Congratulations on your engagement! Ready to start planning your wedding? Use this wedding-planning timeline below and begin checking tasks off your list. If you're planning a wedding in a shorter time frame, don't stress—just begin as soon as possible and work your way down the list.
9 - 12 MONTHS IN ADVANCE
- Get inspired. Browse Minted’s Wedding Planning Guide, wedding magazines, blogs, Instagram, and Pinterest to shape your wedding vision.
- Determine your wedding budget.
- Reserve ceremony and reception venues.
- Finalize wedding date.
- Hire a wedding planner, if you choose to use one.
- Create your guest list; collect mailing addresses and upload them to your online address book with the Minted Address Assistant™.
- Schedule your FREE 30-minute virtual appointment with a member of Minted's Wedding Concierge expert team.
- Create a FREE Minted wedding website.
- Order and send engagement party invitations.
- Choose wedding attendants.
- Start shopping for your and your partner's wedding dress/attire and accessories.
- Book caterer.
- Book photographer and videographer.
- Book florist.
- Book cake designer.
- Take engagement photos.
- Reserve hotel-room blocks for out-of-town guests.
6 - 8 MONTHS IN ADVANCE
- Order and send save the dates.
- Request individual wedding invitation samples or order a FREE sample kit.
- Book officiant.
- Book music for ceremony and reception.
- Book hair and makeup artists.
- Book lighting company.
- Reserve rental equipment, such as tables, chairs, and tents.
- Choose attendants’ attire.
- Register for gifts.
- Book the honeymoon.
3 - 5 MONTHS IN ADVANCE
- Order wedding invitations. Work with your dedicated Minted designer to customize your invitations or design an invitation from scratch.
- Order wedding thank you cards and write them as gifts arrive.
- Send your bridal shower and bachelorette party guest list to the host(s).
- Book rehearsal-dinner venue.
- Arrange transportation for the wedding day.
- Book a room for wedding night.
- Do a menu tasting and finalize the reception menu with your caterer.
- Do a cake tasting and order your cake.
- Choose music for the ceremony and reception.
- Purchase wedding rings.
Photo by: Winnie Dora
2 MONTHS IN ADVANCE
- Send wedding invitations.
- Update details on your wedding website.
- Schedule ceremony rehearsal time and rehearsal dinner.
- Order and send rehearsal dinner invitations.
- Discuss ceremony details with officiant.
- Order ceremony programs,, menus and wedding signs.
- Begin writing your wedding vows, if you choose to say personalized vows.
- Try out makeup and hairstyle.
- Select gifts for wedding party and parents.
- Order wedding favors.
- Check in with wedding party members to ensure all attendants have bought or rented their attire.
1 MONTH IN ADVANCE
- Pay any remaining vendor balances in full.
- Order table numbers, escort cards, and place cards.
- Order wedding favor tags and favor stickers.
- Obtain marriage license and order additional certified copies.
- Create a wedding-day schedule and send to wedding party members and vendors.
- Create a reception seating plan; organize the escort cards and place cards.
- Break in your wedding shoes.
Photo by: Nicole George Events
TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE
- Have final dress/attire fitting with shoes and accessories.
- Follow up with any invitees who have not RSVPed.
- Notify caterer of guest count.
- Write toasts for rehearsal dinner and wedding reception, if you're planning to speak.
- Organize and put together welcome bags, if you're planning to deliver them to out-of-town guests.
Photo by: Heather Payne
ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE
- Finalize reception seating plan.
- Update caterer with final guest and vendor meal counts.
- Assign specific responsibilities to wedding party members.
- Confirm transportation arrangements for ceremony and reception.
- Practice reading your wedding vows aloud.
- Pack for honeymoon.
Photo by: Claire MacIntyre
ONE DAY IN ADVANCE
- Get a manicure and pedicure.
- Pack for the wedding day.
- Prepare tip and payment envelopes for officiant and vendors, and assign a wedding-party member or the wedding planner to distribute them.
- Rehearse ceremony.
- Hold rehearsal dinner; give gifts to wedding party members and parents.
WEDDING DAY
- Relax, be present, and have the time of your lives!
