Wedding planning will look different for everyone as everyone has a different timeline. Generally, most couples are engaged for at least a year, and start to plan a year in advance. Here is our ultimate wedding planning checklist.
12-9 Months Out
About a year before your wedding will be the time you start setting down the details. Make your budget, and ensure you have some wiggle room just in case things end up being more expensive than you plan. Consider hiring a wedding planner so you have their advice for all of the planning process.
Pick your theme, color palette, venue, and start your guest list. Confirm your wedding date and start identifying possible venues. Also, start meeting with vendors for food, music, etc. At the ten-month mark, start shopping for your wedding dress, as this will take time to find your dress. Nine months before, send your save the dates.
8-4 Months Out
Eight months from your wedding day will be the time to make your registry and wedding website. This will ensure your guests have enough time to make decisions and purchases before the wedding. Confirm your bridal party around the eight-month mark if you haven’t yet.
Seven months before your wedding, finalize all your vendors, to ensure everyone is still available. The wedding party should start shopping for their attire as soon as they are confirmed. Wedding bands should be purchased six months before the wedding to give enough time to find your styles. The jeweler will make adjustments to sizes as necessary.
Hair and make-up teams should be secured six months before your wedding to ensure the stylists have enough time to discuss your preferences. Five months before, order your formal invitations and book your officiant if you don’t have one yet. Now is also the time to plan your menu so that the venue and caterer has time to prepare and order.
Personalized details that make your wedding unique, including what music you’d like the DJ or band to play comes at the four-month mark. If you haven’t yet, now is the time to ask the maid of honor to send out your shower invitations.
3 Months – 3 Weeks Out
Three months before your wedding, send out the formal invitations. Wedding showers are typically three months before, as is scheduling your hair and make-up trial. Typically, within three months before will be the bachelor and bachelorette parties. Start working on your vows so you have time to feel comfortable with them.Start purchasing your wedding undergarments two months out to ensure you have the correct fit.
Look into the requirements in your state or country about marriage licenses. As it gets down to the wire, pay the vendors in full, and have a final walk through of your venue one month before. Make your seating chart and create place cards. At least one week out, have a final dress fitting and take your dress home. Also at this time, pack your bag, get a manicure & pedicure, and start practicing your vows.
Use this as a guide to plan your specific timeline. When your timeline includes your wedding dress, check out our bridal collection.