Planning Your Wedding: The Timeline

Knowing what to do when and having a timeline for completion can make a big job much easier. Follow this timeline and keep your sanity as you prepare for the big day!

Six to Twelve Months Out

• Think about what kind of wedding you want, where and when you'd like it.
• Set a realistic budget. (Are you paying for the wedding yourself? Will your parents be contributing?)
• Start compiling a guest list with current mailing addresses. (It is never too early to collect mailing addresses!)
• Set a date. (This requires ensuring that your preferred location, venue and officiant can all be booked on the same day.)
• Reserve the ceremony location as well as the reception location.
• Book the officiant.
• Select and book a caterer. (Insist on samples. Bad food can ruin a beautiful day.)
• Select a baker and order your wedding cake. (Insist on samples. A bad cake can ruin a beautiful day.)
• Select and book a florist.
• Choose your attendants.
• Select and purchase your dress and all the necessary accessories (veil, shoes, and undergarments).
• Select and book the music or musicians you'd like for your ceremony and reception.
• Select and book a photographer and videographer. (Insist on seeing some of their previous work. You'll want to use these photos and videos for a lifetime.)
• Plan and book your honeymoon. (Booking your honeymoon to begin a day or two after your wedding will allow you to fully enjoy and participate in your reception without worrying about packing or catching a flight.)
• Send save-the-date cards so you guest can plan to be there. (Guests who are in the military or live out of town often need time to plan and save for such an event.)

Four to Six Months Out

• Reserve any rental equipment you'll need like tables, chairs, tents, etc. (Always book tents for any outdoor events - just in case!)
• Arrange wedding day transportation. (How will you, your new spouse, your attendants and your family get to the church and the reception?)
• Order stationery to include invitations and thank-you notes.
• Register for gifts. (Make sure your family and attendants spread the word on where you are registered. Including such information in a wedding invitation is considered rude.)
• Purchase wedding rings. (Arrange for any engraving you'd like to have done.)
• Purchase or reserve the groom's tux.
• Choose male and female attendants' attire. (This can take a great deal of time, so start early!)
• Buy your wedding lingerie.
• Choose your wedding favors.
• Book a room for your wedding night. (Remember to make it as close to the reception location as possible but be sure to NOT tell your friends where you'll be. There should only be two of you in the room on your wedding night.)
• Choose special gifts for your attendants.
• Reserve rooms for your out-of-town guests. (Ask the hotel for a special group rate and be sure they book a block of rooms together.)
• Consider dance lessons!

Two to Four Months Out

• Discuss the menu details with your caterer. (Be mindful of your budget.)
• Discuss the service with you officiant and attend any necessary pre-marital counseling.
• Choose readings and readers for your ceremony.
• Write or select your wedding vows.
• Schedule the ceremony rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. (This can often become a very large gathering with attendants, immediate family and out of town guests. Be mindful of your budget.)
• Select your makeup and hairstyle for the ceremony. (Never try a new hair style or color just before your wedding!)
• Mail invitations.

One to Two Months Out

• Buy your guest book.
• Have wedding programs printed.
• Get your marriage license along with certified copies (just in case).
• Prepare the necessary documents for your name change.
• File change of address information with the post office. (This can be done conveniently online.)
• Write wedding announcement and contact local newspaper about publishing it.
• Begin your reception seating plan. (No seating plan can make a sit-down meal very awkward. Be mindful of personalities, who knows who and who makes friends easily.)

Two Weeks Out

• Have your final dress fitting with shoes, lingerie and everything as you'll wear it on your wedding day. (You don't want any surprises the day of the wedding!)
• Write place cards.
• Contact caterer with final guest count.
• Write your toasts for the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception.
• Address your wedding announcements. (Do not mail these prior to the wedding as they may be construed as invitations and this could create some awkward situations.)
• Break in the shoes you'll wear down the aisle. (You don't want them to be too slippery or tight.)
• Arrange for a house sitter during your honeymoon.
• Find out where all of your out-of-town guests will be staying. (Leaving a welcome note for them upon their arrival is a nice touch.)

One Week Out

• Finalize your reception seating plan.
• Assign responsibilities to members of your wedding party. (They are there to help you, not just to look pretty.)
• Pick up your wedding dress.
• Confirm the final guest count and meal details with your caterer.
• Confirm your honeymoon reservations. (Give your itinerary to a friend or family member in the event of an emergency.)
• Pack for your honeymoon.

One Day Ahead

• Confirm your wedding day transportation arrangements.
• Give the announcements to an attendant or family member for mailing immediately after the ceremony.
• Have a manicure, pedicure, facial and a massage. (You need to relax!)
• Attend ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. (Give gifts to the members of your wedding party.)
• Prepare payment and tip envelopes for your officiant and vendors. (Make arrangements for someone trustworthy to distribute them.)

Wedding Day - Enjoy the day!

Your wedding day is a very special day in your life. You and your family will remember it for many years to come. Plan ahead and make the day as enjoyable as possible for yourself.