How to Plan a Wedding in 12 Months

You've announced your engagement and you're ready to start planning your big day...hooray! But where exactly should you start? If you're feeling at a loss about where to jump into the whole planning process, we've prepared a detailed timeline of the major things you'll need to do over the next 12 months to get you from engaged to wedded with the utmost ease. 

Begin the journey of wedding planning by sitting down with your partner to dream up the perfect celebration. Beyond setting a rough budget, envision the atmosphere you desire, whether it's an intimate garden affair or a grand ballroom spectacle. Choose a potential date and explore venues, consulting with your favorite spots for availability and cost estimates. As you delve into possibilities, draft an initial guest list and discuss potential contributions with your parents. If the idea of a wedding planner appeals to you, initiate the interview process now, seeking someone who resonates with your vision.

Now that the groundwork is laid, start locking in those crucial elements. Book your ceremony and reception venues, choose your wedding party, and secure an officiant. It's time to find that dream gown and start the vendor hunt—florists, stationers, DJs, musicians, bands, and videographers. Plan out your decor, meet with caterers, book your photographer, and snap some engagement photos. If you're hosting a destination wedding, send out those save-the-dates.

With the excitement building, delve into the specifics that will define your big day. Finalize your bar service, be it bespoke cocktails or a curated wine selection, setting the ambiance for the celebration. Craft a registry that delights your guests, and reserve rentals to transform your venue into the dream setting. Consider out-of-town guests by setting up room blocks for their convenience. The soundtrack of your day is crucial, so secure your entertainment choices, be it the energy of a live band or the curated playlist of a DJ. Don't forget the florist, who will bring your floral dreams to life, and ensure your stationery suite, from save-the-dates to thank-you cards, tells the story of your love with style.

As anticipation meets action, craft a captivating wedding website to share your love story and set the stage for the wedding festivities ahead. Prioritize ordering bridesmaid dresses so that you have ample time for alterations. Start building anticipation by sending out save-the-dates that offer a glimpse into your celebration. Pay attention to the groom's attire, ensuring it aligns with the overall aesthetic. Dive into honeymoon planning so that you can bring your dream destination into reality. This phase is about sharing your wedding style, building excitement, and ensuring every detail aligns with your vision.

In the heart of wedding preparations, focus on the details that will add a touch of your own unique charm to your day. Symbolize eternal love by purchasing your wedding rings, choosing the styles that fit your aesthetic whether it be classic elegance or contemporary flair. Introduce the world to your wedding style by ordering invitations. Next up, you'll want to choose the attire for the flower girl and ring bearer and start doing cake tastings with your S.O. Personalize your ceremony with final arrangements and selected readings. As you wrap up these details, go ahead and book your honeymoon.

As the big day approaches, it's time to add the final touches that will make your wedding a masterpiece. Consider hiring a calligrapher to infuse a touch of elegance into your invitations and décor. Celebrate the impending nuptials with those closest to you by having a bridal shower. At this stage, you'll need to secure the venue for the rehearsal dinner, purchase accessories that will complete your bridal look, and wrap up any lingering DIY projects in order to ensure that every detail aligns with your vision. And, of course, have that final gown fitting to make sure everything falls into place. Oh, and one last crucial detail—don't forget to obtain your marriage license, the official key to your wedded bliss!

As the calendar pages turn, the wedding countdown enters a critical phase. Share the excitement with your guests by mailing out those carefully crafted invitations. Book hairstylists and makeup artists to ensure you'll be a vision of perfection on your big day. This is also the moment to make those heartfelt decisions about your wedding vows, capturing the essence of your love. As the to-do list shortens, order those essential wedding programs and get those tedious transportation logistics organized to secure your means of getting to the altar in style.

With the final stretch in sight, dot those i's and cross those t's to ensure a seamless celebration. Confirm details with vendors, ensuring everyone is on the same page for the big day and finalize playlists with your DJ to set the mood for your celebration of love. Send out invites for the rehearsal dinner and purchase those thoughtful wedding favors. Most importantly, ensure your gown is ready for its grand entrance.

The final preparations come into focus with 3 weeks left until the big day. Chase down RSVPs from those elusive guests, finalize your guest list, and confirm meals with the caterer to ensure your menu is all ready to go. Attend to personal details with a final haircut and color, confirm honeymoon travel plans, and put the finishing touches on the reception seating chart for a flawless celebration.

It's time to add the final polish! Print or DIY those escort cards that will guide your guests seamlessly through your venue, confirm final details with your vendors, and hand over your schedule to venue managers. Plan out the final reception seating once you've received those final RSVPs.

The final countdown has begun. Attend the rehearsal dinner, surrounded by the warmth of friends and family, and express gratitude to your attendants with thoughtful gifts that serve as token of appreciation for their support. Hand over the marriage license to your officiant, pamper yourself with a mani-pedi as well as any final beauty treatments you've planned for this final week.

The moment has arrived—your wedding day is here. Entrust your wedding rings to a cherished member of your bridal party, introduce your vendors to the emergency contact,  and then, it's time to revel in the joy of the day—eat, drink, and be married!

As you bask in the afterglow of your wedding day, there are some final tasks at hand before transitioning into that post-wedding bliss. Express gratitude with thank-you notes to those who made your day magical, return any remaining rentals, and preserve those special memories by cleaning or storing your gown. Embrace the significance of the union by changing your last name, marking the start of a new shared identity. Create a lasting keepsake by ordering your wedding album, and finally, savor the sweet moments of your honeymoon, relishing in the joy of newlywed bliss.