Ultimate Wedding Planning Timeline – 43 Essential Steps For Your To Do List

1. Engagement Party

While you’re still excited (and secretly wishing for any excuse to show off your ring), plan and host your engagement party to celebrate with your nearest and dearest!

2. Set the budget

You need to keep track of all expenses so make sure you properly sit down with your partner before you lock it in all in to set a budget and keep in line with it throughout.

3. Organize guest list

You need to set your numbers because this will essentially effect the venue and reception you choose and their capacity.

4. Select a bridal party

This will be fun! Sit down with your partner and plan who will be there every step of the way leading up to the big day and how you’ll propose to them!

5. Book a venue/reception

Venues book up fast! Pick the venue before your date as you don’t want to have your heart set on one only to find out it’s not available on the date you wish. Once you book your venue, you’ll plan your design and décor around that.

6. Set the wedding date

Depending on certain dates and holidays your wedding date may fall on, it will affect the pricing, venue availability and attendance. Take your time settling on a date and make sure to do your research.

7. Hire a photographer/videographer

Don’t lose out on your favorite one because you’ve left it too late to meet with them, discuss your expectations, build a relationship and then of course book them in! Every photographer has a unique style, you need to carefully choose the right fit for you!

8. Organize catering for reception

I don’t know about you, but food is one of my favorite things about attending a wedding. Set down a menu and be mindful to take into account certain intolerances your guests may have.

14. Order the cake

Get excited for cake tastings! When choosing a cake consider design, flavor, size, budget, temperature on your wedding day and a cake designer who you know doesn’t just want your money, but to help design the cake of your dreams.

15. Hire a florist

One of the best ways to find the perfect florist is to ask your family and friends for recommendations or to look through online portfolios and reach out for quotes and what’s included in their services etc. will they deliver on the day or must you pick up?

16. Source music entertainment

Think about whether you want a DJ or live performances, and then think of what style of music and feel you want your reception to have. Do you want entertainment that’s meaningful and romantic or upbeat and will get your guests on the dancefloor, or both?

17. Order the wedding dress

Once you’ve got your heart set on the right dress, make sure you put in your order with enough time to allow for design customizations, fittings, consultations and alterations.

18. Order bridesmaid dresses

Consider what style and design – the theme and season of your wedding will affect this, color and length you want the dress, but also take into consideration whether you want them all in the same one or if you’re wanting to accommodate for each of their personal preferences, personalities and body shapes – let them have a say, but also remember that you want to be entirely happy with the final outcome.

19. Purchase wedding bands

Make sure you settle on a budget and decide whether you want you and your partner’s bands to match and what material and style you’re after.

20. Send Save the Dates

Note that your guests will need to keep your wedding date free and some will have to allow for travel. Be sure to include your names, the wedding date (dates if it spans a weekend), location (a city if no venue has been confirmed) and notice for a formal invitation to follow. Do not expect RSVP’s, this is simply a reminder to reserve the date.

Your guest list will be finalized at this point so be sure to make note of whether or not they are allowed a plus one and whether children are allowed (so they can arrange a sitter!) to allow for flexibility around adjusting your guest list/seating chart if you need to.

21. Book honeymoon

Set your honeymoon wants, wishes and expectations from the get go. You must both have an input in this as it’ll be your first trip as a married couple. Do you want to relax, sight see or go on adventures? Consider which country will be best for the type of honeymoon you’re after and for the time you’re planning to go. Book early to ensure you get your desired accommodation and activities (if any) locked in. Do not rely solely on online reviews, personal recommendations or what sounds or looks appealing, really do your research and set aside a budget so you’re not left short overseas to enjoy yourself

22. Organize groom and groomsmen attire

Keep your look in line with what will complement the wedding theme and of course, the bridal party. Allow enough time to rent or get your formalwear fitted and altered. Consider matching accessories such as ties or bows, pocket squares, cufflinks, socks and shoes.

23. Order wedding invitations

Pick your invitations to ensure it’s in line with your wedding style and colors and something that reflects you and your partner’s personal style. Order samples, consider the way you’ll word the invitation, order a beautifully cohesive set of on-the-day and Thank You cards and cannot stress this one enough… please triple check your final proof to make sure all the information is correct!

24. Organize wedding favors

When selecting a gift for your guests, choose something that has meaning to you as a couple, is personalized with your names and wedding date or is practical and they will actually make use of. This is your perfect chance for a D.I.Y project too!

25. Finalize vows

First speak with your officiant as they may need you to cover an important part of the ceremony. Find inspiration, write from the heart and think about your journey with your partner thus far and what your promise is to them. Keep it short and sweet and don’t forget to re-read and rehearse it!

26. Organize bridal party gifts

Decide whether you want to give everyone the same present or if you want to add a special touch and give each a unique gift that’s perfectly meaningful and sentimental to your relationship with them. Add a personalized note as well!

27. Organize transport

Don’t forget to plan how you, your bridal party and family are going to get from one place to the other – e.g. home to the wedding, wedding to the reception, from the reception to whatever follows.

28. Organize marriage license

Don’t forget you must make your union official on paper! Most states will have a government website with useful information on what documents are required and the office’s contact information so you can go to obtain your license. Don’t forget some states require a waiting period between granting the license and your nuptials!

29. Confirm details with all vendors

Check in with all vendors to make sure they’re all well prepared, have nailed your vision and all have the correct date and time for completion and action. Double check the details to ensure there’s been no miscommunication regarding the final product.

30. Finalize ceremony and reception details

Make sure all the details you’ve passed on for the ceremony as well as for the reception have been clearly received and confirm the procession for the day and have it promised it will all run smoothly.

31. Mail invitations

Time to let you guests know of the finer details of your big day and to finally send out the wedding invitations!!!

32. Haircut and color and get a facial

The big day is getting closer and we need you looking as fresh as possible, it’s time to treat yourself!

33. Pre-wedding celebration

Your Maid of Honor, along with the bridal party, will most likely plan this so just be prepared to let your hair down and have some fun!

34. Final dress fitting

Time for one last glimpse of yourself in your wedding gown just to make sure no final alterations need to be made.

35. Chase up R.S.V.P

Sit down with your partner and make sure you’ve got most, if not all, guests’ responses.

36. Pick up any items you need

Get all the little bits and pieces together and pick up any orders and package them neatly so they’re all ready to play their part in your magical upcoming day!

37. Finalize the seating chart

Lock in the seating chart and ensure all friends and family are appropriately and accordingly seated near one another – consider who will be best put together and who needs to be kept at a distance.

38. Wrap for gifts bridal party

Don’t leave this to the last minute or the night before! Prepare it all now so it’s one less unnecessary headache on your to-do list leading up to the wedding.

39. Final head count to provide to venue/caterers

By now you should have received and reviewed all of your RSVPs and now it’s time to pass on the final numbers to your venue and vendors.

40. Get plenty of rest for the big day

Relax and rest and trust your bridal party and team of vendors will take care of everything from here on out.

41. Get your spray tan done

Go get that bronzed goddess glow and give it time to settle so it’s not going to stain your beautiful white gown!

42. Get a manicure/pedicure

Unwind with treating yourself to a fresh mani and pedi so you’re all set!

43. Put together bridal emergency kit

Your Maid of Honor needs to be on-call with an emergency kit which should include but isn’t limited to: mints, tweezers, bobby pins, hair ties, hair spray, blotting paper, makeup, sewing kit, tissues, perfume, baby wipes, fashion tape, clear polish, Panadol and most importantly, the wedding day itinerary and phone numbers of all vendors!