Congratulations,
you’re engaged! As you get ready to begin this new phase of your life, you’re no doubt anxious to begin planning your wedding. Take some time to celebrate your engagement first, as this is a big milestone in and of itself. If you’re going to have an engagement party, have it soon before the newness wears off. Depending on how long an engagement you plan, you do need to get down to the business of planning your wedding quickly. If you are overwhelmed about where to start, this is a super helpful breakdown of a wedding planning timeline to help you out:
Right Away (12+ Months Before)
Before too much time ticks away, there are some critical aspects of wedding planning that you need to nail down immediately. If you are going to work with a Wedding Planner, hire them first. They have a lot of resources and insights into venues, vendors, and other planning components, so get them on board to help you first.
Your wedding date and/or venue are the other first steps, as the rest of your wedding plans will revolve largely around these factors. If you are not set on any particular date, choose two to three potential dates you would prefer and start making your list of venues to consider.
Your wedding budget is the other critical information that you will need in hand before you begin reserving spaces and professionals. Work with your future spouse to outline your overall budget.
- Determine your budget
- Hire your wedding planner (if applicable)
- Narrow down your date to 2 -3 dates
- Research wedding venues
- Start creating your guest list by gathering names and addresses
Photo Credit: Alicia Rackley – Meraki Portrait – Maine Wedding Photographer
Photo Credit: Val Bozzi Photography – Maine Wedding Photographer
10 – 12 Months Before
By now you have your wedding date determined and your venue(s) reserved. Now you can begin to fill in the other elements of your special day. If you need an officiant for your ceremony, now is the time to select that person and reserve your date with them.
Good wedding vendors such as photographers, bands and DJs, and caterers book out far in advance, so if you know a particular professional you must have, get on their calendar as quickly as possible.
- Choose an officiant
- Hire your photographer/videographer, band/DJ, and caterer
- Create your wedding website (if applicable)
- Register for wedding gifts or donations
- Take engagement photos
- Choose your bridal party
- Begin shopping for dresses and attire
10 – 12 Months Before
By now you have your wedding date determined and your venue(s) reserved. Now you can begin to fill in the other elements of your special day. If you need an officiant for your ceremony, now is the time to select that person and reserve your date with them.
Good wedding vendors such as photographers, bands and DJs, and caterers book out far in advance, so if you know a particular professional you must have, get on their calendar as quickly as possible.
- Choose an officiant
- Hire your photographer/videographer, band/DJ, and caterer
- Create your wedding website (if applicable)
- Register for wedding gifts or donations
- Take engagement photos
- Choose your bridal party
- Begin shopping for dresses and attire
Photo Credit: Val Bozzi Photography – Maine Wedding Photographer
8 Months Before
It may still seem like its months away, but by now it’s already getting into crunch time for wedding day details! Flowers will need to be delivered and set up, so this is another calendar you want to be sure to get on – the florist. Attire such as wedding gowns also often need to be ordered, so finalize your gown and other attire at this stage so you’ll be sure to have time for fittings and alterations.
- Select your florist
- Order your cake
- Plan ceremony and reception decorations
- Finalize your guest list
- Order your gown, attendants attire, begin fittings process
- Plan and book your honeymoon
Photo Credit: Samantha Kensell Photography – Maine Wedding Photographer
Photo Credit: Samantha Kensell Photography – Maine Wedding Photographer
6 Months Before
About six months before your wedding day, you can begin to get into some of the nitty gritty details so you give yourself enough time for ordering supplies, DIY projects, and troubleshooting. Especially if you have guests traveling to your wedding, send out some Save the Date cards so people can begin planning and making reservations. You will also want to choose your wedding invitations and get those ordered.
- Send out Save the Date cards
- Order wedding decorations and favors
- Order wedding invitations
- Purchase your wedding bands and other jewelry
- Finalize wedding party attire.
6 Months Before
About six months before your wedding day, you can begin to get into some of the nitty gritty details so you give yourself enough time for ordering supplies, DIY projects, and troubleshooting. Especially if you have guests traveling to your wedding, send out some Save the Date cards so people can begin planning and making reservations. You will also want to choose your wedding invitations and get those ordered.
- Send out Save the Date cards
- Order wedding decorations and favors
- Order wedding invitations
- Purchase your wedding bands and other jewelry
- Finalize wedding party attire.
Photo Credit: Samantha Kensell Photography – Maine Wedding Photographer
4 Months Before
If you are going to be handling any reception details such as set up, order your tables, chairs, linens, etc. now. Especially if you are getting married at a popular time, vendors for these items can run out of options if you don’t reserve early.
Now is a good time to test out some hairstyles and makeup looks for your big day. Schedule an appointment with professionals to try out some looks.
- Make arrangements for any rentals needed
- Touch base with your photographer and entertainment
- Begin to choose wedding and reception music
- Decide on hair and makeup
Photo Credit: Val Bozzi Photography – Maine Wedding Photographer
2 Months Before
Most critical at this juncture is to get your invitations in the mail to your guests. At this point, you can also finalize your menu with your venue or caterer, reserve any other accommodations or transportation you will need, and check in with your wedding party to make sure everyone is on schedule with their fittings and alterations.
- Mail invitations
- Finalize the menu
- Reserve and confirm accommodations and transportation
- Check in with wedding party
4 – 6 Weeks Before
Things are getting exciting now! Your home is covered in wedding-related items, RSVP’s are coming in, and you are envisioning every aspect of your wedding day. Don’t get lackadaisical now – there are plenty of final details to get on to ensure you day goes off without a hitch.
If you are having things professionally printed, finalize those and get them ordered. To be sure you have your legal bases covered, get your marriage license taken care of also.
- Get everything printed
- Work on DIY projects
- Apply for your marriage license
2 Months Before
Most critical at this juncture is to get your invitations in the mail to your guests. At this point, you can also finalize your menu with your venue or caterer, reserve any other accommodations or transportation you will need, and check in with your wedding party to make sure everyone is on schedule with their fittings and alterations.
- Mail invitations
- Finalize the menu
- Reserve and confirm accommodations and transportation
- Check in with wedding party
4 – 6 Weeks Before
Things are getting exciting now! Your home is covered in wedding-related items, RSVP’s are coming in, and you are envisioning every aspect of your wedding day. Don’t get lackadaisical now – there are plenty of final details to get on to ensure you day goes off without a hitch.
If you are having things professionally printed, finalize those and get them ordered. To be sure you have your legal bases covered, get your marriage license taken care of also.
- Get everything printed
- Work on DIY projects
- Apply for your marriage license
2 Weeks Before
Get all your DIY projects finished up, including creating seating chart signs and place cards, the wedding program, wedding day decorations, and any other DIY projects. You’ll have your final dress and other attire fittings, finalize the guest list, and check in with all your vendors, and go over your final schedule for your wedding day.
- Final dress fitting
- Finish up all DIY projects
- Check in with all vendors
- Go over music with band/DJ
- Put together wedding favors
- Finalize guest list and seating chart
If you get started early, and keep yourself to a schedule and checklist, your wedding planning will feel under control as you make your way from engagement to the big day.
Happy Wedding Day!
