The Ultimate Wedding Plan Timeline

Published on:
June 17, 2024
Wedding scene with couple and guests

It’s fun and exciting to prepare for your wedding, but how long does it take to plan a wedding? It’s a big and complex event so a well-conceived wedding plan timeline makes all the difference. This guide will help you make sure everything goes smoothly. 

First, Paint the Big Picture

Congratulations, you’re engaged! Take some time to enjoy this new stage of your relationship before you begin to plan everything. Once you’re ready to start planning, drill down on the important details to create an overview of your wedding. Consider these key ideas:

First, get clear about the basics. Then it’s easier to move forward with your wedding plan and timeline. 

We’ll assume you’re starting one year before the wedding, though it certainly wouldn’t hurt to begin sooner!

12 Months Before the Wedding

Consider a Wedding Planner

A wedding planner takes a load off the couple and families. They can oversee finding a venue, arranging essential wedding rentals, and helping you set up a timetable for the big day. However, a wedding planner is another expense and it means relegating many decisions to a third party. If you do go the wedding planner route, choose carefully. Make sure the person or organization is reliable and in sync with your vision. 

Set a Budget

Your whole wedding plan timeline is influenced by your budget. Budgeting isn’t the most romantic part of a wedding, but it is crucial. The budget determines many crucial choices. Deciding who will be paying for what usually entails a family meeting or two. The sooner you’re clear about the budget, the sooner you can start making concrete plans. 

Choose a Venue

When you start thinking about how long it takes to plan a wedding, the venue does factor in. The venue is one of the biggest concerns for your wedding planning timeline. Keep these points in mind:

Get a Marriage License

As soon as you set a date for the wedding, you can figure out when you need to apply for a marriage license. Check with your state to find out specific requirements for the application process. Be mindful that sometimes, the license is only valid for a certain amount of time so you don’t want to get it too early. On the other hand, depending on your location there might be a delay before you get the license.

10 Months Before the Wedding

Create the Guest List

When you’re calculating how long it takes to plan a wedding, don’t forget that your guests need time to prepare. The number of people determines the size of the venue you’ll need. The guest list is a key element of your wedding plan timeline. 

Do you want a small, intimate ceremony with only close family? Or do you dream of a large, traditional wedding, or a huge celebration? Keep in mind that more guests means a higher cost.  The more people, the more food and everything else you’ll need. 

Deciding who to invite can be a sensitive issue. You don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Remember, though, that it’s your wedding and it’s up to you who you want to be a part of it.

Recruit Your Wedding Party

Wedding party members help out at every stage. A wedding party includes the best man, maid of honor, and bridesmaids, and groomsmen. You may also need people to help with showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties. Finding these trusted team members is a priority for your wedding plan and timeline.

6 Months Before the Wedding

Identify the Vendors You Need

Choosing vendors is another essential element of your wedding planning timeline. This may include:

Consider Items You Need to Rent

Depending on what the venue offers, you may need to make arrangements for rentals such as:

We Are Getting Married wedding invitation

Choose and Order the Wedding Cake

If you’re planning your wedding in a popular month such as June or September, you should order your cake at least six months in advance. If you’re not choosing those months, it never hurts to reach out to your baker early to get quotes and make sure they’re a good fit.

3 Months Before the Wedding

Send Out Wedding Invitations

You should send out invitations to your wedding and rehearsal dinner at least three months in advance. 

Consider a Wedding Registry

A wedding registry ensures that gifts don’t overlap. There are many wedding registries you can set up online. Some popular ones are run by Target, Amazon, Zola, and The Knot.

1 Month Before the Wedding

This final month is when you have to finalize your plans and take care of any remaining details, such as:

Additional Tips For Your Wedding Plan & Timeline

Create Your Wedding Plan Timeline Step by Step

Notebooks and pen

A lot of people have different answers when you ask “how long does it take to plan a wedding?” The simple answer is, “longer than you expect.” That’s why you should start as early as possible and write down every detail. Stay connected with all the people who are helping. The better you plan, the more you can enjoy the beauty and romance of your wedding day!

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It’s fun and exciting to prepare for your wedding, but how long does it take to plan a wedding? It’s a big and complex event so a well-conceived wedding plan timeline makes all the difference. This guide will help you make sure everything goes smoothly. 

First, Paint the Big Picture

Congratulations, you’re engaged! Take some time to enjoy this new stage of your relationship before you begin to plan everything. Once you’re ready to start planning, drill down on the important details to create an overview of your wedding. Consider these key ideas:

First, get clear about the basics. Then it’s easier to move forward with your wedding plan and timeline. 

We’ll assume you’re starting one year before the wedding, though it certainly wouldn’t hurt to begin sooner!

12 Months Before the Wedding

Consider a Wedding Planner

A wedding planner takes a load off the couple and families. They can oversee finding a venue, arranging essential wedding rentals, and helping you set up a timetable for the big day. However, a wedding planner is another expense and it means relegating many decisions to a third party. If you do go the wedding planner route, choose carefully. Make sure the person or organization is reliable and in sync with your vision. 

Set a Budget

Your whole wedding plan timeline is influenced by your budget. Budgeting isn’t the most romantic part of a wedding, but it is crucial. The budget determines many crucial choices. Deciding who will be paying for what usually entails a family meeting or two. The sooner you’re clear about the budget, the sooner you can start making concrete plans. 

Choose a Venue

When you start thinking about how long it takes to plan a wedding, the venue does factor in. The venue is one of the biggest concerns for your wedding planning timeline. Keep these points in mind:

Get a Marriage License

As soon as you set a date for the wedding, you can figure out when you need to apply for a marriage license. Check with your state to find out specific requirements for the application process. Be mindful that sometimes, the license is only valid for a certain amount of time so you don’t want to get it too early. On the other hand, depending on your location there might be a delay before you get the license.

10 Months Before the Wedding

Create the Guest List

When you’re calculating how long it takes to plan a wedding, don’t forget that your guests need time to prepare. The number of people determines the size of the venue you’ll need. The guest list is a key element of your wedding plan timeline. 

Do you want a small, intimate ceremony with only close family? Or do you dream of a large, traditional wedding, or a huge celebration? Keep in mind that more guests means a higher cost.  The more people, the more food and everything else you’ll need. 

Deciding who to invite can be a sensitive issue. You don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Remember, though, that it’s your wedding and it’s up to you who you want to be a part of it.

Recruit Your Wedding Party

Wedding party members help out at every stage. A wedding party includes the best man, maid of honor, and bridesmaids, and groomsmen. You may also need people to help with showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties. Finding these trusted team members is a priority for your wedding plan and timeline.

6 Months Before the Wedding

Identify the Vendors You Need

Choosing vendors is another essential element of your wedding planning timeline. This may include:

Consider Items You Need to Rent

Depending on what the venue offers, you may need to make arrangements for rentals such as:

We Are Getting Married wedding invitation

Choose and Order the Wedding Cake

If you’re planning your wedding in a popular month such as June or September, you should order your cake at least six months in advance. If you’re not choosing those months, it never hurts to reach out to your baker early to get quotes and make sure they’re a good fit.

3 Months Before the Wedding

Send Out Wedding Invitations

You should send out invitations to your wedding and rehearsal dinner at least three months in advance. 

Consider a Wedding Registry

A wedding registry ensures that gifts don’t overlap. There are many wedding registries you can set up online. Some popular ones are run by Target, Amazon, Zola, and The Knot.

1 Month Before the Wedding

This final month is when you have to finalize your plans and take care of any remaining details, such as:

Additional Tips For Your Wedding Plan & Timeline

Create Your Wedding Plan Timeline Step by Step

Notebooks and pen

A lot of people have different answers when you ask “how long does it take to plan a wedding?” The simple answer is, “longer than you expect.” That’s why you should start as early as possible and write down every detail. Stay connected with all the people who are helping. The better you plan, the more you can enjoy the beauty and romance of your wedding day!


Michelle Fuqua

Michelle has been in the event rentals business since 2008 when she started The Ultimate Party Store to provide affordable and high-quality party decorations for any event. After dabbling in providing table and chair rentals, Michelle opened Ultimate Party Tents and Events, fully committing to providing everything anyone would need for an event in the Nashville-Hendersonville area. As a local business owner, she gives back to her community by volunteering her time to local organizations and events.