12 months out - Determine your budget
12 months out - Make a guest list
12 months out - Hire a wedding planner
12 months out - Decide formality and overall theme
12 months out - Select the venue
12 months out - Select the caterer
11 months out - Choose color theme and start thinking of overall design
11 months out - Hire vendors who book up quickly, including your photographer, band, DJ, and videographer
10 months out - Start shopping for your wedding dress
10 months out - Book hotel-room blocks for guests
10 months out - Create your wedding website or invitation card design
10 months out - Take engagement/pre wedding photos
10 months out - Start looking at invitations
9 months out - Buy your wedding dress
9 months out - Send/Post save-the-dates online & offline
8 months out - Register for gifts
8 months out - Select the bridesmaids' dresses and schedule fittings within the month
8 months out - Meet with potential florists
7 months out - Book the dinner venue
7 months out - Hire the ceremony musicians
7 months out - Order rental items, ie. specialty chairs, linens, draping, lounge furniture, white dance floor, etc.
7 months out - Hire an officiant
6 months out - Hire a lighting technician
5 months out - Book transportation for guests, if needed
5 months out - Book the bride and groom's transportation (limo, specialty car, etc.)
5 months out - Book the honeymoon
5 months out - Buy or rent the groom’s tuxedo
5 months out - Begin premarital counseling
4 months out - Have your final tasting with the caterer
4 months out - Choose your cake
4 months out - Buy wedding bands
4 months out - Select groomsmen's attire and schedule fittings within the month
4 months out - Hair and makeup trial
3 months out - Order the invitations and hire calligrapher
3 months out - Create or plan your menu
3 months out - Brainstorm guest favors and gift bags
3 months out - Book a photo-booth rental
3 months out - Write your vows
3 months out - Select readings
3 months out - Meet with the officiant
3 months out - Start crafting any DIY items if you haven’t already
2 months out - Send the wedding invitations (with RSVPs due one month before the wedding)
2 months out - First dress fitting
2 months out - Pick up your marriage license
2 months out - Buy wedding-party gifts
2 months out - Do a floral mock-up with your florist
2 months out - Give the song selections to your band or DJ
2 months out - Give the song selections to your ceremony musicians
2 months out - Buy all small items (table numbers, toasting flutes, cake topper, cake stand, cake knife, guest book, card box, ring-bearer accessories, flower-girl accessories, a cute hanger for your dress, a garter, “Welcome sign,” “Guest Book sign,” )
1 month - Assemble gift bags
1 month - Pay your vendors in full
1 month - Create a seating chart
1 month - Order or make your escort cards and place cards
1 month - Have a final venue walk-through
1 month - Put cash in tip envelopes for your planner/delegate to distribute
1 month - Break in your wedding shoes
Final Week - Refreshing your hair color
Final Week - Getting your eyebrows done
Final Week - Manicure/pedicure
Final Week - Getting a massage
Final Week - Final dress fitting
Final Week - Pack your bags for the honeymoon
Final Week - Any edible crafting! Yum!
Final Week - Clean your ring
Final Week - Chase any RSVP stragglers and deliver the final head count
Final Week - Clear your work to-do list so you can only focus on wedding festivities and take it all in!
Final Week - Practice your vows out loud
Final Week - Write your partner a note
The night before - Eat a healthy meal
The night before - Pack a clutch or small big of personal items
The night before - Drink water
The night before - Get a good night's sleep
The night before - Put any boxes, suitcases, bags, and survival kits to bring to the ceremony or reception in the car.
The morning of - Stay off your feet as much as possible
The morning of Ceremony Day - Eat breakfast
The morning of Ceremony Day - Drink even more water
The morning of Ceremony Day - Take your dress and veil out of the bag early on and have someone steam them if needed
The morning of Ceremony Day - Lay out all the items (rings, invitations, etc.) that you want your photographer to capture
The morning of Ceremony Day - Exchange notes with your partner
The morning of Ceremony Day - Say thank you to everyone around you!
This document will change everything you ever thought about wedding planning. Find the secret to simplify your wedding planning process