![\"Wedding](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/woman-planning-a-wedding.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Congratulations on being happily engaged. Now it\u2019s time to start planning the wedding! First, take a minute to revel in the magic of this moment \u2014 we\u2019re so happy for you and so are all of your loved ones. This is one of the most special times in your life and you deserve to be happy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While wedding planning can be stressful at times, having a wedding checklist will keep you organized and help you enjoy the <\/span>planning process.<\/span> Here, we\u2019ll guide you through every step with a helpful wedding checklist formatted in easy-to-follow timelines. Work through each one and check off every item on the <\/span>to-do list<\/span> until you\u2019re finally exchanging your vows and saying \u201cI do.\u201d<\/span> Every wedding engagement is different, but the <\/span>average engagement length<\/a><\/strong> is about 15 months. That said, many couples choose to be engaged longer, which can offer more time for planning and budgeting, while others want to walk down the aisle sooner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To keep the <\/span>planning process<\/span> within an easy-to-grasp timeline, we\u2019ve created a comprehensive wedding checklist that covers a 12-month span. This timeframe includes action items for every month leading up to the wedding day along with some post-nuptial follow-up items.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re getting married in less than a year, you can adjust accordingly and complete each task in a shorter timeframe. For example, if you\u2019re tying the knot in seven months, complete the items designated in the 12- to eight-month sections during your first month of planning. Conversely, if you\u2019re getting married more than a year from now, you have a little extra time for each step.<\/span><\/p>\n Sound like a plan? Read on for our step-by-step wedding checklist and get ready to start crossing off items on your <\/span>to-do list<\/span>. Remember: don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help along the way. Friends, family, and members of your <\/span>wedding party<\/span> will more than likely be happy to assist with tasks so you can enjoy your engagement phase and have some fun planning the <\/span>big day<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n A year out from the wedding is the time to start doing research and securing important things like the venue and <\/span>caterers<\/span>. The first step is to start discussing logistics like your budget and priorities. Here\u2019s what you should be thinking about a year before the <\/span>wedding date.<\/span><\/p>\n Setting a wedding budget is arguably the most important factor of the planning process and it deserves top priority. You and your partner will want to discuss specifics with anyone who will be contributing financially to the wedding \u2014 whether it\u2019s parents who are footing the bill for the entire event or others who are paying for different elements of the celebration. Make a list of everyone who will be involved in your <\/span>wedding costs<\/a><\/strong> and how much they will be contributing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Once you have a clear financial picture of who\u2019s responsible for what, it\u2019s imperative for you and your future spouse to create a<\/span>\u00a0wedding budget breakdown<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. Every decision you make after this will likely impact the bottom line, so be sure to spend time determining how much you can afford and what you\u2019re comfortable spending.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Part of this process involves discussing how many people you want to invite. However, keep in mind that you don\u2019t have to <\/span>finalize<\/span> your <\/span>guest list<\/span> just yet. It\u2019s a good idea to have a rough number of the people you want to invite so you can make calculations when building your budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Discuss your priorities when it comes to the nuptials. Is it important to not spend a lot of money and avoid racking up credit card debt? Do you want to have hundreds of people you love there? Talk about what matters most to you so you, your partner, and anyone else who is financially involved are on the same page when making decisions later on.<\/span><\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to make a final decision at this time, but it\u2019s important to think about what type of wedding you want to have. Once you have a budget figured out, it\u2019s easier to consider the size of the wedding and what time of year you want to have it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For instance, do you want to<\/span> plan a <\/strong>destination wedding<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and take your loved ones to a tropical locale? Maybe you want a seasonal wedding, like a<\/span>\u00a0fall wedding<\/strong><\/span><\/a> or a <\/span>spring wedding<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, or a <\/span>quirky and whimsical wedding<\/a><\/strong> that requires some unusual elements like vintage bicycles or hot air balloons. All of these decisions can impact the timing of your wedding and how you plan it.<\/span><\/p>\n Size is another key element. A<\/span>\u00a0micro wedding<\/strong><\/span><\/a> with just a few friends and <\/span>family members<\/span> will take less time to plan than a big wedding with hundreds of people. Likewise, if you\u2019re thinking about <\/span>planning an elopement<\/a><\/strong>, you can bypass a lot of the elements of more traditional weddings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you have the desire and budget, now is the time to secure a <\/span>wedding planner<\/span>. This person will be your best ally throughout the <\/span>planning process<\/span>, helping to handle issues as they arise and avoid the ones they can. You can also consider hiring a month-of or day-of planner as a more affordable option.<\/span><\/p>\n Talk to your partner and decide what you want your <\/span>wedding day<\/span> to look like. Consider if you want to have a specific<\/span> wedding theme<\/a><\/strong> or color scheme. Decide how formal you want the event to be. These decisions will impact not only your budget but also where you host the wedding and other details like decorations.<\/span><\/p>\n Pro tip:<\/b> Browse through our list of the <\/span>best wedding colors<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and some of the most common (and uncommon) <\/span>wedding dress codes<\/a><\/strong> to help you sort out the details.<\/span><\/p>\n At least a year before your <\/span>wedding date<\/span>, start visiting and touring venues to see what\u2019s out there. Common venues include churches, vineyards, and<\/span> National Parks<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. Some of these places require limited notice and others need advance planning to secure your desired date.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Visit the venue more than once or around the time of day that you want to get hitched. That way, you can get an idea of temperature, lighting, and ambiance. Assess the space to see if there\u2019s a separate <\/span>reception venue<\/span> or different options for where the <\/span>wedding ceremony<\/span> can take place. Once you know where you want to get married, act fast to secure your desired date.<\/span><\/p>\n Many <\/span>wedding venues<\/span> book out well in advance, especially popular ones. If you have your heart set on a specific place that\u2019s popular with other brides, you may need to handle this step more than a year in advance or be flexible with your <\/span>wedding date.<\/span><\/p>\n Wedding season, the time when most weddings take place, is between May and October. If you\u2019re flexible, you may be able to say \u201cI do\u201d at your dream venue sooner by choosing to get married during the winter instead.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s less than a year to the <\/span>big day<\/span>! Here\u2019s what you should work on next in your wedding checklist.<\/span><\/p>\n Think about who you absolutely <\/span>need<\/span><\/i> to attend your wedding. This may include your parents, best friend, grandparents, or a vendor like a photographer whose work you admire. Make sure your venue and date work for them before finalizing any decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n Once you know that your bestie and famed photographer can attend, <\/span>finalize<\/span> the date and venue. You may need to put down a deposit for the space and you\u2019ll need to know the date before you can do anything else!<\/span><\/p>\n Sit down with your soon-to-be spouse and any other wedding stakeholders to<\/span> create the wedding <\/strong>guest list<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. In an ideal world, you could invite everyone you love, but most couples have to make some hard decisions here and limit the <\/span>headcount<\/span>. Establish which guests must be invited and which people will be left off the list. Consider your budget, venue capacity, and feelings when making the list.<\/span><\/p>\n Wedding vendors<\/span> \u2014 especially photographers, <\/span>videographers<\/span>, musicians, and <\/span>caterers<\/span> \u2014 are typically in high demand. Read reviews and set up meetings with vendors you\u2019re interested in hiring. Once you make a decision, book them early to ensure you secure their services before someone else does.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The countdown continues and so does the list of things you need to do. Ten months before the wedding date, you\u2019ll be focused on picking out attire and making preparations for the <\/span>big day<\/span> \u2014 plus it\u2019s the perfect time for <\/span>engagement photos<\/span>!<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s time for a special outing: picking out your wedding attire! Whether you\u2019re shopping for a <\/span>wedding dress<\/span>, suit, tuxedo, romper, or other ensemble, this will hopefully be one of the most exciting tasks on your <\/span>to-do list<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Around this time, you\u2019ll also want to finalize the attire for your <\/span>wedding party<\/span>, including any <\/span>bridesmaid dresses<\/span> or suits for <\/span>groomsmen<\/span>. It\u2019s also a good idea to consider what your wedding dress code will be as it\u2019ll guide your selections.<\/span><\/p>\n Pro tip: <\/b>For sartorial inspiration, be sure to check out our guides to<\/span> semi-formal wedding dress codes<\/a><\/strong> and <\/span>black tie wedding attire<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n Many couples choose to block a set number of rooms for the wedding, making it easier to book accommodations and secure discounts in the process. <\/span>Out-of-town guests<\/span> will appreciate the courtesy and enjoy staying in the same place as other wedding guests. Consider local transportation services to help guests get from the hotel to the venue \u2014 without worrying about driving if they share a <\/span>toast<\/span> or two with you!<\/span><\/p>\n Soon you\u2019ll be<\/span> addressing save the dates<\/a><\/strong> to your invited guests, but before you do, you\u2019ll want to have a <\/span>wedding website<\/span>. Having a dedicated site for your wedding is a great way to stay organized, list details of your event, and share cute details about your unique love story. There are plenty of <\/span>wedding websites<\/a><\/strong> that you can start setting up and customizing to match the look and vibe of your wedding theme.<\/span><\/p>\n Share the happy news with an<\/span> engagement announcement<\/strong><\/span><\/a> that\u2019s sure to bring joy to your loved ones. Many <\/span>wedding photographers<\/span> include an <\/span>engagement photo<\/span> session in their pricing packages. Give guests a preview by snapping photos on the venue grounds or surprise them with snaps from the place where you said \u201cYes!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Next up on your <\/span>wedding planning checklist<\/span>, you\u2019ll want to send<\/span> save the date postcards<\/strong><\/span><\/a> so everyone can mark their calendars. Nine months before the <\/span>big day <\/span>is when you\u2019ll also want to start booking entertainment.<\/span><\/p>\n Announcements, save the dates, <\/span>RSVPs<\/span>, and invitations \u2026 the list is long when it comes to <\/span>wedding stationery<\/span>! One of the first things you\u2019ll send out after your engagement announcement is a<\/span>\u00a0save the date<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. This card lets people know you\u2019re getting married\u2014and importantly, that they\u2019re invited to your wedding. The main goal is to let people know the date so they can mark their calendars and make plans to attend.<\/span><\/p>\n Typically, you should include the location and date of the wedding on the save the date. Many couples also add \u201cinvitation to follow\u201d so guests know they\u2019ll have more details soon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you didn\u2019t book a performer or entertainer when you made arrangements with other vendors, now\u2019s the time to <\/span>finalize<\/span> this task. Make your decision to hire a DJ, live band, mariachis, string quartet, juggler, magician, or other entertainment to ensure they\u2019re available on your<\/span> wedding date<\/span>. You\u2019ll also want to pick out the<\/span> song you\u2019ll walk down the aisle to<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and the song for your first dance as a married couple.<\/span><\/p>\n The clock is ticking and each day brings you closer to your special moment. Here\u2019s where you should focus your time and effort eight months before your nuptials.<\/span><\/p>\n On your <\/span>wedding day<\/span>, you\u2019ll be showered with love and gifts for this next chapter of life. While some couples might ask for donations to charitable organizations in lieu of gifts, there\u2019s no harm in creating a<\/span>\u00a0wedding gift<\/strong> registry<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. Be sure to include items at a variety of price points to make it easy for guests to buy something that fits comfortably in their budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\nThe <\/b>Ultimate Wedding<\/b> Checklist: Your Guide to Easy Planning<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Wedding](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/notebook-envelopes-and-wedding-rings-on-a-table.jpg\")
<\/p>\n12 Months Before the Wedding<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Wedding](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/couple-arm-in-arm-while-holding-a-rose.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSet Your Budget<\/b><\/h3>\n
Consider the Type of Wedding You Want to Have<\/b><\/h3>\n
Decide If You Want to Hire a <\/b>Wedding Planner<\/b><\/h3>\n
Choose a Theme and Consider Formality<\/b><\/h3>\n
Tour and Choose a Venue<\/b><\/h3>\n
11 Months Before the Wedding<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Wedding](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/wedding-setting-at-night.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCheck In With Your Top-Priority Guests<\/b><\/h3>\n
Finalize<\/b> the Date and Venue<\/b><\/h3>\n
Create Your <\/b>Guest List<\/b><\/h3>\n
Hire Vendors\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
10 Months Before the Wedding<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Wedding](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bride-trying-on-her-wedding-dress.jpg\")
<\/p>\nShop for <\/b>Wedding Day<\/b> Attire<\/b><\/h3>\n
Set Up Transportation and <\/b>Hotel Room<\/b> Blocks for Guests<\/b><\/h3>\n
Create a <\/b>Wedding Website<\/b><\/h3>\n
Take <\/b>Engagement Photos<\/b><\/h3>\n
9 Months Before the Wedding<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Wedding](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/musicians-playing-at-a-wedding-reception.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSend Save the Dates<\/b><\/h3>\n
Book Your Wedding Entertainment\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
8 Months Before the Wedding<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Wedding](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/table-setting-with-flowers-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMake a <\/b>Wedding Registry<\/b><\/h3>\n