Engaged to Wedding Day – A Timeline

If you’re recently engaged and envisioning your perfect big day, here’s the perfect article for you! There are so many details that go into planning a wedding, it is easy to forget some and that can lead to lots of scrambling and stress in the last few weeks (which you definitely don’t want). We’ve put together a comprehensive timeline from when you get engaged to your big day. Hopefully, this will help steer you in the right direction with all of these necessary wedding to-dos. The good news is, it’s never too early to start attending bridal shows! Rock the Aisle Bridal has an organized and detailed show schedule that will help you decide which shows to attend based on date and location.

When You Get Engaged

  • Settle on your budget
  • Start gathering names and addresses for your guest list
  • Narrow down your date to two or three different options
  • Research venue locations!
  • Create your wedding email

12 Months Prior

  • Hire a photographer (They book dates quickly, so don’t procrastinate!)
  • Start looking at wedding dresses
  • Choose your bridal party
  • Finalize your date after looking at availability of venue and photographer
  • If you have out-of-state guests, begin booking a block of hotel rooms

11 Months Prior

  • Plan ceremony and reception decorations
  • Set up an appointment with your florist to discuss bouquets and centerpieces
  • Book a caterer! (Sometimes venues will have preferred vendors)

10 Months Prior

  • Finalize your guest list as much as possible
  • Set up gift registries
  • Search for an officiant or have a friend/family member get ordained
  • Choose ceremony and reception music

9 Months Prior

  • Make sure your gown is ordered
  • Have your alterations done

8 Months Prior

  • Find hair accessories
  • Find jewelry
  • Plan and book your honeymoon if it’s out of the country(Non-international trips can be booked later)

6 Months Prior

  • Edit, proofread, and print your wedding invites
  • Have an idea of your hairstyle and makeup look and do a few run-throughs to make sure it’s what you want

5 Months Prior

  • Make arrangements for rental items like chairs, linens, etc.
  • Arrange any sound equipment that you will need that the DJ will not be providing

4 Months Prior

  • Choose groom’s attire and make alterations (can be done earlier if you want)
  • Buy your other bridal accessories (shoes, lingerie, garter, etc.)
  • Plan and book your honeymoon (for non-international trips)
  • Send out your Save the Dates!

3 Months Prior

  • Book wedding night accommodations
  • Try and begin planning a comprehensive shot list of photos you absolutely want taken on your big day
  • Begin to create a general wedding timeline for the day of

2 Months Prior

  • Address, stamp, and mail invites
  • Finalize the menu with your caterer (Don’t forget drinks!)

6 Weeks Prior

  • Purchase wedding bands (make sure the sizing is right!)
  • Confirm number of bouquets, centerpieces, and boutonnieres with your florist

4 Weeks Prior

  • Finished any DIY projects

2 Weeks Prior

  • Set up the details for your local marriage license
  • Try and finalize the wedding day schedule and make sure it gets into the hands of important parties

Good Luck and Happy Planning!