We hear from overwhelmed couples all the time. Weddings are enormous events with a whole lot of moving parts. They have a tendency to drive even the toughest duos just a little nuts. It’s completely normal to feel lost or confused, but suffering unnecessary. Take things step by step and it will all be okay! Step 1: Wedding Planning Timeline.
The list below isn’t exhaustive – it’s an outline to help you accomplish your major tasks in reasonable time. The dates are just ballparks – if your wedding is in a particularly popular region, or at a peak time of year, you may need more lead-time. If you’re hosting a last-minute affair, you’ll definitely have to compress things a lot. Use this timeline to keep you on track, and take a deep breath. Your wedding planning is just the first part of your lifetime journey.
General Timeline for Planning Your Wedding
12-18 months+
- Discuss your priorities as a couple. Involve family members if they are contributing funds.
- Set a budget.
- Hire a wedding planner.
- Choose a date. Find a ceremony venue and a reception venue.
- Negotiate room blocks for out of town guest accommodations.
9-12 months
- Book your major vendors: caterer, live musicians, DJ, rental company for major equipment and tents, florist, videographer, photographer.
- Determine your “look” or wedding style.
- Choose and order your wedding gown or custom wedding suit.
- Start a wedding website to help keep guests informed about the major details they need for their own planning purposes.
- Start looking for wedding rings.
6-9 months
- Meet with your venue manager, DJ, photographer, videographer, and florist to hash out timeline details and discuss ideas; secure quotes if needed.
- Shop for any custom attendant attire.
- Order invitations and assemble addresses for all invitees.
- Plan and reserve your honeymoon!
3-6 months
- Shop for mothers’ dresses and children’s attire.
- Attend any required pre-requisite counseling sessions or classes to fulfill church requirements, if applicable.
- Consult with your officiant and hash out your ceremony details.
- Register for wedding gifts.
1-3 months
- Finalize orders, review contracts, and communicate any final changes clearly to vendors.
- Reserve and confirm attire rentals.
- Buy accessories for yourself and wedding party.
- Schedule and complete final alterations.
- Send invitations (one rule of thumb is approximately 6 weeks out for local weddings – more if most or all guests must travel to the wedding from out of town).
- Secure your marriage license (check your local requirements to fine-tune your timing and be sure you have the documents you need).
- Communicate important details to your wedding party members.
- Attend showers and write thank you notes for every gift received (start early – don’t let them pile up).
1-3 weeks
- Have any new final facial treatments and get a haircut – give yourself enough time for adverse affects to wear off or “mistakes” to grow out!
- Collect RSVPs and follow up on any non-responses.
- Report final guest count to your caterer.
- Create seating chart.
- Finalize rentals, flowers, music, and details with your wedding day coordinator.
- Make sure all final payments are under control.
2-3 days
- Pack everything needed for your ceremony and reception – label containers well so set up is foolproof.
- Pack for your honeymoon. Don’t forget your passport and travel insurance documents if needed.
- Pick up and try on rental attire.
Day before
- Attend your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
- Have a spa treatment, mani, pedi – whatever you need to feel amazing and relax.
- Trust your professionals. If you’ve done your part so far, you’ve earned the right to let go and enjoy.
- Get some sleep!
The Wedding Day – Enjoy the Magical Day of Your Dreams!
Make it Posh is a full service wedding planning and design boutique. Our clients receive white glove service and get all kinds of helpful checklists to keep them on track. Click Here to learn more about us.