| Wedding Planning Timeline by Lisa's Elegant Things |
Large formal weddings generally require more time to plan; usually twelve or more months. Smaller or more informal weddings can usually be
planned in six months or even less in some situations. For the sake of simplicity, this timeline will be based on having twelve months to plan
your wedding.
Immediately
Announce your engagement.
Begin to envision the type of wedding you want.
Select your preferred date for your wedding.
Confirm date with important guests, ceremony and reception sites and officiant.
Determine your budget.
Determine your priorities based on your budget.
Nine to Eleven Months Before
Set date for an engagement party if you are having one.
Send engagement announcement to your local paper if you desire.
Determine your wedding size and begin your guest list.
Pick an officiant for the ceremony. Make sure you discuss with him/her your ceremony and any religious requirements.
Determine your wedding size and begin your guest list.
Research ceremony sites if not already determined by your officiant.
Research reception sites. Reserve your site as soon as possible.
Choose your attendants and ask them to do you the honor.
Hire a wedding coordinator if you’re using one.
Decide on your wedding color scheme.
Begin interviewing florists.
Begin interviewing photographers and videographers.
Interview caterers and sign a contract when yo have decided on one. Determine the price per head and menu.
Begin your search for musicians and/or DJs for your ceremony and reception. When you have made your decision, sign a contract and send in your deposit.
Start shopping for your wedding gown.
Six to Eight Months Before
Contact your out-of-town guests and let them know the date so they can plan on attending. Or, send out “Save The Date” cards to your attendees.
Begin looking at invitations. Decide on your style and wording.
Order your wedding gown.
Select the attendants’ dresses and order.
Decide on a bakery to design and bake your wedding cake if not done by caterer.
Finalize the reception menu and service details with caterer.
Choose your florist and sign a contract. Give them a deposit to reserve your date.
Choose your photographer and videographer (if you’re using one) and sign contracts. Give them a deposit to reserve your date.
Schedule premarital counseling if desired or required by your church/officiant.
Begin discussing a prenuptial agreement if you plan to have one.
Four to Five Months Before
Finalize your guest list.
Register for gifts at your desired stores.
Plan your rehearsal dinner and give guest list to the host.
Plan your post-wedding brunch if you’re having one. If you’re having it at a restaurant, book the site.
Reserve tables, chairs and any other equipment needed for your ceremony or reception.
Begin shopping for the groom and groomsmen attire.
Plan your honeymoon. Make all travel arrangements. Make sure you have a passport if you’re traveling internationally.
Block hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
Book your hotel room for your wedding night.
Order your wedding invitations. Don’t forget thank you notes.
Decide if you’ll be handwriting, using a calligrapher, or printing addresses for your invitations.
Start thinking about the wording of your vows if you are planning on writing your own.
Two to Three Months Before
Decide on attire for groom and groomsmen and place the order at the three-month mark.
Research your local marriage license requirements.
Address your invitations or have this done for you.
Send out your invitations at the two-month mark.
Send the post-wedding brunch invitations to out-of-town guests who will be attending the wedding.
Make sure homeowner’s insurance covers your rings and gifts.
Choose your attendants accessories.
Buy your wedding rings. Have engraved and sized.
Confirm delivery date of bridesmaid gowns and your wedding gown.
Schedule fittings for wedding gown. Have attendants do the same.
Determine if you need decorations for ceremony and receptions and purchase them.
Make or buy your favors.
Arrange wedding day transportation.
Invite people to participate in your wedding with readings or performances as you desire.
Give your guest list for bachelor party and shower to host/hostess.
Schedule wedding day beauty appointments.
Have your bridal portrait taken if you’re having one.
Four to Six Weeks Before
Work with florist to finalize your floral scheme and your order. Make sure all the details are recorded in your contract.
Update registry as needed.
Write thank you notes as gifts are received.
Write ceremony program if you’re having one.
Buy a guest book and pen or wedding signature frame for guest signatures.
Buy aisle runner, ring bearer pillow, flower girl baskets, toasting glasses, cake knife and server and any other wedding items you may wish to use.
Order liquor, wine, champagne if not included in your catering contract.
Arrange for parking at ceremony and reception.
Arrange for babysitting at the reception if needed.
Attend gown fittings.
Meet with your stylist to finalize your hairstyle. Take your headpiece or veil with you.
Submit your wedding announcement to newspapers.
Send rehearsal dinner invitations.
Confirm date and time with all vendors.
Shop for attendant gifts.
Two to Three Weeks Before
Get marriage license and make appointments for medical exam and tests if necessary.
Do paperwork if you’re changing your name.
Submit your change of address cards to the post office and all other necessary parties.
Check with your automobile and homeowner’s insurance and arrange to include your spouse.
Check with your employer or insurance agent to determine when changes to your life and health insurance policies can be made.
Confirm wedding night and honeymoon reservations.
Get final pre-wedding haircuts, if necessary.
Write up a schedule for your wedding day and distribute to participants.
Send rehearsal dinner invitations.
Call or email wedding party to relay critical information related to rehearsal and wedding.
If you’re having a receiving line, determine where you want people to stand.
Pick up wedding rings.
Schedule final fitting for your gown.
Pick up your gown and accessories.
Provide a playlist for your DJ or band.
Confirm headcount, delivery time and location for the wedding cake.
Give final headcount to caterer.
Make sure vendors will have access to ceremony and receptions sites when necessary.
Finalize special preferences, readings and details with officiant.
Plan bridal luncheon or party if you’re having one.
Put a seating plan together.
Purchase or make place cards and give to the reception hall or caterer.
One to Two Weeks Before
Confirm delivery locations, times and final arrangements with your florist.
Confirm all final payments with your vendors.
Confirm location, date and time with photographer and videographer. Make sure they know the important pictures you want.
Confirm location, date and time with musicians and DJ.
Confirm transportation providers.
Put final payments/tips in envelopes and give to someone who will distribute them on your wedding day for you.
Prepare toasts and thank yous for your friends and family.
Have the groom and groomsmen pick up their tux and accessories and try them on at least one week before the wedding.
Pack for honeymoon. Pack overnight bag for wedding night if needed.
Confirm honeymoon details.
Drop off favors, guest book and pen and any other necessary items at reception site.
Day Before
Gather everything you’ll need for your wedding day.
Bride – get manicure and pedicure.
Rehearse the ceremony with officiant and wedding party.
Enjoy your rehearsal dinner.
Begin to relax and enjoy every minute of the experience you’re about to have. You’ve done all you can do to make your wedding day incredible. Sit back and
reap the benefits of your hard work.
Your Wedding Day
Set aside some quiet time to relax or have a massage.
Eat a snack or small meal before your ceremony.
Thank your parents and important family and friends for their love and support.
Relax and have a beautiful wedding day!
After Your Wedding
Write and mail your thank you notes within one month of your wedding day.
Arrange to have your gown and veil cleaned and preserved within six months of your wedding day.
planned in six months or even less in some situations. For the sake of simplicity, this timeline will be based on having twelve months to plan
your wedding.
Immediately
Announce your engagement.
Begin to envision the type of wedding you want.
Select your preferred date for your wedding.
Confirm date with important guests, ceremony and reception sites and officiant.
Determine your budget.
Determine your priorities based on your budget.
Nine to Eleven Months Before
Set date for an engagement party if you are having one.
Send engagement announcement to your local paper if you desire.
Determine your wedding size and begin your guest list.
Pick an officiant for the ceremony. Make sure you discuss with him/her your ceremony and any religious requirements.
Determine your wedding size and begin your guest list.
Research ceremony sites if not already determined by your officiant.
Research reception sites. Reserve your site as soon as possible.
Choose your attendants and ask them to do you the honor.
Hire a wedding coordinator if you’re using one.
Decide on your wedding color scheme.
Begin interviewing florists.
Begin interviewing photographers and videographers.
Interview caterers and sign a contract when yo have decided on one. Determine the price per head and menu.
Begin your search for musicians and/or DJs for your ceremony and reception. When you have made your decision, sign a contract and send in your deposit.
Start shopping for your wedding gown.
Six to Eight Months Before
Contact your out-of-town guests and let them know the date so they can plan on attending. Or, send out “Save The Date” cards to your attendees.
Begin looking at invitations. Decide on your style and wording.
Order your wedding gown.
Select the attendants’ dresses and order.
Decide on a bakery to design and bake your wedding cake if not done by caterer.
Finalize the reception menu and service details with caterer.
Choose your florist and sign a contract. Give them a deposit to reserve your date.
Choose your photographer and videographer (if you’re using one) and sign contracts. Give them a deposit to reserve your date.
Schedule premarital counseling if desired or required by your church/officiant.
Begin discussing a prenuptial agreement if you plan to have one.
Four to Five Months Before
Finalize your guest list.
Register for gifts at your desired stores.
Plan your rehearsal dinner and give guest list to the host.
Plan your post-wedding brunch if you’re having one. If you’re having it at a restaurant, book the site.
Reserve tables, chairs and any other equipment needed for your ceremony or reception.
Begin shopping for the groom and groomsmen attire.
Plan your honeymoon. Make all travel arrangements. Make sure you have a passport if you’re traveling internationally.
Block hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
Book your hotel room for your wedding night.
Order your wedding invitations. Don’t forget thank you notes.
Decide if you’ll be handwriting, using a calligrapher, or printing addresses for your invitations.
Start thinking about the wording of your vows if you are planning on writing your own.
Two to Three Months Before
Decide on attire for groom and groomsmen and place the order at the three-month mark.
Research your local marriage license requirements.
Address your invitations or have this done for you.
Send out your invitations at the two-month mark.
Send the post-wedding brunch invitations to out-of-town guests who will be attending the wedding.
Make sure homeowner’s insurance covers your rings and gifts.
Choose your attendants accessories.
Buy your wedding rings. Have engraved and sized.
Confirm delivery date of bridesmaid gowns and your wedding gown.
Schedule fittings for wedding gown. Have attendants do the same.
Determine if you need decorations for ceremony and receptions and purchase them.
Make or buy your favors.
Arrange wedding day transportation.
Invite people to participate in your wedding with readings or performances as you desire.
Give your guest list for bachelor party and shower to host/hostess.
Schedule wedding day beauty appointments.
Have your bridal portrait taken if you’re having one.
Four to Six Weeks Before
Work with florist to finalize your floral scheme and your order. Make sure all the details are recorded in your contract.
Update registry as needed.
Write thank you notes as gifts are received.
Write ceremony program if you’re having one.
Buy a guest book and pen or wedding signature frame for guest signatures.
Buy aisle runner, ring bearer pillow, flower girl baskets, toasting glasses, cake knife and server and any other wedding items you may wish to use.
Order liquor, wine, champagne if not included in your catering contract.
Arrange for parking at ceremony and reception.
Arrange for babysitting at the reception if needed.
Attend gown fittings.
Meet with your stylist to finalize your hairstyle. Take your headpiece or veil with you.
Submit your wedding announcement to newspapers.
Send rehearsal dinner invitations.
Confirm date and time with all vendors.
Shop for attendant gifts.
Two to Three Weeks Before
Get marriage license and make appointments for medical exam and tests if necessary.
Do paperwork if you’re changing your name.
Submit your change of address cards to the post office and all other necessary parties.
Check with your automobile and homeowner’s insurance and arrange to include your spouse.
Check with your employer or insurance agent to determine when changes to your life and health insurance policies can be made.
Confirm wedding night and honeymoon reservations.
Get final pre-wedding haircuts, if necessary.
Write up a schedule for your wedding day and distribute to participants.
Send rehearsal dinner invitations.
Call or email wedding party to relay critical information related to rehearsal and wedding.
If you’re having a receiving line, determine where you want people to stand.
Pick up wedding rings.
Schedule final fitting for your gown.
Pick up your gown and accessories.
Provide a playlist for your DJ or band.
Confirm headcount, delivery time and location for the wedding cake.
Give final headcount to caterer.
Make sure vendors will have access to ceremony and receptions sites when necessary.
Finalize special preferences, readings and details with officiant.
Plan bridal luncheon or party if you’re having one.
Put a seating plan together.
Purchase or make place cards and give to the reception hall or caterer.
One to Two Weeks Before
Confirm delivery locations, times and final arrangements with your florist.
Confirm all final payments with your vendors.
Confirm location, date and time with photographer and videographer. Make sure they know the important pictures you want.
Confirm location, date and time with musicians and DJ.
Confirm transportation providers.
Put final payments/tips in envelopes and give to someone who will distribute them on your wedding day for you.
Prepare toasts and thank yous for your friends and family.
Have the groom and groomsmen pick up their tux and accessories and try them on at least one week before the wedding.
Pack for honeymoon. Pack overnight bag for wedding night if needed.
Confirm honeymoon details.
Drop off favors, guest book and pen and any other necessary items at reception site.
Day Before
Gather everything you’ll need for your wedding day.
Bride – get manicure and pedicure.
Rehearse the ceremony with officiant and wedding party.
Enjoy your rehearsal dinner.
Begin to relax and enjoy every minute of the experience you’re about to have. You’ve done all you can do to make your wedding day incredible. Sit back and
reap the benefits of your hard work.
Your Wedding Day
Set aside some quiet time to relax or have a massage.
Eat a snack or small meal before your ceremony.
Thank your parents and important family and friends for their love and support.
Relax and have a beautiful wedding day!
After Your Wedding
Write and mail your thank you notes within one month of your wedding day.
Arrange to have your gown and veil cleaned and preserved within six months of your wedding day.
Contact Lisa's Elegant Things : Via Email: sales@lisaselegantthings.com / lisa@lisaselegantthings.com 484-686-0118 |
| Copyright © All Rights Reserved Lisa Tarves, Lisa's Elegant Things September 2003-2009 / 484-686-0118 www.lisaselegantthings.com |
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