Ultimate wedding planning timeline and checklist
Ultimate wedding planning timeline and checklist
Congratulations! You are now engaged and in desperate need to know where to begin planning for your wedding. No need to worry!! We are here to help you get organised. If you follow our 12-month timeline, your wedding planning will be a breeze. Good luck!
12 months prior
Set a budget talk with your fiance/parents
Pick a date and schedule venue tours- venues are the most important cause they tend to be booked even 2 years in advance
Reserve ceremony and reception venues- if you’re on a budget look at venues far from the city
Decide on the wedding date- your wedding date might be decided according to the venue’s availability
Draft a guest list
Hiring a wedding planner- if you don’t have time then hire otherwise don’t
Choose wedding party
10-11 months prior
Send save the date cards, prioritising out of town/country guests limits, backup for a rainy day, weekday weddings are less expensive
Organise a planning binder- to hold business cards and receipts
8-10 months prior
Hire photographer/videographer- if you’re on a budget find a vendor that provides both services cause they might be able to offer a discount for combination of services
Wedding dress time! This is the most important detail for most brides and just like venues wedding dresses are in high demand, so if you find one 10 months prior to your wedding, that’ll be enough time for them to do altering and fit on before the wedding date customisations fitting consultation and alterations.
Think colour! Weddings can change according to the season so it’s important to think colour schemes, which flowers will be in season, booking a person to look over those details should happen around this time.
Organise catering for the reception- if you’re on a budget, hiring a caterer might be cheaper than going with the venues catering options
Celebrant. This person is going to be hosting your wedding ceremony, it’s important that the couple has a good rapport with the celebrant. According to births, deaths and marriages Victoria, the celebrant needs to be registered or an authorised minister of religion
6 months prior
Choose a hashtag- it’ll be fun to start posting on social media, to hype up your guests and get everyone to use the same hashtag for the wedding as well.
Order the cake- Find a cake designer who can help you design the cake that you’ve always wanted.
Organise space for all parties to comfortably get dressed on the day
Book hairdressers and makeup artists- Depending on your bridal party you can either find someone who works on their own or in a team. Most important is to do trials so you know exactly what you’re getting on the day of the wedding.
Music- depending on whether you want a band or a DJ or BOTH!! Figure out what type of music yourself and your guests will enjoy dancing the night away to.
4 month prior
Bridesmaid outfits- if you’re on a budget you might be able to ask your bridesmaids to help out with buying their own outfits/ shoes and jewellery. In this case, you cannot be too picky if you’re asking them to buy it. Take into consideration what kind of whether you might have around that time of the year.
Book honeymoon- This is your official first trip as a married couple, figure out what you both want to be doing according to your interests. Rely on reviews and book early
Rings
Groom and groomsmen attire- allow enough time to either purchase/ rent mens formal wear and to get them altered.
Organise space for rehearsal dinner
2-3 months prior
Send out wedding invitations- Order samples first which most establishments allow you to order online. Consider how to word it, triple check the final proof before sending it out to be printed.
Transport- Home to the wedding, wedding to reception, reception to honeymoon
Finalise your vows- speak to the officiant to see when they’re covering and when to insert personal vows. Keep it short and it would be best rehearsed
Wedding favours- get favours personalised and dated. choose something that has a meaning to you as a couple or even a donation to your favourite charity
Bridal party gifts- Make sure to add a personalised note then decide whether you want to give everyone the same gift or different ones,
Lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage with births, deaths and marriages Victoria
Decide on who the 2 eyewitnesses are for the day of the wedding
One month prior
Purchase guest book
Check on notice of intended marriage
Final dress and suit fittings
Finalise wedding speeches and itinerary
2 weeks left!!!
Review the final RSVP list
Final meeting with photographer and videographer to discuss must haves
Deliver final song list to DJ
Haircuts and colouring should be done at least 2 weeks out.
1 week left
Get your florist to show the flowers they’d be using and get them to make centrepieces so you’ll have an idea what it’ll look like
Seating charts, table cards
Confirm with every single wedding vendor
2-3 days away
Gowns and suits pressed and steamed
Organise everyone’s positions for the ceremony
Hand over all DIY material to the reception site
Organise a bridal emergency kit- anything that you might need on the from fashion tape, hairspray to medicine,
Day before the wedding
Provide all professionals with emergency contact details
Hand over marriage licence to the officiant
Rehearsal dinner
Get a mani-pedi or have a spa day with the girls.
On your wedding day
Your wedding day is finally here! Remember to take a step back and appreciate all the hard work you’ve put in and cherish the beauty of your special day with your better half
