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

• Make a guest list

• Determine a budget

• 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! :)