- Bel Amour Event Planning
Check It Off the List!
This week is all about checklists. On average couples are engaged between 12 and 18 months. Some couples are engaged less, some couples more. Below you will find an expedited timeline (6 months), an average timeline (12 months), and a vendor checklist.
6 Month Engagement
A 6 month engagement is an absolute whirlwind of a time. The absolute first thing I recommend doing is hiring a planner. They will be able to assist you in the process and help you expedite the process. Planning 6 months out you may not be able to book your ideal vendors, but that does not mean that you wont have an awesome team of vendors!
6 months prior
-Choose your budget
Now is the time to sit down and discuss who is contributing what. Make a clear budget so that
you do not overspend.
-Create a priority list
It is time to prioritize your vendors. If photography is the most important vendor for you, than allocate extra money for the photographer and less for your dessert.
-Pick your venue
Most venues are booked over a year out, if you are looking for a specific date than you will have
to be flexible on venues. If the date doesn't matter than look into what dates your favorite venue
has available. To keep the budget down, look into getting married Sunday through Thursday.
-Book your priority vendors
Take those vendors on the top of your list and get them booked! The longer you wait, the less
likely your vendors are available.
-Choose your wedding dress and accessories
Most designer wedding dresses take 6 or more months to receive. If you have your heart set on a
designer wedding dress you may pay a rush fee or consider buying off of the rack.
-Schedule your engagement photos
This is normally booked after you have found your photographer. This is often your photography
"trial."
-Plan your rehearsal dinner
If you are hosting a rehearsal dinner call and book the venue or restaurant.
5 months prior
-Create your guest list
Consider your budget when doing this. The more guests the more expensive. Also, take into
account the size of your venue.
-Setup your wedding registry
Choose the must haves to start off your new life together or setup a honeymoon account.
-Announce your wedding party
We can't get married without our best friends and family! It is time to propose to them. Make
sure that you give them enough time to order their dresses and suits.
-Send your save the dates
This is not necessary but if you want to send save the dates now is the time to do so.
-Create your wedding website
Put your wedding website on your save the dates so that your guests can stay up to date on
things, RSVP, find travel accommodations, and access your registry.
-Create a hotel block
Reserve hotel rooms for your guests. Sometimes comes at discounted rates!
4 months prior
-Hire remaining vendors
Book your hair and makeup artists, photobooths, officiant, and any others. (Check out our
vendor check list below)
-Purchase wedding bands
Time to buy the bling! Most rings are custom order so allow yourself plenty of time to get them
ordered.
3 months prior
-Pick your food and desserts
Talk to your catering and dessert companies about having a tasting to know what you are getting
the day of.
-Plan your honeymoon
"Aruba, Jamaica, oh I want to take you to Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama..." Where
are you headed on your honeymoon? Time to book tickets, update that passport, and book a
hotel.
-Send your invitations
Make your RSVP by at least 1 month prior to your wedding date so that you can get accurate
counts for your caterer.
2 months prior
-Time to party!
It is time for bachelor and bachelorette parties.
-Order your marriage licence
Visit your county clerk office between 2 weeks and 90 days prior to your wedding date.
-Hair and makeup trial
Try out your hair and makeup and possibly use this for your bridal photos.
-Pick your songs
Create a list of important songs and key dance songs to share with your DJ.
1 month prior
-Confirm all the details
Finalize your timeline and send it to the appropriate vendors.
-Finalize your seating chart
Send your seating chart over to your venue at least a week in advance to ensure that the setup is
correct.
2 weeks prior
-Create seating chart
If you are creating a assigned seats/assigned tables, begin that process now.
The day prior
-Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Most venues do not allow rehearsal to be the day before, which is fine.
-Go to bed!
Get a good nights sleep. You are about to have a whirlwind of emotions in the next 24 hours.
The day of
-Get married!!!
12 months prior
-Choose your budget
Now is the time to sit down and discuss who is contributing what. Make a clear budget so that
you do not overspend.
-Choose a date
Is your date flexible?
-Create a priority list
It is time to prioritize your vendors. If photography is the most important vendor for you, than
allocate extra money for the photographer and less for your dessert.
-Hire a wedding planner
A wedding planner will help you along the way. Discuss the difference in wedding planning and
wedding management/day of.
-Start thinking about a theme
How formal is your wedding? What colors are you choosing? Are we going country rustic,
bohemian, winter wonderland, etc?
11 months prior
-Pick your venue
Most venues are booked over a year out, if you are looking for a specific date than you will have
to be flexible on venues. If the date doesn't matter than look into what dates your favorite venue
has available. To keep the budget down, look into getting married Sunday through Thursday.
-Pick food type
Begin deciding on cuisine style. BBQ, American, Pizza, Italian, and Mexican are some of the most
popular choices.
-Book your priority vendors
Take those vendors on the top of your list and get them booked! The longer you wait, the less
likely your vendors are available. I personally recommend photographer, DJ/band, catering.
10 months prior
-Choose your wedding dress and accessories
Most designer wedding dresses take 6 or more months to receive. If you have your heart set on a
designer wedding dress you may pay a rush fee or consider buying off of the rack.
-Finalize a color scheme
Selecting your color palette and mood board helps let everything fall into place.
-Create a hotel block
Reserve hotel rooms for your guests. Sometimes comes at discounted rates!
-Create your wedding website
Put your wedding website on your save the dates so that your guests can stay up to date on
things, RSVP, find travel accommodations, and access your registry.
-Schedule your engagement photos
This is normally booked after you have found your photographer. This is often your photography
"trial".
9 months prior
-Send your save the dates
This is not necessary but if you want to send save the dates now is the time to do so.
-Setup your wedding registry
Choose the must haves to start off your new life together or setup a honeymoon account.
-Announce your wedding party
We can't get married without our best friends and family! It is time to propose to them. Make
sure that you give them enough time to order their dresses and suits.
8 months prior
-Create your guest list
Consider your budget when doing this. The more guests the more expensive. Also, take into
account the size of your venue.
-Select bridal party attire
Choose bridesmaid dress color and style. Choose groomsmen attire.
-Meet with florists
Show up with your wedding colors and inspo floral photos for your florist to know what you are
wanting. For more info on florists check out this blog post.
-Hire remaining vendors
Book your hair and makeup artists, photobooths, officiant, and any others. (Check out our
vendor check list below)
7 months prior
-Order bridesmaid attire
Order with enough time to get alterations if needed.
-Plan your rehearsal dinner
If you are hosting a rehearsal dinner call and book the venue or restaurant.
-Order rental items
Order linens, tables, chairs, draping, dance floor, etc. that might be needed for your special day.
-Hire an officiant
Hire your church minister or have a friend or family member get ordained to unite you as one.
6 months prior
-Begin DIY projects
Any decor that you are making yourself should be started.
5 months prior
-Book transportation
Book transportation for guests if needed and a get away car for you.
-Plan your honeymoon
"Aruba, Jamaica, oh I want to take you to Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama..." Where
are you headed on your honeymoon? Time to book tickets, update that passport, and book a
hotel.
-Get grooms attire
Rent or purchase the grooms attire.
4 months prior
-Pick your food and desserts
Talk to your catering and dessert companies about having a tasting to know what you are getting
the day of.
-Purchase wedding bands
Time to buy the bling! Most rings are custom order so allow yourself plenty of time to get them
ordered.
- Order groomsmen attire
Choosing groomsmen attire should all come from the same company so that the colors are the
same.
3 months prior
-Hair and makeup trial
Try out your hair and makeup and possibly use this for your bridal photos.
-Send your invitations
Make your RSVP by at least 1 month prior to your wedding date so that you can get accurate
counts for your caterer.
-Book last minute vendors
Book your photobooths, caricature artists, late night food truck,or any additional last minute \
vendors
-Write your vows
This is a lot harder than you would think so allow yourself 3 months to put all of your thoughts on
paper.
-Begin your dress fittings
There is normally 3 dress fittings so allow yourself plenty of time
2 months prior
-Send your rehearsal dinner invitations
This is for family, bridal party, and guests who traveled out of town.
-Order your marriage licence
Visit your county clerk office between 2 weeks and 90 days prior to your wedding date.
-Time to party!
It is time for bachelor and bachelorette parties.
-Pick your songs
Create a list of important songs and key dance songs to share with your DJ.
-Buy wedding gifts
Buy wedding gifts for the bridal party, the bride/groom, your parents, and your in laws.
-Finalize details with florist
Confirm floral counts and decor details.
1 month prior
-Confirm all the details
Finalize your timeline and send it to the appropriate vendors.
-Finalize your seating chart
Send your seating chart over to your venue at least a week in advance to ensure that the setup is
correct.
-Pay vendors in full
Do not worry about money on your wedding day. If you need o make payments the day of, put
money/check in an envelope with the vendors name and pass it off to someone to deliver.
-Create seating chart
If you are creating a assigned seats/assigned tables, begin that process now.
-Have venue final walk through
Confirm details with the venue coordinator and your planner for the big day.
-Put vendor tips in envelopes
Put money/check in an envelope with the vendors name and pass it off to someone to deliver.
-Break in your wedding shoes
You do not want blisters the day of your wedding.
-Follow up on any RSVPs
No response = no food and no seat.
1 week prior
-Pamper yourself
Get your hair, eyebrows, and nails done, and get a massage.
-Final dress fitting
It is time to pick up your dress!
-Pack for the honeymoon
I personally recommend not leaving for your honeymoon the day after but instead 2 days after. It
allows you to say goodbye to your family and friends that have traveled.
-Clean your ring
Your jeweler can deep clean for you.
-Practice your vows
You will be nervous and emotional so practice out loud ahead of time.
The day prior
-Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Most venues do not allow rehearsal to be the day before, which is fine.
-Go to bed!
Get a good nights sleep. You are about to have a whirlwind of emotions in the next 24 hours.
The day of
-Get married!!!
Vendors to book
-Venue
-Photographer
-Videographer
-Catering
-Dessert
-Bartending
-Bridal shop
-Alterations
-Florist
-Photobooth
-Rentals
-Officiant
-Planner
-Hair and Makeup Artist
-DJ
-Live Music
-Transportation
-Hotel
-Stationary/Calligrapher
-Additional Entertainment
If you have any questions or need an even more expedited timeline reach out to me at info@belamoureventplanning.com
*all photos by the AMAZING Paisley Layne Photography