May 6, 2025
Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, but booking your vendors at the right time helps everything fall into place. Here’s a stress-free timeline to help you stay on track:
12+ Months Before the Wedding
- Ceremony Venue
- Reception Venue
- Rental House / Cabin / Airbnb
- Photographer (Popular dates book quickly, so secure yours early!)
- Wedding Planner or Coordinator (Full-service, month-of, or day-of.)
- Event Insurance (Some venues require it to be secured upon booking.)
9–11 Months Before
- Videographer
- Florist (Decide if you want fresh or faux flowers.)
- Caterer
- Tent Rentals
- Wedding Dress / Attire for the Bride (Allow time for shipping and alterations.)
- DJs or Bands
- Live Ceremony Musicians
- Lighting / AV Rentals
- Custom Stationery Designer
- Portable Restrooms
- Transportation for Couple – If renting a unique ride (vintage car, boat, etc.)
7–8 Months Before
- Hair & Makeup Artists (Book early and schedule your trial for your engagement session!)
- Engagement Session
- Cake / Dessert Baker
- Custom Calligrapher (Place cards, signage, or addressing envelopes.)
- Furniture / Decor Rentals
- Transportation (Party bus, shuttle for guests, etc.)
- Bartender
- Officiant (Consider premarital counseling if it’s required or meaningful to you.)
- Musicians for Ceremony / Cocktail Hour
- Hotel Room Blocks for Guests
- Attire for Wedding Party (Bridesmaids’ dresses and suits/tuxes for the groom and groomsmen)
5–6 Months Before
- Photo Booth or Audio Guestbook Rental
- Bar Service / Bartenders
- Permits for Public Parks / Beaches / Fireworks
- Pet Care / Dog Handler
- Dance Floor Rentals
3–4 Months Before
- Rehearsal Dinner Plans
- Finalized Playlist or Music Cues for DJ
- Backup Plan for Rain (Tents, umbrellas, etc.)
- Childcare / Nanny Service
- Trash / Waste Removal Services
2–3 Months Before
- Wedding Day Timeline Draft
1 Month Before
- Finalize Wedding Day Timeline with Photographer
6–8 Weeks Before
- Mail Your Invitations
- Order Wedding Favors or Welcome Bags
- Buy Accessories (Veil, jewelry, shoes)
- Write Vows / Notes
- Order Guest Book / Seating Chart Board / Other Signage
2–4 Weeks Before the Wedding
- Apply for / Get Your Marriage License (Make sure it’s for the correct state – it typically needs to be in the State you’re getting married in – most are valid for about 60 days)
- Final RSVPs Due – Follow up with any missing responses so you can give your final headcount to your caterer and venue.
- Final Headcount to Caterer
- Confirm Arrival Times with All Vendors
- Create Tip Envelopes for Vendors (Hand them off to your coordinator or a trusted friend to distribute to vendors after dinner.)
- Create Shot List / Pinterest Board for Photographer
- Make Playlist for the Morning / Getting Ready
1 Week Before:
- Pack Emergency Kit (White chalk, fashion tape, bobby pins, lipstick, deodorant, pain relievers, bandaids, eye drops, mints, water, snacks, tissues, bug spray, sunscreen, etc.)
- Steam / Press Outfits
- Final Vendor Check-ins and Payments
- Give Final Timeline to All Vendors
- Confirm Transportation Pickups
The Week of:
- Finish any Last-Minute Details
- Pack (Morning-of necessities, overnight bags, and Honeymoon luggage)
- Mani-Pedi
- Hair Color
- Waxing
- Rehearsal Dinner
- Rest and Enjoy! (Take in this time with your soon-to-be fiance, family, and friends!)
💡 Bonus Wedding Day Tips
1. Build in Buffer Time
Leave extra time throughout the day. Weddings almost never run exactly on time, buffer time keeps you from feeling rushed.
2. Eat a Real Breakfast
You’ll need energy for a long day. Eat something with protein and stay hydrated.
3. Assign a “Go-To” Person
Choose a trusted friend or coordinator to field vendor questions, manage the timeline, and handle small emergencies so you’re not interrupted.
4. Practice Bustling the Dress
Have your MOH or a bridesmaid practice bustling your dress before the wedding day so it’s not a frustrating surprise later. You can also take a video of your bridal consultant bustling your dress so you can have a visual on the day!
5. Write Personal Vows in a Vowbook / Notebook
Use a physical vow book so you’re not reading off your phone during the ceremony.
6. Break in Your Wedding Shoes
Wear your shoes around the house before the wedding day. Comfortable feet = a happier you.
7. Have a Weather Backup Plan
Make peace with the idea that weather might shift, and if it does, you’re still marrying your person!
8. Plan Alone Time Throughout Your Day
I recommend 2-5 minutes after the first look, 2-5 minutes after the ceremony, and 2-5 minutes after sunset photos. This time together throughout your day helps you be even more present together.
9. Remember It’s Your Day
You can do absolutely anything you want to do. Want to go for a morning walk with your fiance? Do it! Want to have a dance party with your girls in the morning? Do it! Don’t do things you don’t want to do just because it’s what most people do at weddings.
10. Focus on What Matters Most
At the end of the day, the celebration is about your love and your people. Let go of perfection and be fully present.
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