Wedding planning timeline: what to do and when

Start planning about twelve months before the wedding: set the budget, book the venue by eleven months out, send save the dates around eight months out, send invitations six to ten weeks out, and give your caterer the final numbers about two weeks out. Enter your wedding date below for your own dates.

Your wedding planning timeline

Enter your wedding date to get a month-by-month plan. If your date is closer than 12 months, work from the first date that is still ahead of you and do the earlier items together.

How to plan your wedding in six stages

1. Twelve to ten months out: the big decisions. Agree the budget, draft a guest list, book the venue and date, and book your photographer. These sell out first.
2. Nine to six months out: the team and the look. Choose the wedding party, start on attire, send save the dates and open your wedding website, then book music, flowers and transport.
3. Five to three months out: the details. Book guest accommodation, plan the menu, order invitations and book any rehearsal or travel.
4. Two months out: send invitations. Six to ten weeks before for most weddings. See when to send wedding invitations.
5. One month out: confirm. Final fittings, reply-by date, chasing replies and confirming every supplier in writing.
6. The last two weeks: numbers and the schedule. Send the final headcount, finish the seating plan and write the day-of timeline.

What if my wedding is less than twelve months away?

Start from the first item that is still ahead of you, and do the earlier tasks together, venue and photographer first. The order matters more than the dates. If you have less than three months, book the venue and a caterer first, and keep everything else simple.

What comes first: the venue or the date?

The venue. Choose it, then the date it has free. A flexible date gives you more choice and often a lower price.

Tools that help

• The invitation timeline gives every invitation date and a calendar file.
• The budget calculator splits your total across the categories.
• The seating chart maker turns replies into tables.
• The guest list organiser keeps names and addresses.

Questions

What is the wedding planning timeline?

It is a schedule from about twelve months before the wedding, starting with the budget and venue and ending with the final headcount and the day-of timeline.

How far in advance should I start planning a wedding?

Twelve months is common, but you can plan in less. Book the venue and the main suppliers first.

When should I send save the dates and invitations?

Save the dates about eight months before, and invitations six to ten weeks before for most weddings. Allow more time for a destination wedding.

What should I do first?

Agree your budget and guest list, then book the venue. Almost everything else depends on those.

Can I print the timeline?

Yes. Enter your date, then use the print button under the table, or copy it as text.