you said yes!!

The question is popped, the ring is on… but now what? With so many tasks to take care of and details to arrange, planning a wedding can seem overwhelming. This blog is going to break the wedding planning process down so that you can start crossing tasks off your to-do list. The ideal engagement length, in terms of planning, is 12 to 14 months. With a year or more to plan, brides will usually be able to book their venue of choice this far in advance. That’s not to say you can’t get your dream venue with less time; it just gets trickier, of course, as popular venues book up quickly. The following timeline is based on a 12 month engagement length. For shorter engagements you can use the same timeline; however, you will need to tackle the items quicker.

Budget

It’s time to do the math and crunch some not-so-fun numbers. Before you can start anything, you have to figure out who’s paying for what and determine your wedding’s bottom line. From there you will want to break down said budget into what is your top priority. For example, if your venue, dress, and cake are super important to you then those items will get the most attention and a higher spending allowance. it is a good idea to document your budget in a spreadsheet to help keep track of your spending since it is easy to adjust. I know most people have never planned a wedding before and may not know how much things can cost. It is important to do some research while determining your budget.

Theme

There are so many wedding venues. nailing down your overall theme and formality will help when selecting a venue. You will want to select a wedding venue that flows with your theme. Example: if your theme is rustic then perhaps you will tour wedding barns. If your wanting a black tie event then you might select a museum rather than a barn.

Design Board

Pull up your Pinterest boards, people! It is finally time to gather inspiration, select a color palette, and create a mood board. I recommend finding 30 images max including every detail you like to have at your wedding. If you are struggling for inspo, I will help you!

Head Count

If only you could invite everyone, right? Chances are, you can’t, which is why you have to put a cap on dishing out invites. When deciding your head count, consider your budget (how much you can really afford) and your venue (how many people it will fit). Remember it can get costly when you invite a large number of guests. You need to take into consideration food, beverages, favors, seating necessities when deciding the count. While making your guest list, this is a good time to begin collecting addresses for the guests.

Select Venue

Choosing a venue is one of the most important decisions you will make right now. The location affects almost everything else, from how many people you invite to what kind of flowers go on the table. Chances are, it’s also the biggest chunk of change you’ve put down, like ever. That is why I want you to explore your options, Once your venue is selected, that means you finally have an answer to that pesky “when’s the date?” question!

Vendors

Begin booking vendors that book up quickly. These are the people who will make your night fun- and all those memories last forever. (aka, they’re important) Do your research before you hire, ask all of the right questions, and maybe even schedule a small fun session with your photographer to make sure you love their photography style. Photographers have different styles. (Dark, Moody, Bright, Airy, Vivid, Old School, etc.) Same with videographers! Make sure you find one that fits your overall design. Also consider your venue’s capabilities when determining outdoor musicians or dj’s for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. you should also know what items come with your venue or if you will need to outsource a rental company.

Dress

You may know exactly what you want or you might not, which is okay, too. Finding a gown may be a matter of trial and error. My advice is to try on tons of dresses at many different shops. Don’t just pick one shop and schedule an appointment. Take your time.

Accommodations

It is thoughtful for you to block out rooms and secure discounted rates for your guests; however, it is not something that you have to do. It is also fun to spend a day touring hotels with your girlfriends! If your venue doesn’t have a bridal or grooms suite, this will also benefit you for that purpose.

Flowers

Much like hiring your other vendors, you want to do your research and ask around. It is important to find someone who matches your vision within your budget. Extra brownie points for florist that deliver, stay for duration of ceremony to flip, and return at the end of the night for supply pickups.

Catering

Your wedding is the best dinner party of your life. So how exactly do you feed 150 of your nearest and dearest? Well, start with hiring people you trust to deliver- weather that’s the venue’s in house caterer, a preferred caterer recommended by your planner, or even your favorite taco truck. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the menu. Breakfast at dinner time is okay! A buffet or appetizer station is just as spectacular as plated service.

Engagement Photos

This is a good time to try out your photographer, your hair, and make-up artist. You may even use these photographs on your save the dates!

Transportation

You should begin to book transportation for the couple and bridal party to and from venue if getting ready at another location. Consider having transportation for guests to and from venue if parking is an issue with your venue. specialty vehicles for the couple’s exit are also included in this topic.

Bridesmaids Attire

Select bridesmaid attire and schedule fittings. Remember the dresses will need to be altered when they arrive also.

Guest List

Finalize your guest list! Begin collecting and organizing guest addresses.

Honeymoon

Traditionally, wedding etiquette states the groom plans a surprise honeymoon for the bride. But, if you guys are tag-teaming your honeymoon then try to have things semi-sorted out by this month mark. That means being on the same page about budget, timing, travel arrangements, and itinerary. If this is overwhelming, then consider using a travel agent.

Save the Dates

It is time to pick out, order, mail those save the dates! Let everyone officially know when and where you’re making it official.

Hair & Makeup

One thing to consider when booking hair and make-up is how many actually need hair and how many need make-up. For larger groups you may want to consider having two hair stylists and two make-up artists or else you can result in having to not only wake up but be at the bridal suite the day of way before the sun rises. You should also schedule trial runs of your wedding day hair and makeup prior to your big day.

Register for Gifts

Details

Begin purchasing special signage, decorations, linens, day of stationary, etc.

Desserts

You and your partner should settle on a look and flavor profile you both love. Don’t stress about pleasing everyone. This is your cake as a couple. You can also consider a groom’s cake. Ask your baker What flavors and fillings they offer, is a tasting included in the fee, how big the cake should be to feed all of your guests, do they deliver, and do they offer cake cutting.

Bar

If alcohol is not included in the catering, you may want to look into other bar services. There are many unique mobile bar services to choose from.

Photobooth Rental

At Photo booths have become a reception staple! This is your area to be creative and fun. You can make your own photo booth or rent one. Come up with a wedding hashtag!

Mens Attire

Step one is choosing between a tux or suit, based on the formality of your wedding, and then deciding whether to buy or rent. The bride and groom should go to the men’s clothing boutique together to pick out the attire. Make sure the attendant documents exactly what you picked out on your account so that groomsmen and fathers cannot alter attire. Schedule fittings for the groomsmen! Tip- choose a place that has locations all over, especially everywhere your groomsmen live!

Invitations

Now is the time to order your invitations if they are not being customized. The theme of your invitations should match the vibe of your wedding. The wedding invitation is a guest’s first impression of your big day. If you are going to custom make them then start working with a graphic designer or stationer prior to now to create your dream suite. If you are going for a less involved route, you can wait until now. Invites will be sent out six to eight weeks prior to your big day. Also decide if you will hire a calligrapher! There are a few ground rules when it comes to ordering your wedding invitations: Order enough of them and account for some mistakes, make sure they will arrive in time, set up a system for recording RSVP replies, and confirm all addresses and spelling.

Rehearsal

I love the idea of hosting a family style dinner at your favorite restaurant! Who should be invited to a rehearsal dinner? Rule of thumb is everyone who will be taking the walk down the aisle with you on your wedding day (bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents, grandparents). Usually those important guests have a plus one at the rehearsal also. If you opt for doing your rehearsal dinner at your venue, now would be the time to book your desired rehearsal date.

Officiant

Book your officiant and begin drafting your vows. Whether you come from a religious background or not, pre-marital counseling works wonders. The state of Florida offers a discount on marriage licenses and a shorter waiting period when a marriage counseling class is completed.

Finalize Menu

At this point, you’ve asked your caterer to talk through all of your questions. Now its time to taste what they’re really made of. Once you have had a successful tasting, you’ll have a good sense of your caterer’s style and offerings. Now it’s time to stamp your approval on a completed menu that fits your budget, tastes, and timing.

Rings

Make sure you know the difference between an engagement band and a wedding band. Purchase the grooms band.

Walk Through

Schedule your final walk through’s with your wedding planner, venue, and any other vendors who wish to be present.

Gifts

Begin to purchase gifts for your family, bridal party, and soon to be spouse. You can either order gifts or hand write letters to show them how special they are and how much you appreciate them during this time.

Favors

You don’t have to do favors or gift bags, but now is the time to decide.

Lists

Begin making lists for your vendors.

Music: The basic songs needed are: Song for family as they walk down the aisle, song for groom and officiant, song for bridal party entrance, song for bride entrance, song for ceremony exit, song for entrance to reception, song for first dance, songs for mother/son and father/daughter dances, song for cake cutting, song for bouquet or garter toss, song for last dance, song for exit.

Photos: A lot happens on a wedding day and it is important for you to write a list of important photographs that you want before your wedding arrives. Your photographer and wedding coordinator will make sure those shots aren’t missed.

Readings: Bible verses are an obvious choice here but there are plenty of nonreligious options as well. Once you have chosen your Officiant make sure he or she is on the same page as you about your expectations and the overall tone you want for your ceremony. Consider inviting your Officiant to the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

Timeline Meeting

Make sure you provide you wedding coordinator/planner with all the appropriate information needed to complete your wedding vendor packet and wedding weekend itinerary. Items needed are copies of all vendor contracts, a list of all vendors with points of contact, hours of service and times of arrival for all vendors, a list of everyone in your bridal party, copy of officiant transcripts, copy of menu, copy of guest list, seating chart, ceremony diagram, reception diagram, weather back up plan, floral plan, photo shot list, music list, and any other important information.

Diy Projects

Let’s hope you got a big head start on any DIY crafts or you have plenty of help!

Alterations

Make sure your alterations can be completed before your wedding so that if the alterations are not perfect you have time to have it fixed.

Seating Chart

The seating chart is going to be stressful. You are going to have to balance relationships, egos, potential and crisis management. You do not want to sit a single person or couple with a family of small children. Try to sit people who will blend well together. As your RSVP’s start arriving, it is time to put together the seating chart.

Marriage License

There are four steps for getting your marriage license. It is important you know where to go, what to bring, how much it will cost, how long it will take, and how long it will last. You must visit the clerk of courts in the jurisdiction you reside in. In Florida the fee’s vary. You both need your identification cards or passports. The license is valid for 60 days. If you completed a marriage counseling class then there is no waiting period after filing for the marriage license. If you did not take the class then the waiting period is three days from filing.

Payments

The last awkward situation you want to deal with right before or on your wedding day is a vendor chasing money. Avoid that by keeping track of payments. If there are some vendors who must be paid the day of or you are distributing tips then give your most trusted bridesmaid or relative a heads up that coming wedding day that you will be counting on them to handle the labeled envelopes you’re going to put together for the vendors.

Break in Shoes

Walk around your hallways. Dance in your kitchen. Do everything in your power to avoid painful blisters on your wedding night.

Wedding Week

Congratulations! You’ve made it all the way to the final week of your wedding planning. Deep breaths now, most of the hard work is over at this point. Now all that is really left is the nitty-gritty details. Take care of things like:

Refreshing your hair color
Getting your eyebrows done
Manicure/pedicure
Spray tans
Getting a massage
Final dress fitting (have a bridesmaid learn how to bustle your dress)
Pack your bags for the honeymoon (don’t forget your passports if you are leaving the country) and confirm travel arrangements
Clean your ring so it is extra sparkly
Chase any RSVP stragglers and deliver the final head count
Clear your work to do list
Practice your vows out load
Write your partner a note

WEDDING PLANNING TIMELINE