When it comes to weddings, no two journeys are the same. Some couples get engaged and tie the knot six months later. Others take their sweet, well-deserved time, basking in the engagement for two to three years. Whether you're a Type A bride or thriving in organized chaos, the easiest way to flush out your wedding timeline for planning? Work backwards.
That’s right. Once you’ve locked in a date, you can reverse-engineer the rest of the timeline from there. Once a date is set, everything else clicks into place.
Let’s walk through how to do that without losing your mind (or the excitement). Whether you’re six months out or have a full 18 months to plan, this wedding timeline breaks things down into doable chunks so you can plan smarter, not harder.
Venue: 12–18 Months Before “I Do”
If you’re reading this and haven’t locked in a venue yet, go tour some spaces. But before you even do that, have an honest conversation with your future husband about the guest list and budget. Your venue choice will determine everything — your date, your vibe, your guest count.
If you’re planning a wedding during peak season (May through October), or eyeing a highly sought-after spot, it’s wise to lock this in as early as you can to avoid disappointment.
Booking your venue also allows you to officially send Save the Dates, talk to other vendors about availability, and start visualizing how the rest of your day will look. It’s the foundation for everything.
Ask Your Bridal Party: 8–12 Months Out
Once your date and place are locked, it’s time to pop the other big question — to your bridal party. Give your bridesmaids, groomsmen, family, and whoever else is standing by your side plenty of time to budget, get their outfits, and plan the festivities with you. Somewhere between 8 to 12 months out is the sweet spot.
Why? A lot can happen in a year. Your friendships may change. Their circumstances may change. Asking too early can lead to awkward “sorry, I can’t anymore” conversations. Asking too late can feel rushed and inconsiderate. Aim for the Goldilocks zone here.
Build Your Wedding Website & Registry: 8–12 Months
Once you’ve confirmed the major details - the who, what, where, when, why, your wedding website becomes a one-stop shop for guests. Add hotel blocks, schedule events, and share your love story for those distant cousins who haven’t heard it yet.
And don’t sleep on the registry. It gives guests enough time to shop, and yourself time to update it as needed.
Dress Shopping: 9–12 Months Out
Wedding gowns are not off-the-rack situations. They’re often made to order and require several rounds of fittings. You’ll want to have your dress ordered about 9 months out to ensure time for tailoring which happens 2-3 months before the day (and is your cutoff for “toning”). Your final fitting typically happens about a month before the wedding.
Also worth considering: if you want your bridal party or mom to join in on the shopping experience, make sure you’ve asked them to be part of the big day before you book appointments.
Book Key Vendors: 6–12 Months Out
Now it’s time to lock down your dream vendor team. Prioritize what matters most to you, keeping in mind most contracts require some form of deposit. The biggest expenses will likely be your caterer, photographer, videographer, entertainment, and florist. Then move on to the smaller things like the officiant, rentals, transportation, and other personalized services (hello, mobile bar cart?).
Vendor calendars fill quickly, especially in popular areas and peak seasons. The more time you give yourself to plan, the more options you’ll have. And don’t forget rehearsal dinner locations and post-wedding brunch reservations if you’re planning a full weekend of affairs. Those go fast, too.
Take Engagement Photos: 6–12 Months Out
If you’re planning on sending Save the Dates with photos — or just want a great shot for your website— this is your window. These photos make adorable thank-you or holiday cards and are like a trial for the big day.
Send Save the Dates: 6–8 Months Before the Wedding
Save the Dates aren’t required, but they’re highly recommended — especially for destination weddings or weekend long affairs. And the more time people have to plan, the more they’re likely to be able to attend. If your wedding involves travel, unique circumstances, or more than one day of events, give people as much advance notice as possible. For destination weddings, 9 to 12 months out is totally fair game.
Mail Invitations: 6–8 Weeks Before the Wedding
According to Emily Post’s rules of etiquette, the formal invite goes out about two months before the big day. This gives people time to RSVP, request time off, shop for outfits, and make travel plans. If you’re worried about slow mail or have a guest list full of out-of-towners, you can stretch this timeline a bit and send 10 to 12 weeks in advance.
Get Your Marriage License: 1–3 Months Out
It’s not the most glamorous task, but it’s definitely the most important to make it legal. Every state has different rules—some have waiting periods, some expire quickly, and some require both parties to be present or have specific documents (we had to order original copies of both of our birth certificates). Research what you need and where you need to go well ahead of time.
Start the Countdown: 1 Month Out
This is when it starts to feel really real. You’re one month out from the moment you’ve been planning for—and possibly stressing over — for a year or more.
This is also the perfect time to start a wedding countdown. Not just a mental checklist, but a real, tangible way to savor every single day leading up to the wedding. A wedding advent calendar is one of the most memorable gifts you can give (or receive) during this final stretch. Because the little moments leading up to your wedding? They deserve to be just as magical as the big day itself.
You Got This: Final Thoughts on the Wedding Timeline
Weddings are meant to be a celebration, but the planning can quickly become overwhelming. There’s a lot to do, a lot of expenses, and a lot of opinions. The best thing you can do is pace yourself. Start with the date and work backwards.
There’s no perfect way to plan a wedding, but there is a way that makes it less stressful: breaking things into bite-sized tasks and knowing what comes next. So if you’re feeling stressed, just look at your wedding timeline and take the next best step.
And when in doubt? Give yourself something to look forward to. Like a daily countdown with luxe little surprises that say, “you got this.”