Congratulations—you’re engaged! Now that you’ve said “yes,” it’s time to start planning the wedding of your dreams.
Whilst you can plan a wedding in as little as 6 months, most couples tend to look at a 12-18 month engagement as the right amount of time to plan the perfect day.
While 18 months may seem like plenty of time, there are elements of your day where certain suppliers and vendors get booked up to 2 years in advance. To ensure you have the best choice of suppliers and to avoid disappointment, starting your planning as early as possible is always advisable.
The key to a smooth wedding planning experience is having a clear and organised plan, ensuring you can enjoy the process without any unnecessary stress. By breaking tasks into manageable steps you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and instead focus on creating a day that reflects your unique love story.
From setting a budget and choosing a venue to booking vendors and finalising details, our 18 month checklist ensures nothing gets overlooked and helps to smoothly plan your wedding from engagement to the big day.
Wedding Planning Timeline
The first steps when planning a wedding involve choosing a theme or style, booking a venue, deciding on the number of guests for your celebrations and deciding on a budget.
These are the key elements that once confirmed mean you can really begin the exciting part of planning the details that will make your day special and unique to you.
Your Month By Month Wedding Planning Checklist
18 Months Before the Wedding
Celebrate your engagement!
Discuss your wedding vision, style or theme
Draft a rough guest list
Plan a budget for your wedding
Research potential wedding dates & choose a season
Start exploring venues and schedule tours
16 Months Before the Wedding
This is where you get to book the main elements:
Book your wedding venue
Set your wedding date officially
Start researching caterers, photographers, videographers, and entertainment
Begin dress shopping & researching styles
Start a wedding website and social media pages (if desired)
Arrange wedding insurance
14 Months Before the Wedding
Book your key vendors:
Photographer and videographer
Caterer
Research musicians / band / dj
Finalise some theme details:
Colours, and decor ideas
Start browsing for bridesmaid and groomsmen attire
12 Months Before the Wedding
Buy your wedding dress!
Finalise your guest list
Decide on ceremony and reception details
Send out Save-the-Dates
Start researching honeymoon options - check your passport
10 Months Before the Wedding
Order bridesmaids' dresses
Book the florists
Meet with caterer for tastings
Choose and order wedding invitations
Research and book transportation - wedding cars and guest transport
8 Months Before the Wedding
Book a hair & makeup artist
Order wedding cake and schedule tastings
Choose and order groom’s attire
Finalise décor
6 Months Before the Wedding
Plan hen and stag parties
Start writing any personal vows or ceremony readings
Schedule dress fitting
Book hotel blocks for guests
Purchase wedding rings
4 Months Before the Wedding
Send out wedding invitations
Confirm schedule with vendors
Purchase wedding accessories - veil, shoes, jewellery, etc.
Finalise seating chart
2 Months Before the Wedding
Have a final dress fitting
Confirm honeymoon details
Create a wedding-day timeline for vendors & bridal party
Arrange your seating plan - ceremony & reception
Choose music
Arrange pre wedding photos with photographer
1 Month Before the Wedding
Final RSVP count to caterer
Call vendors to check all bookings and finalise payments
Confirm arrival times for all vendors
2 Weeks Before the Wedding
Book beauty and spa treatments
Collect wedding outfits and check sizing / tailoring
Pack for honeymoon
The Day Before the Wedding
Drop off decor at the venue
Delegate wedding day responsibilities
Enjoy rehearsal dinner and arragne wedding day breakfast
Wedding Day!
Relax & enjoy your amazing wedding day!
