How to Plan the Perfect Wedding

How to Plan the Perfect Wedding

The Planning Timeline to get you to the altar without a headache!

 

If you are just newly engaged, then this is for you. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming and extremely complicated. Where do you start? It is always helpful to hire a wedding planner to guide you through this process but even if have a wedding planner, this is very useful in easing your stress and assuring you that you are on the right track.

 

Now, this timeline is based on a yearlong engagement because that typically tends to be the average amount of time a couple is engaged before they tie the knot. If you do not have that long of an engagement, please adjust the timeline accordingly. At the least, this helpful guideline will give you a sense of what needs to happen in the first few months of planning and aid you through every day until your big day.

 

Guiding you through this process is something you should expect from a wedding planner and something he/she will help with so not everything is weighing on your shoulders. If you don’t have a wedding planner, don’t stress! With this helpful timeline, planning a wedding will be seamless and stress-free!

 

 

9-12 months before “I do”

  • Determine type of wedding location
  • Determine formality
  • Determine time of day
  • Compile preliminary guest list
  • Start compiling addresses
  • Establish priorities
  • Set a budget
  • Create budget spreadsheet to help stay focused
  • Develop a way to track payments & payment due dates
  • Book ceremony cite
  • Book reception cite
  • Book caterer
  • Begin contemplating theme/design
  • 6-9 months before “I do”
  • Announce & publish the engagement
  • Book photographer
  • Select & inform wedding party
  • Select Flower girl & ring bearer
  • Research accommodations & hotels
  • Order “Save the Date” stationary
  • Mail “save the dates”
  • Plan and book wedding night accommodations
  • Purchase wedding gown/schedule future fittings
  • Select bridesmaid dresses, shoes, & accessories
  • Select flower girl attire
  • Book ceremony musicians
  • Book Band and/or DJ
  • Book florist
  • Book videographer
  • Plan & book honeymoon details
  • Register for gifts
  • Look for wedding band
  • 4-6 Months before “I do”
  • Reserve any special rental equipment: i.e. linens, chairs, foliage
  • Book lighting company (if needed)
  • Finalize guest count/compose a list
  • Attend cake tasting
  • Select bakery & order cake
  • Order Invitations & stationary
    • *stationary includes: invitations, response cards, reception cards, maps/directions, thank you’s, announcements
  • Select & order wedding favors
  • Purchase Bride & groom gift
  • Create rehearsal dinner list
  • Book rehearsal dinner location
  • Purchase wedding shoes & accessories
  • Update passports/Visas for honeymoon (if needed)
  • 2-4 Months before “I do”
  • Discuss plan to get marriage license
  • Pick Officiant
  • Discuss ceremony plans with officiant
  • Hire a day-of coordinator
  • Create preliminary timeline
  • Finalize menu
  • Purchase any last-minute wedding apparel (i.e. lingerie)
  • Select Readings for ceremony
  • Consult parties that will participate in ceremony (ushers, musicians, readers, singers, etc.)
  • Set rehearsal time
  • Arrange hair and makeup trail appointments
  • Attend hair & makeup trails for bride (bring veil, headpieces and take photos!)
  • Make wedding day hair & makeup arrangements (bride & bridesmaids)
  • Book transportation for wedding day
  • Purchase guest book
  • Get cake cutting set
  • Purchase toasting glasses
  • Find ring bearer pillow & flower girl basket
  • Purchase wedding bands
  • Schedule appointment to get engraved (if needed)
  • Plan weekend activities for out of town guests
  • Reserve wedding attire for groom, ushers, groomsmen, fathers and ring bearer
  • Select Guest book attendant/greeter
  • Confirm delivery of bridesmaid dresses & schedule fittings
  • Fill out request lists for photographer, DJ & videographer
  • Review contracts
  • Make sure budget is on track and all payments are current
  • Begin to decide on party favors
  • 6-8 Weeks before “I do”
  • Obtain marriage license
  • Purchase Postage for invitations
    • *tip: go to post office and have complete invitation weighed before you purchase postage
  • Address invitations, assemble & mail invitations
  • Track gifts as they are received (write thank you’s upon arrival)
  • Track guest RSVPs
  • Start writing your vows
  • Confirm floor plan with venue
  • Do Seating arrangements
  • Order/create/print programs
  • Purchase table numbers
  • Make seating assignment name cards and/or place cards
  • Create & order menu print outs
  • Purchase wedding party gifts
  • Send wedding announcements to local papers
  • Book final hair cut/ color for 1 week before your wedding
  • Inform bridal party on rehearsal time and location
  • Mail invitations to rehearsal dinner
  • Enjoy Bachelorette Party!
  • Enjoy Bachelor party!
  • Finalize floral arrangements & confirm day-of details including delivery
  • Confirm final arrival and day details with all vendors
  • Create detailed timeline with coordinator
  • Confirm timeline and send to all vendors including bridal party
  • Order and confirm party favors for guests
  • 2-4 Weeks before “I do”
  • Confirm ceremony details with officiant
  • Final dress fitting (be sure not to forget headpiece, shoes & undergarments!)
  • Address formal announcements to be mailed day after wedding
  • Contact guests who haven’t responded
  • Finish seating chart & details
  • Send final head count to caterer
    • Include meal selections, children meals, high chairs, vegetarians, and any special dietary restrictions
  • Send final head count to venue
  • Confirm any extra tables you will need for set-up (i.e. ceremony table, table for welcome/card box/guest
    • book, table for candy station, etc.)
  • Finalize rehearsal dinner plans
  • Inform those who will be giving speeches at wedding and rehearsal dinner
  • Break in wedding shoes at home
  • Confirm date, location, setup time, tear down time, and playlist with DJ
  • Confirm date, location, setup time, tear down time, and must shoot list with photographer
  • Confirm date, location, setup time, tear down time, and must shoot list with videographer
  • Confirm date, location, setup time, tear down time for bakery
  • Confirm date, location, setup time, tear down time for florist
  • Make sure all vendors have site access and access to coordinator/venue
  • Check with each vendor for remaining balance
  • Get schedule confirmed and locations set for pick up/drop off transportation
  • Confirm all travel arrangements, hotel reservations
  • Confirm honeymoon plans
  • Pick up rings, make sure they fit, make sure engrave correctly
  • Wedding party to pick up attire from alterations (make sure everything fits)
  • Determine ceremony seating for family
  • Book manicure/pedicure for day before wedding
  • Book massage for week of wedding
  • 1 week before “I do”
  • Groom to get final haircut
  • Groom get tuxedo and make sure it fits
  • Pick up wedding dress
  • Confirm all toasters!
  • Pack for honeymoon
  • Gather all wedding day items and organize
  • Get a facial
  • Get hair done
  • Arrange for post office to hold mail (if going on long honeymoon)
  • Make arrangements at workplace
  • Update seating chart with any changes or last minute additions/drops
  • Make sure payment plans are in process to pay all balances
  • 1-2 days before “I do”
  • Manicure/pedicure for bridal party & bride
  • Give wedding party gifts
  • Make all final payments to venue, photographer, DJ, coordinator, caterer, bakery, videographer, etc.
  • Give marriage license to officiant
  • Give rings to best man
  • Drop off all items for set-up
  • Wedding Day:
  • Eat breakfast
  • Relax
  • Enjoy
  • SAVOR EVERY SECOND

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