The question has been asked, the champagne has been popped and the happy tears have been wiped away…now it’s time to start planning!!

Organizing a wedding can quickly become overwhelming-who knew there were so many details involved?! But, the good news is, planning the big day doesn’t actually have to be so stressful if you divide the tasks on a month by month basis with a wedding-planning check list and timeline!

To help get you started on devising the wedding of your dreams, I’ve created the ultimate check list to help guide you through the planning process that way you’re able to enjoy each step, stress less, have fun and more importantly revel in this special time together!

 

12 MONTHS

• Choose a date

• Choose wedding party

• Talk budget

• Decide wedding style

• Make a guest list

• Explore venue options

• Start assembling a dream team of wedding pros

• Choose wedding party

• Create wedding website

• Begin browsing Save the Date designs

• Begin researching wedding dress and veil styles

• Create wedding style mood boards on Pinterest

11-10 MONTHS

• Hire vendors

• Reserve venues

• Purchase wedding dress, veil, undergarments

• Choose bridal party attire & accessories

• Book officiant

• Engagement Photo session

9-8 MONTHS

• Wedding timeline with photographer

• Find hotels at different price points for out of town guests

• Browse wedding invitation designs

• Refine guest list

• Create gift registry

• Begin planning honeymoon

• Send out Save the Date cards

7-6 MONTHS

• Hire ceremony musicians

• Book transportation to and from venues

• Research wedding day hair and make up styles

• Meet with officiant to discuss run down of ceremony

• Choose cake style and schedule tastings

• Purchase wedding bands

• Order wedding invitation suite

• Decide groomsmen attire

5-4 MONTHS

• Order wedding cake

• Meet with florist

• Schedule dress fittings

• Book honeymoon flights & hotels

• Book room for wedding night

• Prepare a playlist for DJ/band

• Finalize guest list

• Book rehearsal dinner venue

• Order rehearsal dinner invitations

3 MONTHS

• Hair and make up trial

• Book a photo booth rental

• Finalize honeymoon plans and ensure all documents are in order

• Plan reception seating

• Purchase toasting flutes, serving pieces, guestbook, flower basket and ring bearer pillow

• Finalize reception menu with caterer

• Order menu cards

2 MONTHS

• Mail wedding invitations

• Begin writing vows

• Review ceremony details with officiant

• Finalize seating arrangements

• Buy wedding party gifts

• Apply for marriage license

• Lay out the content for wedding programs

1 MONTH

• Final dress fitting

• Pick up marriage license

• Call vendors to confirm date, time & location

• Confirm honeymoon reservations

2 WEEKS

• Begin breaking in wedding shoes

• Make arrangements for the caring of pets & plants while on honeymoon

• Follow up with guests who have not RSVP’d

• Give final guest count to caterer

• Finalize fittings for wedding party and parents

• Finalize wedding timeline and send to vendors, officiant and wedding party

• Decide on “something old, something new, something borrowed & something blue”

• Book spa and beauty treatments for you and bridal party

• Pick up wedding rings

• Order wedding programs

• Write thank you notes

• Get haircut & freshen up color

• Update registries

• Send directions to wedding day transportation driver

• Delegate someone to return tuxes, rentals, etc.

• Send playlists to DJ/band/ ceremony musicians

1 WEEK

• Prepare wedding day emergency kit

• Give readers their scripts

• Prepare final payments to vendors & cash tips for service personnel

• Lay out wedding clothes & gather all accessories

• Prepare bridal details for get ready/ details photos (jewelry, all three rings, shoes, veil, garter, hair accessories, invitation suites, etc.)

DAY BEFORE

• Treat yourself to a mani/pedi & massage

• Attend wedding rehearsal

• Have fun at rehearsal dinner

• Thank everyone around you

• Get to bed at a decent hour!

WEDDING DAY

• Eat a good breakfast

• Stay off feet as much as possible

• Allow plenty of time to get ready

• Take dress & veil out of the bag & have steamed before photographer arrives

• Lay out all items you want to be captured by photographer

• Give officiant fee & wedding rings to best man after photographer is done with detail photos

• Exchange notes and gifts with fiance

BEYOND THE WEDDING

• Ensure tuxes and all rentals have been returned

• Get wedding dress to cleaners

• Send out thank you cards no later than 3 weeks after wedding day

 

This may seem like an overwhelming list of things to check off before your wedding day but if you stick to the timeline your day should go off without a hitch! As for the couples who have a shorter engagement time, pulling off your dream wedding is still possible and can be done in a stress-free matter as well! If you have 6 months to plan before your wedding then condense this list and try to get everything done at the 12 month mark done your first month and you should pretty much be on schedule for everything else.

Happy planning!!