There’s a lot to do in the weeks and months before your "I dos." Creating a wedding planning timeline can help you stay on task and ensure you don’t accidentally skip anything important.
This guide includes advice on when to:
Choose your wedding date and book your venue
Secure your core vendors and send save-the-dates
Finalize your theme, attire, and detailed plans
Confirm guest count and manage RSVPs
Enjoy the final touches before your big day
Here’s a look at a general wedding timeline to help you get started.
Plan Your Dream Wedding With Modern Moments!
It’s never too early to start laying the groundwork for your perfect day. Start putting your wedding plans in place with the help of Modern Moments’ wedding planning services. Our experts know how to put our indoor and outdoor venues to good use. Whether you’re planning a micro wedding or a grand celebration, we have ideas to suit.
Choose Your Wedding Date and Book Your Venue
As soon as you're engaged and ready, you can create a timeline for planning your wedding reception. Most experts recommend giving yourself around 12 months to plan everything, meaning you’ll kickstart the process about 1 year before your desired wedding date.
To select your date and venue:
Narrow down your ideal season, budget, and guest count.
Tour venues early and book as soon as you’re confident in your decision.
Consider Modern Moments for indoor and outdoor venue options in the Phoenix Valley area.
Secure your Core Vendors and Send Save-the-Dates
Around 9-12 months before your wedding, it’s time to start booking your vendors. This includes deciding on a photographer, caterer, wedding planner, florist, and entertainment.
You should start scheduling specific events and tasks, too, like your engagement photoshoot and dress and suit fittings. Of course, you’ll have to select and notify your wedding party first!
Finally, you’ll send your save-the-date cards around 6-8 months before the big day. This gives guests plenty of time to get time off work and book travel.
Finalize Your Theme, Attire, and Detailed Plans
When you enter the “6 months to go” window, it’s time to solidify your wedding vision. General ideas should be whittled down to detailed plans and definitive choices.
Finalize your color palette, décor/theme, and floral arrangements.
Book transportation, hotel blocks, and hair and makeup artists.
Design your stationery, including invitations, programs, and signage.
Work on DIY projects, like wedding favors or centerpieces.
Work with your wedding planner on the final ceremony and reception timelines.
Confirm Guest Count and Manage RSVPs
When you have about 3 months left, it’s time to focus on logistics. This means zeroing in on the numbers. If you send out formal invitations around 8-10 weeks before your wedding, you should soon have a good idea of who’s coming, so you can update your final headcount.
Share details on meal selections and seating charts with your vendors. You can also start finalizing your music playlist and photographer’s shot list.
Enjoy the Final Touches Before Your Big Day
The final step on your timeline for planning your wedding reception is to make the most of your last 30 days pre-wedding. The more you do now, the more confident you’ll be going into the ceremony and reception.
Confirm your final walkthroughs with your venue and vendors.
Create welcome bags and/or gifts for your guests and wedding party.
Meet with your wedding planner or coordinate to list which tasks they’ll take care of and what you’ll still need to oversee.
Take time for self-care. This might include scheduling a message, fitting in your normal workouts, or turning to journaling or meditation.
Take time with your partner. Remember, this is all about your love and partnership, so don’t let that get lost in the shuffle (even temporarily).
Above all, you must trust your preparation once the big day arrives. Worrying about details or small imperfections won’t help anyone, but it will impact your memories. Take lots of deep breaths, focus on your future spouse, and get ready to celebrate!
Let Modern Moments Handle the Details — So You Can Focus on the Celebration!
Planning a wedding can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Too often, couples take responsibility for tasks best left to the experts. At Modern Moments, we offer planning services that allow you to hand off key tasks so you can concentrate on creating a lifetime’s worth of memories. Trust us with your big day, and we won’t let you down!