When planning a wedding on a budget you have to lower your requirements just a bit. For example, you can’t try to have to filet mignon if you are throwing the wedding on a fish stick budget. I have broken down the various aspects of the wedding planning to the last details so that you will get a better idea of what I mean.
Ideally, you would want to have at least a year to plan the wedding, but that is not always possible or desired. For the purposes of this guide, I have set up a 12 month wedding timeline that will certainly make it a little bit easier to host your wedding.
12 months before your Wedding day
– Announce the engagement
– Set your wedding date
– Create a budget
– Hire a Wedding Coordinator (optional)
– Create your guest list
– Start brainstorming ideas and themes
– Reserve your Ceremony spot
– Book an Officiate
– Make reservations for your Reception area
– Book a Photographer and Videographer
– Book Caterer, Florist and Music (Band, DJ, etc.)
– Look for a Wedding gown and Tux, allowing time for alterations and fittings
– Register for gifts
– Select and call the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
– Agree on a date to order bridesmaids’ dresses and groomsmen’s tuxes
– Choose a destination for your Honeymoon
– Apply for passports, if required
6 months before your Wedding day
– Finalize your guest list
– Decide on the timeline and details of Ceremony and Reception
– Order/make invitations, and thank you notes
– Make airline and hotel reservations for the Honeymoon
– Choose a caterer, a florist and place an order for the wedding cake.
– Book Transportation (Limo, Antique Car, Etc.) for wedding day
– Shop for any Party rentals
3-4 months before your Wedding day
– Mail out/hand deliver invitations
– Confirm wedding details and contracts with all wedding vendors
– Choose gifts for your attendants
– Set a date and time for the rehearsal dinner
– Help make travel arrangements for any out-of-town guests
– Make final alterations and fittings for the Wedding Gown and Tux
1 month before your Wedding day
– Apply for the marriage license
– Buy your wedding bands
– Finalize music list and no-play list with band or DJ
– Attend showers
– Make insurance arrangements
1-2 weeks before your Wedding day
– Schedule the rehearsal a day or two before your wedding day
– Make an appointment with a Beauty Salon for day of wedding
– Send a wedding announcement to the local newspapers (optional)
– Make necessary arrangements for name & address change, if any.
– Discuss final details with the reception Site and the Caterer
– Pack for honeymoon
– Write out all checks needed for wedding day
– Send reminders to the rehearsal dinner attendees about the location & time
– Discuss final details of the ceremony and reception with family and bridal party
– Wedding day or day before
– Visit your Beauty Salon for manicure and pedicure
– Host the rehearsal and dinner.
– Make sure the ushers have the final guest list