Wedding Planning Timeline
A wedding planning timeline can help you stay organized and keep your stress levels under control. We talked yesterday about ways of handling stress for smooth wedding planning. Today I like to give you a timeline guide that will help you stay on track.
You can savor your wedding celebration more fully by preparing thoroughly for the big day. Arrangements for a large, formal wedding ideally should begin eight to 12 months in advance, but many beautiful weddings – in all degrees of formality – are put together in considerably less time than that. The most important rules of preparation are to follow a timetable and to share the joyful tasks involved with your fiance, your families and your attendants.
Guys if you are reading this we know you don’t get into this sort of thing but us women like to have a “guys perspective” not only in wedding planning but through out the marriage. A wedding is not about the bride it is about the bride and groom. Sharing the responsibilities can bring the two of you closer in starting your new life together. You will find out later in your marriage it was all the things you did together that built the love you share. Helping each other through stressful times builds that love.
The following timeline is not set in stone. You may or may not be doing all these things. It is your wedding. Do what matters to both of you and plan some fun in between. You don’t want to breathe every task of your life about the wedding. It is a special time for both of you. Like any other couple before you, it to shall pass. Savor the moments – it gives you memories for life.
Six to Twelve Months Before the Wedding
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Determine your budget and discuss the sharing of expenses
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Decide on your wedding type (formal, semi-formal, informal)
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Choose the ceremony site Phone __________________
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Discuss date with clergy or officiant
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Decide wedding party size and choose attendants
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Select gown/Headpiece/Veil Phone __________________
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Select attendants apparel Phone ____________________
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Choose reception site Phone ________________________
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Select caterer/wedding consultant Phone _______________
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Plan reception details
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Select Photographer Phone__________________________
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Have engagement photos taken Date/Time ______________
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Select reception music Phone ________________________
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Select videographer Phone __________________________
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Select Florist Phone________________________________
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Compile invitation list from both families
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Discuss gown colors and styles with mothers of bride and groom
Four to Six Months Before the Wedding
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Select and order men’s formal wear Phone_________________
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Select ceremony music and musicians Phone_______________
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Make honeymoon plans Travel agents Phone_______________
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Decide on new living arrangements (buying/Renting/Leasing)
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Register gift preferences with one or more bridal registries
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Order invitations/stationary/programs Phone______________
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Prepare and print maps to include in invitations
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Reserve hotel rooms for out of town guests
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Have physical exams and update immunizations
Two to Four Months Before the Wedding
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Reserve rental items (candelabra/arches/canopy/linens/etc.)
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Arrange rehearsal dinner Phone_______________________
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Shop for trousseau/honeymoon/prenuptial apparel
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Reserve limo/carriage/trolley or coach
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Address wedding invitations
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Review florist’s arrangements and finalize order
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Buy attendants gifts and gifts for each other
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Experiment with hair styles and make-up changes
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Buy bridal and attendant shoes. Send to dyer
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Order wedding and groom cakes
One to Two Months Before the Wedding
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Mail invitations (four to six weeks before the wedding)
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Confirm all contracted arrangements
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Have final bridal fitting Date and Time _________________
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Have final attendants’ fittings Date and Time _____________
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Confirm honeymoon reservations/begin packing
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Select reception decorations (balloons/candles/flowers/table favors
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Select reception accessories (handbag/garter/engraved goblets
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Arrange stag/stagette or combine for one big party
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Buy marriage license. Have blood tests if needed
Two Weeks Before the Wedding
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Schedule hair styling/facial/manicure/massage
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Invite wedding party and guests to rehearsal dinner
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Move personal and mutual belongings to new home
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Review reception seating and order place cards
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Confirm out-of-town guest lodging at hotel
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Confirm wedding party transportation and arrival times
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Record gifts as you receive them and send thank-you notes
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Schedule caterer for gift opening party Phone____________
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Arrange for gown cleaning/preservation for after the wedding
One to Two Weeks Before the Wedding
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Pick up wedding rings. Check engraving and sizing
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Have final consultations with florist/musicians/photographers
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Give final guest count to reception facility and caterer
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Pick up and check fit for mens’ formal wear
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Make a wedding day schedule/hand out copies at rehearsal dinner
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Relax the day before the wedding/ Keep personal appointments and finish honeymoon packing
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Have a Wonderful wedding day
Remember this is only a guide line. Depending on the style of wedding you have, there may be other things you add or don’t do. The important thing is to have fun. It may seem like a daunting list, but taking small steps through out the planning process will lead to a successful wedding day. Remember things may not go as planned that day. If it doesn’t just keep your wits. It will be a great story one day to tell your kids or grand kids when they begin their own wedding planning timeline. Feel free to copy this timeline for your own use.
Commenting is always appreciated.
Uncategorized, wedding planning | Vicki Hasemann | September 19, 2009
Holy moly, that’s a lot of stuff! I had no idea so much was required to put on a nice wedding. My wonderful wife was kind enough to shield me from the details when we got married…thank goodness!
Health, Fitness for Working People — Darryl Pace
Hi Vicki,
having a timeline as part of your wedding planning surely saves on stress and anxiety!
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Single Baby Boomer Dating Success Expert
Wow, pretty comprehensive list.
At the end of October, you would have written at least half a book!
John Ho
Numerology Expert Birthday Numeroscope
Now that is a thought to pursue.
Vicki
[...] I talked about a wedding planning timeline to keep you organized and on track. Today I’d like to talk about another list that may help [...]
Wow, 12 months to plan for a wedding. I’ve seen 18 months from engagement to ceremony and I’ve seen marriages that lasted 9 months. I just can’t imagine spending that much time!
Healthy Living, Katie
Great planning advice….
http://www.salesjunkie.net
Thanks Vicki, You make this task much less daunting. The lists really help.
Keri Eagan
Anything Alternative
Your checklist would make it so much easier for someone planning a wedding.
Jose Escalante
http://www.JoseEscalante.com
Your timeline is a great resource for someone planning a wedding. I love checklists and timelines for everything. They make being organized relatively easy.
Steve Chambers
Business to Business Sales Training Expert
I like being organized. I don’t like spending time looking for stuff. It gets put away where it belongs the next time I go for it it is there.
Vicki
I used a planning timeline like this when I got married. It really made things a lot easier. I knew what I needed to be doing when. My husband wasn’t involved much, but he did help out when needed.
Great post!
Really great to have a wedding planning list and timeline.
This is something anyone that comes to this article sould be glad they are not paying an arm and a leg to get it.
Thanks,
James
BusinessAndMarketingMakeover.com/blog
Your organization skills are awesome. Great checklist.
Robert Martin
http://www.carbuyinghq.com
Thank-you Robert – like I said above – I detest wasting time looking for things.
Vicki
What a great checklist. Wish we’d had this before our wedding!
http://www.martin-wright.com
Great job, you are right that guys don’t want to be involved in the details of this,
Seize the Day,
Rob
Sales Tactics For Small Business Owners
I bring this up because after 31 years of marriage I find the more a couple is involved with each other the less stress it puts on relationships.
Vicki
This is a great checklist to start the planning and lay out a path to a beautiful wedding. Thank you!