Wedding planning timeline is a great tool to help you prepare for your special day. Planning a wedding can be very stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Utilizing a checklist for your wedding planning needs, it can save you a lot of time and hassle in those busy month prior to your wedding.
If you are a naturally organized person, a wedding checklist is something that might come natural. However, not everyone was has organizational skills. That is why we have created a wedding planning timeline to help you get started.
Whether you are creating a 12 month or 6 month wedding planning timeline, you find it so much easier to plan your wedding details. From when to create a guest list to mailing the invitations, you will have every task on a set schedule at your fingertips!
Check out our wedding planning checklist timeline to help keep you organized for every aspect of planning your big day!
12+ Month Wedding Planning Timeline
This helpful guide will help you create a strategic, detailed and organized timeline for wedding planning!
12+ months before
- Set the wedding date
- Create a wedding budget
- Start to compose guest list
- Start looking around for a venue (Make a list of potential venues and set up times to visit each in person, if possible)
- Meet with and interview prospective wedding planners
- Choose your wedding party
- Book your wedding officiant
- Have an engagement party, if so desired
8-10 months before
- Book the venue(s) for your wedding ceremony/reception
- Send out “save the date” cards
- Engagement Photo Shoot
- Meet with various caterers to sample their menu and make a final decision
- Meet with florists and book your favorite
- Hire a photographer/videographer
- Start shopping for wedding dresses
- Reserve any extras (ie: photo booth, food trucks, and so forth)
6-8 months before
It’s getting closer to the big day so now is the time to work on these important details in your wedding planning timeline 6 months prior to the wedding.
- Arrange for bar contracts
- Choose and book entertainment
- Shop for bridesmaids dresses
- Create gift registry
- Start planning your honeymoon destination
- Choose design for invitations
- Create your wedding website and hashtag
- Apply for (or renew) passports if needed
- Finalize honeymoon arrangements
3 months before
The final three months are the most important for your timeline for wedding planning as you will be finalizing any and all arrangements. As well, you will be working out smaller details such as favors, spa appointments and travel arrangements.
- Purchase wedding rings and insurance
- Select your wedding transportation (ie: limo, bus, horse and carriage) as well as any transportation for guests from hotels to the venue
- Purchase attire for ring bearer and flower girl
- Have the groom reserve his tux (and groomsmen if also renting)
- Choose your wedding favors
- Order your wedding cake
- Book rehearsal venue and make reservations for rehearsal dinner
- Shop for wedding accessories and other details
- Hire a hair stylist (and makeup artist/manicurist if needed)
- Plan any wedding reception games, festivities
- Book a hotel room for the night before the wedding for wedding day prep, if needed
- Bridal shower should be held around 2-4 month prior to the wedding
- Book hotel room for wedding night if not leaving for honeymoon that day
- Shop for honeymoon attire and luggage
- Mail out your invitations
- Finalize playlist with DJ/band
- Finalize menu with caterer if you haven’t already done so
- Order wedding programs
- Start seating chart
1 month before
- Apply for marriage license
- Compose your wedding vows
- Mail out invites for rehearsal dinner
- Attend bachelor/bachelorette parties
- Complete any unfinished DIY projects (favors and the like)
- Prepare gift bags for out-of-town guests
- Schedule final fittings
- Purchase a guest book
- Fill out any change of address/name documents
- Finalize seating chart
- “Break in” your wedding shoes, so they are comfortable for your wedding day
- Compose toasts for rehearsal dinner/reception
- Purchase thank you notes
- Purchase gifts for bridal party, groomsmen, etc
- Confer with vendors (florist, caterer, etc)
- Print and email directions to hotels, venues, etc
- Have your haircut/colored if needed
- Confer final headcount with venues
- Mail Ideas/lists for“must have” photo ops to photographer
- Assemble welcome baskets/centerpieces/gift bags
Day before
- Pack for honeymoon
- Write out checks for vendors (include tips) and place in envelope
- Have grown steamed/pressed
- Groom: pick up tux
- Give place cards, favors etc to the designated persons preparing the reception venue
- Provide emergency contact info to all those necessary
- Relax and get a good night’s sleep!
We hope that you have found our wedding timeline planning guide to be helpful! Best of luck to you and your betrothed on your big day! Follow this guide, and it will be smooth sailing for your wedding day!
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