Wedding Timeline | Don't Forget the Small Things

“Weddings are a time of love and happiness, butterflies and rainbows!” -- Is something someone who has never actually planned a wedding would say. While yes weddings are an amazing time to get all of your family and friends together, they are also super stressful. While I have not planned my own wedding (yet) I have lived vicariously through my own sister as her maid of honor during her 2018 wedding. Creating a timeline cut out a lot of the stress (and arguments) that would have been present without her over the top planning. 

Engagement-12 Months Before Wedding

• Announce your engagement with an engagement party!
• Budget your wedding and hire a consultant if it is within your budget
• Make a guest list to help you pick the right-sized venue
• Book reception and ceremony venues
• Make note of any venue restrictions and liability insurance

8-11 Months Before Wedding

• Choose your wedding party
• Go dress shopping!
• Begin interviewing and researching photographers, videographers, entertainment, and caterers (if your venue doesn't cater)
• Reserve blocks of hotel rooms for out of town guests
• Register for your wedding and bridal shower
• Book officiant and discuss if premarital counseling is required

6-7 Months Before Wedding

• Send save the dates
• Hire videographers/photographers
• Hire entertainment
• Book honeymoon
• Remind your bridesmaids to order their dresses
• Finalize floral arrangements
• Reserve any rental items not provided by your location
• Sign with a caterer and develop a menu

4-5 Months Before Wedding

• Book rehearsal and rehearsal dinner 
• Review and order wedding invitations
• Shop for and purchase wedding rings
• Set dates of the bridal shower, bachelor, and bachelorette parties
• Cake Tasting! (the yummiest part!)
• Ask family and friends that are needed to participate in the ceremony, such as readers, ushers, and singers
• Make a guest list for bridal shower 
• Schedule hair, makeup, and nail appointments

2-3 Months Before

• Finalize guest list and send invitations
• Order wedding favors for guests
• Order wedding sparklers for an exit to remember 
• Finalize menu, wedding transportation, and rehearsal plans 
• Rent men's formal wear
• Make a list of songs you do and don’t want at your wedding. This will your DJ’s job easier and make your wedding more personalized to you.

1-2 Months Before Wedding

• Have dress fitting with appropriate accessories
• Prepare photoshoot list including any long exposure photos 
• Write thank you notes for a bridal shower gift and any gift received before the wedding
• Get marriage license
• Touch base with vendors

1 month before the wedding

• Break-in your wedding shoes
• Call guests that haven't rsvp'd
• Pick up rings
• Finalize hair and make-up

1 Week till Your Perfect Day!

• Have final gown fitting
• Pack a bag for your wedding night
• Pack an emergency kit with hair spray, sewing kit, bobby pins, and other essentials
• Confirm schedule for the day with your vendors
• Designate someone to gather important items throughout the day such as candles, cake topper, etc. 
• Get a manicure and pedicure
• Have rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Give gifts out to wedding party

Day of your wedding

• Have a perfect day!