Wedding planning timeline
Plan your wedding from what shapes most to what shapes least: first the budget, the number of guests, the date and the venue; then the suppliers that get booked up (caterer, photographer, music); then invitations and the website; and in the last few weeks, RSVPs, seating plan and finishing touches. Lead times depend on how far ahead your suppliers get booked, so ask them early.
First things first
These decisions shape all the others, so they come before anything else:
- The total budget.
- A rough guest list.
- The season and the date.
- The venue.
As soon as you have a date and a venue
- Book the most sought-after suppliers: the caterer if the venue doesn't provide one, photography and video, music.
- Send the save-the-date, especially to anyone who has to travel.
- Create the wedding website with what you already know: date, venue and accommodation.
The following months
- Dress, suit and rings.
- Flowers, decoration and invitations.
- Gift registry.
- Transport for guests, if you are providing it.
- Paperwork for the ceremony, civil or religious: ask early which documents you need and how long they take.
Two or three months before
- Send the invitations with the RSVP deadline.
- Finish the website: schedule, directions, frequently asked questions.
- Menu tasting.
The last few weeks
And leave some time free of tasks in the last few days: something always comes up.
- Close the RSVPs and message anyone who hasn't replied.
- Give the caterer the final numbers, menus and allergies.
- Finalise the seating plan.
- Go over the timings for the day with the venue and suppliers.