The Perfect Wedding Planning Timeline

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

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

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

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