Resources | Wedding Planning Timeline
If you've recently become engaged, chances are you’ve started considering a plan for your wedding day. We’d like to help with that by breaking down the details in a timeline so that you can track your progress and make sure nothing is missed!
12 Months Before Your Wedding
1. Choose Your Venue(s). Whether you want to have your ceremony and reception in the same location or at different ones, you need to find out if they offer accommodations for both and if they will accommodate the number of guests you plan to invite. Find out the dates they have available and get the dates booked. Browse our list of Venues.
2. Develop Your Guest List. Along with compiling guest lists from both your family and those of your fiancé, you will need to assess how many of your potential guests will need overnight accommodations and be able to provide them with information for booking their stay. You can reserve a block of rooms to be set aside for your guests around the time of your wedding. View our list of Accommodations.
3. Plan For Your Wedding Night! Book a hotel stay for your wedding night to ensure a stress-free Wedding Day from beginning to happily ever after!
4. Save The Dates. Make sure you send out your “Save The Date” announcements to your guest list between 6 and 12 months before your wedding date. Use your engagement photos or a cute design with twine tied into a knot. You can find lots of ideas and inspiration on Pinterest and Etsy. If you plan to have a wedding website, now is a good time to get it started and you can add the link on your Save The Date.
5. Select Your Ceremony/Reception Site Vendors. Below is a list of commonly used types of vendors. You can use the list below as a guide and add to it if other vendors you need are not included in our list.
Click on a Vendor Category below to view our list of Vendors.
Bakers, Bridal Attire, Caterers, Event Planners, Florists, Hair & Makeup, Music & DJs, Officiants, Photobooths, Photographers, Rentals, Transportation
6 Months Before Your Wedding
1. Make Rehearsal Dinner Arrangements. Plan when and where your Rehearsal Dinner will take place and reserve your date.
2. Develop Your Menus. Choose your options for the Reception and Rehearsal Dinners and plan for tastings. View our list of Caterers and Bakers.
3. Plan Your Wedding Weekend Activities. Ensure that your out-of-town guests will have plenty of activities to choose from during their stay. Make it fun and incorporate local attractions, restaurants, and landmarks into a drawn map that you can add in with your wedding invitations or post to your wedding website.
4 Months Before Your Wedding
1. Follow up with all your bookings. Check with your venue, hotels, and other services you have booked so far and make sure that all your payments are up to date so there are no surprises getting closer to your wedding date.
2. Schedule Tastings. Start getting some appointments booked for tastings for your Cake and Dinner Menu. View our list of Caterers and Bakers.
3. Order Your Wedding Invitations. Typically, you will want to send out your wedding invitations 6-8 weeks before your wedding date, allowing time for your guests to respond. Be sure that your RSVP date is at least 3 weeks prior to your wedding date. Give yourself some breathing room. This will give you time to follow up with those procrastinators on your guest list. You’ll be happy you did.
4. Consider & Confirm Wedding Day Materials. Think about what you will want to have for your Wedding Day guests, such as programs, napkins, place cards, menus, etc. Consult with your florist and your floral arrangements, now is the time to follow up with them for confirmation of all wedding and reception flowers. Confirm your Ceremony Rehearsal date and time. Plan your extra activities such as a Bridal Luncheon or a Spa Day for moms and bridal party.
2 Months Before Your Wedding
1. Mail Your Invitations. Before mailing your invitations, take a completed one to the Post Office and find out how much postage you need. As mentioned before, you want to send out your invitations 6-8 weeks prior to your wedding date.
2. Apply For Your Marriage License. Your license needs to be issued from the county in which your ceremony takes place. For more information, view our section about Obtaining A Marriage License.
1 Month Before Your Wedding
1. Talk With Your Photographer. Have a conversation with your photographer about your photographic wedding story. Discuss important photo shots you know you want from your wedding day. Reserve a time that your photographer can visit your Ceremony and Reception sites around the same time of day that your events are taking place. This will help you and the photographer have an idea of the landscape and lighting, and also inspire some good shoot opportunities to plan for.
2. Finalize Your Music. Confirm your music and song lists that go along with all aspects of your wedding and reception.
2 Weeks Before Your Wedding
1. Final Guest Count. Follow up with your accommodations, venues, caterers with your complete guest count. Finalize your assigned seating and display for assigned seating and confirm your Wedding Day schedule with the Venue, planner, and whomever else will be aiding in managing the procession.
Aspects to consider include: Ceremony time, Cocktail time (if ceremony off-site need to consider travel time), Parents and bridal party introductions (if applicable), Bridal couple introductions (Mr/Mrs David Jones or Sue & David Jones), First Dance/First Dance Song, Welcome by Father or Parents of Bride (if applicable), Bridal Toast (Father of the Bride and/or Best Man), Dinner Service, Dancing, Cake Cutting, Bouquet Throw, Garter Toss, Bridal Couple Departure
2. Confirm Procession and Seating Arrangements. Make sure your ceremony order, adding vows, and immediate family seating are finalized.
3. Start Packing! Here’s a list of common items you will need to check off your list and make sure you bring have with you at the Ceremony and Reception.
For Ceremony: Ceremony programs, Marriage license, Ring bearer pillow, Rings, Unity candle
or Reception: Cake Knife & server, Favors (if applicable), Guest book & pen, Money/envelop holder, Placecards, Printed cocktail napkins (if applicable), Printed menu (if applicable), Seating assignment, Table names/numbers
The Day Before Your Wedding
1. Relax & Enjoy! Let your hair down and bask in the accomplishment of successfully planning your wedding! Engage with your Wedding Party at the Wedding Ceremony Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner.
The Day
1. Get Hitched! Take everything in stride and don’t let the little things get the best of you. It is a happy and wonderful day for you and your future partner to start the rest of your life together.