How to Pick Your Perfect Wedding Style in 2026
How to pick a 2026 wedding style that matches you and your venue — the major style families, what each one signals, and ... More
Wedding Planning Timelines, Checklists and Templates
How to get started
When we were planning our own wedding, we were also struggling with bits and pieces until we fixed one thing: a reception venue. Immediately, that narrowed down choice of ceremony locations, and we reserved our ceremony venue.
After that, planning started moving: we could price a photographer and catering. The biggest rocks were out of the way; guests were invited. Next came the dress / the tux, the rings and the limo.
Our advice: fix the big things first (sites/venues), everything else will snap to those.
Wedding Planning Timeline and a Checklist
12-9 Months Before the Wedding
Hire (or do not hire!) a wedding planner
Tour and select a ceremony site
Book a reception venue
9-6 Months Before the Wedding
Pick a wedding dress
Interview and select a photographer
Hire a videographer
Sample and decide on a caterer
Order a wedding cake
6-3 Months Before the Wedding
Do an engagement photoshoot
Find the rings
3 Months Before the Wedding
Select a limousine service
2 Months Before the Wedding
Create a playlist and download your favorite songs
1 Month Before the Wedding
Two Weeks Before the Wedding
One Week Before the Wedding
Two Days Before the Wedding
The Day Before the Wedding
The Day of The Wedding!
3 Days After the Wedding
1 Week After the Wedding
30 Days After the Wedding
Arrange for the dress to be cleaned and preserved - or do a trash-the-dress photoshoot!
