Wedding Timeline TODO List - Boundless Bliss

Before getting engaged I knew there were numerous things I would have to do to plan our wedding, however I didn’t really realize all the little things that had to be done as well. In addition to the TODO list in my Erin Condren wedding planner (shared last week on the blog, so check it out) I created an extremely comprehensive TODO list for myself to ensure I have everything down to the drop of wine covered.

I don’t know how people get engaged one month and then 6 months later get married. Yes, I am sure I could do it, but I am thoroughly enjoying the wedding planning process and am grateful I have/had a year and a half at the get go (I am going to miss planning when it’s done).

Below is the comprehensive TODO list I created for myself while planning. I want to emphasize, don’t wait until certain time points to do stuff. The time points are great solid guidelines, but if you find something ahead of the timeline book it, buy it, get it. I have learned some of the best vendors have to be booked gloriously in advance (which I fortunately have done) but if I wouldn’t have and have followed the “TODO” guidelines then I am sure I would not have been able to book some of them.

Point being the “TODO” guidelines are fluid. Fluid in the sense that they can be completed before there time frame.

Wedding Timeline

18 Months-16 Months:

Determine wedding date
Research wedding ceremony venues and book
Research wedding reception venues and book
Create a budget
Create a wedding Pinterest board for all wedding stuff minus wedding dresses
Created a wedding dress Pinterest board (bridal shops will want to see this when you are dress shopping)
Order Erin Condren wedding planner

16 Months-14 Months:

Choose the wedding party
- Purchase gifts to ask wedding party to be in the wedding
Start researching wedding photographers
Start researching wedding theme
Start working on wedding website
Start a vendor spreadsheet
Write everything down in your wedding planner

14 Months-12 Months:

Finalize wedding theme
Pick wedding colors
Book photographer
Book engagement photos; book early as good photographers are booked way out
Start a wedding guest spreadsheet
Start thinking about your honeymoon
Start researching caterers
Have engagement party

12 Months-10 Months:

Hire a day of wedding planner
Purchase wedding insurance
Register for gifts; create more than one registry
Reserve hotel blocks
Book the officiant
Have engagement photos taken
Start wedding dress shopping and purchase (they take a long time to make)
Pick out bridesmaids dresses and have them go for fittings (bridesmaids dresses take a long time to be made as well)
Research your DJ/band
Start research wedding cake/dessert and do tastings (I highly suggest doing multiple)

10 Months-8 Months:

Order save the date samples
Do catering tasting
Book DJ
Research florists
Launch wedding website
Sign wedding cake/dessert contract
Pending venue hire a bartending company and bartenders; purchase necessary licensure if needed
Research and book lightening (if you need additional)

8 Months-6 Months:

Order save the dates
Out of town wedding: send save the dates
Order invitation samples
Start a draft of your wedding day timeline
Book your caterer/sign contract
Book your florist
Look for wedding day shoes and purchase (you will need for wedding dress fittings)
Order tables and chairs for wedding ceremony and reception
Book Honeymoon
Start wedding day workouts
Book ceremony musicians

6 Months- 4 Months:

In town wedding: send save the dates
Order final invitations
Create rehearsal dinner guest list
Book rehearsal dinner/venue
Send bridal shower guest list to host
Book hair & makeup
Research wedding day transportation
Purchase wedding rings
Shop for male formal wear: tux vs. suit
Research type of music for wedding; start creating spreadsheet for DJ/band
Set up meeting with your officiant
Start purchasing ceremony and reception decor
Wine and beverage tasting
Research flower selection
Renew passports if needed

3 Months:

Send out invitations
Book wedding day transportation
Purchase wedding accessories for bride
Start dress fittings
Attend wedding/bridal shower
Have complete rough draft of wedding day timeline
Meet with your day of planner and review wedding day timeline and vendors
Order menu cards
Order ceremony programs
Order name cards
Purchase wedding party gifts
Send your DJ/band specifics on music played at wedding
Take dance classes if needed
Purchase/rent wedding day linens
Purchase/rent wedding day dishes (chargers, plates, silverware, cups, etc.)
Finalize flower selection with florist: bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages
Purchase wedding day get ready outfits for the bridesmaids

2 Months:

Follow up with guests who haven’t responded to invites toward the end of the month
Send out thank yous for your wedding shower
Purchase grooms parents gifts
Purchase bride’s parents gifts
Make photo books for wedding gift/card table
Order wedding guest sign book
Ensure bridesmaids are doing their dress fittings
Bachelor party
Bachelorette party
Order wedding favors
Ensure your ceremony site has a sound system and if not work with you DJ/band to see if they can supply this
Finalize cocktail list and purchase what needed
Work on and purchase flower girl attire and basket
Purchase/rent aisle runner
Book wedding night room/house
Book wedding party day of rooms

1 Month:

Do final walk through at ceremony and wedding reception venue with required vendors & day of wedding planner
Confirm details with vendors (day of wedding planner usually does this)
Obtain marriage license
Mail out rehearsal dinner invites
Confirm your bridesmaids have everything they need
Work on the seating chart and complete
Purchase welcome bag items for hotels when guests arrive
Purchase a card box
Finalize wedding day timeline
Organize all wedding payments (all due at different times and in different methods)
Finalize and ensure you have all wedding decor
Hire cleaning crew for post wedding cleanup
Purchase/create table numbering
Purchase/rent dessert/cake display and decor
Test out spray tanning if you plan on doing this
Start working on wedding day vows
Final dress fittings

3 Weeks:

Plan wedding day food: breakfast and lunch for wedding party
Send caterer final guest numbers
Purchase wedding day lingerie
Purchase items for bathroom baskets for day of wedding
Determine wedding party positions

2 Weeks:

Get haircut and colored
Create wedding day playlist for bridal party to get ready to
Create wedding day playlist for grooms party to get ready to
Purchase booze for wedding party day of wedding
Arrange for post wedding transportation of gifts and all decor
Get teeth whitened

1 Week:

Spa appointment
Manicure & Pedicure appointment
Groom haircut
Assembly bathroom baskets for day of wedding
Work on and finalize wedding day signage
Spray tan if needed
Pick up any final items needed for the wedding

Day Before:

Rehearsal dinner
Confirm all details with wedding party

Wedding Day:

Let your day of wedding planner handle all of your planning
Hair and makeup
Pictures/first look
Ceremony
Reception
Dance the night away!

Post Wedding:

Send out thank yous
Obtain edited photos from photographers
Preserve your wedding dress
Get name changed on all licensure and documents
Return and rented items you need to

Have fun with wedding planning; don’t let all the tasks be daunting. Keeping organized will definitely help.

Congrats!

Engagement Photo Credit: Gillespie Photography (Book them they are amazing)