Wedding Timeline

This wedding timeline will hopefully make planning go a little more smoothly for you. It can be changed up for a wedding taking place in less time. A wedding timeline of only a couple of months or so would definitely change things. In those cases, choose the main details and draw up your own timeline.

9 to 12 months before:
0 Decide on the date 
0 Announce your engagement 
0 Decide how to pay for the wedding 
0 Discuss the budget with everyone contributing to the expense of the wedding
0 Pick the ceremony site 
0 Meet with the officiant (pastor, justice of the peace, priest etc.) 
0 Work on the guest list 
0 Visit reception sites and reserve one 
0 Shop for your gown 

6 to 9 months before: 
0 Choose your wedding party 
0 Enroll in gift registry 
0 Order your gown 
0 Shop for bridesmaid dresses 
0 Select a Caterer 
0 Pick a photographer or videographer 
0 Choose flowers and hire a florist if needed 
0 Book musicians and/or DJ 
0 Have fun finding a honeymoon spot 
0 Contact a travel agent, they could save you money 
0 Mail save the dates , especially if you are having a destination weddingAt this point the wedding timeline is much more essential. This wedding timeline will hopefully keep things rolling and help you avoid last minute stress.

4 to 6 months before: 
0 Shop for a cake 
0 Figure out wedding day transportation 
0 Finish the final guest list 
0 Make plane and hotel reservations for your honeymoon 
0Arrange the rehearsal dinner 
0 Order wedding invitations 
0 Check your passport to be sure you can travel abroad if necessary 
0 Apply for tourist visa if necessary when traveling abroad 
0 Check at cdc.gov for immunization requirements if traveling abroad 
0 Make appointment with your doctor for immunization scheduling if necessary for traveling abroad

2 to 4 months before: 
0 Order the wedding cake 
0 Choose favors 
0 Call the county clerk's office for marriage license requirements and state laws 
0 Buy thank you gifts for attendants 
0 Book a room for your wedding night 
0 Meet with caterer to discuss the menu and style of service 
0 Choose and order tuxes for the groomsmen and groom 
0 Choose ceremony music 
0 Shop for wedding rings1 month before: 
0 Mail invitations 4 weeks before wedding date 
0 Book a room for your wedding night
0 Meet with caterer to discuss the menu and style of service
0 Choose and order tuxes for the groomsmen and groom
0 Choose ceremony music, Shop for wedding rings
0 Try out your hairdo with headpiece and book hair dresser for the big day
0 Try out your makeup and hire makeup consultant
0 Discuss insurance policies and other important document changes that will need to be made
0 If having a formal sit down dinner, decide on the seating arrangement2 weeks before:
0 Work on rehearsal dinner toast
0 Contact caterer with final guest count
0 Put together a beauty bag of lip gloss, body spray, powder, blush, mints and a small mirror for the wedding day
0 Do final dress fitting
0 Confirm final details with photographer, florist, and any other vendors that have been hired0 Choose someone reliable to take care of any important items (cake top, cake knife, toasting glasses, gifts) from the reception to home

1 week before:
0 Pack for the honeymoon
0 Make two copies of important documents including passports, credit cards, hotel information, flight itinerary. Pack a copy in your luggage and keep a copy on you or leave it with someone who can be reached in an emergency.
0 Have final facials, hair removal and/or brow shaping treatments
0 Arrange for someone to collect and return all rented tuxes
0 Arrange for someone to return all rented items if necessary0 Arrange for someone to pick up your mail while you are out of town or have mail delivery suspended1 day before:
0 Have your final manicure and pedicure
0 Rehearsal dinner
0 Arrange for someone to bring your luggage to the reception or hotel if leaving from there.

Make it Your Own Wedding Timeline

Beautiful Birdcage Veil

Again, this wedding timeline is only a suggestion. It can be tweaked and rearranged to suit your situation.  If your wedding is going to be within 6 months that means you have to go over the wedding timeline above and figure what's most important and do those things first.  Then you'll also have to eliminate some of the things that are listed simply because you won't have time.  

For instance, a wedding dress will be hard to come by on short notice so you would definitely want to get out to find a dress as soon as possible being sure you have time to have it altered before the wedding.

 Use the wedding timeline along with other tools for planning and you're sure to have success.

Danielle's Garden Wedding 
Setting the Date 
Buying Wedding Invitations 
Wedding Invitation Wording