Wedding Planning Timeline

On average couples spend approximately a year planning their wedding day. This is a great timeframe which allows you to not be too rushed, but also not have to wait too long! I’ve put together a super handy timeline of what you should be doing, and when.

Beth Clayton marquee wedding planner at laptop with coffee and notebook

12 MONTHS

Hire a Wedding Planner! The ultimate wedding planning hack is to hire an expert from the outset, particularly if you are planning an outdoor/ marquee or tipi wedding. With so many added elements, having a specialised wedding planner will reduce stress and help you enjoy the process.

Create your “Needs and Wants” list: sit down and decide what is a must have for your wedding, and what would be a nice addition should the budget allow for it.

Write your (rough) guest list: remember, if you wouldn’t invite them to your home for dinner on a Tuesday, you really don’t need to invite them to your wedding day.

Set your budget: how much do you ideally want to spend? By starting with your guest list, your budget can be realistic for the amount of people you really want to include in your day.

Book your venue and send Save the Dates: finding your dream venue may be the deciding factor in choosing your wedding date.

Book a Photographer: good photographers can be booked up to two years in advance! Research what style of photography you would like, and start making some enquiries. See my advice on choosing the right wedding photographer HERE.

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10 MONTHS

Research and book your other key suppliers: it is important to consider catering style at this point. Is it a traditional three course meal you would like, food vans, a barbeque? Also start to think about whether to book a florist, band and videographer.

Consider design ideas: do you have a particular colour scheme in mind, any ideas you’ve seen that you’d like to incorporate? Pinterest is your best friend here.

Shop for your wedding dress!

Take out wedding insurance

Choose your wedding party: invite your bridesmaids and groomsmen to be a key element in your big day.

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8 MONTHS

Plan the honeymoon: it is super popular with modern couples to ask for a honeymoon fund rather than gifts. If this is appealing to you, think about how to incorporate this.

Book accommodation: both for yourselves and for guests

Look at hiring guest transportation

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6 MONTHS

Send out the invites

Create your wedding website: this is a really modern part of wedding planning which I strongly believe is a must have! Especially if you are planning an outdoor marquee or tipi wedding. A website is the opportunity to have all of your information in one place, along with collecting RSVP’s, dietary requirements, and answering all your guest questions in bulk. No couple wants 50 RSVP’s by text with the added “will there be toilets?” to answer!

Book your entertainment: your Needs vs Wants list starts to come in handy here. With your key suppliers being booked, you can consider if your budget is allowing for the extras.

Tastings with your caterers and cake provider (yum!)

Assign wedding party roles: are there key tasks you wish for your bridesmaids or groomsmen to take on?

Hair and makeup trials

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2 MONTHS

Finalise guest numbers and seating plan: send final numbers to your suppliers

Finalise your timeline for the day: confirm this with all of your suppliers

Send your band or DJ your song lists

Write your vows

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1 WEEK

Finalise wedding party roles: if you’ve decided not to have a wedding planner or coordinator, this is the time to ensure that you have someone who knows all the ins and outs of the day.

Start breaking in your wedding shoes (this goes for the whole wedding party!)

Drink LOTS of water.

Plan a pre wedding date night for you both

Create a wedding day emergency kit (but don’t worry, if you’ve got a wedding planner or coordinator, they’ll have this for you!)

Buy/order your wedding party gifts

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DAY BEFORE

RELAX!!! Try to spend some time together, and let it sink in that the day you have spent so long planning is finally here. You’re about to get married!

 

This is an approximate guide to help you along your wedding planning, but don’t stress if you do things a little differently. Your planning has to be right for you! And ultimately, you need to enjoy it. You may feel a little overwhelmed at the amount of tasks on this list, but don’t worry – this is exactly why I am here to help. Contact me for a free consultation so that I can start to help you through your wedding planning.

 

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Best Time to Cut Your Cake: Tips from a Marquee Wedding Planner

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A Guide to Choosing the Right Wedding Photographer