WEDDING TIMELINE

Planning a wedding will undoubtedly be one of the most stressful times in your life. The list of things to do is endless and often you just don’t know where to start! Working full time whilst balancing busy social lives, plus having to plan a wedding is hard work. You may find that all of your evenings and weekends are taken up with planning the wedding, when you suddenly start to feel overwhelmed!

Well, it’s time to stop panicking and take control! Yes, there is a lot of work to do, but you will not be able to plan everything at once. Therefore, I have created a timeline which includes every last, little item that you need to consider to help you from start to finish and even after the wedding.

So take a deep breath and breath… follow my plan and start to gain control again over your wedding plans.

12 – 18 MONTHS BEFORE

• Announce your engagement to family and close friends
• Decide on a wedding date
• Go shopping for engagement rings with your fiancé
• Start a wedding file
• Ask around your married friends for referrals of vendors who they have had good experiences with
• Decide on the style, formal or informal
• Choose the theme
• Set your wedding budget and stick to it!
• Discuss expenses and who is going to pay for what?
• Put an announcement in the local paper
• Hire a wedding planner
• Select a ceremony location
• Select a reception location
• Start shopping for your wedding gown
• Select a cake designer
• Throw your engagement party

8 – 10 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

• Select your wedding party
• Decide on guest list. Consult with both families
• Collect names, addresses and email addresses for invites
• Start interviewing wedding officiants
• Hire a caterer if the catering is not supplied by the venue
• Hire a photographer
• Hire a videographer
• Hire a band or DJ
• Decide on bridesmaid dresses
• Sign up for a gift registry
• Book the cars for your bridal party
• Hire a chair cover and decoration company
• Send out save the date cards
• Set up a wedding website to keep friends up to date with the wedding plans
• Take out wedding insurance if required
• Book your florist
• Order your wedding gown

6 MONTHS BEFORE

• Finalize the guest list
• Shop for your wedding stationary
• Arrange for accommodation for out of town guests
• Select you wedding cake
• Begin preparations for you honeymoon
• Start diet and exercise regime now! No, can’t crash dieting for you.
• Book honeymoon suit for your first night
• Renew passports
• Choose your wedding invitations
• Decide on your table decorations, flowers, martini glasses, birdcages, etc,

3 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

• Send out your invitations
• Arrange for rental of items such as: chocolate fountains, silverware or china
• Finalize menu plans with your caterer/venue
• Arrange wedding transportation
• Shop for bridal party gifts
• Shop for your wedding bands
• Discuss with photographer style of wedding and important shots
• Discuss with videographer to discuss style
• Select grooms suits and accessories
• Shop from wedding bands
• Choose your wedding favours

2 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

• Choose your wedding music
• Find a location for your rehearsal dinner
• Confirm order with formal wear shop
• Schedule for alterations
• Schedule fittings for your bridesmaids and flower girls
• Confirm your order with your florist
• Start writing your vows

1 MONTH BEFORE THE WEDDING

• Design your wedding programs
• Apply for the marriage license
• Have a final gown fitting
• Choose all your wedding accessories
• Have a hair and makeup practice run
• Discuss and finalize details with all of your wedding suppliers
• Have your hen and stag party

2 WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING

• Call any guests
• Give the caterer a finalize head count
• Pick up your marriage license
• Give your DJ or band a list of songs
• Confirm rehearsal plans
• Obtain any legal information about changing for name, for drivers license, bank accounts, passport
• Complete floor and seating plans
• Confirm all rental and floral delivery dates and times
• Check parking arrangements

1 WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING

• Make any last minutes seating arrangements/adjustments
• Organize your wedding attire make sure everything fits perfectly
• Confirm honeymoon reservations
• Confirm reservations for out of town guests
• Pack for your honeymoon
• Have a spray tan
• Pick up passports
• Gather all necessary documents for travel
• Confirm rehearsal plans with attendants
• Confirm reservations for the rehearsal dinner
• Pick up formalwear make sure everyone tries everything on, to make sure it fits
• Have a relaxing massage
• Arrange for your cake to be delivered

1 DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING

• Go through your list of things to do and make sure they are all covered
• Pack your wedding day emergency kit
• Get a manicure and pedicure
• Give rings to best man
• Get an early night you’ve done all the planning you can, it’s too late to change anything now so do not stress

THE DAY OF THE WEDDING

• Eat something you don’t want to be fainting whilst walking up the aisle
• Get your hair and makeup done wear a button-up shirt to keep everything perfect
• Have someone check the reception site as early as possible to fix any possible problems
• Dress for the wedding
• Have photos taken with the family
• Most importantly have fun if everything doesn’t go exactly to plan, don’t worry and enjoy the day. Your guests probably won’t even notice

AFTER THE HONEYMOON

• Have your gown preserved
• Write thank-you notes
• Change your name
• Arrange to have your flowers freeze dried or pressed

I hope you find this timeline helpful. Each month set yourself tasks just like I have here, then break them down into monthly categories, so that you can focus on one task at a time so planning your wedding can become more manageable. Happy planning!