You said yes -congratulations!
Now comes the challenging part - planning a wedding. It may feel as daunting as running a marathon while juggling flaming torches or swimming a swampy moat with sharks biting at your heels… but relax. Take a deep breath. Rest assured that even the most elaborate weddings can perfectly come together with the proper wedding planning timeline.
Consider this your helpful, cheeky, practical guide to the ultimate wedding planning timeline from engagement to “I do.”
1. Celebrate Your Engagement and Start Dreaming
Announcing Your Engagement
Pop the champagne, wave your hands to flaunt that sparkling ring, and start spreading the news - you’re engaged! This time is your time. Announcing your engagement is a huge step, the first on the thrilling rollercoaster of wedding planning. Throw a massive celebration or let your happiness shine on social media. Embrace the excitement and savour each congratulation - this is your moment.
2. Define Your Wedding Vision
Create an Inspiration Board
As the confetti settles, let your imagination run wild. Dig into Pinterest and magazines, clip out dreamy gowns and wedding attire, and get your finger ready to shimmer. Use poster board, glue, and plenty of colourful pictures and markers to outline the vibe of your wedding. Fairytale romance? Bohemian chic? Formal and classy?
This is your chance to have a dream wedding, which means if you want a rainbow-coloured wedding cake with a unicorn sculpture, paste it down.
Discuss Your Preferred Wedding Style
Talk with your loved one and imagine your wedding together. Would they prefer a big celebration or an intimate get-together? Remember that this is their big day, too, so create a joint vision to share when making future decisions.
3. Set Your Budget and Establish Priorities
Determine Your Wedding Budget
Ah, the wedding budget - the part that separates the dreamers from the planners. Grab your calculators and speak to anyone that might help you financially. How much are you willing to spend on the wedding of your dreams? Clarifying the numbers will save you from a financial breakdown, especially when excitable florists start quoting exorbitant figures. From there, you can set up your wedding fund and start planning... with a plan (!).
Allocate Funds to High-Priority Areas, Like Venue and Photographer
Put your money where it matters. It could be a stunning venue that knocks your socks off or a talented photographer who captures the beauty of those sockless feet - allocating portions of your budget makes a significant difference in creating the desired wedding vibe.
Make a Guest List and Estimate Wedding Size a Year Before the Big Day!
A guest list may seem easy until you realise that Aunt Linda may be miffed if Cousin Derek gets an invite. Create three lists - one for must-have guests, another for “maybe” guests, and one more for “absolutely not.” Your guest list will influence the wedding size, affecting venue, catering, and space.
Confirm Your Guest List 4-6 Months in Advance (RSVP)
Waiting for guests to respond can be as frustrating as nailing jelly to a tree. Set a deadline of 4-6 months before your wedding, then give everyone a nudge as a gentle reminder to RSVP.
4. Book Your Venue, Select a Date, and Extras
Research Venues That Align With Your Wedding Theme
The perfect venue can be like falling in love again - you know the right one when you see it. Your wedding style and size should fit comfortably in the venue you love, whether it’s a rustic barn, beachside resort, or billion-dollar estate.
Lock in the date - the countdown begins!
Book Vendors Early
Tip: The best vendors can be snapped up quicker than cupcakes at a children’s party. Secure the finest caterers, wedding photographers, and florists by booking their services early. The best vendor will understand your vision - not look at you funny when you say you want a flower wall in the shape of a T-Rex.
Book a Trial for Hair and Makeup 2 Months Before the Wedding
Schedule a hair and makeup trial two months out to get your perfect look. You don’t want to look like a hybrid clown and poodle on your wedding day. Get your wedding glow on!
5. Choose Your Wedding Party and Attire
Ask Friends and Family to Be in Your Wedding Party
Round up your nearest and dearest - it’s time to build a wedding team! Be prepared for emotional responses, but don’t be afraid to discuss role responsibilities.
For instance, the maid of honour will have a different role to play than the flower girl.
Consider Schedules and Availability
Once you’ve assembled your dream team, check their schedules to ensure everyone’s available on your wedding day. Nothing says awkward like a groomsman zooming in from a business meeting thousands of kilometres away.
Begin Shopping 8-10 Months in Advance
Searching for the perfect dress or suit takes time -be meticulous and picky. Wedding gowns, in particular, can take months to alter and custom-make, so start outfitting 8-10 months in advance.
Once You’ve Picked Your Perfect Ensemble, Coordinate Outfits for Your Wedding Party
You want your dream team to look sharp - unlike the set of an 80s music video.
6. Plan Invitations, Décor, and Catering
Send Out Save-the-Dates 6-8 Months Before the Wedding
Guests need to create their own wedding planning timeline in terms of planning to be there. Send out those save-the-date notices 6-8 months in advance, ensuring no one double-books a work conference or family reunion on your big day.
Choose a Theme and Colour Scheme
Who doesn’t love playing with colour swatches from the local department store? This gives you a reason to mix and match colours to create a dream wedding theme. Enchanted garden? Winter wonderland? Black-and-white party?
A cohesive theme will guide your décor decisions.
Hire a Florist and Decorator
Hiring a professional to help with flowers and decorations is a wise idea. They bring life to your vision! Plus, they know the difference between peonies and those “little white ones.”
Select a Menu and Schedule a Cake Tasting for Flavours and Design
Choose a menu that caters to all kinds of tastes. Your aim? Delighting your guests’ taste buds. Does anyone have allergies? Offer accommodating options, but don’t feel like you must bend over backwards for every individual with an aversion to creamed spinach.
In the wedding planning timeline, cake tasting feels more like a reward than a task.
Schedule a tasting to find the perfect combination of flavours and fillings and discuss décor and tiers.
Schedule Pre-Wedding and Post-Wedding Events 2-3 Months in Advance
Bridal shower? Hen party? Stag event? Get those pre-wedding and post-wedding activities booked at least 2-3 months in advance. The same applies to the post-wedding celebrations, like welcome drinks, brunches, and BBQs as a newlywed couple!
7. Finalize All Details and Prepare for the Big Day
Create a Wedding Day Timeline to Establish a Schedule
It all boils down to the details! A wedding day timeline is as essential as a wedding planning timeline. It ensures your vows go off without a hitch and gives you focus when you feel the pre-wedding jitters. In the last month, confirm arrangements, make final payments, and relax into the idea of spending the rest of your life with your true love.
Relax and Enjoy Your Big Day!
You’ve made it! Your wedding planning timeline is complete!
Your hard work and effort are about to pay off in an exchange of nuptials with the love of your life, which is beautiful. Let out the breath you’ve been holding for a year or longer - breathe. This starts a fantastic adventure, beginning with a big day to always remember. This is your forever. Enjoy it!
Key takeaways
Planning a wedding can feel like getting to grips with a to-do list longer than your arm. Not to say anything about the size of the financial investment.
To keep your wedding budget - and your stress levels - in check, you need a solid plan and a way to track it all. That’s where Bemazi steps in. It’s a free AI-powered tool designed to stay on top of your wedding finances with ease. Think of it as an extra pair of hands that don’t get tired.
Give it a try, your future self will thank you for it.
