The Ultimate Wedding Planning Timeline

Congratulations on your engagement! Now, it’s time we start talking about your wedding planning timeline.

Until now, your experience with wedding planning is that you have friends who have planned their own wedding or the 3,759 other weddings that you’ve attended or been in at this point.

But it’s not having to plan your own wedding!

And you’re in luck!

We’ve created the ultimate step-by-step list of things you should accomplish each month, so you can get everything done on time without any overwhelm.

And to make things easy on you, each step is linked to a super helpful article giving you more information and details about things to keep in mind about every part of wedding planning.

Some of these articles may be straight from our blog while others were written by some of our trusted friends in the wedding industry.

So, what are you waiting for? Jump right in!

How far out are you from your wedding?

12+ Months

Okay, we have a Type-A planner on our hands.

Don’t get overwhelmed and try to do too many things at once. You have plenty of time to get everything planned perfectly.

Try to start with a few simple, yet important, things like setting a date and picking a wedding style, which will have a significant impact on the rest of your wedding planning decisions.

This is also the time to decide whether or not you will be working with a wedding planner.

wedding planning timeline monica wedding book

9-11 Months

At this time, it’s a good idea to let your guests know the date you have picked for your wedding to make sure they don’t make other plans.

The same goes for your wedding vendors like your caterer, the entertainment, wedding photographer, and florist – except, you don’t actually send them a save-the-date.

6-8 Months

This may be the funnest time frame of your wedding planning timeline because it’s the perfect time to buy your wedding gown to allow enough room for any alterations.

You can also start your wedding registry and do some cake and reception food tasting.

4-5 Months

Eeeek!!

You are now halfway through your wedding planning timeline!! Only a few more months until the big day.

So, use this time to make some final decisions in regard to your menu and invitations.

You will also want to order your invitations and wedding bands.

3 Months

Time to find your hairstylist! Make sure to have one or two trial runs with your hair and makeup team to see what will look good on you and to make sure you like the way they work.

1-2 Months

Crunch time!

It seems like it’s a long way out from your wedding to be writing your wedding vows, but believe me – someone who writes A LOT – you will have several edits to make.

It’s also not a bad idea to practice your vows by reading them out loud to yourself or your pet! And please, whatever you do, USE THE RIGHT NAME! 🤦‍♀️

1-2 Weeks

A week away from your walk down the aisle.

Make sure to check off some administrative tasks on your wedding planning timeline, like applying for your marriage license and confirming last-minute details with your venue manager and wedding vendors.

wedding planning timeline rachel and phoebe excited

3-7 days

Counting down the days on your wedding planning timeline.

By now, most things should be planned out and squared away. Go ahead and pre-schedule some WedTexts reminders for your guests and vendors, so you don’t forget anything.

Speaking of not forgetting things, even if it seems far out, go ahead and start packing for your honeymoon. It is closer than you think!