Your Guide To The Wedding Planning Timeline

Counting Down to The Big Day

Your wedding; a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to share the joy of your nuptials with your closest family and friends, live out the storybook fantasies of your childhood, and throw a fabulous party! If you are like most brides (and grooms!), then chances are you have been envisioning your walk down the aisle your entire life. You’ve imagined the cake, the flowers, the music, and the gown.  But what’s one rather significant—and often times stressful—aspect of wedding planning that can leave even the most coordinated brides scrambling? …

The Wedding Planning Timeline.

 

From booking your venue to mailing your Save The Dates, coordinating numerous details across multiple vendor channels all while adhering to conventional timeline etiquette can be a real head scratcher. Avoid last minute panic and unveil the mystery of what to do when with this handy-dandy timeline:

12 months prior:

•  Plan your engagement party.
• Draft your guest list.
•  Book your venues.
• Set your budget.

One year before your big day, you should already be laying the foundation for your dream wedding. Now is the time to have the all-important money discussion and really draw the line between wedding fantasies and budget realities!  Might I suggest using this Wedding Cost Estimator  (courtesy of the helpful folks at TheWeddingReport.com) to help you begin planning your budget.

• 8-10 months prior:
• Get engagement photos.
•  Choose the officiant.
• Secure your vendors. 
•  Schedule cake tasting and order your cake.
• Select your wedding party.
• Block hotel rooms.
• Book wedding day transportation.
• Register for gifts.
• Choose the gown!

Researching and sifting through a bevy of local vendors can be daunting to say the least. Access all of your options in one place by using a Local Vendor Search Tool like this one by TheKnot.com. 

6 months prior:

•  Finalize the guest list.
•   Send Save The Dates.
• Choose bridal party attire.
• Plan the honeymoon.
• Order invitations.
• Purchase wedding bands.

Your Save The Date is your guests’ very first impression of your upcoming wedding…so make it unforgettable! Might I suggest a fun and unique Custom Scratch Off Wedding Save The Date?

4 months prior:

• Confirm venues & vendors.
• Plan the rehearsal dinner.
• Finalize hair and make-up plans.
•  Choose the reception menu.
•  Order wedding favors/ bridal party gifts.

At four months prior, all wedding plans and decisions should be finalized. Avoid last minute panic by making plans early and sticking to them! 

2 months prior:

• Mail invitations.
• Write wedding vows.
• Purchase wedding day accessories.
•  Confirm day of transportation.
•  Create a shot list for your photographer.
•   Create a song list for your DJ or band.

Communicating your wishes to your photographer in advance is crucial to ensuring that you capture all of the most treasured moments of your big day. In addition to a standard shot list, consider creating a Pinterest board of all your favorite wedding photography and providing a link to your photographer as inspiration.

4-6 weeks prior:

• Get marriage license.
• Make final vendor payments.
• Send rehearsal dinner invites.
• Follow-up with RSVP’s.
• Final dress fitting.
• Bridal Shower and Bachelor/ Bachelorette parties. 
• Begin seating chart.

Leave no stone unturned! All of your wedding details (from food to decor) should be firmed up at least one month prior to your big day.

1-2 weeks prior:

• Pick up your gown.
• Finalize head count & seating chart.
• Break in your shoes (this is a big one!).
• Pack for your honeymoon.
• Get a facial/waxing.

One to two weeks in advance you should be putting the finishing touches on your wedding day plans. You’re in the planning home stretch and now comes the really fun part…

48 hours prior:

• Get a manicure & pedicure.
• Wrap bridesmaid and groomsman gifts.
• Pick up tux.

24 hours prior:

• Attend rehearsal dinner.
• Give bridesmaid & groomsman gifts.

Wedding Day:

• Get Married…
• Live Happily Ever After!

Of course, every bride will have her own preferences and unique agenda, but I hope this can at least get you started with a clear idea of what to expect from the conventional wedding planning timeline.

From all of us here at My Scratch Offs…Happy Planning!