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When planning a wedding, it is important to know where to start. There are so many things to organize and plan for, and it helps to have an idea of how far in advance each one should be done. Here is a handy wedding planning timeline:
One year or more: Set the date. Establish your budget. Hire a wedding planner, if desired. Book a venue for the ceremony and reception. Popular locations can be booked up well over a year in advance, especially if you are hiring for a date in peak wedding season, like a Saturday in June. As soon as you have decided on the venue, it is time to start shopping for a bridal gown. This is also a good time to determine who you and your fiance would like to have in the bridal party.
Nine months or more: Start researching vendors like bands, photographers, florists, and caterers (if your venue does not offer an on-site caterer). It is a very good idea to meet with a couple of different vendors from each category so you can compare them, and find the ones who really mesh well with your personality and understand your vision for the wedding.
Eight months or more: Order your wedding gown, if you have not already. Gowns that are made to order can take many months to arrive, and then you will need to allow time for fittings as well. Also, there is nothing worse than when a bride sets her heart on a particular gown, but waits too long to order it, and it becomes discontinued in the meanime. This is also the time to book all of your sellers, as well as to book blocks of hotels for guests. The bridal registry can also be done at this time, which is a lot of fun.
Six months or more: Order invitations, and get your save the date cards sent out. This is a good time to think about planning your honeymoon. You should also get serious about finding dresses for your bridesmaids, as they may take 12 weeks or longer to arrive, and you do not want to be scrambling at the last minute. Other tasks to plan on handling at this time include choosing wedding rings and reserving your limousine.
Four months or more: It is time to order your wedding cake. You have months yet before you have to fit into your dress, so enjoy the cake tasting part of it! By this point, you will also want to have the arrangements settled for your rehearsal dinner and post-wedding brunch. This is the time to pick out your bridal veil, headpiece, and wedding jewelry, if you did not get your accessories at the same time as your gown.
Three months or more: Decide on the final details of your menu and your flowers. At this point, you will also want to think about favors for your guests, bridesmaid jewelry, and groomsmen gifts. Many couples will decide to order things like personalized groomsmen gifts online, so it is smart to allow enough time to have them customized and shipped to you.
Two months or more: Give a list of desired pictures to the photographer and the playlist to the band. Mail out the wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the date. Now would be a nice time to have a bridal shower and any other fun activities with your bridesmaids.
One month or more: Get your marriage license (check with your town in advance to find out specifics on how long they are valid, as well as what documents you may need, and other requirements they may have). Send out invitations to the rehearsal dinner, and start working on the seating chart for the reception. If you will be writing your own vows, it is time to get to work on them! It is also a good idea to touch base with your vendors.
Week of the wedding: Remember to pick up your wedding dress! Keep it in a safe place away from pet hair, cigarette smoke, and the prying eyes of the groom. Get the final headcount to the caterer, and complete the seating chart. Pack for your honeymoon. Prepare the welcome baskets and delegate the job of distributing them. Have your manicure and pedicure done the morning before the wedding. Organize envelopes with any day-of-event payments due to vendors. Attend the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and oh yeah, get married! Congratulations!
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Source by Guy Antonelli
