Wedding Planning Time Line.

[dearmissie]

Hey ladies, I'm trying to figure out when it's the "right time" to start DIY projects, contact certain vendors, and have wedding events so hopefully someone can help me. I'm trying to break down my planning by month so I can give copies to the bridal party, but I'm not sure what belongs where.

I know we can pretty much do DIY projects, contact/book vendors, or have wedding events whenever to our liking. And that a lot of people's time line varies, but if possible could I get a general idea what's a good time line to start working on a project (in case we need to do lots of trial and error, what's enough time to perfect the project??) or contact/book a vendor?? I know certain vendors vary (like get your venue and photographer ASAP) so it doesn't get snatched up by someone else. In addition, how many weeks/months before the wedding should we have certain wedding events?? I'm so clueless!! Haha!!

Soooooo, I'll just throw a list out there of vendors (a general list for everyone to use) and other wedding related things that we need to do and if you can respond next to each vendor how many months in general before the wedding we should start the project or contact/book them that would help me a ton!! Thanks so much!! I look forward to hearing everyone's unique time line!!

-Venue
-Photographer
-Videographer
-Officiant/Priest
-STDs (also when should we send these out??)
-Invitations (also when we should send these out??)
-Favors
-Photobooth
-DJ
-Favors
-Thank you cards (when do we send these out??)
-Block a row of rooms for the guests at the hotel
-Book a room for the bridal party to get ready at
-Couples counseling
-Honeymoon
-Engagement pictures
-Bakery
-Lighting
-Aisle runner
-Buy wedding dress
-Buy bridesmaid's dresses
-Rent Grooms suit/tux
-Rent groomsmen's suit/tux
-Mothers dress
-Father's suit/tux
-Engagement party
-Bridal/Wedding shower
-Bachelor/Bachelorette party
-Caterers
-Bartender
-Live band
-MC
-Buy wedding bands
-Buy bridal jewelry
-Buy wedding party (bridesmaids and groomsmen) gifts
-Make up artist
-Hair dresser


That's pretty much all I can think of right now. If anyone has anything else to add to the list, please feel free. Thanks again!!

[Spatch4Officers]

Missie - I found a ton of checklists on google - if you search "wedding checklists" there are a bunch of them - depending on what you wanna get done when, here's one you can click on the time frame for what you need to do in that specific months.
http://wedding.weddingchannel.com/planning/checklist/12-10months.asp

:)

[dearmissie]

Kay that is a great link!! That's so much for it!! I'm going to print out those pages and give it to the bridal party and also post it on our private wedding website forum!! Thanks so much!! :flower4u::flower4u:

[Spatch4Officers]

no prob my dear!!! :)

[MrsDM]

Ok before I answer all of these, keep in mind I live in Wisconsin and late spring-early fall are the most common for weddings due to the cold/snow, so things get booked up fast. I put next to all of these when we booked them.

-Venue - 17 months
-Photographer - 15 months
-Videographer - N/A
-Officiant/Priest - 17 months
-STDs (also when should we send these out??) - N/A, but I would think ASAP
-Invitations (also when we should send these out??) - 8 weeks
-Favors - We did tulip bulbs, so I didn't get the bulbs sent to be until about 2 weeks before, so thats when we did it. I would have had them done sooner if I could.
-Photobooth - N/A, but I would think to start researching prices and when you find the right price, book it!
-DJ - 15 months
-Thank you cards (when do we send these out??) - We sent ours out about within 1 month after the wedding
-Block a row of rooms for the guests at the hotel - We held our reception at the hotel, so as soon as we booked the hotel, they blocked the rooms out, but I'd think with summer vacations, the sooner you could get it blocked, the better (like maybe this summer/fall?)
-Book a room for the bridal party to get ready at - I did about 2-3 months before
-Couples counseling - Check with your officiant, we did ours about 14 months in advanced, and then we had to come in to touch base prior to the wedding. It was actually helpful to go through it earlier with the amount of stress you are under while planning a wedding (and in our case, selling/buying a house)
-Honeymoon - I think you may want to start researching prices now and see if they will go up/down at all. Plane tickets are fluxuating so much right now, its hard to say.
-Engagement pictures - 11 months
-Bakery - 6 months
-Lighting - 3 months
-Aisle runner - N/A, but I think this is something that could easily be accomplished at anytime.
-Buy wedding dress - 11 months (took 8 months to get in)
-Buy bridesmaid's dresses - 8 months
-Rent Grooms suit/tux - 4 months
-Rent groomsmen's suit/tux - 4 months
-Mothers dress - 7/8 months
-Father's suit/tux - 4 months
-Engagement party - N/A, but the sooner the better!
-Bridal/Wedding shower - Mine was thrown for me about 2 months in advanced
-Bachelor/Bachelorette party - One week
-Caterers - The hotel catered, but we did our taste testing about 6 months beforehand (so much fun!)
-Bartender - Same as above, hotel provided, but I would think a few months before.
-Live band - N/A, but maybe 9-12 months
-MC - Unsure
-Buy wedding bands - 8 months, (got mine custom made, otherwise we would have waited)
-Buy bridal jewelry - 2-3 months
-Buy wedding party (bridesmaids and groomsmen) gifts - 2-3 months
-Make up artist - N/A, but I'd say maybe 6-8 months
-Hair dresser - 8 months

[The Proper Wedding]

The guideline that I've been following I got from the free planner that I received from JC Penney's after creating a registry there. This thing has really come in handy. The timeline seems to be pretty good. So here it goes:

-Venue- select and reserve 9 months +
-Photographer- select and book 9 months +
-Videographer- select and book 6-9 months
-Officiant/Priest- select and reserve 9 months +
-STDs (also when should we send these out??)- It doesn't say, but I read somewhere else that it should be sent out about 6 months, we sent ours at 9 months (only b/c we hand delivered as many as possible at Christmas time for cheaper postage for the ones that had to be mailed ;))
-Invitations (also when we should send these out??)- Select and order 4-6 months. mail invites 6-8 weeks.
-Favors- 2-4 months
-Photobooth- this one wasn't listed
-DJ- 6-9 months
-Thank you cards (when do we send these out??) Select and order 4-6 months.
-Block a row of rooms for the guests at the hotel- 4-6 months
-Book a room for the bridal party to get ready at- it doesn't exactly have this one, but since wedding night bridal suite is 6-9 and guest accomodations are 4-6, I would say anywhere from 4-9, probably the earlier the better.
-Couples counseling- this one I would suggest talking with your pastor, or whoever is going to marry you and see what they have to say about it. we are going to start ours in June, which will be 3 months. it depends on how many sessions they want to have, everyone is different
-Honeymoon- start planning 4-6 months
-Engagement pictures-9 months +
-Bakery- select bakery and order cake 2-4 months
-Lighting-not listed
-Aisle runner- it doesn't exactly list this one, but if you consider it "room decoration" then it would be 2-4 months
-Buy wedding dress- select and order gown
-Buy bridesmaid's dresses- select 6-9 months
-Rent Grooms suit/tux - 6-8 weeks
-Rent groomsmen's suit/tux- 6-8 weeks
-Mothers dress- doesn't say, but I would guess same time as bridesmaids
-Father's suit/tux- 6-8 weeks
-Engagement party- doesn't say, but I would guess at any time before the wedding, probably in the 9 months + range, we had ours at 15 months
-Bridal/Wedding shower- it doesn't say, but that's probably because someone else is supposed to throw it, I believe I read somewhere else that 1 month is a good time for it
-Bachelor/Bachelorette party- again, this one isn't listed. I would say maybe somewhere during the last week?
-Caterers- select and book 6-9 months
-Bartender- not listed, but possibly the same time as caterer
-Live band 6-9 months
-MC- 6-9 months
-Buy wedding bands- shop for (and have engraved) 2-4 months
-Buy bridal jewelry- purchase shoes & accessories 4-6 months
-Buy wedding party (bridesmaids and groomsmen) gifts-2-4 months
-Make up artist- 6-8 weeks
-Hair dresser- 6-8 weeks

[The Proper Wedding]

Here's a list of items that you didn't list that you might also find helpful. Some of the may not apply to you, but here they are anyways.

9months & earlier
9 months +
-hire a professional wedding consultant if needed
-determine the type of wedding you want: location, formality, time of day, number of guests, etc.
-determine budget and how expenses will be shared
-develop a record-keeping system for payments made
-consolidate guest lists: brides', groom's, bride's family, groom's family and organize into 1. those who must be invited, 2. those who should be invited, 3. those who would be nice to invite
-decide if you want to include children among guests
-determine your color scheme
-send engagement notice with a photo to your local newspaper
-if ceremony and reception is at home, arrange for home or garden improvements as needed
-order birth certificates for your marriage license
-order passport or visa, if needed for your honeymoon


6-9 Months
-reserve bridal suite
-select and book ceremony musicians
-schedule fittings and delivery dates for yourself, attendants, flower girl and ring bearer
-select and book florist


4-6 months
-start shopping for each other's wedding gifts
-reserve rental items needed for ceremony and reception
-finalize guest list
-select date, time and location for your rehearsal dinner
-select and book all misc servies (ie. gift attendants, valet parking, etc)
-begin to break-in your shoes
-register for gifts

2-4 months
-purchase honeymood attire and luggage
-select and book transportation for wedding day
-check blood test and marriage license requirements
-consider having yoru teeth cleaned or bleached
-consider writing a will and/or prenuptial agreement
-plan activities for out of town guests both before and after the wedding
-review and update your registry


6-8 weeks
-maintain a record of rsvp's and all gifts received. send thank yous upon receipt of gifts
-finalize shopping for wedding day accessories, such as toasting glasses, ring pillow, guest book, etc
-set up an area or a table in your home to display gifts as you receive them
-check with your local newspapers for wedding annoucement requirements
-have your formal wedding portrait taken
- check requirements to change your name and address on your driver's license, social security card, subscriptions, bank accounts, etc)
-select a guest book attendant. decide where and when to have guests sign in
-mail invitations to rehearsal dinner
-get blood test and health certificate
-obtain marriage license
-plan a luncheon or dinner with your bridesmaids. give them their gifts that time or at the rehearsal dinner
-find "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a six pence (or shiny penny) for your shoe"
-finalize your menu, beverage and alcohol order
-review and update your registry

2-6 weeks
-confirm ceremony details with yoru officiant
-arrange a final fitting of bridesmaids dresses
-have a final fitting of your gown and headpiece
-finalize rehearsal dinner plans; arrane seating and write names on placecard if desired
-make final floral selections
-make a timeline for your wedding party
-make a detailed tiemline for your service providers
-confirm details with all service profiders, including attire. give them a copy of yoru wedding timeline
-start packing for your honeymoon
-finalize addressing and stamping announcements
-decide if you want to form a receiving line. if so, determine when and where to form the line
-contact guests who haven't responded
-pick up rings and check for fit
-meet with photographer and confirm special photos you want
-meet with videographer and confirm special events or people you want videotaped
-meet with musicians and confirm music to be played during special events, such as first dance
-continue writing thank yous as gifts arrive
-remind bridesmaids and ushers of when and where to pick up their wedding attire
-purchase the lipstick, nail polish and any other accessories you want your bridesmaids to wear
-determine ceremony seating for special guests. give a list to the ushers
-plan reception room layout and seating with your reception site manager or caterer. write names on placecards for arranged seating


The Last Week
-pick up wedding attire and make sure everything fits
-do final guest count and notify your caterer or reception site manager
-arrange for someone to drive the getaway car
-review the scheduled evetns with your service providers. give them each a detailed timeline
-confirm all honeymood reservations and accomodations. pick up tickets and travelers' checks
-finish packing your suitcases for the honeymoon
-familiarize yoruself with guests' names. it will help during the receiving line and reception
-notify the post office to hold your mail while you're away on your honeymoon
-review and update your registry (*majority of gifts are purchased within 48 hours of the event*)

The day of rehearsal
-create and review your list of things to take to the rehearsal
-put suitcases in getaway car
-give your bridesmaids the lipstick, nail polish and accessories you want them to wear for the wedding
-give best man the officant's fee and any other checks for service providers. instruct him to deliver these checks the day of the wedding
-arrange for someone to bring accessories, such as flower basket, ring pillow, guest book and pen, toasting glasses, cake cutting knife and napkins the the ceremony and reception
-arrange for the maid of honor to mail announcements the day after the wedding
-arrange for someone to return rental items, such as tux's, slip and cake pillers after the wedding
-provide each member of yoru wedding party with a detailed schedule fo events/timelines for the wedding day
-review ceremony seating with ushers

The Wedding Day
-review a list of things to take to the cermemony
-give the gromm's ring to the maid of honor
-give the bride's ring to the best man
-simply follow your detailed schedule of events
-relax and enjoy your wedding

[mrbeaubo]

GREAT list! Thanks for this!

[bright_eyes]

-Venue - 7 months
-Photographer - 4 months
-Videographer - N/A
-Officiant/Priest - 3 months
-STDs (also when should we send these out??) - 6 months
-Invitations (also when we should send these out??) - 2 months
-Favors - we are doing edibles so probably couple weeks before
-Photobooth - N/A
-DJ - 3.5 months
-Thank you cards (when do we send these out??) - will probablu send ours within a month after the wedding
-Block a row of rooms for the guests at the hotel - just did so its about 3 months
-Book a room for the bridal party to get ready at - will book ASAP so 3 months befire
-Couples counseling - not doing it
-Honeymoon - researching honeymoons/prices - for last 4 months. Will book probably a month prior
-Engagement pictures - 3 months (just got them done past Sunday!!!)
-Bakery - 4.5 months
-Lighting - 1.5 months *(my wedding planner is taking care of it)
-Aisle runner - I think this is something that could easily be accomplished at anytime.
-Buy wedding dress - 7 months (took 2!!!!! weeks to get in)
-Buy bridesmaid's dresses - 4 months
-Rent Grooms suit/tux - didnt do it yet. Probably 2.5 months
-Rent groomsmen's suit/tux - didnt do it yet. Probably 2.5 months
-Mothers dress - 3 months (she just bought it!)
-Father's suit/tux - 1-2 months
-Engagement party - N/A
-Bridal/Wedding shower - N/A
-Bachelor/Bachelorette party - 3 weeks
-Caterers - 5 months
-Bartender - 5 months
-Live band - N/A
-MC - Our DJ is an MC as well so same as DJ
-Buy wedding bands - 3 months (mine came in as a set with my e-ring,)
-Buy bridal jewelry - 2-3 months
-Buy wedding party (bridesmaids and groomsmen) gifts - 1 month
-Make up artist - 3 months
-Hair dresser - 3 months



PS: Our engagement is considerably short (8 months) and I am a procrastinating type so I my timeline is skewed for brides that are much more hands on. Also I have a wedding planner so he can get me everything last minute if I wanted to.