Here’s a timeline to help you plan your wedding.  The timeline is assuming you have a year before you are getting married.  Good Luck! 

NINE TO TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE

Announce your engagement.

Create a preliminary budget.

Start a guest wish list to help you gauge how many people you will be inviting.

Hire a wedding planner (if you think you need one). If you’re not hiring a planner, select and recruit some family and friends to help you with the wedding planning process.

Select a wedding date and time.

Determine what type of wedding you want (size, formality, style, color scheme, etc.)

Select and secure your ceremony location.

Select and secure your reception location.

Start shopping for your engagement rings/bands.

Select and secure your officiant.

Begin to select and secure your major vendors (photographer, florist, baker, videographer, caterer, DJ or band, entertainment, etc.)

Go to wedding expos and related events for ideas.

Select, contact and confirm bridal party (bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, flower girl and ring bearer).

Select and purchase your wedding gown.

Mail “save the date” cards to out-of-town guests.

SIX TO NINE MONTHS BEFORE

Narrow down the guest list (ask your families to do the same). Start compiling current addresses and contact information.

Shop for the wedding accessories (headpiece, veil, shoes, etc.)

Start planning the honeymoon.

Register with a bridal gift registry.

Select and order bridesmaids’ dresses.

Begin planning your wedding day itinerary and reception program.

Begin compiling a contact sheet with names and numbers of all your key vendors.

FOUR TO SIX MONTHS BEFORE

Select and order the invitations and stationery. Prepare all maps and directions for the ceremony, reception and rehearsal dinner.

Complete the guest lists with up-to-date addresses and contact information.

Begin addressing invitations/announcements.

Remind mothers to start shopping for their dresses.

Select and order the men’s attire.

Finalize honeymoon details and make necessary reservations. Apply for or update passports and other necessary travel documentation.

Assign and confirm wedding responsibilities (coordinator or trouble shooter, reception table, someone to handle passing out the leis and flowers to family and friends, ushers.)

Select your tsuru design and begin making your cranes.

Select wedding music and review with musicians and/or DJ

Wedding dress fitting.

TWO TO FOUR MONTHS BEFORE

Shop around for transportation companies. Book one.

Confirm the menu and catering details with your caterer.

Buy or create your own wedding guest book (preferably with removable pages for a quick check-in procedure. Some reception sites will provide one if you’re spending x amount of dollars.)

Set the dates and times with the officiant and ceremony site coordinator for the rehearsal.

Determine your resources for designing and printing the program for the ceremony.

Finalize the florist details, photographer, videographer, musicians, transportation, baker, caterer, hair and makeup, etc.

Make reservations for rehearsal dinner time and place.

Confirm the wedding cake details with the baker and florist if necessary.

Go to pre-marital counseling with your officiant, pastor or clergy person.

Select gifts for all your attendants.

Hire the limousine or other forms of transportation for the wedding.

SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE

Decide on wedding vows. (You can write them yourselves, use standard ones from your officiant or go to the bookstore or library and

purchase a book on vows.)

Mail out invitations and announcements.

Purchase, borrow, or make wedding accessories such as the ring pillow, flower girl basket, garter, candles, toasting glasses, favors,

centerpieces, card box, etc.

Wedding dress fitting.

FOUR TO SIX WEEKS BEFORE

Estimate expected number of guests.

Buy a gift for the groom or bride. (Whichever applies to you)

Pick up your wedding rings.

Plan the seating for the reception as well as other details for the ceremony and reception. Start writing placards if applicable.

Make sure all bridesmaids have been fitted.

Create a script or outline for your emcee.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE

Make preliminary table assignments if applicable.

Make arrangements for someone to be in charge of collecting and safe keeping gifts after guest check-in is complete.

Handle business and legal details such as name changes, address changes, etc.

Make sure all clothing and accessories for you and the bridal party are ready (veil, shoes, jewelry, etc.)

Call any guests who have not responded yet.

Final wedding dress fitting.

ONE WEEK BEFORE

Conform EVERYTHING! (florists, photographer, videographer, officiant, baker, caterer, emcee, entertainment, transportation, ushers, musicians, guest table attendants, ceremony and reception sites.)

Give final count to banquet hall or caterer, finalize seating arrangements.

Review any seating details with the ushers and reception table attendants.

Finalize seating arrangements.

Reconfirm your honeymoon reservations. Ensure you have any necessary plane tickets, travel documents and travel insurance.

Finalize all place cards for reception.

Review all the final details with your photographer, videographer, etc.

Review timeline with your wedding coordinator and/or those assisting at the ceremony and reception.

Finalize your rehearsal dinner arrangements or other plans.

Meet with coordinator or your point person and equip them with any and all emergency phone numbers for all suppliers and vendors. If they are not a wedding planner by trade give them a 3-ring binder with copies of all your wedding day contracts, contact names and

numbers. list of those attending rehearsal and/or dinner, copies of the wedding day itinerary to give to all vendors, copy of officiants

timeline, flower list, copy of the vows and everything else they might need to ensure your day runs flawlessly.

Pack for honeymoon or wedding day if you’re staying at a hotel or somewhere other than home prior to or following your wedding.

Create a wedding day ‘emergency kit’, including mini sewing kit, extra nylons, hairspray, stain remover wipes, etc.

ONE TO TWO DAYS BEFORE

Finalize script or outline for your emcee and go over it with him/her.

Get a manicure or massage.

Review and rehearse all details with your bridal party.

Make sure groomsmen pick up AND try on tuxes or formal wear.

Confirm last minute details with hair and makeup person.

Make envelopes with vendor names with cash payments for services needed on wedding day (limo, florist, musicians, etc.)

Have rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

Make final seating arrangements/guest list. Make multiple print outs for coordinator and guest table attendants.

Create and distribute final contact sheet with all key people/vendor names and phone numbers, preferably cell phone numbers.

THE BIG DAY

Eat something and make sure you drink lots of water.

Allow yourself plenty of time to get dressed.

Prepare for your hairdresser and makeup appointments.

Give your coordinator or point person the tips or final payments in sealed, labeled envelopes to give to your vendors.

Give your marriage license to the officiant.

Start on time. Relax!

Enjoy EVERY second.

Let your coordinator or point person stress now!!

When planning your wedding, be sure to visit www.bridesclub.com for quality vendors in your area.  And of course, be sure to attend a Wedding Expo near you. 

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