— A Suggested Order of What to Do When
— One of the first things you can help your daughter with is planning out a timeline for preparing for the wedding. Once a date is set for the wedding, you will know how much time you have to prepare. My first daughter’s engagement was only six weeks! So, we had a very short timeline! My second daughter was engaged for almost two years! So that timeline was very stretched out. The timeline below is based on having about a year to plan. I ended up adjusting the dates to the time we had available.
Helping your daughter figure out a wedding planning timeline can help it not seem so overwhelming. The mother of the bride does not need to be involved in all of these tasks, but can help keep the timeline on track, check things off as they are done, and be looking ahead to see what needs to be done next.
UPON ENGAGEMENT / 10 to 12 MONTHS PRIOR TO WEDDING
- Set the date and time
- Determine budget
- Select attendants
- Start a guest list, keeping budget in mind
- Announce engagement
- Take engagement photo
- Start a wedding webpage
- Select a place for the ceremony
- Select a reception site
- Decide on a caterer or DIY food
- Select rentals if needed
- Reserve a photographer / videographer
- Reserve musicians for the ceremony
- Decide on DJ or DIY playlist for the reception
- Shop for wedding gown and accessories
- Choose a color scheme
- Select bridesmaid dresses
- Decide on florist or DIY flowers
- Start planning a honeymoon, apply for passports if needed
6 to 10 MONTHS PRIOR TO WEDDING
- Have attendants choose their dresses and accessories
- Mothers start shopping for their outfits
- Choose bridal registry
- Finalize honeymoon plans
- Arrange transportation if renting (Limo, etc.)
- Hone guest list, gather addresses
- Send out Save-the-Dates to primary guests
- Start looking for home or apartment
- Start planning bridal shower (traditionally coordinated by Maid of Honor)
- Choose an officiant
3 to 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO WEDDING
- Finalize guest list
- Order invitations and programs
- Plan favors and order supplies
- Select tuxedos or menswear, get measuring done
- Choose a wedding cake or pastries
- Shop for wedding rings
- Plan and shop for decorations for the ceremony and reception
- Plan the rehearsal location and time
- Coordinate with the groom’s family about the rehearsal dinner
- Gather hotel information for out of town guests
- Write thank you notes for shower gifts (bride)
- Start addressing, stuffing, and stamping wedding invitations
- Schedule alterations for gowns or suits
- Choose vows and readings for the ceremony
- Ask someone to be the “Day of” Wedding Coordinator
6 to 8 WEEKS PRIOR TO WEDDING
- Schedule beauty appointments (hair, nails, etc.)
- Decide on hairstyles for the wedding
- Send out wedding invitations
- Attendants plan bachelor or bachelorette parties
- Schedule final fitting for the wedding gown
- Finish acquiring accessories for all wedding outfits
- Shop for or borrow cake topper, cake knife, toasting glasses, rink bearer’s pillow, guest book, garter, aisle runner, candles, and card box for gift table
- Buy thank you gifts for attendants, spouse, and parents
- Acquire marriage license (valid for 60 days)
- Determine who will attend rehearsal dinner
- Work on a playlist for the reception
- Meet with the musicians for the ceremony to select music
- Purchase any items needed for the honeymoon
- Finalize decorations, write out directions for helpers
1 to 2 WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING
- Contact any guests who have not responded
- Confirm final count and timing details with the caterer or reception site
- Finalize details with the photographer, including any special requests
- Make a schedule for the rehearsal and wedding day, copy to all attendants
- Give DJ the schedule for the reception
- Get a final schedule for the “Day of” Wedding coordinator
- Confirm details and guests for the rehearsal dinner
- Write thank you notes for any wedding gifts received in advance
- Pack for the honeymoon
- Prepare emergency wedding day kits
- Confirm hairdresser and makeup artist
- Choose outfit to wear at the rehearsal dinner
- Pack and label favors, placecards, guestbook, and any decorations you are bringing
- Recruit helpers to do any setup or cleanup needed
- Write out clear directions for setup or cleanup helpers
- Gather supplies for a Bridal emergency kit
1 DAY BEFORE WEDDING
- Prepare payment envelopes, including tips
- Decorate the venue with your team of helpers
- Decorate the dressing room, layout wedding attire, and accessories
- Pamper yourself – get a manicure/massage/Epsom bath with lavender
- Bring a practice bouquet to use at the rehearsal
- Have fun at the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
- Make sure your honeymoon luggage and arrangements are ready to go
- Go to bed early. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow!
- Plan a good breakfast in the morning!
WEDDING DAY
- Eat a good breakfast and drink plenty of fluids
- Do some relaxing yoga and breathe in some lavender essential oil
- Wear a button down shirt while getting hair and makeup done
- Enjoy being with your bridesmaids while you get dressed
- Give payment envelopes to the wedding day coordinator
- Give guestbook, cardbox, or any other last minute items to wedding day coordinator
- Remember to give your mom a big hug
- Enjoy your wedding day!
AFTER THE WEDDING
- Have fun on your honeymoon
- Write thank you notes
- Finalize photo or album choices with the photographer / videographer
- Share your photos
- Get your wedding dressed cleaned
- Complete the name change process
- Enjoy your new life together!
FREE ACCESS
To get a link to a free Trello board to help you customize your wedding timeline, sign up for my e-mail list and click the button below.
FREE DOWNLOAD
To download a free copy of the wedding timeline checklist outlined in this article, sign up for my e-mail list and click the button below.
Looking for more help mapping out your timeline?
Whether you have 2 months to plan, 2 years to plan, or somewhere in between, having a ready-made timeline to take you through all the steps of wedding planning can be extremely helpful. I have designed a step-by-step planner with customizable timelines to help take you all the way through the process. Click on the video below to learn more.
