The excitement of engagement announcements and celebratory gatherings has settled. What’s next? Now comes the time to dive into the essential details of wedding planning. It’s an exhilarating journey, but it can also feel daunting as you begin to navigate what needs to be done. There’s no need to feel overwhelmed, though. To help you through each step with ease, we’ve created a comprehensive pre-wedding timeline and planning checklist tailored for engaged couples.
9 to 16 months before your wedding day
1. Create a spreadsheet to keep wedding information organized with links, notes and prices.
Tabs in the spreadsheet could include:
- Budget
- Venue
- Wedding party
- Attire
- Ceremony
- Entertainment
- Pre-wedding plans (rehearsal dinner, bachelor party, bridal shower, etc.)
- Date
- Guests
- Vendors
- Styling
- Reception
- Menu
- Post-wedding plans (honeymoon)
2. Plan your budget.
According to The Knot, your budget allocation might look something like this:[1]
| Location and rentals | 27% |
| Food and drink | 24% |
| Photography and video | 10% |
| Floral and decor | 9% |
| Music | 8% |
| Clothing and beauty | 6% |
| Wedding rings | 5% |
| Wedding planner | 4% |
| Guest entertainment | 3% |
| Transportation | 2% |
| Stationery | 1% |
| Officiant | 1% |
When planning your budget, it’s a good idea to avoid piling up bills that you’ll be paying back for years to come. Communicate with any family members who will help contribute and decide how much you will contribute, too. Make a list of guests to invite and identify elements of the wedding reception that are most important to you and your fiancé. Here are some wedding financing tips to help you avoid going into debt.
3. Set a date and reserve a venue for the ceremony and reception.
Research listings and compare features, costs, sizes, etc. Arrange visits and bring a list of questions to ask venue planners. This is your opportunity to consider a destination wedding as well. Finally, consider wedding insurance for protection in case of cancellation or damage to the venue.
4. Create the guest list.
Research listings and compare features, costs, sizes, etc. Arrange visits and bring a list of questions to ask venue planners. This is your opportunity to consider a destination wedding as well. Finally, consider wedding insurance for protection in case of cancellation or damage to the venue.
5. Choose your wedding party.
Siblings as well as friends who have been big supporters of your relationship are an ideal place to start when choosing a wedding party. Other factors to consider include the overall mix of personalities and how well-suited the people are to their roles’ responsibilities. Also, keep in mind that there are ways to involve people in a wedding beyond being a bridesmaid or groomsman, such as readers and ushers.[2]
6. Hire a wedding planner to help with details.
Finding the right wedding planner will help save you work and bring your vision to life. To choose one, your wedding venue is a good source of recommendations. Friends, family members and social media can also help with referrals.[3]
7. Have the engagement ring appraised.
You will most likely be able to have your ring appraised for free at the jewelry store where the ring was purchased. In the event your ring is lost or damaged, it’s a good idea to keep the appraisal and receipts in a safe place.
8. Insure the engagement ring for protection.
Research your options when it comes to insuring your ring. You can contact your agent for more details on the steps you should take.
9. Choose an officiant for the ceremony.
As you consider an officiant for your wedding, a good first step is to decide on what kind of ceremony you’d like to have: religious or civil/secular. That decision will help you start to do research and ask for referrals from friends and family members. Once you’ve identified options, you’ll want to meet with officiants to get a sense of their personality and style and how well it meshes with yours. You’ll also want to ask about logistics, such as any charges for their services.[4]
8 months before your wedding day
10. Select a photographer and videographer.
Decide on a photography style – candid, classic, edgy? This is also a good time to choose a wedding theme and select a photographer who can help capture it:
- Read client reviews
- Interview prospective photographers and view their work
- Compare photo packages
- Inquire about your rights to the photos, because many photographers own the rights to wedding images
- Find out post-production details, such as how long it takes to get your photos, how many you’ll receive, and whether the photographer offers retouching options
11. Decide on entertainment.
When choosing between a band or a DJ, consider the following:
- Vibe: Music sets the tone, theme and ambience of your wedding
- Variety: Make sure that the entertainment can play the mix of genres you desire
- Budget: While a DJ generally costs less than a band, the price of a band often depends on the number of musicians
- Space: Check with the venue about restrictions; for example, is there a limit to the number of musicians or pieces of equipment you can bring in?
Also, use this time to start creating a playlist, including a list of songs NOT to be played.
12. Choose a caterer.
Schedule a tasting of what you want to serve and find out exactly what’s included, such as plates, silverware, table linens, etc.
13. Plan attire for the bride, groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl and ring bearer.
Schedule fittings and keep track of dates. Don’t forget jewelry, bags, shoes, bridal veil and other accessories.
14. Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
Reserving a block of rooms helps make things convenient for guests traveling to your wedding. Blocks are an arrangement made with a hotel in which a given number of rooms is earmarked for your event at a specific rate. To find the best rate and terms, consider talking to 3 to 5 hotels in an area located near your wedding events. Be sure to get the details on the block arrangements. In some cases, a hotel could hold you financially responsible if rooms go unsold.[5]
15. Register for gifts with at least 3 retailers.
Print out a wedding registry checklist to avoid missing any essentials.
16. Look into coverage options for any new gifts you receive.
Check your homeowners or renters policy to find out whether new gifts are already covered. If not, look into different property insurance options that could insure your new items.
6 to 7 months before your wedding day
17. Design invitations.
- Choose text and colors that are legible
- Order at least 25 extra invitations in the event of resends
18. Plan your honeymoon.
Planning your honeymoon well in advance can help avoid any last-minute problems and can save you money.
19. Send save-the-date cards.
Help your guests mark their calendars for your wedding by sending save-the-date cards, ideally 6 to 8 months in advance. Unlike wedding invitations, which list full details, save-the-dates simply announce the date and location. You can help keep these affordable by skipping custom or intricate designs; printable templates are one option to consider. It’s a good idea to print several extra cards to have as mementos or in case people are added to the guest list.[6]
20. Reserve essentials such as portable restrooms and outdoor lighting.
21. Book a florist.
Like other vendors for your wedding, asking for referrals from your venue and friends and family members is a great place to start. When you get in touch with florists, you can expect a consultation over the phone, followed by a written proposal with a price quote if you both wish to move forward.[7]
22. Arrange transportation for guests.
- Book transportation for the wedding party, as well as for you if you plan to arrive separately
- Hire a shuttle or bus to take guests to and from the hotel
4 to 5 months before your wedding day
23. Finalize the menu.
This includes choosing a wedding cake. Schedule a tasting with bakeries so you can try different types of cakes, ask questions and review the bakery’s portfolio.
24. Address wedding invitations.
Consider hiring a calligrapher to make your invitations more elegant and consistent.
3 months before your wedding day
25. Map out the ceremony with your officiant.
26. Choose wedding favors for your guests.
Sending guests home with favors is a thoughtful touch. As you think of ideas, one approach is to pick something that reflects an interest of you and your partner. Another is to draw on the season in which your wedding is happening — for instance, hot chocolate mix for a winter wedding.[8]
27. Create a list of who will be toasting at the reception.
Be sure to allot time for speeches in your day-of schedule.
28. Purchase your wedding rings/bands.
2 months before your wedding day
29. Confirm times with the vendors.
Send your day-of schedule to vendors and confirm appointments for hair and makeup.
30. Buy gifts for your wedding party.
31. Send invitations.
1 month before your wedding day
32. Get your marriage license.
Exact requirements vary state to state, but most will require a government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license) for each person, an application and a fee. The application might be able to be filled out online ahead of time, saving you time at the office.
33. Separate RSVPs as you receive them according to “attending” and “not attending.”
The RSVP date should be 2 to 3 weeks before your wedding so that you can give the caterer a head count and set your seating chart a week ahead of time.
34. Schedule the timing for the day-of activities, such as the cake cutting and the first dance.
A wedding planner or coordinator can help with this.
35. Put together gift bags for out-of-town guests.
Week of the wedding
36. Assign seating for the reception.
Create a seating chart at least a week before the big day. Many websites offer tools to help with this step.
37. Deliver gift bags to guests at the hotel.
38. Put tips and final payments for vendors into separate envelopes.
39. Confirm travel details and pack for your honeymoon.
Review your airline’s baggage policies so your honeymoon isn’t derailed at the airport.
40. Breathe and enjoy as your planning comes together!
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a wedding planner?
While anyone can benefit from a wedding planner, couples planning a complex wedding, a destination wedding, or one on a very short timeline could be very good candidates for their expertise. On the flip side, if you prefer to be hands-on with logistics and details, your wedding is straightforward, or your venue provides such services, you might not need to hire a planner.[9]
What’s a wedding coordinator vs wedding planner?
A wedding planner's involvement spans the entire process, from the initial planning stages right through to the wedding day. From budget planning to vendor selection, they can help with each aspect of the event and are a good option for a couple who would like a lot of support.
A wedding coordinator starts their work a few weeks before the event and focuses on organizing the plans the client has put in place. They also help with logistics on the day of the wedding. A coordinator is a good fit for people who would like to do most of the planning themselves and are looking for assistance with integrating everything close to the wedding.[10]
Is wedding videography worth it?
Hiring a videographer offers many benefits, including capturing moments that you and your partner aren’t present for and creating a record that will last for years, especially as memories of the day might start to fade. Because videographers have a cost associated with them, consider your overall budget and whether that expense will work within it.[11]
How long after the wedding is the honeymoon?
The simple answer: Whenever you’d like it to be! While most couples go on their honeymoon sometime in the first week they’re married, there’s no hard and fast rule.[12] Budget, planning or weather considerations could mean that other timing is better, so feel free to make the decision that’s best for you.
When should you go wedding dress shopping?
Experts advise that shopping for a custom dress should start 9 to 12 months before the wedding, ideally after the wedding venue is chosen, with the order being placed 8 to 9 months out. This allows time for shopping and decision-making, the making of the dress and alterations.[13] For those considering an off-the-rack dress, the schedule is more flexible, but time should still be built in for alterations.
Do you need wedding insurance?
Wedding insurance helps protect your financial investment if things happen that are beyond your control. Examples include extreme weather, injury/sickness, or the bride or groom being called for active military duty. It’s also common for wedding venues to require couples to purchase liability coverage. Different wedding insurance policies cover different things, so it’s worth doing some research to see how coverage could help protect you and your wedding.
What to do after you get married
Start married life on a positive note by taking care of a few logistics. Wrap up the wedding by making sure that vendors have been paid and that thank-you notes are written and mailed. You might request a copy of your marriage certificate and spend time reviewing your insurance and financial plans.