Wedding Planning Timeline
YAY! You’re engaged!!–Now what?! By the time the excitement of FINALLY getting engaged sinks in, reality hits and you realize you have to start actually planning! Even though you’ve been planning your big day since you could barely walk, you’ll be shocked at how many details you still have to sort out. You never realize just how much truly goes into planning a wedding until it’s your turn.
No need to panic though. Local Party Planner has got you covered! Use this wedding planning timeline as a checklist and you’ll be sipping champagne and celebrating your vows in no time!
10-12 Months Before:
Announce your engagement
Figure out your budget
Set a tentative date
Start looking at –and book – your venue ASAP!
Start dress shopping
Create a guest list
Choose your wedding party
Book your ceremony location and rehearsal time
Send out save-the-date cards
Set up wedding website
6-9 Months Before:
Time to hit the gym!
Start your wedding registry
Research honeymoon locations and pricing
Start researching flowers and bouquets you like
Start meeting with caterers
Research wedding photographers & videographers
Think about the types of pictures you’d like and compile some must-have photos to give to your photographer to make sure you get them!
Research DJs
Order your gown & veil
Find shoes, purse and other bridal accessories
Reserve rooms for out-of-town guests in a hotel
Find the bridesmaids dresses
Book your honeymoon
Liability insurance for your ceremony location?
Choose your officiant and discuss ideas
4-5 Months Before:
Pick out your wedding invitations
Research wedding cake designs and meet with bakers. Finalize your wedding cake details
Taste testing! Discuss and decide upon the menu with your caterer
Order wedding rings
Confirm bridal shower and bachelorette party dates
Reserve rental equipment (chairs tables tents)
Book rehearsal dinner
Research hair and makeup ideas
Ask friends and family to give readings
Wedding insurance?
2-3 Months Before:
Mail invitations AT LEAST 3 months before your wedding
Finalize guest list and send out invitations
Finalize and confirm menu and flowers
Order gifts for each other, attendants, shower hostess, bridesmaids, parents
Order groomsmen tuxes
Finalize wedding transportation
Book makeup and hairstylist for your big day for you and your bridal party. (Also be sure to make any other appointments for pre-wedding cuts, or coloring).
Make appointments for you and your bridal party to get nails and any spa treatments done.
Order wedding favors, bridal party gifts, champagne glasses, cake knife, etc.
Purchase wedding accessories (candles, ring pillow, flower basket, guest book)
Select music for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception
Update wedding website
1-2 Months Before:
Gown fitting.
Finalize and confirm all ceremony & reception plans and reservations
Go over song list and requests with your DJ or band
Give your photographer a “must-have” pictures list
Finalize seating arrangements
Order liquor not handled by caterer
Begin writing your vows (optional)
Update registry
Research where to get your marriage license
Create a photo and video shot list
3-4 Weeks Before:
Confirm honeymoon and travel arrangements
Have a trial for your makeup and hair
Call guests who haven’t RSVP’d
Pick up wedding rings
Mail your rehearsal-dinner invitations
Get your marriage license
Research how to change your name
Purchase candies, hairspray, flip-flops, etc (For your guest’s powder room)
Finalize something old, something new, something borrowed,something blue.
1-2 Weeks Before:
Final gown fitting
Finalize your wedding-day schedule and share with everyone
Confirm all your hair and makeup appointments
Confirm pick-up times and schedule with your transportation for your big day
Pick up wedding dress and accessories
Pick up wedding rings
Get your hair colored and trimmed (optional)
Confirm final headcount
Give final attendance numbers to vendors and confirm times with them
Gather together your marriage license, candles, ring pillow, guest book in one bag
Gather together all your wedding favors in one bag
Finalize seating arrangements and give to caterer
Prepare place cards for the reception
Confirm dates and times for all photo and video sessions
Confirm all hotel arrangements for out-of-town guests
Make copies of the “Wedding Day Information/Itinerary” for your groom, bridal party and any wedding assistants
Final fittings for groom and groomsmen and schedule a return date
Make arrangements for your wedding gifts to be brought to your new home
Pack for your honeymoon
The Day Before:
Prepare list of vendor payments you have to make
Prepare payment envelopes for all vendors (including tips)
Gather your wedding dress, accessories, and bridal emergency kit
Get a manicure & pedicure
Wedding rehearsal
Confirm honeymoon arrangements
Arrange a get-away car for after the reception. Make sure all your honeymoon luggage, tickets and other essentials are in there.
Prepare a wedding day bridal emergency kit
Prepare a list of all your wedding vendors with phone numbers (just in case)
Rehearsal dinner tonight. This is where you can give your bridal party their gifts
Get plenty of beauty rest!
The Big Day:
Be sure to wear a button-down shirt for your hair and makeup appointment
Make sure you get plenty to drink and eat something so you don’t faint and you’re not cranky
DON’T FORGET TO RELAX AND HAVE FUN!
After The Big Day:
Get your dress cleaned and preserved
Preserve your bouquet (optional)
Make a list of who gave you what gift
Write and mail thank-you notes
Meet with photographer and videographer to finalize albums and videos.