The question has been popped, you keep staring at your stunning engagement ring, you’re looking forward to a lifetime with your partner, and everyone is asking about your wedding plans. You think how do I even get started?!?! With a lengthy pre-wedding to-do list and so many details to arrange, the idea of planning your ceremony and reception can seem overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be if you give yourself enough time to plan and sort all of your tasks into a structured wedding-planning timeline, the job becomes much less stressful and a lot more fun. The wedding planning timeline outlined below is to help guide you through the “noise” of wedding planning, and provide an organized stress free experience.
Wedding Planning Timeline | How to Start
Getting Started
Celebrate!! Enjoy the moment before jumping into all the details
Get your engagement ring resized if necessary and insured
Select a general date/time of year you would like to get married (with 2 or 3 backup options)
Research vendor options, wedding prices in the area, and discuss a high level budget
Pro-Tip: In the early stages of wedding planning, it is normal to want to DIY your wedding. And you likely can. However, wedding planning can get tedious and can get away from you. A wedding coordinator is highly recommended to avoid stressing out when you should be enjoying the occasion.
Pro-Tip: Your venue usually drives your wedding date. Your wedding date will drive availability for the remaining vendors needed for your wedding, and likely will be necessary before booking any additional vendors.
Research hair and makeup artists, florists, wedding planners/coordinators & wedding photographers
Pro-Tip: Discuss engagement location recommendations with your wedding photographer. They will recommend locations that fit the style of photos you are looking for & timing. Engagement photos should be scheduled no later than three months before your wedding date to ensure you have time to finalize wedding plans & have your engagement photos processed.
Register at 2-3 of your favorite stores
Finalize the guest list
Send out Save the Dates
Reserve guest accommodation blocks if recommending to guests
Pro-Tip: A wedding coordinator can help crafting the best timeline for a stress free day while also allowing for plenty of time for gorgeous images
Schedule hair and makeup trial
Pro-Tip: If you are getting bridal portraits as a part of your wedding package, coordinate with your wedding photographer to have bridal portraits the day you get a hair and makeup trial.
Collect mailing addresses if no Save the Dates were sent
Send out invitations
6 – 8 Weeks Before Wedding
Schedule bridal session
Pro-Tip: Bridal sessions should be scheduled 6-8 weeks before your wedding to give time for your alterations to be finalized & to gather any necessary materials that could be displayed at your wedding from the session, such as canvas prints. Talk to your photographer regarding location recommendations.
Finalize ceremony and reception music
Walk through the ceremony with officiant
Finalize reception schedule with wedding coordinator (or who is managing the wedding day), and send out to all wedding vendors
Pro-Tip: Your wedding should be spent enjoying your wedding. While you might be DIY-ing the wedding planning, you or your soon-to-be spouse should not be managing your actual wedding day. Hire a day of coordinator or elect a family member to manage the wedding day timelines & schedules.
Renew passports, if needed for out of country honeymoon travel or wedding plans
Plan wedding party/parent/vendor gifts
Follow up on missing RSVPs
Wedding Planning Timeline | The Celebration
1 Month Before Wedding
Celebrate your bachelorette & bachelor parties
Schedule wedding week mani/pedi/massage
Assign wedding day set-up and clean-up assignments
Again, should not be you or your soon-to-be spouse
The question has been popped, you keep staring at your stunning engagement ring, you’re looking forward to a lifetime with your partner, and everyone is asking about your wedding plans. You think how do I even get started?!?! With a lengthy pre-wedding to-do list and so many details to arrange, the idea of planning your ceremony and reception can seem overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be if you give yourself enough time to plan and sort all of your tasks into a structured wedding-planning timeline, the job becomes much less stressful and a lot more fun. The wedding planning timeline outlined below is to help guide you through the “noise” of wedding planning, and provide an organized stress free experience.
Wedding Planning Timeline | How to Start
Getting Started
Celebrate!! Enjoy the moment before jumping into all the details
Get your engagement ring resized if necessary and insured
Select a general date/time of year you would like to get married (with 2 or 3 backup options)
Research vendor options, wedding prices in the area, and discuss a high level budget
Pro-Tip: In the early stages of wedding planning, it is normal to want to DIY your wedding. And you likely can. However, wedding planning can get tedious and can get away from you. A wedding coordinator is highly recommended to avoid stressing out when you should be enjoying the occasion.
Pro-Tip: Your venue usually drives your wedding date. Your wedding date will drive availability for the remaining vendors needed for your wedding, and likely will be necessary before booking any additional vendors.
Research hair and makeup artists, florists, wedding planners/coordinators & wedding photographers
Pro-Tip: Discuss engagement location recommendations with your wedding photographer. They will recommend locations that fit the style of photos you are looking for & timing. Engagement photos should be scheduled no later than three months before your wedding date to ensure you have time to finalize wedding plans & have your engagement photos processed.
Register at 2-3 of your favorite stores
Finalize the guest list
Send out Save the Dates
Reserve guest accommodation blocks if recommending to guests
Pro-Tip: A wedding coordinator can help crafting the best timeline for a stress free day while also allowing for plenty of time for gorgeous images
Schedule hair and makeup trial
Pro-Tip: If you are getting bridal portraits as a part of your wedding package, coordinate with your wedding photographer to have bridal portraits the day you get a hair and makeup trial.
Collect mailing addresses if no Save the Dates were sent
Send out invitations
6 – 8 Weeks Before Wedding
Schedule bridal session
Pro-Tip: Bridal sessions should be scheduled 6-8 weeks before your wedding to give time for your alterations to be finalized & to gather any necessary materials that could be displayed at your wedding from the session, such as canvas prints. Talk to your photographer regarding location recommendations.
Finalize ceremony and reception music
Walk through the ceremony with officiant
Finalize reception schedule with wedding coordinator (or who is managing the wedding day), and send out to all wedding vendors
Pro-Tip: Your wedding should be spent enjoying your wedding. While you might be DIY-ing the wedding planning, you or your soon-to-be spouse should not be managing your actual wedding day. Hire a day of coordinator or elect a family member to manage the wedding day timelines & schedules.
Renew passports, if needed for out of country honeymoon travel or wedding plans
Plan wedding party/parent/vendor gifts
Follow up on missing RSVPs
Wedding Planning Timeline | The Celebration
1 Month Before Wedding
Celebrate your bachelorette & bachelor parties
Schedule wedding week mani/pedi/massage
Assign wedding day set-up and clean-up assignments
Again, should not be you or your soon-to-be spouse
Select and order gifts for bride and groom gift exchange
Final dress fitting
Create seating chart
Finalize vendor payments
1 Week Before Wedding
Spend time with family and friends
Pack for honeymoon
Wedding week mani/pedi/massage
Assign someone to return groom’s rental tux
Give gifts to bridal party and parents
Wedding Day!!!!!!
Take it in!! Breathe! Have fun!
Go over your wedding morning checklist with coordinator
Assign someone to be in charge of wedding rings and marriage license (best man & maid of honor are good go to’s)
Bring envelopes with any remaining vendor payments/tips/gifts
Enjoy these moments!
Wedding Day Timeline | After The Wedding
Enjoy your honeymoon!
Send thank you notes
Expect your final wedding images within 4-6 weeks after your wedding
Bring your pictures to life through albums, canvases, and prints. Order print gifts for your family members
Change your name
Build a strong foundation for your marriage
The question has been popped, you keep staring at your stunning engagement ring, you’re looking forward to a lifetime with your partner, and everyone is asking about your wedding plans. You think how do I even get started?!?! With a lengthy pre-wedding to-do list and so many details to arrange, the idea of planning your ceremony and reception can seem overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be if you give yourself enough time to plan and sort all of your tasks into a structured wedding-planning timeline, the job becomes much less stressful and a lot more fun. The wedding planning timeline outlined below is to help guide you through the “noise” of wedding planning, and provide an organized stress free experience.
Wedding Planning Timeline | How to Start
Getting Started
Celebrate!! Enjoy the moment before jumping into all the details
Get your engagement ring resized if necessary and insured
Select a general date/time of year you would like to get married (with 2 or 3 backup options)
Research vendor options, wedding prices in the area, and discuss a high level budget
Pro-Tip: In the early stages of wedding planning, it is normal to want to DIY your wedding. And you likely can. However, wedding planning can get tedious and can get away from you. A wedding coordinator is highly recommended to avoid stressing out when you should be enjoying the occasion.
Pro-Tip: Your venue usually drives your wedding date. Your wedding date will drive availability for the remaining vendors needed for your wedding, and likely will be necessary before booking any additional vendors.
Research hair and makeup artists, florists, wedding planners/coordinators & wedding photographers
Pro-Tip: Discuss engagement location recommendations with your wedding photographer. They will recommend locations that fit the style of photos you are looking for & timing. Engagement photos should be scheduled no later than three months before your wedding date to ensure you have time to finalize wedding plans & have your engagement photos processed.
Register at 2-3 of your favorite stores
Finalize the guest list
Send out Save the Dates
Reserve guest accommodation blocks if recommending to guests
Pro-Tip: A wedding coordinator can help crafting the best timeline for a stress free day while also allowing for plenty of time for gorgeous images
Schedule hair and makeup trial
Pro-Tip: If you are getting bridal portraits as a part of your wedding package, coordinate with your wedding photographer to have bridal portraits the day you get a hair and makeup trial.
Collect mailing addresses if no Save the Dates were sent
Send out invitations
6 – 8 Weeks Before Wedding
Schedule bridal session
Pro-Tip: Bridal sessions should be scheduled 6-8 weeks before your wedding to give time for your alterations to be finalized & to gather any necessary materials that could be displayed at your wedding from the session, such as canvas prints. Talk to your photographer regarding location recommendations.
Finalize ceremony and reception music
Walk through the ceremony with officiant
Finalize reception schedule with wedding coordinator (or who is managing the wedding day), and send out to all wedding vendors
Pro-Tip: Your wedding should be spent enjoying your wedding. While you might be DIY-ing the wedding planning, you or your soon-to-be spouse should not be managing your actual wedding day. Hire a day of coordinator or elect a family member to manage the wedding day timelines & schedules.
Renew passports, if needed for out of country honeymoon travel or wedding plans
Plan wedding party/parent/vendor gifts
Follow up on missing RSVPs
Wedding Planning Timeline | The Celebration
1 Month Before Wedding
Celebrate your bachelorette & bachelor parties
Schedule wedding week mani/pedi/massage
Assign wedding day set-up and clean-up assignments
Again, should not be you or your soon-to-be spouse
Select and order gifts for bride and groom gift exchange
Final dress fitting
Create seating chart
Finalize vendor payments
1 Week Before Wedding
Spend time with family and friends
Pack for honeymoon
Wedding week mani/pedi/massage
Assign someone to return groom’s rental tux
Give gifts to bridal party and parents
Wedding Day!!!!!!
Take it in!! Breathe! Have fun!
Go over your wedding morning checklist with coordinator
Assign someone to be in charge of wedding rings and marriage license (best man & maid of honor are good go to’s)
Bring envelopes with any remaining vendor payments/tips/gifts
Enjoy these moments!
Wedding Day Timeline | After The Wedding
Enjoy your honeymoon!
Send thank you notes
Expect your final wedding images within 4-6 weeks after your wedding
Bring your pictures to life through albums, canvases, and prints. Order print gifts for your family members
Change your name
Build a strong foundation for your marriage
The question has been popped, you keep staring at your stunning engagement ring, you’re looking forward to a lifetime with your partner, and everyone is asking about your wedding plans. You think how do I even get started?!?! With a lengthy pre-wedding to-do list and so many details to arrange, the idea of planning your ceremony and reception can seem overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be if you give yourself enough time to plan and sort all of your tasks into a structured wedding-planning timeline, the job becomes much less stressful and a lot more fun. The wedding planning timeline outlined below is to help guide you through the “noise” of wedding planning, and provide an organized stress free experience.
Wedding Planning Timeline | How to Start
Getting Started
Celebrate!! Enjoy the moment before jumping into all the details
Get your engagement ring resized if necessary and insured
Select a general date/time of year you would like to get married (with 2 or 3 backup options)
Research vendor options, wedding prices in the area, and discuss a high level budget
Pro-Tip: In the early stages of wedding planning, it is normal to want to DIY your wedding. And you likely can. However, wedding planning can get tedious and can get away from you. A wedding coordinator is highly recommended to avoid stressing out when you should be enjoying the occasion.
Pro-Tip: Your venue usually drives your wedding date. Your wedding date will drive availability for the remaining vendors needed for your wedding, and likely will be necessary before booking any additional vendors.
Research hair and makeup artists, florists, wedding planners/coordinators & wedding photographers
Pro-Tip: Discuss engagement location recommendations with your wedding photographer. They will recommend locations that fit the style of photos you are looking for & timing. Engagement photos should be scheduled no later than three months before your wedding date to ensure you have time to finalize wedding plans & have your engagement photos processed.
Register at 2-3 of your favorite stores
Finalize the guest list
Send out Save the Dates
Reserve guest accommodation blocks if recommending to guests
Pro-Tip: A wedding coordinator can help crafting the best timeline for a stress free day while also allowing for plenty of time for gorgeous images
Schedule hair and makeup trial
Pro-Tip: If you are getting bridal portraits as a part of your wedding package, coordinate with your wedding photographer to have bridal portraits the day you get a hair and makeup trial.
Collect mailing addresses if no Save the Dates were sent
Send out invitations
6 – 8 Weeks Before Wedding
Schedule bridal session
Pro-Tip: Bridal sessions should be scheduled 6-8 weeks before your wedding to give time for your alterations to be finalized & to gather any necessary materials that could be displayed at your wedding from the session, such as canvas prints. Talk to your photographer regarding location recommendations.
Finalize ceremony and reception music
Walk through the ceremony with officiant
Finalize reception schedule with wedding coordinator (or who is managing the wedding day), and send out to all wedding vendors
Pro-Tip: Your wedding should be spent enjoying your wedding. While you might be DIY-ing the wedding planning, you or your soon-to-be spouse should not be managing your actual wedding day. Hire a day of coordinator or elect a family member to manage the wedding day timelines & schedules.
Renew passports, if needed for out of country honeymoon travel or wedding plans
Plan wedding party/parent/vendor gifts
Follow up on missing RSVPs
Wedding Planning Timeline | The Celebration
1 Month Before Wedding
Celebrate your bachelorette & bachelor parties
Schedule wedding week mani/pedi/massage
Assign wedding day set-up and clean-up assignments
Again, should not be you or your soon-to-be spouse