The Ultimate Wedding Planning Timeline: What to Do & When
So—you said yes, celebrated with family and friends, and now you’re staring at the mountain called wedding planning. Don’t worry. With the right timeline, you can climb it with confidence (and maybe a few glasses of champagne 🍾).
This step-by-step guide breaks down exactly what to do and when, from the moment you get engaged to your walk down the aisle.
📅 12+ Months Before: Big Dreams & Big Decisions
✔ Celebrate your engagement
Take it all in, take lots of pictures, and don’t feel pressured to start planning immediately.
✔ Set your wedding budget
Sit down with your partner (and anyone contributing financially) and create a realistic budget.
✔ Draft your guest list
This affects your venue, budget, and catering numbers—so even a rough idea is helpful now.
✔ Book your venue + set the date
Most popular venues book up a year+ in advance. Lock it in early to secure your ideal day and style.
✔ Hire a planner (if using one)
Full-service planners help with everything from now until your wedding day.
📅 9–11 Months Before: Building Your Dream Team
✔ Book your major vendors
Start with:
Photographer/videographer
Caterer (if not included with venue)
Entertainment (DJ or band)
Florist
Officiant
✔ Choose your wedding party
Let your favorite people know—ask in a fun, meaningful way.
✔ Shop for your wedding dress
This allows time for ordering + fittings. Bridal gowns often take 6–8 months!
✔ Create your wedding website
Include your story, date, registry info, and travel/hotel details.
📅 6–8 Months Before: Design + Details
✔ Finalize your color palette and theme
This guides everything from decor to dresses to stationery.
✔ Order Save-the-Dates
Especially if you’re having a destination wedding or inviting out-of-town guests.
✔ Book:
Hair & makeup artist
Rentals (chairs, linens, etc.)
Transportation
Hotel room blocks
✔ Schedule tastings and floral mockups
Start locking in your wedding-day menu and centerpiece ideas.
📅 4–5 Months Before: Fashion & Formalities
✔ Choose attire for your partner + wedding party
Give everyone time to order and alter their outfits.
✔ Finalize ceremony and reception details
Start working on readings, vows, music selections, etc.
✔ Order wedding invitations
Allow time for printing, addressing, and mailing.
✔ Plan your honeymoon
Apply for passports (if needed) and book travel and accommodations.
📅 2–3 Months Before: Confirm & Customize
✔ Mail out invitations
Etiquette says 6–8 weeks before the wedding.
✔ Buy wedding bands
Get them sized and ready.
✔ Confirm all vendors
Check contracts, payment schedules, and arrival times.
✔ Create a day-of timeline
This helps your vendors, planner, and wedding party know where to be and when.
✔ Book final fittings for attire
📅 1 Month Before: Crunch Time
✔ Apply for marriage license
Check your local requirements for waiting periods and expiration.
✔ Final dress fitting
Bring your shoes, undergarments, and accessories.
✔ Write vows + speeches
Don’t wait until the night before!
✔ Confirm headcount with caterer
✔ Create seating chart
📅 1 Week Before: You’re Almost There!
✔ Final confirmations with vendors
Share the final timeline and any last-minute details.
✔ Pack for honeymoon
You’ll be glad you did it now.
✔ Prep an emergency kit
Think: safety pins, mints, band-aids, blotting paper, tissues, etc.
✔ Do a venue walk-through
With your planner or coordinator, if possible.
📅 Wedding Day: Soak It In
✔ Eat breakfast (and hydrate!)
It’s easy to forget in the excitement.
✔ Stay present
You’ve planned every detail—now trust the process and enjoy your day. 💗
📝 Final Thoughts
No two weddings are the same—but with a clear timeline, you’ll feel more in control and less overwhelmed. Remember: it’s not about perfection, it’s about celebrating your love.
