After you are engaged it is so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of wedding planning. I want to help set some order back in your life! I have created the perfect wedding planning timeline to make your life easier! This is such an exciting time in your life and you deserve to savor every moment! SO without further ado, I give you the perfect wedding planning timeline!

12-14 Months before

• Pick your wedding date
• Set a budget
• Tour venues and book the perfect one! For more help on booking the perfect venue, check out “Tips for Booking a Wedding Venue”
• Start working on your guest list. This gives plenty of time to add…… (or take away)
• Start a Pintrest board to create your dream wedding

10-12 Months before

• Propose to your potential bridesmaids
• 12 months out is the ideal time to interview your photographer + videographer
• Book your officiant
• By 11 months out you should be ready to book the perfect photographer and videographer

6-8 Months Before

• Say “YES” to the dress!
• Purchase your bridesmaids dresses
• Book your DJ + Florist
• Make a wedding registry for all of the bomb gifts that will come piling in
• Create a wedding website
• 8 months out schedule and do your engagement photos
• 7 months out, use the photos to send “save the dates”
• Book your dream honeymoon

4-6 Months Before

• Hire a cake designer that will create an unforgettable and delicious cake
• Book the rehearsal dinner
• Start the search for hair and makeup artists. Bonus points for trial runs
• 5 months you should have hair and makeup booked
• 6 months order your invitations
• 5 months send out invitations
• Make sure your passport is up to date if needed for honeymoon
• PICK OUT AND PURCHASE THE WEDDING BANDS!

3 Months Before

• Hire wedding day transportation if necessary
• Finalize the dinner venue
• Groom to rent all formal wear for himself as well as his groomsmen
• Have your wedding shower. This is where all those “bomb” gifts come into play

2 Months Before

• Have name cards made for the tables at the reception
• Buy lingerie, if this is your style, for wedding…… and honeymoon
• Purchase gifts for parents, wedding party, and each other. It’s also nice, if the budget allows to get a small something for your guests

1 Month Before

• Apply for marriage license
• Send your “must have” photo list to your photographer
• Final gown fitting + bring that gorgeous dress home
• Make sure bridesmaids dresses are squared away
• Book your pre-ceremony pampering (i.e. mani + pedi, waxing, massage, etc.)
• Create a seating chart…. Or don’t. “Pick a seat, not a side”
• Finalize playlist with DJ
• Confirm final headcount with venue
• Create a wedding itinerary for the guests
• Make last minute adjustments with the other vendors

1-2 Weeks Before

• Pre-wedding haircut and color
• Supply venue with any vendor requests (i.e. table for DJ, space for the florist, setup times, vendor contacts)
• Confirm pickup times and locations if you booked day of transportation
• Send wedding timeline to whole wedding party, especially the groom and groomsmen
• 1 week before make sure to deliver name cards, seating charts, menus, and party favors to venue
• Contact ALL vendors to confirm arrangements
• 3-5 days prior to ceremony let the pampering begin! Hair, nails, wax, the works!

The Day Before

• Provide all vendors with an emergency contact to use on the day of
• If you have not paid all of your vendors by this time, write all checks now to avoid stopping the party on your wedding day
• Pack separate bags for separate events throughout the wedding day. 1 bag for pre-ceremony, 1 bag for potential wardrobe change after ceremony, and 1 bag for wardrobe change at the airport
• Attend rehearsal dinner

The Big Day!

• Present parents and each other with gifts
• Make sure the best man has the rings! I repeat, make sure the best man has the rings!
• Assign one family member who will be able to guide the photographer on the “whose who” of the families
• EVERY. MOMENT! EVEN THE STRESSFUL ONES!

If your still having trouble on were to begin in this whole process, check out my tips on “How to Start Planning a Wedding” The last thing you want after everything is said and done, is regrets of things you wish you did differently. Check out my tips for “Wedding Day Regrets to Avoid”

I hope this guide will be a huge help, and if it is please let me know in the comment section below! Happy reading!