12 Months Out
- Set a budget
- First draft of guest list
- Set your priorities
- Assign planning tasks
- Create an email account
- Create a hashtag
- Decide formality
- Start a Pinterest board
- Select an overall theme
- Pick possible dates
- Research venues and caterers
- Research photographers
- Create a question list for vendors
- Book venue tours
- Book calls with photographers
10 Months Out
- Book venue and caterer
- Have a "rain" plan
- Purchase wedding insurance
- Research alcohol permits
- Menu tastings
- Book your photographer
- Engagement photoshoot
- Second draft of guest list
- Finalize colour palette
- Choose wedding party
- Start dress shopping
- Begin your wedding website
- Research guest accommodations
- Research florists and DJs
8 Months Out
- Order your dress
- Start dance lessons
- Design Save the Dates
- Finalize guest list
- Finalize style and colours
- Plan bridesmaid attire
- Plan groomsmen attire
- Research rentals and officiants
- Find guest accommodations
- Book florist and DJ
6 Months Out
- Gift registry
- Finalize menu selections
- Complete wedding website
- Dress fitting
- Order bridal party attire
- Meet with florist
- Research cake, and hair + makeup
- Book officiant and bartenders
- Reserve rental items
- Start planning your honeymoon
4 Months Out
- Finalize drink selection
- Finalize linen selection
- Thrift shop for decor
- Book transportation for guests
- Book hair and makeup
- Book dessert
- Book honeymoon
- Book time off work for wedding day and honeymoon
- Purchase wedding bands
- Hair and makeup trial
- Groomsmen attire fittings
- Start organizing seating chart
- Plan guest book, welcome table etc.
2 Months Out
- Bridal shower
- Send invitations
- Plan or order wedding favours
- Meet with most vendors
- Send song selections to DJ
- Send photo requests to photographer
- Floral mock-up with florist
- Final dress fitting
- Research marriage license
- Final details list
- Create a list of everything you need to bring on the day
- Buy wedding party gifts
- Purchase small items (cake topper, guest book etc.)
- Practice first dance and parent dances
1 Month Out
- Bachelorette Party
- Call guests who haven't RSVP'ed
- Finalize seating chart
- Order reception stationary (menus, table numbers, seating chart)
- Finalize guest count
- Write out a final timeline
- Communicate wth caterer about food selections
- Finalize ceremony flow
- Pick up marriage license
- Write vows
- Wedding dress undergarments
2 Weeks Out
- Beauty treatments
- Send out contact lists and timeline to wedding party and vendors
- Pack for honeymoon
- Message any vendors that haven't reached out
- Delegate responsibilities for wedding day
- Pack emergency kit
- Wrap gifts for bridal party, spouse, and parents
- Finalize rehearsal dinner
- Practice first dance with partner
3 Days Out
- Prepare vendor payment envelopes (with tips)
- Hair treatment
- Mani + pedi
- Edible DIYs!
- Confirm transportation accommodations
- Practice walking in shoes
- Confirm timeline with important people
- Print out hard-copy of timeline, contact list, shot list, and vows
- Prepare dress
- Communicate with venue if you're doing an outdoor or indoor ceremony
1 Day Out
- Ceremony rehearsal
- Rehearsal dinner
- Decorate reception area (if you have access to venue)
- Decorate ceremony space
- Give tips to Day of Coordinator
- Give marriage license to officiant
- Hand off rings to trusted party
- Go over timeline with bridal party
- Put bags in car
- Charge electronics and phones
- Sleep and drink water!
Wedding Day!
- Eat breakfast
- Drink water
- Double check all bags
- Meet bridal party at getting-ready location
- Hair and makeup
- Steam dress if needed
- Lay out items for photographer (rings, invitations, dress)
- Exchange notes with your partner
- Get married!
After Wedding
- Honeymoon!
- Leave reviews for vendors and send thank you notes
- Preserve flowers
- Get dress cleaned
- Request a name change
- Start on thank you notes for gifts
