11-12 Months
- Take engagement photos
- Create a wedding email
- Make a wedding planning folder to stay organized
- Schedule venue tours
- Make a list of potential wedding dates
- Hire a wedding planner
- Choose your aesthetic (i.e., Formal, Garden Party, Casual)
- Create your wedding budget
- Begin to create your guest list
9-10 Months
- Schedule your dress appointments
- Hire vendors that book quickly (see below)
- Propose to your bridesmaids (e.g., custom boxes)
- Envision your save-the-date invites
- Create your wedding website (the Knot)
- Figure out lodging for guests attending
- Schedule catering & cake tastings
- Would be a great time for an engagement party!
Vendors
*All vendors must be insured
- Photographer/Videographer
- Caterer
- Band/DJ
- Florist
- Hair & Makeup
- Cake
- Bar Service
7-8 Months
- Order your wedding dress (*Start dreaming of jewelry & shoes)
- Begin looking for wedding registry items
- Make sure you meet with all vendors
- Choose your bridesmaid dresses
- Hire an officiant (*Begin marriage counseling, if chosen)
- Choose a Rehearsal Dinner venue
- Decide what rental items you will need (e.g., chargers, ceremony chairs, linens, lounge furniture, dance floor, plates/silverware/glasses, napkins)
5-6 Months
- Draft your wedding day timeline with your photographer and planner
- Book your honeymoon
- Decide what you want the Groom & Groomsmen to wear
- Book transportation for newlyweds
- Send out final invitations
- Pick out ring bearer & flower girl attire
- Choose your first dance songs
3-4 Months
- Start Rehearsal Dinner invitations
- Get your wedding dress altered
- Order the details (e.g., bar signs, ring boxes, cake toppers, toasting flutes, table numbers, cake stand, dress hangers)
- Create a guest book
- Buy your wedding bands!
- Hair & makeup trial with stylist
- Take your bridal portraits
- Purchase your fun, optional items! (e.g., Light-up cowboy hats, Beer Donkeys, Get away car, Send off items (petals, sparklers, etc.), Neon/glow sticks, Musicians for ceremony or cocktail hour
1-2 Months
- Write your vows
- Finalize timeline and send to party, family, vendors
- Get your marriage license
- Confirm RSVP’s
- Finalize songs you want the DJ/band to play AND don’t want to play
- Buy wedding day gifts for the bridal party
- Confirm all vendors are paid in FULL
- Create a seating chart for the reception
- Finalize your ceremony layout
- Fill out your Wedding Day Insurance
- Have all your vendor tips in individual labeled envelopes and ready to give to wedding coordinator
WEEK OF!
- Write a wedding day note to your partner
- Pack your bags for the honeymoon
- Get your rings cleaned
- Mani/pedi with the girls!
- Decide what food/snacks/drinks you’d like in the bridal suite
- Get lots of good sleep
- Drink LOTS of water!
- Find time to experience the week leading up by doing something you enjoy