Wedding planning timeline: a 12-month checklist

What to book and when, from engagement to the week of the wedding. Every couple’s timeline differs; use this as a starting point.

12 to 10 months before

• Set a budget and a rough guest count.
• Choose a date range and book the venue.
• Book the vendors who fill up first, often the photographer, caterer and band or DJ.

9 to 7 months before

• Shop for the dress or suit; alterations take time.
• Choose the wedding party.
• Send save the dates.
• Book a hotel room block for guests.

6 to 4 months before

• Order invitations.
• Book florist, officiant, hair and makeup.
• Plan the rehearsal dinner and honeymoon.

3 to 2 months before

• Mail invitations; many couples send them 6 to 8 weeks before the date.
• Have a hair and makeup trial.
• Check what your state or county requires for a marriage license.

1 month before

• Final dress fitting.
• Confirm RSVPs and give the final count to the caterer.
• Write the wedding day timeline and send it to vendors.

The week of the wedding

• Confirm arrival times with every vendor.
• Pack for the honeymoon.
• Hand off final payments and tips in labeled envelopes.

Never miss a vendor deadline

Vendor contracts and quotes are full of dates: deposit due, final payment, tasting, fitting. Snap a photo or screenshot of each one in Snap to Calendar, review the dates it finds, and save them with an alert.

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