9-Months Wedding Planning Timeline

This checklist gives you hints and suggestions for each item.  Use our downloadable timeline for a simplified version. 

Month		Tasks	Notes
9		Set your wedding budget and priorities list	This dictates the size of your wedding, the number of guests, and where you want to spend most of your money.
		Start your guest list with names and contact information	You will be adding to this list, and starting it early with your must-haves makes it easier when it comes to editing your list.
		Narrow down what venues appeal to you	Much of this is determined by how many guests you plan to invite. Do you want something romantic, rustic, modern, industrial, or natural?
		Research venues	Search online Ask friends and family for suggestions and recommendations
		Choose and reserve a venue	Narrow down your list to 3-4 venues that fit around your timeline. You may need some flexibility if you marry during a busy season.
		Set your wedding date and time	Your date might be determined by the venue. If possible, be open unless you have a particular date in mind. This offers you more venues that might be available.
		Hire a wedding planner	A wedding planner can eliminate the stress of planning your wedding, and their experience and knowledge enhance your celebrations.
		Book your wedding officiant/celebrant	If you are marrying in the busy season, you want to make sure you have somebody available. It doesn’t hurt to get them scheduled early.
		Select your wedding party	Maid of honor and bridesmaids, best man and groomsmen, flower girl and ring bearer.
		Start shopping for dresses for the bride and bridesmaids	Include the veil, shoes, and accessories. You must start early because of the lead time required for making the dress and alterations. Shop early to avoid those very costly “rush fees.”
8		Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests	You will need this info to include with the invitations.
		Reserve your wedding night accommodation	See if your venue has a (complimentary) bridal suite.
		Set your theme and color scheme for your wedding	If you use a wedding planner, they can help with suggestions. Use Pinterest for inspiration.
		Start shopping for groom and groomsmen attire	Use your color scheme to compliment your theme.
		Create a wedding website	Central place for all announcements, information, and updates.
		Choose and order your wedding invitations and Save the Date notices	Base the number of invitations on the venue occupancy limit if you haven’t completed your guest list.
		Hire a catering vendor	Select the menu and set up a tasting date, beverage, and bar options.
		Apply for destination wedding travel documents (if required)	Make sure your passports and visas are up to date.
		Select your vendors (if they are not included in an all-inclusive venue package)	Florist Photographer Videographer DJ/musicians Rental furniture Flatware, glassware, and linens Photobooth
		Purchase wedding insurance	This covers damages and loss for both you and your vendors.
		Set up a gift registry	Post this to your wedding website.
		Plan and book the honeymoon	Remember to check if passports and visas are up to date if traveling abroad.
7		Research wedding ring designs
		Reserve transportation	This includes shuttles and limousines, as well as transportation from airports for out-of-town guests.
		Wedding dress fitting	On average, it takes 3-6 months for your dress to be delivered. Schedule your fittings for alterations.
		Take engagement photos	Often, the wedding photographer will include these in your package.
		Send Save the Date notices	Online announcements are acceptable if you choose not to send them through the mail.
		Set up a tasting date and hire a cake vendor	See if the caterer includes the wedding cake and set up a tasting date
		Rent bathroom trailers (if required)	If you are getting married in a natural setting, you will possibly need ablution facilities. Select from basic through to luxury.
		Research and order wedding favors
6		Book the rehearsal dinner venue	Make sure it is close to your ceremony venue as it is usually held the same day. Remember to send out invitations and RSVPs.
		Send bridal shower and bachelor party guests’ contact information to the maid of honor and best man
		Purchase the wedding rings	Give extra time for engravings
5		Check in with your florist	They can give you updates on special orders and flowers in season.
		Decide on a playlist and share it with your DJ/musicians	Remember to add your choice for the bride and groom dance.
		Check in with your sound and lighting vendors	Let them know of any specifics in your playlist that require action from them.
		Purchase thank-you gifts for the wedding party	These are often presented during the rehearsal dinner.
4		Schedule make-up and hair appointments	Schedule test runs.
		Groom and groomsmen suits and schedule alteration fittings	Suits, ties, tie pins, shoes, cufflinks, etc.
3		Organize childcare arrangements and activities if required	Post the details on your wedding website if you plan on providing childcare.
		Send wedding invitations	Include information on o Accommodation o Transportation 0 Childcare arrangements and activities o Dietary requests
2		Choose ceremony readings and write the vows and reception speeches	Share the readings with the wedding party members you selected to read so they can practice.
		Apply for the marriage license	Research online for requirements. Valid for 60 days before the wedding day.
		Finalize the menu with the caterer	Advise them of dietary requirements of your guests based on the RSVPs.
		Bachelor & Bachelorette party	Your maid of honor and best man organize the celebrations.
		Create and share the run-sheet with vendors	The run-sheet is the checklist for vendors to know the detailed schedule of your wedding day so they can plan the set-up and break-down of their services.
		Buy day-of accessories	Guest book and pen, toasting champagne flutes, cake knife and servers, unity candle, ring pillow, etc.
		Order the wedding programs, menu cards, and thank you notes	These are possibly part of the wedding stationery package keeping within your theme.
4 weeks		Start creating the seating chart	Anticipate there might be last-minute or unexpected guests, and determine how to accommodate them in your chart.
		Follow up tardy RSVPs	Let your vendors know if there are any changes in numbers.
		Confirm the ceremony running order with your celebrant/officiant
		Confirm the shot list with your photographer and videographer
		Confirm your song list for the ceremony and reception with your musicians/DJ
		Schedule hair and make-up test run	Check if your stylist includes a package for both test-runs and the day-of.
		Purchase wedding decor	This includes decorations for the ceremony and reception sites.
		Finalize your full-day timeline
3 weeks		Finalize your seating arrangements	Share this with your caterer and venue.
		Confirm your honeymoon bookings	Include the rental car if applicable.
2 weeks		Give a final headcount to your caterer and rental vendors
		Finalize with your vendors	Check that everything is on schedule. Make sure your wedding planner or someone you trust has a copy, too. Confirm the arrival and delivery times.
		Print the seating chart table and cards
		Confirm your rehearsal dinner booking	Let them know of any special requirements for your guests, and confirm the numbers.
		Assign somebody to collect your gifts and belongings after the reception	This is usually your wedding planner or a member of your wedding party.
		Assign somebody to oversee the return of rental items, including tuxes, the day after the wedding
		Set up your support team	They handle problems or issues during the ceremony and reception in your place. They include the wedding planner and wedding party members.
1 week		Give your wedding planner a final timeline
		Break in your wedding shoes	You want to avoid those blisters on the wedding day!
		Begin packing for the honeymoon
		Pack emergency kit	pain-killer/headache pills bandaids sewing kit wet wipes laundry wipes/spray pen & paper small bottle of water
		Confirm transportation arrangements	Confirm both wedding day and out-of-town guests’ transportation
		Review contingency plan with the venue in case of bad weather
		Make gratuity envelopes for vendor staff if not included in the invoice	Have a wedding planner or wedding party member hand them out after the reception.
Day before		Pick up rental tuxedos (if required)
		Deliver special items to the venue and the wedding planner	Decorations, wedding favors, ceremony items, posters, etc., with written instructions.
		Check the weather report and pack essentials for inclement weather
		Have your marriage license and rings ready and in a safe place
		Ceremony rehearsal
		Rehearsal dinner

Planning Your Wedding in 9 Months

Have you heard that you need 12 months to plan a wedding? That is because you usually need a year in advance to ensure you can reserve a specific date for your wedding venue.  But don’t despair; there are still plenty of ideal venues.  

In this 9-month wedding timeline, we've covered everything from the initial planning stages to the magical moments of your wedding day. 

Explore expert tips and insights on what you need to ask when visiting a wedding venue and discover our guide to finding the perfect setting for your special day.

All photographs in this article are courtesy of Zion Springs' in-house photographer