I often get asked: where do I start? And most of the time people say “book your venue!” And this is an obvious first step to get the wedding process rolling, but the venue depends on your guest list and budget. And if I say set you guest list, well then you limit your venue options. And if I say set your budget (without a planner to give you recommendations on splits), it’s kind of just a shot in the dark. 

With all that said, I usually ask my couples to start with what they want their wedding day to look like, and this is not a group exercise, just the two of you. Do you imagine a big soiree with all your family and friends? Do you imagine a destination wedding with just immediate family? Are you thinking a big band with dancing all night long, or just dinner and cocktails? This allows you to really figure out what’s important. Maybe the venue is less important that you thought, and you would rather spend more on flowers to dress up a place.

Now obviously venue and budgets are critical factors when it comes to wedding planning, and have to be done at the beginning of the wedding process for everything else to fall in place. With all this in mind, I have grouped what I think are the most critical things each month before the wedding, but not necessarily in this exact order. Like I said, it’s different for every couple!

12-13 months out:

• Align with your partner on your dream wedding day
• Book a venue (& caterer if venue doesn’t have one)
• Set a budget
• Book your planner
• Start your guest list

9-11 months out:

• Book your hotel wedding block 
• Design your wedding website
• Book your photographer and videographer
• Book your entertainment (DJ or Band)
• Send Save the Dates
• Finish design mood board
• Order wedding dress & bridesmaid dresses

6-9 months out:

• Book your florist
• Book your rentals (tent, seating, etc)
• Book rehearsal dinner space
• Plan personalized details
• Make Groom & Groomsmen outfit selects

3-5 months out:

• Order invitations
• Book hair & makeup
• Order personalized details (guest book, custom napkins, etc)
• Book your baker (if using separate from caterer)

2 months out:

• Send invitations
• Finish song list for entertainment
• Finish photographer shot list
• Finish seating chart and space layout
• Finalize linens and tablescapes with venue/florist

1 month out:

• Transition everything to wedding planner for month of venue & vendor coordination
• Finish timeline
• Share with bridal party and key family members where they need to be and when
• Order day of stationary 

& finally, on the big day just enjoy every moment!