The countdown clock to your wedding date is ticking, yet your still unsure where to begin.  The designers from North Coast Events want to lend a hand in your progression, so we've put together our own wedding planning timeline.  Use this wedding planning timeline to guide you through the planning process, month by month.





12 to 9 Months Prior

__ Establish a preliminary budget and work out who will be responsible for which expenses
__ Select and purchase an engagement ring with your fiancé
__ Select a wedding date and time
__ Determine the type of wedding you want (formality, style, color scheme)
__ Compile a preliminary guest list and determine the size of your wedding
__ Select and secure your wedding consultant
__ Select and order the bridesmaids' dresses. Arrange fittings, alterations pick-ups and deliveries
__ Select and secure your reception location
__ Select and secure your ceremony location
__ Decide on a rehearsal date and time with your ceremony site and officiant
__ Determine who will officiate at the ceremony
__ Begin choosing your ceremony and reception vendors
__ Select and order invitations and thank-you notes

9 To 6 Months Prior

__ Select and secure a photographer and/or videographer
__ Select and secure your Musicians and/or DJ for ceremony and reception
__ Select and secure a caterer (if not already provided by the reception location)
__ Select and secure a florist and decorator
__ Select and secure your rental company
__ Select and secure your linen company
__ Select and order Grooms attire. Arrange fittings, alterations pick-ups and deliveries
__ Select and purchase wedding dress, headpiece, veil and, shoes, bridal jewelry, etc
__ Select and purchase wedding rings/bands
__ Start planning for honeymoon and select a travel agent if necessary
__ Register a gift bridal registry in your favorite store
__ Send out “save the date” cards

6 To 4 Months Prior

__ Send your engagement announcement to the newspaper
__ Select and reserve accommodations for out of town guests if necessary
__ Finalize your guest list
__ Select and secure your wedding cake baker
__ Select and secure your wedding transportation and/or limousines
__ Make appointments for a physical exam with your doctor/dentist
__ Check requirements for blood test and marriage license in your state
__ Select and purchase trousseau
__ Select and order the men's attire
__ Inform mothers to select their dresses
__ Finalize any ordering that must be done prior to the wedding
__ Finalize honeymoon details and make the necessary reservations
__ If you are moving, begin to make arrangements and begin your packing

4 Months to 6 Weeks Prior

__ Begin addressing invitations
__ Begin writing thank-you notes for gifts received
__ Mail invitations to out of town guests
__ Reserve your hairstylist and make any other pre-wedding beauty appointments necessary           (manicure, spa, etc) for yourself and attendants
__ Select and secure your make-up artist
__ Select and order your favors for the ceremony and reception
__ Purchase all wedding accessories such as the ring pillow, goblets, garter belt, candles,               guestbook, ceremony programs etc
__ Attend wedding classes if necessary
__ Plan the bridesmaids' luncheon and any other showers or parties

1 Month Prior

__ Mail Invitations to local guests
__ Begin RSVP tally
__ Attend final fittings for the entire wedding party
__ Purchase gifts for bridal party, family etc (Don’t forget to wrap them)
__ Get your marriage license and obtain any health records needed
__ Confirm hair and make-up appointments
__ Confirm rehearsal dates with officiant and ceremony site
__ Continue writing thank you notes
__ Plan the seating arrangements and placement cards for the reception
__ Have bridal portrait taken

2 Weeks Prior

__ Contact unresponsive guests for RSVP
__ Confirm travel arrangements for out of town guests
__ Finalize details of your rehearsal & rehearsal dinner
__ Finalize menu with your caterer
__ Finalize detail with your reception site
__ Finalize song choices and details for ceremony and reception Musicians and/or DJ
__ Finalize details with your photographer / videographer
__ Finalize details and set-up times with your wedding cake baker
__ Finalize detail and set-up times with your florist and decorator
__ Finalize details and delivery with your rental company
__ Finalize details and delivery with your linen company
__ Continue writing thank you notes
__ If you are moving finalize all details and finish your packing. Make arrangements to have your       gifts moved to your new home
__ Handle legal details such as name changes, address changes, etc.

1 Week Prior

__ Finalize seating assignments
__ Confirm final guest count with your caterer
__ Confirm transportation details for your wedding day
__ Confirm wedding attire fit
__ Confirm honeymoon reservations. Ensure you have any necessary plane tickets & travel              documents
__ Pack for your honeymoon
__ Pack your wedding night bag
__ Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
__ Attend hair, make-up and beauty appointments
__ Relax, have fun and enjoy your wedding day
printer friendly wedding planning timeline
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