12+ Month Wedding Planning To-Do List

12+ Months Before the Big Day!! 

This is where you get to start day dreaming about the best day of your life!! 

• First things first, talk to your partner and decide what type of wedding you want! Check out this blog for what questions you should be talking through as you start the planning process.
• Set budget
• Draft guest list
• Choose wedding style/vibe
• Hire a planner (if using one)
• Book your venue (determines date & location)

If you do these things ahead of time, you will be in a much better boat as time goes on! 

10–12 Months Before the Big Day!!

This is when you want to start booking your key vendors.

• Book photographer & videographer
• Book caterer 
• Book DJ or band
• Start shopping for wedding dress
• Reserve hotel room blocks for guests

8–10 Months Before the Big Day!!

This is when you get to start making some fun decisions.

• Choose your  wedding party
• Order your dress (this is important if you are custom ordering a dress. It can take months for the dress to arrive and it could take more time if alterations are needed)
• Book your  florist
• Book hair & makeup artists
• Start thinking about décor and colors
• Build your wedding website
• Do your engagement session

6–8 Months Before the Big Day!!

This is when things start to get more real!!

• Send Save-the-Dates
• Book officiant
• Plan honeymoon (especially if you are going international)
• Order rentals (chairs, linens, etc. if needed)
• Start browsing suits & bridesmaid dresses

4–6 Months Before the Big Day!!

This is when you start finalizing the details! 

• Finalize the menu
• Order wedding cake
• Schedule dress fittings
• Order invitations
• Plan ceremony details (readings, vows, music)
• Book transportation if needed

2–4 Months Before the Big Day!!

This is when it starts getting close!

• Send invitations
• Buy wedding rings
• Hair & makeup trial
• Bridal Session
• Confirm all vendors

1–2 Months Before the Big Day!!

This is where you put the finishing touches on everything.

• Finalize the day-of timeline
• Track RSVPs
• Create seating chart
• Final dress fitting
• Confirm final headcount with venue/caterer
• Write vows and speeches

2–3 Weeks Before the Big Day!!

Almost time to party!! 

• Final vendor confirmations
• Break in shoes (You’ll thank me later)
• Prepare tip envelopes for vendors 
• If you are decorating the wedding yourself, pack bins designated bins with the different types of decor (one for the dinner tables, one for the welcome table, one for the ceremony space, etc.)
• Pack for honeymoon

Week of the Wedding!!

• Rehearsal & rehearsal dinner
• Give timeline to wedding party
• Get marriage license

Wedding Day!!

• Eat something
• Stay hydrated
• Accept that small things may go wrong ( no one will notice I promise)
• Be present
• Marry the love of your life!! 

If you take wedding planning one step at a time, there is no reason that it should be overwhelming! 

Use this guide to help you know what steps to take as your wedding approaches. Don’t stress if you don’t follow it exactly, just take things as they come and it will all come together beautifully. Just remember, the best way to have an amazing wedding day starts with having a low-stress planning experience! 

If you are looking for someone to come alongside you in the wedding planning process and capture your wedding day with beauty & intention, reach out to me and we can get the process started!