Engagement Season: Your Wedding Planning Timeline

From engagement to wedded bliss, there’s a lot of planning to do! Having the right engagement-to-wedding timeline checklist can go a long way to helping you stay on top of all of the big and small details that will help your big day come together. Whether you just need some ideas to get started on your own 12-month wedding timeline or you’re searching for an online wedding planning checklist to guide your way, Avery Austin’s got an extensive breakdown of everything you’ll need to begin organizing. From shopping for your wedding dress and the look for the bridal party to hiring vendors and venues, this wedding planning timeline and checklist covers all of the basics to help you build the wedding day of your dreams.

A 12-Month Engagement-to-Wedding Planning Timeline

Let’s go over several possible details that you’ll want to consider when planning your wedding month by month. Depending on the type of celebration you wish to have, some of these suggestions might fit perfectly in your wedding planning timeline, while others you might be able to skip entirely. For example, if you are not going to do an engagement photo shoot, you would skip that part of the wedding planning timeline and checklist. Explore all of the details below for a comprehensive breakdown on things to consider month-by-month, then in the next section you can find an engagement-to-wedding timeline checklist that sums up these details.

12 Months+ Before the Wedding

Many couples plan to be engaged for 12 to 18 months, which gives you more wiggle room to plan than the typical 12-month wedding timeline. If you fall into this category, use those extra weeks to start brainstorming ideas for your dream wedding. Check out popular magazines and bridal blogs (Avery Austin’s bridal blog is an immense treasure trove of inspiration and insider tips!), bridal sites, and social media apps to start saving ideas for bridal gowns, decor, color palettes, locations, themes, and more. Anything that strikes your fancy, save it now to discuss with your future spouse later. This is also a great time to research a variety of guidelines and wedding checklists (like the one in the next section below) for more ideas that you might not have considered before when it comes to wedding planning.

12 Months Before the Wedding

Now is the time to begin your wedding planning in earnest! First and foremost is the discussion of the wedding budget. This becomes the deciding factor in everything else you hope to plan and will help you keep the start of your marriage financially stress-free. If there are any other wedding stakeholders (friends or family members pitching in to finance the wedding), then you’ll want to include them in discussions. For example, your future in-laws might be planning to pay for the rehearsal dinner, so they’ll need to be included in the decision making process for that event. Around this time, you’ll also want to hire a wedding planner if you want to have one to help you with this process. Together, you could use this time to select a wedding date, decide on important themes, colors, or dress codes for your event, as well as research possible venues and caterers that suit those details. Once you’ve found your location and caterer of choice, book them! Other things to consider during this month is to start generating a guest list and to connect with a wedding dress bridal consultant who can guide you through flattering styles and bridal trends. Avery Austin’s bridal stylists are ready to help you with anything from specific product questions and general style tips to planning a try-at-home wedding dress experience.

11 Months Before the Wedding

With your budget firmly in mind, now’s the time to decide just how big you want your bridal party to be and extend an invitation to those special friends and family members to help you celebrate your big day. Finalize your guest list after reviewing it carefully with your fiancé and with your wedding stakeholders. Start researching and booking other vendors for your event, such as a photographer, videographer, DJ or band. Now’s the time to start trying on wedding dresses so you’ll have plenty of wiggle room for narrowing your options and placing an order early enough for alterations. You can book times at bridal salons or plan your own fun and relaxed try-at-home party using Avery Austin’s Try at Home Program! If you want to do an engagement photo shoot with your future spouse, plan it out now (the photographer, location, outfits, props, etc.) and schedule it for next month.

10 Months Before the Wedding

Now that you’ve been exploring all of the stylish bridal possibilities over the last month, it’s time to start narrowing down your options and placing an order for The One! This is incredibly important, as many bridal gowns are special order and can take weeks, if not months, to receive. For more details on when you should buy your wedding dress, check out Avery Austin’s wedding dress shopping timeline. During this month, you’ll also want to book hotel room blocks near your venue for your guests and start shopping wedding invitation styles and save-the-date styles. And of course, if you booked that engagement photo session, enjoy the experience this month!

9 Months Before the Wedding

It’s now time to choose those save-the-date card styles and place an order for them so they’ll be ready when it’s time to mail them out! You should also use your time this month to register for gifts and begin booking any rental materials you might need, such as furniture and linens. Keep in mind, some venues already cover and include these items, but this is an important step to cover this month if you’re in need of any such event essentials for your wedding.

8 Months Before the Wedding

Take time this month to create a wedding website. No, you don’t need to make one from scratch if you’re not tech-savvy! There are many popular bridal sites that offer this as a free service to help you prepare for your big day, so search around for an option you like and begin setting it up. Don’t forget to include your registry links too! With the website set up, you can include in your save-the-dates a little extra card or print out with the link or a QR code that directs your potential wedding guests to this page. And with that in mind, be sure to mail out your save-the-dates this month! Remember that anyone who receives one should also receive a wedding invitation! Also this month, it’s time to select bridesmaid dresses and schedule fittings with your bridal party. Avery Austin offers a variety of stunning bridal party dresses with inclusive sizing (so no extra fees for plus sizes!), as well as try-at-home bridesmaid dresses if you prefer to have a fun shopping experience from the comfort of your own home with all the girls! If you’ll be including flowers in your wedding decor or for your bridesmaids, be sure to select a florist this month.

7 Months Before the Wedding

At the 7 month mark of your wedding planning timeline, it’s important to book a rehearsal dinner venue, preferably one that’s close to your wedding venue so it’s easy to get to after the rehearsal. Remember, if family is helping you cover the cost of the rehearsal dinner, it’s important to get their input regarding this booking too. Also take time this month to officially hire your ceremony musicians and officiant.

6 Months Before the Wedding

Now’s the perfect time to start dreaming about your honeymoon and planning ahead if it might involve traveling out of the country! Renew your passports, hire a travel agent or shop deals on your own, and plan out your honeymoon wardrobe. Also during this part of the 12-month wedding timeline, it’s worth hiring a lighting technician if you’ll need one for your venue (such as for an outdoor garden or backyard event at night) and scheduling a hair and makeup trial to plan out your wedding day look.

5 Months Before the Wedding

Remember all that honeymoon dreaming you did last month? Now’s the time to official book your trip! You’ll also want to order invitations, buy or rent the groom’s wedding day outfit, and plan out the reception menu with your caterer. If there’s any transportation that you’ll need for you and your fiancé, the bridal party, or wedding guests, now’s the time to start making those arrangements. Another great thing to include in your wedding planning timeline for this month is premarital counseling.

4 Months Before the Wedding

By far one of the most enjoyable parts of wedding planning, the catering taste testing should be scheduled and finalized this month. You’ll also want to choose your wedding cake, so schedule time with a few local bakers, taste a few samples, explore their designs, and choose your favorite! This month, you’ll also want to work with your future spouse to choose the groomsmen attire and schedule their fittings, as well as buy the wedding bands together. If you’ll be in charge of planning your own bridal shower, send out invitations this month (or encourage the planners, such as your bridal party and/or family to start this process).

3 Months Before the Wedding

Dreaming of a fun photo booth for your reception? Now’s the time to book that photo booth! You’ll also want to send out your formal wedding invitations this month to everyone who received a save-the-date. In preparation of the ceremony, you’ll want to meet with your officiant and select the ceremony readings. Don’t forget to invite your officiant to the rehearsal dinner! Take time to write your vows this month and get started on any DIY items you plan to include in your wedding. Start brainstorming ideas for your wedding favors, as well as gift bags for your wedding party members and other big helpers who are assisting you in bringing your dreams to life. Lastly, schedule your first wedding dress fitting for next month and enjoy attending your bridal shower!

2 Months Before the Wedding

Usually at this phase of the wedding planning timeline, your bridal party will have prepared an exceptionally fun bachelorette party for you to enjoy! And after all the brainstorming you did regarding gifts, now’s the time to purchase them so you’ll have them in time to prep for the wedding day. This month, you’ll also want to send out rehearsal dinner invitations to everyone who will be involved in the rehearsal. Reach out to your musicians or DJ to start discussing a playlist or song suggestions. Don’t forget to pick up your marriage license and buy any final miscellaneous items, such as table numbers, toasting flutes, a guest book, etc. And of course, attend your first wedding dress fitting that you scheduled, then book the final fitting for the week of the wedding if your seamstress does not think you’ll need any additional fittings.

1 Month Before the Wedding

Now we’re getting to the final stages of the 12-month wedding timeline! This means you’ll need to make sure all of your vendors are paid in full, and you’ll want to prepare envelopes of cash tips for the vendors performing at your venue. Touch base with your photographer to let them know about anything particular you want captured during the wedding and photo shoot, and schedule a final meeting with your wedding planner to go over all of the final details. You should also use this time to confirm all of the RSVPs and create your seating chart, then order or make escort and place cards. Do a final walk-through of your venue and start breaking in your wedding shoes while you’re doing all of that walking about too! Take time to assemble the gift bags, book your final hair and makeup appointments, and schedule in some self-care options for you the week before the wedding. After all, you deserve some relaxation opportunities after all this intensive wedding planning! So, book that mani/pedi experience, massage, or anything else that will help you unwind before the big day.

Last Week Before the Wedding

You’re so close now! In addition to unwinding with those self-care experiences you booked, you do have a few tasks to complete before your wedding day. Attend your final wedding dress fitting with the undergarments and shoes you’ll be wearing on your wedding day to get the full effect. Pack for your honeymoon and practice your vows out loud (maybe all at the same time!). You’ll also want to give your venue the final headcount so they can prepare the space properly for your guests.

The Day Before the Wedding

This is it, you’re in the home stretch! Make sure you eat healthy meals and hydrate throughout the day to look and feel your best. Today, you’ll also want to make sure everything is in its proper place and all of your key people have the information they need to be successful in pulling off your big event. Start by providing day-of contact information to the vendors so they can reach you, your wedding planner, and/or your future spouse as needed. Organize those tip envelopes you made and delegate a trustworthy wedding party member or family member to distribute them during the reception (though some couples prefer to present them and their gratitude in person). When you arrive at the venue for the rehearsal, turn over your marriage certificate to the officiant and bring along small decor to set up at the venue, if permitted. Attend your rehearsal dinner and give the gifts you prepared to your family and wedding party members. Once back home, be sure to pack a wedding day clutch of small personal items, pack the care with everything you’ll need, then tuck in early for a good night’s sleep.

The Morning of the Wedding

This is it! The day you’ve been preparing for throughout this 12-month wedding timeline! Start off your big day with a healthy breakfast and keep those water bottles handy so you can stay hydrated. Before all of the walking and standing you’ll be doing at your event, try to stay off your feet and delegate as needed so you don’t overwork yourself before the wedding. Get help airing out your dress and veil, steaming them if needed. Prepare the items that you’d like to be photographed (rings, invitations, etc.) and lay them out for the photographer. And of course, don’t forget to say thank you to everyone who helped you along the way!

With the comprehensive wedding planning timeline, you can keep the ball rolling throughout the year and set yourself up for a stress-free wedding day! For a few more tips and tricks, check out Avery Austin’s blog with 10 wedding planning tips from bridal experts.

A 12-Month Engagement-to-Wedding Planning Checklist

Now that you’ve gotten an in-depth look at the wedding planning timeline, it will be much easier to understand the finer points of an engagement timeline checklist or wedding planning checklist. Below is a free online wedding planning checklist that sums up all of the details covered in the timeline above. Use it as is for your big day, or personalize it by filling in blanks or crossing off unnecessary items to turn it into a wedding checklist that suits your wedding day goals.

12 Months+

• Brainstorm ideas for your dream wedding
• Research a variety of guides/checklists

12 Months

• Determine the wedding budget
• Discuss your priorities with your future spouse and wedding stakeholders
• Choose a date
• Create a guest list
• Hire a wedding planner
• Choose a theme, colors, and dress code
• Research and book a venue and caterer
• Connect with a wedding dress bridal consultant

11 Months

• Choose wedding party members
• Start booking performance vendors
• Begin trying on wedding dresses
• Plan for and schedule an engagement photo shoot for next month
• Finalize the guest list

10 Months

• Finish trying on wedding dresses and place an order for The One
• Book hotel room blocks
• Take engagement photos
• Shop wedding invitation styles

9 Months

• Choose save-the-dates
• Begin booking rentals
• Register for gifts

8 Months

• Create a wedding website and include your registry
• Send save-the-dates
• Choose bridesmaid dresses and schedule fittings
• Choose a florist

7 Months

• Book rehearsal dinner venue
• Hire ceremony musicians
• Hire officiant

6 Months

• Hire a lighting technician
• Daydream about your honeymoon
• Renew passports
• Schedule a hair and makeup trial

5 Months

• Order invitations
• Plan the reception menu
• Book all transportation
• Book honeymoon
• Buy or rent groom’s tux
• Begin premarital counseling

4 Months

• Send bridal shower invites
• Schedule final tasting with caterer
• Choose wedding cake
• Buy wedding bands
• Choose groomsmen attire and schedule fittings

3 Months

• Send formal wedding invitations
• Attend your wedding shower
• Brainstorm favors and gift bags
• Book photo booth
• Write your vows
• Select ceremony readings
• Meet with the officiant (and invite them to rehearsal dinner)
• Start on DIY items
• Schedule your first wedding dress fitting for next month

2 Months

• Enjoy a bachelorette party
• Send rehearsal dinner invitations
• Attend your first wedding dress fitting and schedule the final fitting for the week of the wedding
• Pick up marriage license
• Buy wedding party gifts
• Send playlist or song suggestions to musicians
• Buy all final miscellaneous items

1 Month

• Assemble gift bags
• Pay vendors in full
• Order or make escort and place cards
• Do a final venue walk-through
• Prepare cash tips in envelopes
• Break in your wedding shoes
• Schedule self-care experiences
• Confirm RSVPs and make seating chart
• Schedule last meeting with planner
• Touch base with photographer
• Book final hair/makeup appointments

Last Week

• Have a final wedding dress fitting
• Pack for honeymoon
• Give final headcount to venue
• Practice your vows out loud

The Day Before:

• Provide Day-of Contact information to your vendors
• Organize tip envelopes and delegate to distribute
• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Turn over your marriage certificate to the officiant
• Give gifts to family and wedding party
• Bring small decor the the venue
• Eat healthy meals and hydrate
• Pack a clutch of small personal items
• Pack the car
• Tuck in early for a good night’s sleep

The Morning Of:

• Air out your dress and veil, steaming if needed
• Stay off your feet as much as possible
• Eat breakfast
• Hydrate
• Lay out all the items to be photographed
• Say thank you to everyone