The Wedding Planning Timeline

The first thing that needs to be considered when planning the ultimate wedding is how much time you will give yourself for the planning. In essence this means what day you will set the date of the wedding.

This may sound like a trivial matter, but it really is important because it will let you know what the time limit is for making your preparations.

Some weddings can take up to 3-4 months to prepare for and plan. This is pretty typical, depending on how big you are planning for your wedding to be and how fancy etc.

If you are not giving yourself more than a month, then planning is naturally different. Because of the differences in the time that you are giving yourself to planning the wedding, it is best to give the best planning methods and you may use them or not use them as they apply to your case.

One of the most important factors that go with planning a wedding is determining who you will be delegating specific duties to. For example, if you are terrible at choosing flowers, who will you assign to do it for you?

Here are several things you can delegate to others:
· Catering
· Invitations and seating arrangements
· Decorations for wedding and reception, center pieces
· Rehearsal dinners etc.
· Music and/or DJ
· Brides maid and groomsmen gifts and favors
· Gowns, and tuxedos
· Bridal showers/bachelor parties etc.

All of these things are usual must-haves when it comes to a wedding, unless of course you opt not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen in the wedding. All of these things can be extremely stressful and difficult to try to do on your own as well.

After you have delegated the responsibilities, you should next set a specific time period to have all of the tasks completed. Creating a to-do list and time sheet is a great way to do this. That way, when all of the tasks are finished you can easily check them off.

You should set up specific times and days to discuss the progress of things as well, just in case things are not going so well. In doing this you will be able to help make sure that all things are running smoothly.

Be sure the people you delegate tasks to understand the wedding couple's wishes, desires and preferences. And be sure everyone knows what their parts of the budget is, and how important it is for them to stick within that budget.

Here's an ideal 12 month wedding timeline:

12 months before your Wedding day
· Announce the engagement
· Set your wedding date
· Create a budget
· Hire a Wedding Coordinator (optional)
· Create your guest list
· Start brainstorming ideas and themes
· Reserve your Ceremony spot
· Book an Officiate
· Make reservations for your Reception area
· Book a Photographer and Videographer
· Book Caterer, Florist and Music (Band, DJ, etc.)
· Look for a Wedding gown and Tux, allowing time for alterations and fittings
· Register for gifts
· Select and call the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
· Agree on a date to order bridesmaids' dresses and groomsmen's tuxes
· Choose a destination for your Honeymoon
· Apply for passports, if required

6 months before your Wedding day
· Finalize your guest list
· Decide on the timeline and details of Ceremony and Reception
· Order/make invitations, and thank you notes
· Make airline and hotel reservations for the Honeymoon
· Choose a caterer, a florist and place an order for the wedding cake.
· Book Transportation (Limo, Antique Car, Etc.) for wedding day
· Shop for any Party rentals

3-4 months before your Wedding day
· Mail out/hand deliver invitations
· Confirm wedding details and contracts with all wedding vendors
· Choose gifts for your attendants
· Set a date and time for the rehearsal dinner
· Help make travel arrangements for any out-of-town guests
· Make final alterations and fittings for the Wedding Gown and Tux
· Set time with your Photographer for the Bridal Portrait or Engagement shoot

1 month before your Wedding day
· Apply for the marriage license
· Buy your wedding bands
· Finalize music list and no-play list with band or DJ
· Attend showers
· Make insurance arrangements

1-2 weeks before your Wedding day
· Schedule the rehearsal a day or two before your wedding day
· Make an appointment with a Beauty Salon for day of wedding
· Send a wedding announcement to the local newspapers (optional)
· Make necessary arrangements for name & address change, if any.
· Discuss final details with the reception Site and the Caterer
· Pack for honeymoon
· Write out all checks needed for wedding day
· Send reminders to the rehearsal dinner attendees about the location & time
· Discuss final details of the ceremony and reception with family and bridal party

Wedding day or day before
· Visit your Beauty Salon for manicure and pedicure
· Host the rehearsal and dinner.
· Make sure the ushers have the final guest list.

Special note: This timeline was adapted form a timeline that was created by www.onewed.com and is meant as a sample. Bear in mind that everything in this timeline is optional and may change the overall timetable as you add and remove certain aspects.

Detailed resources, information and original ideas for your wedding, prom or any formal event can be found at www.WeddingsAndFormals.com

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