Some of the monthly wedding planning timelines you find online just aren't realistic, or may not cater directly to your wedding. With that being said, obviously every wedding is different, but below I have a timeline that I use for most of my weddings I book!
10-12+ Months:
- Announce your engagement
- Get an idea of style and decor you want
- Set a budget and break it down by vendors
- Book vendors - especially your venue or any vendors that are very popular!
- When you book your photographer, schedule an engagement shoot
- Go over a must have/must not have and priority list with your partner
- Start on a guest list and collecting addresses!
- Build a wedding website
8-9 Months:
- Ask your wedding party to be a part of your wedding and pick out their attire!
- Order save the dates and start addressing envelopes
- Start shopping for your own wedding attire
- Start building a registry
6-8 Months:
- Send out save the dates
- Start to plan your honeymoon
- Order all attire
- Shop for wedding bands
- Shop for invitations
3-5 Months:
- Send out invitations
- Plan rehearsal dinner
- Go over your decor checklist and make sure you have everything you need
1-2 Months:
- Make a shot list for your photographer
- Make a song list for your DJ
- Start crafting a wedding itinerary including your timeline, floorplan, and decor plan
- Get your marriage license
- Book your hair/makeup trial and shoot bridal portraits the same day, if applicable!
- Collect RSVPs 6-8 weeks beforehand and send out your final guest count to vendors
Breaking it down into a span of months as opposed to one is helpful to not put too much pressure on you! There are more small details that go into these months, but these are the big picture goals. A wedding planner also does a lot of these for you or helps with a lot of these, which is really important!