Jubilee Banquet Facility

Wedding Planning Timeline Helps Keep Busy Brides on Task

Monday, July 19th, 2010 | Wedding Planning Tips | No Comments

There’s no doubt about it, wedding planning can be fun, but stressful. Keeping organized will help alleviate the stress and make the process special and memorable.

The key to organization is knowing what to do and when. Wedding planning timelines can vary depending upon the type and size of the wedding and the season, but here are some general timeline guidelines:

One year before the wedding:

Determine the budget

Hire a wedding planner, if you choose to work with one

Choose the venue and the date

Contact vendors such as photographers, caterers and florists

Shop for a wedding dress

Nine months before the wedding:

Finalize guest list and gather addresses

Shop for attendants’ attire

Start on honeymoon plans

Schedule engagement photo session

Six months before the wedding:

Order invitations

Choose floral arrangements or other wedding or reception decor

Select registry and start registering for gifts

Plan bridesmaid luncheon

Finalize plans and orders with vendors

Four months before wedding date:

Make reservations for accommodations for out-of-town guests

Address and mail invitations

Arrange for final dress fittings

Order accessories, bridal party gifts, wedding favors and a guest book

Two months before wedding date:

Make appointments with hairstylist, make-up artist and manicurist and go for a trial run

Start gathering RSVPs

Go over song list and requests with band or DJ

One month before wedding date:

Finalize and confirm all ceremony and reception plans

Provide photographer with instructions on must-have photos

Work on reception seating arrangements

Make date to get marriage license

Confirm and make any final vendor payments

Two to three weeks before wedding date:

Pick up rings

Confirm vendor arrival times

Confirm hotel arrangements

Have final dress fitting

One week before wedding date:

Provide caterer with final head count

Pack for the honeymoon

Make arrangements with bridal party on who will return groom’s tux and how gifts will be transported

Arrange for pick-up of attire

Put together a wedding day emergency kit with extra hose, pain reliever, band-aids, safety pins, etc.

Just as every bride and groom are unique, each wedding is different and special. These timeline guidelines are suggestions and provide a glimpse into planning the Big Day.

Another suggestion to keep organized is to purchase a notebook with a calendar and keep it with you. This will help you jot down important dates and keep up with ideas and contact information.

Do you have any tips to keeping organized and stress-free while planning your wedding? Please share them and we’ll post them on our Facebook page.

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