Your wedding timeline

Twelve months before the wedding
• Announce your engagement
• Buy an engagement ring and decide on wedding rings
• Set the date
• Decide on your budget
• Develop a theme or style for the occasion
• Choose your bridal party
• Decide on the size of the guest list
• Research reception and ceremony venues and obtain quotes
• Arrange pre-wedding counselling and look for a minister or celebrant
• Start shopping for your dream gown
• Research your photographer and videographer and obtain quotes
• Start a health and fitness program
• Visit a travel agent to discuss honeymoon options and packages
• Consider the type of wedding transport you require and start initial research

Six to nine months before
• Book the reception venue
• Book the catering and hire companies if appropriate
• Book the church/ceremony venue and the religious official or celebrant
• Book your photographer and videographer
• Buy the wedding dress, veil and accessories or start the couture process
• Select attire for the groom and groomsmen
• Shop with your bridesmaids for dresses and accessories (buy, hire or make before the six-month mark)
• Research florists and flower preservation specialists and obtain quotes
• Research musicians and entertainment services and obtain quotes
• Research cake options, discuss them with cake designers and obtain quotes
• Research hair and beauty stylists and obtain quotes
• Investigate gift registries and select one
• Draw up a guest list and research invitation and stationery services
• View wedding transport and obtain quotes
• Make arrangements for time off work surrounding the wedding
• Book honeymoon flights and accommodation and first-night accommodation

Three to six months before
• Finalise the menu and all details with the reception venue or caterer
• Order your wedding rings
• Finalise hire/purchase details for the attire of the groom and groomsmen
• Order invitations, wedding stationery and bomboniere
• Book the florist and flower preservation specialist
• Book wedding transport
• Book musicians and entertainment and select the MC
• Book hair and beauty stylists and arrange trials

Two months before
• Order the wedding cake
• Complete the Notice of Intended Marriage Certificate and organise other documentation with your celebrant
• Send invitations and advise guests of the gift registry
• Have a pre-wedding photographic shoot and finalise details
• Arrange wedding accessories
• Collect your wedding rings
• Organise moving if necessary

One month before
• Have final fittings for all the bridal party and ensure all accessories are in order
• Buy gifts for attendants and special helpers
• Begin arrangements for name changes if applicable
• Record all RSVPs and give the final number to the reception venue
• Pay the final balance on your honeymoon bookings
• Make rehearsal plans
• Don’t forget your beauty plan! Have a facial, organise tanning, book your nails etc
• Organise CDs to be played at the ceremony and reception if you’re not having live entertainment
• Arrange the order of events for the wedding day and any input such as vows/speeches
• Enjoy your hens’ and bucks’ nights!

Two weeks before
• Have your engagement ring cleaned
• Collect the bride’s and bridesmaids’ gowns and hire suits if applicable
• Confirm ALL bookings and run through all details with each of them
• Re-confirm your final reception numbers and revise the seating plan
• Attend to finishing touches such as place cards and bomboniere
• Hold the rehearsal and give your bridal party their gifts
• Pack for your honeymoon
• Have a manicure and pedicure the day before the wedding