Eliminate Wedding Planning Stress

Take Things One Step at a Time

Taking things one step at a time will help you keep everything in order and help eliminate the stress of wedding planning.  Put together a wedding planning schedule or timeline and do things in a logical order.  You don’t want to take on too much too early or put things off and then have everything happening all at once.

The majority of weddings are planned a year in advance.  Some are planned longer and others are planned in a shorter amount of time.  Whatever amount of time you have to plan your special day the timeline that is listed below will help you with your planning process and schedule.

Wedding Timeline

Printable Wedding Timeline

12 Months Ahead:

• Decide on the type of wedding you want
• Decide on Budget
• Finalize wedding date
• Reserve ceremony site and officiant
• Work on guest list for a rough count
• Visit reception sites and reserve one
• Hire wedding consultant (for help with all planning, certain aspects of it, or day of coordination only)

9-12 Months Ahead:

• Shop for and order wedding gown, veil and accessories
• Compile guest list
• Choose attendants
• Select bridesmaids’ attire
• Plan details of reception: colors, decorations, balloons
• Select photographer
• Select videographer
• Select band or DJ for reception
• Discuss honeymoon plans
• Mail save the date cards
• Get engagement photo taken

6-9 Months Ahead:

• Reserve wedding day transportation
• Register for gifts at one to three stores
• Book Musicians for ceremony
• Select Florist
• Reserve party rental equipment(table, chairs, tent, etc…)
• Order wedding cake
• Order invitations, personal stationery and thank you notes
• Reserve accommodations for out of town guests
• Finalize honeymoon plans(get passport if needed)
• Purchase wedding rings

4-6 Months Ahead:

• Order men’s formalwear
• Book stylist or salon for bridal party hair, nails, and make-up
• Select and purchase guest favors
• Find and reserve rehearsal dinner location
• Reserve accommodations for wedding night
• Finalize guest list

2-4 Months Ahead:

• Address wedding invitations
• Buy and wrap attendants’ gifts
• Confirm delivery dates of bridal gown and bridesmaids’ dresses
• Meet with caterer to discuss menu and do tasting
• Select ceremony music, readings and vows
• Meet with officiant
• Arrange ceremony rehearsal and notify participants

1-2 Months Ahead:

• Get marriage license
• Mail invitations
• Arrange for final fittings on your gown
• Make reservations for bridesmaids’ luncheon
• Confirm honeymoon arrangements
• Record gifts received and write thank you notes promptly
• Prepare printed programs for ceremony
• Start reception seating chart and place cards
• Purchase wedding accessories (guest book and pen, unity candle, toasting glasses, cake knife and server, and flower girl/ring bearer accessories)
• Contact local paper with wedding announcement

2-4 Weeks Ahead:

• Arrange for professionals to preserve your gown and bridal bouquet
• Follow up on missing RSVPs and finish seating chart/place cards
• Confirm final guest count to caterer and reception site
• Write rehearsal dinner and wedding toasts
• Confirm honeymoon arrangements

1 Week Ahead:

• Have final consultations with caterer, florist, DJ, musicians, photographer, and videographer
• Host bridesmaids luncheon
• Begin packing for honeymoon
• Put fees due on wedding day in envelopes, for the best man to distribute

 

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Part of our “Wedding Wednesdays” series

 

Bouquet Image Courtesy of Nicole Schantz Photography