Nicole Brown Photography's Countdown To The Kiss: Your 12 Month Wedding Planning TimelineWedding planning can be overwhelming at times. Make life simpler and less stressful by using this 12 month wedding planning timeline. You'll be more organized and have more time to try every wedding cake you can imagine!

Many little girls grow up dreaming about their wedding day, some girls don’t think about it until they have reached womanhood or have found that special person. No matter how long you have been thinking and dreaming of your special day, one thing is for sure… no one is prepared for the amount of planning that goes into a wedding. It’s a lot of work, and it is overwhelming at times…but it can be done and I know you will rock it! The best way to figure out what needs to be done and when is to get your hands on a wedding planning schedule or timeline. This key outline will help you tremendously! Not only will you feel less overwhelmed,  but you will actually find planning a wedding can be really fun!

So, without further ado, here is a monthly timeline to help you in your wedding planning. Please feel free to pin this planning tool to your own Pinterest boards for easy reference later.

11-12 months until the big day:

• Work out a budget and establish your top priorities. Which parts of the wedding to you want to splurge?
• Research. You probably already have an idea of what colors you would like to incorporate in your wedding, but how about the wedding style? Start browsing pinterest, the knot, wedding magazines, and blogs to discover what style fits you and your husband or wife.
• Decide on your wedding party. Who are you going to choose to stand by your side?
• Begin compiling your preliminary guest list. You will need an idea of how many people you are going to invite when looking at venues.
• Find a venue.  Take into account what the venue includes when deciding which one to go with. Are they including a wedding planner? The caterer? What decorations do they include? All of those extra expenses add up fast!
• Do you need wedding insurance? Most venues require this, but be sure to ask. You want to ensure you are covered if, heaven forbid, the wedding needs to be cancelled or Uncle Bruno damages their dance floor shaking it to “Ice Ice Baby”.
• Send out your save the dates! Let the world know that you are getting married (or at least the people invited to the wedding)! I have seen beverage coasters for a wedding at a brewery, magnets, postcards… there are so many cute ideas!

9-10 months until the big day:

• Find and order your dress. Determine who will be altering your dress as well.
• Find your vendors and book early. There are so many vendor options but I’d start with these:
  • Photographer/Videographer
  • Caterer
  • Officiant
  • Florist
  • DJ

BE SURE TO GET EVERY AGREEMENT IN WRITING AND SPEAK TO THE VENDOR OVER THE PHONE OR IN PERSON! During our wedding, our limo driver and photo booth company never showed. I definitely learned my lesson!

• Scout out accommodations for out-of-town guests.

7-8 months until the big day:

• Start shopping for wedding rings.

• Arrange hotel room blocks for out-of-town guests and book your own suite for the wedding night.
• Create your gift registry.
• Order invitations and other stationary.
• Shop for bridesmaid and flower girl dresses and give your bridal party clear instructions on how to order and deadlines on when to order by so there is no extra stress.
• Book your transportation. Will you be needing a ride from your ceremony to the reception or a ride back to the hotel after the wedding? If your reception is in the boonies, it may be a good idea to hire transportation for your guests as well. No one wants drunk drivers on the road – better to be safe than sorry.
• Decide on your honeymoon destination. You will want plenty of time to get your passport or visas in order before you leave for your honeymoon.

5-6 months until the big day:

• Complete your guest list and give to your venue.
• Shop for and taste test the wedding cake. This is the best part!
• Select and reserve attire for the men in the wedding. Also give your groomsmen specific instructions on how and when to order.
• Establish what the marriage license requirements are. If you live in the US, you will want to contact the county clerk’s office. If abroad, contact your wedding coordinator.

3-4 months until the big day:

• Finalize the menu with your caterer. Be sure to ask if there is anything you need to provide and if there is anything you are responsible for bringing on the day of the wedding.
• Finalize flowers (ceremony and reception).
• Order wedding rings to allow time for engraving.
• Decide whether you want to write your own vows. If so, start working on them now.

2 months until the big day:

• Finalize and book your honeymoon.
• Mail out invitations.
• Do hair and makeup run-through. – don’t forget to see how it looks with our veil or headpiece!
• Book wedding day beauty appointments.
• Make a list of companies you will need to contact to change your name after the wedding (bank accounts, insurance, student loans, etc.)
• Finalize music play list.
• Finalize order of service and write the wedding program.
• Touch base with your florist, caterer, and DJ to confirm date and times, etc. Get their cell phone number if you don't already have them.
• Book rehearsal dinner.
• Order wedding cake, if not ordered already.

1 month until the big day:

• Order any rental items needed such as chairs, tents, lighting, if not included at wedding/reception sites.
• Purchase bridesmaid gifts.
• Purchase groomsmen gifts.
• Schedule final fitting for wedding gown. Remember to bring wedding shoes, veil, and proper lingerie needed.
• Purchase your accessories: guest book, ring pillow, etc.
• Arrange for transportation needs for wedding party and out-of-town guests for the rehearsal and wedding day. Be sure to give the driver the addresses and schedules for all who will need transportation.

2-3 weeks until the big day:

• Get marriage license. Call ahead to make sure you know what is required to bring.
• Organize any accessories needed such as ring pillow, flower girl basket, garter, and "something old, new, borrowed, and blue."
• Contact guests who haven't sent in RSVPs so that you can give the caterer a final headcount.
• Pick up wedding rings and check engraving before leaving the store. Store in a safe place!
• Confirm honeymoon hotel, airline reservations, and wedding night reservations, if not leaving until the next day.

1 week until the big day:

• Pack for honeymoon.
• Make final payments to vendors. Put gratuities in envelopes and arrange to have a trusted friend distribute the envelopes on the big day.

1 day until the big day:

• Take a long walk or schedule a massage to reduce stress. You’re almost there!
• Greet out-of-town guests.
• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
• Get in bed at a reasonable hour so that you'll look and feel your best for your wedding.

Your Wedding Day

• Wake up early and eat a good breakfast.
• Go to beauty appointments.
• Arrive at wedding site early enough to dress and to visit with bridesmaids.
• Allow enough time for photography. Check back for a blog post on scheduling wedding day photography.
• Relax, smile, and enjoy your well-organized day
• Take every moment in – it goes by fast!