Published December 16, 2020
Wedding Planning Timeline
He popped the question. You said yes. Relationship status is changed on Facebook. Pictures and videos have been posted on Instagram and Snapchat.
Now what?
Below is a helpful guideline for planning your big day.
10-12 Months Before Your Wedding
- Set a wedding date.
- Set your budget. This number will determine everything else about your wedding, including the most important factor – the venue!
- Decide on the number of guests. Consider your budget and how many guests your parents or his may add along the way.
- Complete your guest list including addresses.
- Send out your “Save the Date” cards and give priority to out-of-town guests.
- Decide whether you will need a professional wedding planner or day-of coordination help. A friend of the family with strong organizational skills is often a great choice for someone to take care of last-minute details on your big day.
- Decide on and reserve a ceremony and reception site. If you plan to have your wedding outdoors, make sure your chosen venue has a backup plan for inclement weather. Tip: Having your wedding on a weekday will be considerably less expensive than on a weekend.
6-8 Months Before Your Wedding
- Choose your bridal party and dresses.
- Begin shopping for your dress, shoes and accessories. Remember to leave plenty of time for dress alterations if needed.
- Select your officiant.
- Book hotel rooms or reserve a block of rooms for out-of-town guests.
- Decide on music for your ceremony and reception. Reserve the DJ, band or sound equipment.
- Select your photographer and videographer.
- Schedule an engagement shoot with your photographer. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know your photographer and for them to see how you interact as a couple prior to the wedding.
- Set-up your registry.
- Choose your florist.
4-6 Months Before Your Wedding
- Order your invitations.
- Decide if you will need transportation for your ceremony and/or reception and reserve it.
- Reserve any rentals you need for the ceremony and/or reception (linens, tables, chairs, etc.).
- Create or order your wedding favors.
- Book the rehearsal dinner venue.
- Book your honeymoon.
- Schedule your hair and makeup stylists.
2-4 Months Before Your Wedding
- Finalize the details of your menu with the caterer. Tip: If you are on a budget, forgo the dessert course and skip ahead to the wedding cake.
- Select and prepare your ceremony service with your officiant.
- Schedule the rehearsal time.
- Mail your invitations.
- Write your thank-you notes as gifts begin arriving. This will save you a ton of time and stress after the wedding.
1-2 Months Before Your Wedding
- Buy a guest book.
- Confirm all vendors (photographer, florists, etc.).
- Get your marriage license.
- If you intend to change your name, prepare the necessary documents to do so.
- Send a change of address information to post office.
- Do your final dress fitting with veil, shoes and accessories.
- Prepare a seating chart, if necessary.
- Confirm final guest count with vendors.
- Prepare toasts for rehearsal dinner and wedding reception.
- Finalize speeches and itinerary.
1 Week Before Your Wedding
- Finalize transportation arrangements for ceremony and reception.
- Make sure all your items for the big day are organized and packed up for delivery to the venue.
- Prepare tip and payment envelopes for your officiant and vendors. Tip: Designate someone to be in charge of giving the payments to each, so you can sit back and enjoy.