Planning a wedding can be overwhelming. The list of monthly “to dos” seems endless and you’re probably wondering if the day will come when you finally say “I do”. This post breaks down the overwhelming 12 month timeline into monthly tasks. Who doesn’t love a good checklist?
12 Months Before
- Announce your engagement
- Have an engagement party
- Start visioning what you both want your wedding to look like
- Pick a date
- Set a budget
- Lock your venue for ceremony & reception
- Draft a guest list
- Hire a wedding planner
- Schedule & take engagement photos
Now is the time to share the news and celebrate with all of your closest people. Spend time with your fiancé discussing, envisioning and pinning what you want your wedding to look like, including guest size. Set a budget so you have an idea of what you can afford. Maybe your family members will be helping with certain expenses. Now is the time to have that discussion so it can be factored into your budget.
8-10 Months Before
- Wedding Dress Shopping
- Decide on a Wedding Party & Ask them!
- Book:
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Florist
- Officiant
- Caterer
- Cake vendor
- DJ/musicians
- Send out Save the Dates
- Set up a wedding website
- Set up registry
- Block hotel rooms
This is where most of the fun begins and the majority of your vendors will be booked. In my opinion, the biggest and most stressful things have been booked at this point. Your venue will offer a list of preferred vendor recommendations and some may require you to pick a vendor on their preferred vendor list, so this is a great place to start when searching for vendors.
6 Months Before
- Hair and makeup trials
- Book hair & makeup
- Purchase wedding bands
- Order rental items
- Book photobooth
- Book your honeymoon
You’re halfway there and the major things have already been covered. As you continue along your wedding timeline, I highly recommend you take a honeymoon or at least take a day or two to relax with each other after the wedding. It’s a well deserved time to relax and be present with each other after the chaos of planning and the most important day of your life. So consider this and plan something at this point.
3-4 Months Before
- Select and order groom attire
- Mail invitations
- Book Rehearsal Dinner
- Have final tasting with caterer
Most of the initial planning chaos has died down and it’s so much closer to your big day. Tastings and sending out those invites are going to make it feel so real. Don’t forget to celebrate your 100 day countdown!
2 Months Before
- Book day of transportation
- Write your vows
- Wedding dress fitting
- Order place/escort cards
- Order wedding favors
Getting a start on your vows at this point is probably a good idea. Doing anything really at this 2 month mark will make you feel productive and take away some stress before your final month. If it’s not within your budget, don’t go crazy with wedding favors and reception decor. There are plenty of DIY things you can do to save some money, that I’ll be sharing at a later point.
1 Month Before
- Collect RSVPS
- Final vendor payments due
- Bachelor & Bachelorette parties
- Bridal Shower
- Finalize music
- Apply for marriage license
- Finalize seating charts
- Plan gifts for parents and bridal party
Let everyone celebrate you at bachelor/bachelorette parties and your bridal shower, as you approach your wedding day. One of my favorite parts was picking out gifts for my parents and bridal party. Being a bride you feel so loved and it feels great to give back and give sentimental gifts. Most of your vendor final payments are due at this point, so while this can be a stressful point in the timeline just think that moving forward the only thing you have to worry about is marrying your best friend.
1 Week Before
- Confirm vendors
- Give venue final head count
- Relax and treat yourself
- Pack for honeymoon
- Pack up reception decor
This is where you can do your best to relax. Everything has been planned and at this point nothing that happens or changes is in your control. We got married in Florida in November and anxiously watched the track of a hurricane (even outside of hurricane season). Our best man’s suit was delivered to a different state, our guests’ flights were being canceled, our welcome party was canceled all due to a hurricane and we had to just sit back and say “it is what it is”. While I don’t wish that kind of chaos and stress on anyone, it was a time we will never forget and we realized that the only thing that mattered was that our wedding date was here and after that week we would be married regardless of what happened.
1 Day Before
- Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
- Mani/Pedis
- Stay hydrated
- Stay well rested
- Go to bed early
Get Ready, the day is FINALLY here! All that planning is now just a memory. Get ready to enjoy the wedding that you dreamt of and created and live happily ever after.
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