Finding a venue, going dress shopping, eating cake…planning a wedding involves many different moving aspects! Sometimes it can be hard to remember all the things that need to get done. There are even some small details you wouldn’t even think about. Check out this list below on what you need to do and when. Hope this list can help you feel a little more organized!

 

A Year Out

• Announce your engagement with friends and family if you haven’t done so yet
• Envision what you want for your wedding and the style or theme you would like
• Create a budget
• Hire a wedding planner if you want one
• Decide on the Date
• Go check out Venues
• Create your guest list (so you have an idea of how many guest you want when booking venues)
• Book your Ceremony and Reception Venue

 

8 to 10 Months Out

• Ask your bridal party
• Wedding dress shopping
• Hire your photographer (oh hi! That’s me!)
• Start booking other vendors: florist, caterer, videographer, dj or band
• Get hotel blocks for out of town guests
• Register for Gifts
• Take Engagement Photos
• Send out save the dates
• create a wedding website
• Reach out to rental companies for chairs, linens, tables, etc.

 

6 to 8 Months Out

• Figure out wedding party attire for bridesmaids and groomsmen
• Figure out groom’s attire
• Plan your honeymoon (One of the best parts!)

 

4 to 6 Months Out

• Send out invitations
• Pick your wedding bands
• Renew or get passports if necessary
• Order Cake

 

3 Months Out

• Have your Bridal Shower
• Figure out your wedding day transport (party bus/limo)

 

2 Months Out

• If you are writing your own vows, start thinking about what you want to say
• Go on your bachelor and bachelorette parties
• Figure out parent gifts
• Have a trail run with hair and makeup artist

 

1 Month Out

• Apply for your marriage license
• Have your final fitting for your wedding dress
• Learn how to bustle your dress. Make sure your MOH or someone else knows how to do this.
• Get In Room gifts for out of town guests

 

2 Weeks Out

• Review Final RSVP List
• Deliver final song list to DJ or Band

 

1 Week Out

• Get a manny and pedi!
• Get your engagement ring cleaned
• Give Reception and Ceremony venue your final head count
• Finish your Reception seating chart
• Call wedding vendors and confirm arrangements
• Send family portraits list to photographer
• Pick up marriage license

 

2 or 3 Days Out

• Get your dress steamed if needed
• Figure out wedding party positions during ceremony. Who is walking with who?

 

It’s Tomorrow!

• Provide vendors with emergency phone number (MOH or Best Man)
• Pay all remaining vendors. Also put all your tips in envelopes and give to your coordinator to pass out to your vendors on your wedding day
• Conduct rehearsal
• Give your marriage license to your officiant
• Have fun at your rehearsal dinner

 

The Wedding Day

• Give wedding bands to Best Man
• Have the best time of your life!

 

Post Wedding

• Prearrange for someone to return any rentals
• Figure out transportation to and from Honeymoon
• Have a blast at your Honeymoon
• Write and send thank you notes to guests or vendors
• Change and Embrace your new name!