Wedding planning timeline
Twelve months prior:
- Determine an overall budget with a breakdown of who
will cover each of the expenses
Choose a tentative date:
- Choose the style or theme for the wedding
- Visit and reserve ceremony and reception sites
- Invite friends and family members to participate in
your wedding as members of your bridal party - Determine guest list
- Begin dress shopping
- Have an engagement party
Ten months prior:
- Order/mail save-the-dates if necessary
- Choose/order your invitations and wedding stationery
- Book the following professionals:
- Event planner
- Officiant for the ceremony
- Musician for the ceremony
- Florist
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Caterer
- Pastry Chef
- Band or DJ
- Finalize gown and accessories
- Choose Bridesmaid gowns and accessories
- Choose Mother-of-the-bride/groom gowns
Nine months prior:
- Set up gift registry
- Confirm orders for gowns and accessories and schedule
fittings for bride and bridesmaids - Establish details of ceremony
- Select playlist of music for reception
- Prepare travel and accomodations details for guests
Seven months prior:
- Organize information for programs
- Hire calligrapher for addressing invitations and table cards
- Meet with officiant regarding any pre-nuptial requirements
- Begin honeymoon planning
- Order wedding rings
Four months prior:
- Finalize guest list details including addressing of outer and inner envelopes
- Arrange formal wear for groom and men in the bridal party
- Plan rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
- Plan bridesmaids' luncheon
- Plan bridal shower
- Get blood tests and marriage license
- Finalize honeymoon and prepare for travel requirements
- Have invitations addressed and code reply cards to insure
they are all returned
Two months prior:
- Mail invitations (be sure to put postage on reply cards)
- Establish seating plan
- Arrange wedding day transportation for entire bridal party
- Assemble wedding day accessories (garter, tissues, pillow
for ring-bearer, toasting glasses, guest book, cake knife) - Confirm fittings for entire bridal party are on schedule
- Assemble favors
- Purchase gifts for parents and bridal party
- finalize program details and have programs printed
- Order thank-you notes if you have not already done so
- Hold bridal shower
- Plan any activities taking place around the weekend of the
wedding
Six weeks prior:
- Update gift registry
- Confirm arrangements for out-of-town guests
- Arrange stylist/spa appointments for bride & bridal party
Four weeks prior:
- Follow up with any guests who have not replied to their invitation
- Meet with each professional to understand any remaining details they need from you to perform to your expectations
- Clarify responsibilities with each member of the bridal party
- Prepare honeymoon packing
- Confirm arrangements for rehearsal/rehearsal dinner,
distribute invitations if necessary - Finalize seating plan
- Have bridesmaids' luncheon
- Arrange pick-up and return of groom's formal wear
- Assemble Bride's accessories
- Bachelor/Bachelorette parties
Two weeks prior:
- Outline a schedule of the day that can be distributed to each of the professionals hired to participate,
as well as the event coordinator. Include expected delivery times and contact information for each vendor
and any of the bridal
party who are helping with the wedding. - Confirm honeymoon/travel plans
- Write toasts/speeches for rehearsal dinner and reception
One week prior:
- Review responsibilities with Bridal party and family members
- Have hair styled and skin care treatments
- Final dress fitting, pick up dress
Two days prior:
- Have placecards, favors and accessories delivered to event coordinator
- Prepare finances and gratuities
- Assemble "going away" clothing
- Pick up formal wear
One day prior:
- Assemble toiletries and back-up accessories
- Spa treatments
- Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Wedding day:
- Leave yourself plenty of time to enjoy your day
and to get ready - Give rings to maid of honor and best man
- Have luggage ready for transport
- Enjoy the wedding you worked so hard to plan!
Once you've established the date, location and guest list come spend some time with us and look through the many sample books available from which to choose your wedding stationery. Seeing the samples, feeling the papers and comparing print methods and typestyles is the best way to be sure you are getting exactly the feel you want. No matter what the style or theme we are prepared to assist you in choosing the right wedding stationery to set the tone for the wedding you are planning.
