♡ Reserve Rentals (Linens, Chargers, Silverware)
♡ Choose Groom & Groomsmen Attire
♡ Choose Flower Girl & Ring Bearer Attire
♡ Purchase Wedding Bands
♡ Go Cake Taste & Book Baker
♡ Book Bartending Services
♡ Book Hair & Makeup
♡ Book Rehearsal Dinner Venue
♡ Start Bachelorette/Bachelor Party Guest List
♡ Start Planning Honeymoon
4-5 Months♡ Create Your Music Playlist for DJ
♡ Start Working on Day-Of Timeline
♡ Start Creating Floorplan
♡ Attend First Dress Fitting
♡ Go for a Hair and Makeup Trial
♡ Book Your Honeymoon
♡ Start Planning Your Rehearsal Dinner
♡ Purchase Bridal Shower Attire & Accessories
♡ Book Photo Booth or Speciality Vendors
♡ Sign Up for Dance Classes, If Desired
♡ Start Ordering Decor
3 Months♡ Send Out Wedding Invitations
♡ 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 Invites
♡ Finalize Wedding Music List
♡ Order Wedding Favors
♡ Get Dress Altered
2 Months♡ Send Out Rehearsal Dinner Invites
♡ Work on Rehearsal Dinner Toasts or Speeches
♡ Meet with Photographer to Discuss Shot List
♡ Meet with Florist to Finalize Order & Details
♡ Review Music Playlist with DJ or Musicians
♡ Ensure Wedding Party Rented/Purchased Attire
♡ Send Out Final Payments
♡ Check In With Remaining Vendors
♡ Finalize Transportation Arrangements
♡ Order Gifts for Spouse, Wedding Party or Parents
♡ Write Your Vows
♡ Track RSVPs
1 Month♡ Get Marriage License
♡ Purchase Alcohol or Finalize Bar Menu
♡ Sending Wedding Day Timeline to All Vendors
♡ Send Any Final Payments Owed to Vendors
♡ Follow Up with Guests Who Have Not RSVPed
♡ Confirm Honeymoon Reservations and Details
♡ Finalize Seating Chart
♡ Start Organizing Decor
♡ Confirm Hotel Blocks
♡ Break In Wedding Shoes
1-2 Weeks♡ Confirm Arrival Times of Vendors
♡ Send Final Guest List to Catering
♡ Confirm Playlists with DJ
♡ Delegate Last Minute Tasks to Family/Friends
♡ Send Timeline to Entire Wedding Party
♡ Prepare Vendor Tips in Labeled Envelopes
♡ Get Final Hair Cut / Color
♡ Pack for Honeymoon
♡ Have Attire Steamed or Pressed
♡ Finish Organizing Personal Decor
♡ Pack an Emergency Kit
♡ Schedule a Date Night to Destress before Wedding
1day♡ Go Over Our Wedding Day Checklist
♡ Make Sure You Have All Essentials Laid Out
♡ Make Sure Everything is Packed for Honeymoon
♡ Go for a Mani / Pedi
♡ Check Into Hotel
♡ Enjoy Your Wedding Rehearsal and Dinner
♡ Hydrate an Go To Bed Early!
♡ Get Excited! You’re Getting Married Tomorrow!
Wedding day♡ Breathe!
♡ Eat a Healthy Breakfast
♡ Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
♡ Check In Flights for Next Day Honeymoon Travel
♡ Have an Amazing Wedding Day!
Post-wedding♡ Return Tuxes and Rentals
♡ Preserve Wedding Flowers
♡ Take Dress to Cleaners and Preserve
♡ Leave Reviews for Vendors
♡ Change Last Name on All Legal Records