Quick answer
Set the date, budget and guest range first, then book the venue, because it decides almost everything else. Book the vendors who get booked up earliest next, send save-the-dates once the venue is set, and leave RSVPs, seating and final payments for the last month. Our checklist puts the venue 10 months before the wedding.
Why order matters more than dates
Couples plan on every kind of timeline, from years to a few months. What stays the same is the order: some decisions unlock others. Book in the right order and a short timeline still works; book out of order and a long one still feels rushed.
Foundations
Lock the date and set a working budget and guest count range, 12 months before the wedding in our checklist. Decide whether you want a planner or coordinator soon after (11 months before), because they can help with every step that follows.
Venue and core vendors
Tour and book your venue 10 months before the wedding. Then book the vendors whose dates fill up first: the photographer (9 months before), catering and bar (8 months before), florist and music (7 months before).
Guests and details
Send save-the-dates 7 months before the wedding, once the venue is confirmed. Order your attire with time for alterations (6 months before), reserve a hotel room block (5 months before) and confirm your officiant (5 months before). Then come rings, hair and makeup trials, tastings and invitations (4 months before), and guest transport (3 months before).
The final month
Final fittings, collecting RSVPs and finishing the seating chart, and final vendor payments all land 1 month before the wedding. Confirm the day-of timeline with every vendor and hold the rehearsal about a week before.
On a shorter timeline
If you have less time, keep the order and compress the gaps. Book the venue and the most in-demand vendors in the same few weeks, choose venues that include more services, and accept that some first choices will be taken.
Frequently asked questions
What should we book first for a wedding?
The venue, after setting the date, budget and guest range. It decides the date, the capacity and often the caterer. Our checklist puts booking the venue 10 months before the wedding.
When should we send save-the-dates?
Once the venue is confirmed. Our planning checklist schedules save-the-dates 7 months before the wedding.
Can we plan a wedding in less time?
Yes. Keep the same order, book the venue and most in-demand vendors close together, and choose venues that include more services.
What happens in the last month before the wedding?
Final fittings, collecting RSVPs, finishing the seating chart, final vendor payments, and confirming the day-of timeline with every vendor.