Engaged! Congratulations!
Congratulations on your engagement! You must be so excited. This is a amazing time in your love story. Now to put the details in order.
I have a list to help you figure out all the things you need to think about for your special day. It’s a day filled with family and friends, dreams, love, celebration and details. Details are where I come to help you.
i have put together a list of a 12 month engagement plan for you. You can do it quicker or take longer but this is an average time brides typically take to put that storybook day together.
12 Months
You’re a year out — it can feel like a lot of time, but in wedding-planning time, can go by in the blink of an eye.
Set a wedding budget and prioritize what is most important
Draft your wedding guest list
Tour and book your wedding venue
Set a date
Create your wedding Pinterest board
Book a planner or day of coordinator (if in budget)
Book a photographer
Try on wedding dresses, order by 10 months in advance
9 Months
Book a videographer
Book a florist
Book an officiant and make any pre-marital counseling appointments (if required)
Choose your wedding party and ask them to be part of your big day
Take engagement photos
Set up your wedding registry
Create a wedding website
Book hotel blocks
Book your wedding night hotel
Begin researching and meeting with caterers
Begin compiling addresses for guests
6 Months
Book your rentals (linens, plates, cuttlery, chairs, lighting, tents, etc.)
Book hair and makeup artists
Book a caterer
Complete your wedding guest list
Send out Save the Dates
Decide on bridesmaid attire; send them the information and a final date to order
Start planning your honeymoon
Discuss bachelorette party dates and locations with the maid of honor; send her a rough guest list to help with planning
4 Months
Book the rehearsal dinner venue
Book the DJ or music
Order your cake
Begin bridal dress fittings
Buy or rent the groom’s attire
Decide on groomsmen attire; send them the information and a final date to order
Finalize the honeymoon and accommodations
Send thank you notes as you receive presents so you don’t become overwhelmed
Make sure you have all your legal documents needed for a marriage certificate and honeymoon.
3 Months
Book transportation
Finalize the menu with your caterer
Finalize ceremony details with your officiant
Finalize your floral design
Buy your wedding rings
Send out your wedding invitations (between 6-8 weeks before)
Start planning music for the ceremony and reception (first dances, processional, etc.
Order any paper products needed (ceremony programs, menus, place cards, table numbers,
Create a wedding day-of timeline — including times of wedding party arrival, vendor arrival, and family arrival
Buy thank you gifts for your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and parents
Purchase shoes for your wedding dress (the final fitting will be to determine the length and you can’t do this without shoes!), also if you plan to change into more comfortable shoes for the reception — go ahead and order those as well!
Discuss your wedding hair with your stylist — treatments to do ahead of time, extensions, coloring/highlighting, trims, and what they feel the proper timeline is based on your experience with them. Book the appointments.
2 Months
Buy or make plans for any wedding accessories
Touch base with all your vendors to confirm details, payment date, and to make sure they have your coordinator’s contact information for day of
Send out as many final payments as you can — typically all payments are due 30 days before the wedding so get as many done ahead of time
Check to make sure wedding party has all received their attire, are making plans for alterations, and have the appropriate accessories (shoes, ties, pocket squares, etc.)
If you’re planning to get a spray tan, do your research and test it out now.
1 Month
Get final RSVP count (call anyone you have not heard from)
Book your trial hair and makeup
Book your final dress fitting
Break in your wedding shoes
Get your marriage license
Once you have a final RSVP headcount, give this to your caterer, bar tenders, and rentals company to ensure you have enough (usually 2 weeks before the date)
Create your seating chart
Send out rehearsal dinner invitations (unless relatives are handling)
Purchase your rehearsal dinner outfit and shoes
Send your day of timeline to all your vendors (unless wedding coordinator is handling)
Meet with your photographer to discuss day of plans and a must-have shot list
Write your vows
Get your wedding party together to discuss roles and responsibilities for the wedding day
DO NOT under any circumstances try new beauty treatments or regimens this month. Stick with products you’ve used before and no treatments that you haven’t tried yet.
Week Of
Send your day of timeline to everyone in the wedding party and parents
Get your engagement ring cleaned at the jeweler
Book any maintenance waxing appointments around 7 days before
Pack a day-of bag and double check that everything you need is in it
Get your wedding manicure
Pack for your honeymoon
It’s Here! Now enjoy. This will be one of the best days of your life!
