PRINT TIMELINE
WEDDING PLANNING TIMELINE
12 months or more before the wedding:
- Decide on the budget
- Reserve ceremony site and officiant
- Work on guest list for a rough count
- Visit reception sites and reserve one
- Hire wedding consultant (for help with all planning, certain aspects of it, or day of coordination only)
9-12 months before:
- Shop for and order wedding gown, veil and accessories
- Compile guest list
- Choose attendants
- Select bridesmaids' attire
- Plan details of reception: colors, decorations, balloons
- Select photographer
- Select videographer
- Select band or DJ for reception
- Discuss honeymoon plans
- Mail save-the-date cards if necessary
- Get engagement photo taken
6-9 months before:
- Reserve wedding day transportation
- Register for gifts at one to three stores
- Book musicians for ceremony
- Select florist
- Select caterer
- Reserve party rental equipment (table, tent, chairs, etc.)
- Order wedding cake
- Order invitations, personal stationery and thank you notes
- Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests
- Finalize honeymoon plans (get your passport if needed!)
4-6 months before:
- Order men's formalwear
- Book stylist or salon for bridal party hair, nails and make-up
- Select and purchase wedding guest favors
- Find and reserve rehearsal dinner location
- Reserve accommodations for wedding night
- Finalize guest list
2-4 months before:
- Address wedding invitations
- Buy and wrap attendants' gifts
- Buy wedding rings and order engraving
- Announce engagement in local newspapers
- Confirm delivery dates of bridal gown and bridesmaids' dresses
- Meet with caterer to discuss menu
- Select ceremony music, readings and vows and meet with officiant
- Arrange ceremony rehearsal and notify participants
1-2 months before:
- Call county clerk's office for marriage license details, and schedule date to obtain
- Mail invitations
- Arrange for final fittings on your gown
- Make reservations for bridesmaids' luncheon
- Confirm honeymoon arrangements
- Record gifts received and write thank you notes promptly
- Prepare printed program for ceremony
- Start reception seating chart and place cards
- Purchase wedding accessories (guest book and pen, unity candle, toasting glasses, cake knife and server, and flower girl/ring bearer accessories)
2-4 weeks before:
- Arrange for professionals to preserve your gown and bridal bouquet
- Follow up on missing RSVPs and finish seating chart/place cards
- Confirm final guest count to caterer and reception site
- Write rehearsal dinner and wedding toasts
- Confirm honeymoon arrangements
1 week before:
- Have final consultation with caterer, florist, musicians, photographer and videographer
- Host bridesmaids' luncheon
- Begin packing for honeymoon
- Put fees due on the wedding day in envelopes, for the best man to distribute