FROM THE EXPERTS: Wedding Timeline… broken down

Next up in our Ask the Expert series, we are conquering the TIMELINE. I know it may seem overwhelming and at times nail biting, but rest assured, we have you covered (so keep that pretty manicure intact!)

We will be breaking down the ever-intimidating wedding planning process into a simple and straightforward timeline. This timeline gives you a general idea of what to expect and how to be best prepared.

We know how overwhelming this time can be, so we hope this helps get a general idea for the basic order of events.

XoXo

12 Months Before

Wedding Theme & Style: Get inspired & start to get a general idea for the look and theme you want to project on your special day! Pinterest will be your new BESTIE!
Budget: Compose a rough draft- research average prices in your area to get a better feel for what the going rates are for each service/vendor.
Draft Guest List: Include your parents and groom’s parents in this task, as they may have family or friends that are important to them to invite. Keep in mind- you can always trim the list later! This will also give you an idea for your budget, as most venues/caterers quote based on guest count.
Research & Book Ceremony & Reception Venue: Now that you have your general wedding look & theme figured out, start to visit venues that align with your overall vision. Venues book up fast—make sure to inquire early to see which dates are available!
Pick your Bridal Party– Have fun with it! Ask in a way your closests won’t forget and make it meaningful! Let them know how much they mean to you and how important it is to have them by your side!
Research Vendors– Begin to research the vendors that book up fast, such as Photographers, Officiants,Bands/DJ, etc.
Schedule your Engagement Photos– Better sooner, rather than later (especially if going into the colder months- depending on the look you want) so you can then use them for your save-the-dates.

11 Months

Book Officiant: Like venues, officiants book up fast.
Meet with & Book Vendors: Caterer, DJ/Band, Photographer/Videographer, Florists
Mail Save-the-Dates for Destination Wedding: Give your guests and wedding party enough time to plan.
Schedule Wedding Dress Appointments

9-10 Months

Meet with & Book Vendors: Caterer, DJ/Band, Photographer/Videographer, Florists
Host an Engagement Party: Completely optional- if decide to have, traditionally the parents of the bride host the engagement party.
Order your Dress, Veil, Accessories: Believe it or not, a wedding dress can take up to 5 month to receive after ordering
Finalize Guest List
Order & Send Save-the-Dates
Choose Bridal Party Colors & Order Attire & Accessories
Block Hotel Rooms for Guests– Research three hotels for out of town guests
Start Planning your Honeymoon– Make sure your passports are up-to-date and start to save!
Register: Sign up for a minimum of three retailers at different price points
Delegate: Discuss Attendant’s duties & roles

6-8 Months

Personalize your Special Day: Add touches that represent you & your groom!
Schedule Invitation Consultation: Determine the design, wording, font, paper stock for your wedding invitations, table & escort cards, & thank-you notes
Review & Approve Proofs of Wedding Invitations & Stationery
Order Invitations
Determine order of ceremony events & choose appropriate wording for your programs
Choose Groomsmen Attire
Select Attire for Ring Bearer/Flower Girl
Reserve Rentals- Chairs, Linens, Lighting, Décor, Tents, Heaters, etc.
Arrange Transportation & from venues- consider limos, minibuses, trolleys, town cars
Meet with Officiant- Map out the ceremony & confirm that you have all the official documents needed for the wedding.
Purchase Wedding Bands
Research Wedding Day Hair & Makeup
Meet with Bakeries- Schedule Cake Tasting
Book Honeymoon Flights & Hotels

4-5 Months

Finalize Menu/Alcohol for Reception
Plan & Assemble Welcome Baskets for Out-of-Town Guests
Schedule Hair & Makeup Trial & Book
Schedule Dress Fittings
Plan Rehearsal Dinner & Select Menu- Traditionally the groom’s family hosts the rehearsal dinner
Order Favors, Table/Escort Cards, Menu, Thank-You Cards, Rehearsal Dinner Invitations, & Programs
Place Cake Order & Arrange for Delivery
Prepare a playlist of wedding- Play/Do Not Play
Purchase Bridal Accessories, Shoes, Lingerie, etc.
Book room for wedding night
Choose something fun for your guests to throw at your wedding (rose petals, bubbles, confetti, etc.)
Compose Day- Of Timeline- Slot in each component (cake cutting, first dance, etc)

3 Months

Send Guest List to Host of Shower
Address Wedding Invitations: Allow month to assemble if needed
Create Hotel Information Cards & Maps to include with invitations
Finalize Flowers/Décor
Finalize Readers & Readings
Finalize the Order of the Ceremony & Reception
Send Day of Schedule to Vendors
Plan Ceremony & Reception Seating
Purchase toasting flutes, serving pieces, guest book, flower basket, & ring-bearer pillow
Purchase or Rent Groom’s Wedding Accessories
Get groomsmen fitted
Write Wedding Day letter to give to Fiancé on wedding
Discuss Bachelorette Plans with Attendants

2 Months

Write or Decide on Vows/Ceremony
Secure Wedding Day Dressing Room for your Girls
Weigh, purchase postage for & mail wedding invitations: Wedding invitations are typically sent out 6 to 8 weeks prior to the wedding.
Develop system to organize RSVPS
Apply for Marriage License: Order 2-3 extra; Check US Marriage Laws for your local requirements and details.
Finalize Day of Timeline
Review Ceremony Details with Officiant: send timeline
Confirm vendors: Check-in & update with timeline
Go to Final Gown Fitting/Groom’s Tux Fitting
Finalize Fittings & Attire for Wedding Party Members & Your Parents
Create Honeymoon Itinerary for Family
Purchase Ceremony Accessories (unity candle, wine glasses, etc.)
Confirm Day Of Transportation: Determine how you, your bridal party, and your families will be getting to and from wedding locations.
Review Playlist with Band/DJ
Meet with Photographer- Review Shoot List
Book Spa & Beauty Treatments for you & your party
Decide “Something Old, New, Borrowed & Blue”
Enjoy a Bachelorette Party!

1 Month

Start Recording RSVPs
Mail Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
Write Thank-You Notes as you receive gifts
Write Newspaper Announcement & Gather Images
Purchase a gift for your spouse to be
Purchase Honeymoon Clothing, Luggage, etc.
Arrange for transportation to and from airport
Bridal Shower: Traditionally, the groom’s mother’s close friend hosts the bridal shower. Or your bridesmaids can host a shower as well.
Arrange for Table Card Setup at Reception Venue
Arrange for distribution of programs/placement
Coordinate for Photographers Storage Area at venue
Finalize Seating Arrangements for guests
Meet with Ushers- assign duties
Confirm floral order & arrange delivery times
Pick- Up Wedding Bands
Pick-Up Marriage License
Pack for Honeymoon
Send out final payments to vendors
Confirm Times for Hair & Makeup
E-mail & Print directions for drivers of transportation
Get a facial, hair-cut & colored, schedule manicure/pedicure

2-3 Weeks

Finalize List of Reception Guests
Give Final Headcount to Caterer
Arrange for Delivery/placement of flowers, candles, etc. to ceremony
Contact anyone who has not responded to wedding invitation
Update Registries
Break in Wedding Shoes
Delegate wedding day duties: gift table, guest book, etc.
Delegate someone to return tuxes, rentals, and tend to wedding dress (bustle dress, carry bouquet), point people- ask to deal with vendors

1 Week

Reconfirm Arrival Times with vendors
Send Timeline to Bridal Party (include everyone’s contact information, point people asked to deal with vendors and vendor contacts)
Pick-up Dress
Set aside checks for vendors (tips in envelopes)
Final Headcount: Once you have reviewed your RSVPs, you will then need to confirm the numbers with your rental companies (chairs, tables) as well as your caterer.
Finalize Seating Chart: Sit friends and acquaintances together whenever possible..
Prepare Wedding Day emergency Kit
Lay out Wedding Clothes/Rehearsal Dinner Outfit
Give Readers their Scripts
Get your tan on!
Give Shot List to Photographer: Figure out what photographs are important to you and put together a list of shots you would like taken for your photographer. I’ll go over this in more detail later.
Arrange for transportation of your gifts

Day Before

Attend Rehearsal & Rehearsal Dinner: Enjoy!
Deliver Welcome Baskets to Hotels for out of town guests
Get manicure/pedicure
Give Bridal Party Gifts: Typically the day before the wedding the bride will give her bridesmaids’ a gift.

Day Of

Eat a hearty breakfast- can’t stress this enough, the last think you want to be all day is hangry (hungry + angry = hangry).
Mail Wedding Announcements
Get Hair & Makeup Done
Give Wedding Rings & Officiant fee to best man
Get married & live happily ever after! Just remember to enjoy the moment (it goes by fast) and have fun!

”Every bride and groom should think about how they want to start their special day. Whether it’s a walk or yoga class with bridesmaids or a golf game for the guys, it’s important to have some ‘me’ time and just relax to enjoy the day ahead.”

After the Wedding