Your Wedding Planning Timeline for a Stress-Free Wedding Day

So, you just said “yes” to the love of your life. Congratulations on your engagement!

While you’re still basking in that euphoria, you should understand that planning your dream wedding is a big deal. Whether you have one year or one month, you want to make sure that every tiny detail is taken care of without stress.

But is that even possible? Well, that’s why Adagio Djay Entertainment is here to help you break down the wedding planning process into sizable bits. With our wedding planning timeline and checklist, you’re sure to enjoy your big day.

 

The Wedding Planning Timeline Checklist

Our wedding checklist timeline is 12 months, but you can condense the tasks if you plan to have a short engagement period.

12 Months Before the Wedding

This period is critical in the entire process as you want to lay a solid foundation for the next months. Here are some items to check off the list:

• Set a realistic wedding budget based on your priorities and market research.
• Decide on the number of guests to invite.
• Hire a wedding planner if your budget can accommodate one.
• Tour potential wedding venues, then select one based on your guest list.
• Choose a wedding theme based on your values and the wedding venue.
• Create a wedding website to inform guests of the theme, dress code, and other details as they come up.
• Research wedding suppliers for wedding cakes, flowers, bridesmaid dresses, and wedding suits.
• Decide whether you need a wedding DJ or a live band.
• Research wedding photographers and videographers.
• Decide who should be your bridal party and wedding party members.
• Consider wedding insurance and one for the engagement ring.

8 to 11 Months Before the Wedding

It’s now time to hire vendors, buy wedding attire, and check off other exciting items.

• Finalize the wedding date.
• Get the final guest count, then send save-the-date cards.
• Reserve accommodation for out-of-town guests.
• Book the venue and vendors (caterer, cake, florist, photographer, and videographer).
• Contact a decor company if you’re renting tents, tables, and chairs for the wedding ceremony.
• Book the DJ, then select your music timeline. The right DJ will help you choose songs based on your theme. Here are some common things you’ll need to pick:
  • The Prelude: This plays as the guests arrive to set the wedding mood. You can choose between acoustic songs like Harry Styles Sweet Creature or classical music like Bach’s Wachet Auf.
  • The Processional Song: It plays when the bridesmaids, groomsmen, friends, and family members walk down the aisle in preparation for the bride and groom’s entrance. Some popular examples are Enya’s Only Time and Sam Smith’s Stay with Me.
  • The Recessional Song: This one ushers the newly wedded up the aisle at the end of the ceremony. You can choose upbeat music like American Authors’ Best Day of My Life or a traditional song like Leonard Bernstein’s One Hand, One Heart.
  • Other Festivities: Festivities like lighting the unity candle and cutting the cake call for songs that hold personal meanings to you and your better half. Also, the genre could be folk, pop, country, or anything that works best for you.
  • Special Songs: You should consider other generations, like grandparents and children. The songs could be of any genre, but you can ask guests to submit song suggestions in advance.
• Purchase the wedding dress, wedding shoes, and other accessories.
• Select the wedding party attire.
• Choose a honeymoon destination, then make reservations for flight and accommodation. You can get a wedding party member to assist.
• Set up your wedding registry so your guests can have an idea of the type of wedding gifts you and your partner would prefer.

6 to 7 Months Before the Wedding

It’s getting near!

• Send out wedding invitations to the final guest list if you’re hosting a destination wedding. Otherwise, reserve it for 2 or 3 months prior to the wedding day.
• Draw up prenuptial agreements with your lawyers.
• Attend a pre-marriage course or counseling.
• Notify your local clergy, hire an officiant, or choose a close friend.
• Shop for wedding rings.
• Book a rehearsal dinner venue or provide the host with the list of guests.
• Renew your passport if it’s almost due and you’re considering traveling far away for the honeymoon.

4 to 5 Months Before the Wedding

Congratulations! You’re halfway through the wedding planning checklist timeline. Let’s put some finishing touches to the plan.

• Finalize food and drink tasting with the caterer.
• Shop extra wedding outfits for the rehearsal dinner, wedding shower, and bachelorette party.
• Commence beauty upkeep, such as facial treatment and teeth whitening.
• Finalize the music wishlist with the DJ, including do-not-play songs.
• Organize hair and makeup trial sessions.
• Order wedding favors and welcome bags, especially for out-of-town guests.
• Purchase or rent the groom’s tux.
• Purchase outfits for the page boys and flower girls.
• Order wedding party gifts and thank-you gifts for family members.
• Finalize the ceremony program, select readings, and write your wedding vows.
• Send rehearsal dinner invitations or ensure the host does it.
• If you haven’t already done so, send out the wedding invitation to the wedding guests.

2 to 3 Months Before the Wedding

You’re nearly done!

• Complete the paperwork and pick up your marriage license.
• If you’re not shipping your wedding gown, go for a fitting and purchase your undergarments.
• Attend your bach party.
• Pay all vendors and ensure you’ve checked off everything on the wedding timeline up to this point.

The Final Weeks Before the Wedding

Now, finalize everything and relax.

• Get a massage, manicure, and pedicure.
• Pack your bags for the wedding night and honeymoon.
• Clear your office to-do list and enjoy the wedding festivities.
• Ensure the wedding bands are intact.
• Make final changes to the menu, wedding day schedule, and music. Adagio Djay offers an award-winning online music planner for this purpose.

The Wedding Morning

It’s time!

• Rehearse your vows, send a note to your partner, and thank everyone who has been there from the beginning.
• Walk down the aisle and get married.

 

Wrapping Up

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you should get help from a family member. Don’t forget that a great DJ is the life of your ceremony. Contact Adagio Djay Entertainment to find out how we can help.