Since the moment I started planning our wedding, I knew I wanted to do a post on the wedding planning timeline. What is there to do and when does it have to be done by? However, it didn’t feel quite right to do the post before the wedding since I would have had no experience about if or how the timeline actually worked. Now that all is said and done, I know every single thing I did throughout the wedding planning process and when I did it (or wish I had done it!) and the ultimate wedding planning timeline is here!
My mantra when it came to my wedding planning timeline was “if it can be done beforehand, do it!” The last thing you want to be doing on the week before your wedding is worrying about writing 50 thank you cards or picking flower species with your florist. Some of the stuff on the timeline might seem like it’s getting done too soon but trust me, it’s not. This timeline is going to be the key to stress-fee wedding planning.
12-18 Months Before:
-set potential dates
-decide on budget
-book a venue
-hire wedding coordinator
-start a master pinterest board
-choose wedding party
-hire officiant
-start guest list
-research vendors
-prepare physical or digital folder for all contracts and receipts
-meet with photographers and hire favorite
-meet with videographers and hire favorite
9 Months Before:
-purchase wedding dress
-meet with dj’s/bands and hire favorite
-meet with florists and hire favorite
-start gift registry
-finalize guest list and collect mailing addresses
-create wedding website
-order save the dates
-book caterer, if necessary
6 Months Before:
– start wedding dress alterations
-meet with cake designer, have tastings, and hire favorite
-reserve rentals
-reserve block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests
-research bridesmaid dresses
-send save the dates
-research honeymoon
-book invitation designer/calligrapher
-book hair and makeup trials and hire favorite
-research honeymoon options
4 Months Before:
-book rehearsal dinner venue
-start thinking about song lists
-order favors
-purchase bridesmaid dresses
-rent/buy tuxedos and suits
-research wedding bands
-finalize dates for bachelor/bachelorette parties
-check on gift registry, add items if necessary
-book transportation for wedding party and bride/groom
3 Months Before:
-alter bridesmaids dresses
-alter tuxedos/suits
-finalize floral plans with florist
-food tasting with caterer/venue
-purchase wedding bands
-order all ceremony accessories (ring boxes, flower girl basket, etc.)
-purchase bridal accessories (shoes, jewelry, etc.)
-schedule necessary time off work
-order signage and ceremony decor
-order additional stationary (programs, menus, escort cards)
-purchase rehearsal dinner outfits
-book wedding night accommodations
2 Months Before:
-choose ceremony readings and readers
-mail invitations
-start rough draft of wedding day timeline
-finalize song lists with dj/band
-purchase bridal party gifts (bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents, flower girl, ring bearer)
-organize something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue items
-write vows
-book all nail, spa and hair appointments
-finalize bridal undergarments before final dress fitting
-make a list of all toasts/speeches being made
-order items for welcome baskets
1 Month Before:
-confirm rentals
-choose songs for ceremony and reception
-discuss mandatory shot list with photographer
-record rsvp’s as they come in
-get marriage license (timing depends on state laws)
-have final dress fitting
-finalize seating arrangement
-write vendor thank you cards (leave envelopes open for tips on wedding day)
-break in wedding shoes
-have hair trimmed, if necessary
-assign day-of tasks to bridal party
-get answers from any guests that didn’t rsvp
-finalize number of bouquets and boutonnieres with florist
-finish any and all diy projects
-assemble welcome baskets
-have a facial
-assign primary person of contact
for wedding day if questions or issues arise
2 Weeks Before:
-confirm arrival/delivery times with all vendors
-finalize mandatory shot list with photographer
-finalize vows
-organize escort cards, programs, signage
-have your hair colored/highlighted, if necessary
-give all vendors primary contact person’s information
1 Week Before:
-send final guest list and catering details to caterer/venue
-send final timeline to bridal party and all applicable vendors
-pick up wedding dress
-go over day-of tasks with bridal party
-have manicure and pedicure
-deliver welcome baskets to guests’ hotel
-give all decor and supplies to venue/caterer/wedding coordinator
-arrange tip money for applicable vendors and put in corresponding thank you card envelopes
-assign someone to pack up gifts and belongings to honeymoon suite after reception
-assign someone to deliver tips and cards to applicable vendors
-write final checks and complete all payments
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