The Valuable Timeline Schedule - HOW SOON TO START
Every wedding tells a story, and every detail matters. From the moment you say “yes” to the final toast on your wedding day, planning can feel both exhilarating and overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created this definitive wedding checklist—to guide you with elegance, clarity, and a touch of luxury.
Whether you’re a DIY bride with a vision or simply looking for a curated roadmap, this timeline ensures nothing is overlooked. Consider it your personal concierge through the journey of designing a day that is uniquely yours.
Timeline Checklist: Things to Start Doing After You Are ENGAGED
From the first spark of inspiration to the last dance of the evening, every wedding is a story told in details. Planning your day should feel elevated, intentional, and, above all, effortless. This definitive wedding checklist has been crafted to guide you with clarity and elegance—ensuring nothing is overlooked while keeping the experience as joyful and luxurious as the celebration itself.
12+ Months Before
- Set your budget: Establish a refined framework for your celebration, ensuring each detail aligns with your vision and priorities.
- Create a guest list: Curate a guest list that reflects your story and the intimate moments you wish to share.
- Hire a wedding planner (if desired): Engage a planner who embodies your aesthetic and can transform your ideas into a flawlessly executed day.
- Choose a wedding date: Select a date that feels meaningful, allowing ample time to orchestrate every detail.
- Book your ceremony and reception venues: Secure your locations, setting the stage for an unforgettable, elegant celebration.
- Select your wedding party: Choose individuals whose presence elevates both your day and your experience.
9 to 12 months before
- Choose your wedding theme and style: Define an overarching aesthetic that guides all design and planning decisions.
- Hire key vendors: Secure photographer, videographer, caterer, and entertainment who reflect your vision and standards of excellence.
- Shop for wedding attire: Begin exploring attire that reflects your personal style and the sophistication of your event.
- Create a wedding website: Provide your guests with a seamless, stylish source of information and updates.
- Meet with your officiant.
6 to 9 months before
- Choose the members of your wedding party.
- Enroll in wedding/shower gift registries.
- Hire a photographer and a videographer.
- Book an engagement photo session, especially if you plan to include a professional engagement picture with Save-the-Date cards.
- Hire a wedding planner philadelphia for full coordination or day of service or even Bespoke service
- Hire a florist and a caterer.
- Make arrangements for music to be played at the ceremony and reception. (Tasks might include booking a band or solo musician, hiring a DJ, choosing significant musical selections, and so on.).
- Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. (Ask about group rates.)
- Send out Save-the-Date cards. (Include lodging and maps, as possible.)
- Shop for wedding rings.
- Select and order wedding gown, leaving ample time for delivery and alterations.
- Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses.
- Schedule wedding cake design appointments and tastings.
- Start planning your honeymoon.
4 to 6 months before
- Finalize the guest list.
- Order invitations (25 extra) and other wedding stationery (i.e., place cards and thank-you notes).
- Plan wedding-day beauty preparations; ask your stylist how far in advance they book wedding parties, and whether they are willing to work on the wedding site.
- Finalize all honeymoon plans. If traveling outside the country, arrange for visas, passports, and inoculations.
- Hire your wedding day transportation (carriage, limousine service, etc.).
- Plan the rehearsal dinner.
2 to 4 months before
- Obtain a marriage license. Bring all the necessary documents.
- Order tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen.
- Meet with the caterer to go over menus, wine selections, etc.
- ***Order the wedding cake.
- Order your wedding rings.
- Confirm wedding ceremony and reception music.
- Book a hotel room for the wedding night.
- If you plan on writing your own vows, start writing them now.
4 to 8 weeks before
- Mail the wedding invitations 8 weeks before your wedding date.
- Do a hair and makeup run-through (including wedding veil, if applicable).
- Confirm all transportation plans.
Related: Natural DIY GLOW
2 to 4 weeks before
- Work on seating arrangements for the reception.
- Finalize arrangements for out of town attendants and guests.
- Confirm details with the photographer, florist, and other vendors.
- Have final fitting for your bridal gown and bridesmaids’ dresses.
- Write your rehearsal dinner toast.
- Purchase gifts for the wedding attendants.
- Compile a list of all of the wedding vendors and wedding party, with contact information. Carry this list with you everywhere you go (just in case).
- Communicate rehearsal dinner details to those who will attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
- Look into where the bride, groom, and attendants will dress for the ceremony.
1 week before
- Enclose any fees due on the wedding day in envelopes for easy distribution.
- Give the caterer a final headcount.
- Appoint a trustworthy person to bring important items (cake knife, toasting glasses, etc.) to the reception.
- Appoint someone to act as an “organizer” to handle any last-minute problems.
- Review final details for those in the wedding party.
- Get final beauty treatments (manicure, facial, massage, waxing, brow shaping, etc.)
The day before the wedding:
** Gather together the following:
- Something old - Symbolizing continuity with family and heritage
- Something new - Symbolizing optimism and hope for the new life ahead
- Something borrowed - An item from a happily married friend or family member
- Something blue - Symbolizing love and fidelity
- Confirm honeymoon arrangements.
- Pack for the honeymoon.
- Enjoy a relaxing day with family and friends.
- Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner; give gifts to attendants.
- Give the rings, and officiant’s fee, to the best man.
- Try to get some rest
Wedding Day
- Savor the morning: Begin with moments of calm and indulgence—spa, breakfast, or quiet reflection.
- Dress and accessorize: Elevate your look with intentional styling and attention to every detail.
- Photography and videography: Capture candid, emotive moments that reflect your day’s elegance.
- Ceremony: Step into your celebration with confidence, knowing each detail has been curated flawlessly.
- Reception: Celebrate with style, ensuring every element from décor to dining aligns with your vision.
- Enjoy the moments: Dance, toast, laugh, and revel in the day you meticulously designed.
Post-Wedding
- Send thank-you notes: Express gratitude with beautifully composed notes reflecting your appreciation and style.
- Return rentals and borrowed items: Handle with grace, completing the logistical aspects of your celebration.
- Preserve wedding attire and memories: Arrange for gown preservation, photo albums, and keepsakes to treasure your day forever.
- Review vendors: Share thoughtful feedback and recommendations to honor those who helped bring your vision to life.
Related: Groom's Checklist | 15 Ways He Can Continue to Help You | Best man's duties | Groomsmen duties
Back to You
As your wedding day draws near, let this checklist be your guide—but remember, the magic lives in the moments between the plans. Every choice you make, every detail you perfect, is a brushstroke in the portrait of your love story. Embrace the elegance, savor the celebrations, and allow space for the spontaneous joys that make a day unforgettable. Because a remarkable wedding is not just flawlessly executed—it feels effortlessly, unmistakably you.
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It always amazes me, how much goes into a wedding. Ours was so small and simple. It only took two weeks to plan.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your wedding and I am glad it went smoothly for you both. Thanks for visiting and reading this article. Please share if you know of anyone who needs this.
DeleteThat is a seriously comprehensive check list! A very valuable resource. We didn't have a grand wedding though, just small - very DIY with upcycled outfits.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and reading this article. I am glad you had a wonderful wedding. I consider your "upcycled outfits" as personalizing/vintage.
DeleteMy dear friend is getting married next year and I guess this would a perfect article for her. Time to prepare as early as possible.
ReplyDeleteTell her congrats on her engagement and her upcoming nuptial. Yes, this checklist will be very useful for her. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteThis is a great checklist. It does take me back to all the things I needed to remember for getting married. So many different things to balance and think about.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
DeleteThis is really great and amazing. For my wedding we only had 2 month before planning. It will be good if we got more days to plan for the important day in our life.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I hope it went well and you both had a great day. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
ReplyDeleteA wedding can be very hectic to get all planned for and it is quite common to see people forgetting a couple of things ere and there, or even worse, falling into money crisis. Well, I'd prefer getting a wedding planner.
ReplyDeleteWeddings are very hectic and can be stressful, especially,if you don't have the right people around you to help you with saving and planning. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share.
Delete25 years ago my wife created a similar checklist before our wedding. It was the only (and best) way to keep things organized!
ReplyDeleteGreat. This is the best way to go. It helps you get and stay organized and on point with everything you need to do. So, not having one, you puts you in tremendous stress, especially, if you are a DIY planner. Thanks for sharing and visiting. Please share.
DeleteWhat an amazing post! This could definitely help some people out. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share
DeleteThis is a great timeline. We've been married for almost 13 years and I remember how hard it was to get through a couple of years of planning.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed it's hard to plan your wedding, especially, if you are planning it on your own. Congrats on your 13 years of marriage. Do you plan on doing a vow renewal? Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback. Please share
ReplyDelete