Your To Do Timeline: Month By Month

No witty captions or pretty photos here! Just an easy-to-navigate timeline to keep you on track! Please keep in mind that your venue or planner may suggest you complete tasks in a different order, or maybe certain vendors book up faster than others. Absolutely feel free to make edits to this! It’s what worked for me, and my hope is that it creates a rough draft for you to work with!

First:

  • CONGRATULATIONS! Let it all sink in and enjoy the newly engaged time with loved ones! Don’t rush to get started with planning and logistics…celebrate!

  • Start a binder to keep organized! I bought mine from Target and added contracts, guest lists, invoices, inspo pics, etc in it so everything was easy to find. I used dividers to label various sections as: Guest List/RSVPs, Timeline/To Dos, Invites/Paper, Food/Drink, Beauty, Attire, Photographer/Videographer, Band/Music List, Decor, Logistics, Honeymoon, Gifts/Thank Yous, Bachelorette.

  • Initial registry so family can give you engagement gifts

  • Engagement Party

  • Guest List (rough draft)

  • Create a rough budget (start low…you will more than likely surpass the original number!)

11-12 Months To Go

  • Select a venue

  • Set wedding date

  • Book wedding planner/coordinator

  • Choose bridal party

  • Book photographer

  • Book videographer

  • Book ceremony site

  • Book caterer

  • Book band or DJ

10 Months To Go

  • Select Officiant

  • Decide theme/colors

  • Book florist

  • Book engagement shoot (also a good time for a hair/makeup trial)

  • Reserve hotel/room blocks

  • Create wedding website (we used Zola)

8-9 Months To Go

  • Purchase wedding dress!! (Need time for 2-3 alterations)

  • Update wedding website with any logistics you’ve decided on, engagement pics, registry, etc

  • Book hair/makeup (this may be one that books up relatively fast, so consider looking into this earlier if needed)

  • Book rehearsal dinner

  • Select bridesmaids dresses

  • Start planning menu for wedding events

  • Choose cake vendor

7 Months To Go

  • Decide on menu with caterer

  • Order save the dates

  • Arrange transportation for guests

  • Hire ceremony musicians

  • Order rental items (chairs, linens, etc)

  • Start deciding on honeymoon!

6 Months To Go

  • Hire lighting tech

  • Renew passport if needed

  • Get all guest addresses and create a spreadsheet

  • Send save the dates!

  • Decide on groomsmen and groom’s attire

5 Months To Go

  • Book day-of transportation for bride/groom

  • Finalize guest list

  • Start facials/beauty regimen!

  • Choose songs (for ceremony and reception!)

  • Make sure passports are up to date!

  • Book night-of accommodations

4 Months To Go

  • Order all bridesmaid dresses

  • Finalize honeymoon plans

  • Order all groomsmen attire

  • Order groom’s tux

  • Choose cake

  • Trial hair/makeup

  • Purchase wedding shoes and jewelry/accessories (start wearing shoes around house to break them in!)

  • Start dress fittings (bring shoes!)

  • Purchase veil

3 Months To Go

  • Order wedding invites

  • Order wedding favors

  • Order welcome bags

  • Compose day-of timeline

  • Purchase rehearsal dinner outfit

  • Purchase wedding bands

  • Choose day-of printing needs (menus, table cards, signage etc)

  • Finalize menu and flowers

  • Order stamps (once invites arrive, bring to post office to weigh them! We got our personalized stamps off Minted)

2 Months To Go

  • Send invites (with RSVP a month out from wedding….if destination wedding, okay to make RSVP 6 weeks out) *tip: use invisible ink to note whose rsvp card is whose, since many come back without a name!

  • Send rehearsal dinner invites

  • Purchase gifts (bridal party, groom, family)

  • Marriage license!

  • Give photographer/videographer a list of shots wanted

  • Dance lessons

  • Finalize order of ceremony and reception

  • Print menu cards

  • Order vow books

  • Pick up wedding bands

1 Month To Go

  • Final hair cut and color

  • Calming/hydrating facial (nothing new!)

  • Final dress fitting (bring heels and jewelry!)

  • Chase up RSVPs

  • Create table seating

  • Order table seating chart and place cards

  • Give song selections to band/dj

  • Assign toasts

  • Write vows

1 Week To Go

  • Pick up dress/veil

  • Finalize seating chart (if any last minute changes)

  • Wrap bridal party gifts

  • Final headcount to vendors (some require this a month out)

  • Eyebrows/lashes/tan

  • Mani/pedi

  • Have ring cleaned

  • Practice vows out loud

  • Email itinerary to bridal party and immediate family

  • Lots of water and rest!!

Lexi MasurComment