Congratulations, you're engaged! It's finally that time to plan for the wedding you've always imagined! You need to pick a venue, start dress shopping, decide on a color palette, and it would be really good to pick out wedding rings too. But where should you really begin? For the excited bride-to-be, it's easy to jump right into the fun stuff and miss the important details. This simple list covers everything in time-line form of what you will need to consider when prepping for the big day!
12-9 MONTHS
Decide on a date
Find your ceremony and reception venues
Establish wedding colors and/or theme
Hire your photographer/ videographer
Hire your band or DJ
Book your officiant
Select wedding party attendants
Hire your caterer
Order the wedding gown
Decide on decor (floral, lighting, draping, china, linens, etc)
Send “save-the-date” notices
Secure hotel rooms for you and out-of-town guests
9-6 MONTHS
Look at men’s attire, whether custom-made or rented
Pick out and order invitations
Decide menu
Look into hair, make up, accessories
Think about wedding cake
Start dance lessons
Plan your honeymoon
Figure out transportation
Plan your rehearsal dinner
Take engagement photos
6-4 MONTHS
Finalize music selections for ceremony and reception
Get wedding rings
Finalize your menu and do a tasting
Meet with your officiant to finalize ceremony
Choose readings and music
Address wedding invitations: Hire calligrapher, or do by hand or computer
Register for gifts
Create formal photography list
4-2 MONTHS
Mail invitations
Do a trial-run on hair and make up
Design and print ceremony programs
Start recording RSVPs
Plan seating arrangements for reception
1 MONTH BEFORE
Change name and address, determine other changes required (drivers license, social security, credit cards)
Make a wedding day timeline
Make sure you know arrival and delivery times for vendors
Have final dress fitting
Finalize all accessory purchases: guestbook, bridesmaids, and groomsmen gifts, favors, etc
1 WEEK BEFORE
Pick up dress or have it delivered
Confirm honeymoon details
Write your toast
Make individual itineraries for wedding party
Send timeline to vendors and confirm details with them
Compile a list of important cell phone numbers to give to people involved in wedding
Pack for honeymoon
1 DAY BEFORE
Have gift bags for out-of-town guests delivered to hotel
Get massage and mani/pedi
Go to rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Put tips and final payments in individual envelopes
There you have it! Enjoy every step of the planning because before you know it, your big day will be just around the corner! If you are having your wedding in the Chicagoland area and would like more tips and advice for planning your wedding, sign up for my newsletter and I’ll send you helpful tips and ideas along the way! Happy wedding planning! :)