Planning A Wedding In One Year (Month to Month To-Do’s)

One of the biggest stressors people have when planning a wedding is trying to figure out what to do and when to do it.

The solution, my friends, is basic project management and I’d like to welcome you to it! Chances are you are planning a lot of your wedding by yourself and need advice on what come first, and where to focus your efforts each month.

If you’ve never planned a big project before, piecing everything together can be very overwhelming. Some items have to come before others (like setting a date before you book a photographer), some can be done pretty much anytime (like writing your spouse a nice wedding-day letter), and others are optional but have a deadline (like deciding if you’ll hire a videographer). It can be hard to figure out all the steps and how they build on each other.

I promise you, my wedding planners, that there is a method to the madness of planning a wedding. If you follow logic, use some organizational systems, and keep track of what has been done and what needs to be done, the process will go relatively smooth. All you need to do is either follow the guidance I lay out for you and and take it one step at a time. This will help you avoid stress and anxiety over missing something or not having enough time to take care of things that are important to you.

Planning A Wedding In One Year

Think of planning a wedding like a funnel. You start with the largest items and then slowly work your way into the details. Essentially, you fill up the “big rocks”, then the “pebbles”, then the “sand”. This allows you to fit it all in to a nice package. At first, you have large items to take care of, and in the weeks and days before the wedding, there are lots of tiny details to finish up.

In this post, I’m going to give advice on planning a wedding in one year. This schedule can be modified if you are having a quicker engagement by taking care of “longer term” items right away and getting caught up. If you have a longer engagement than one year, no worries. Just take your time on the first few items and start going for real once you hit the “one year out” mark.

Remember, most of the items on this list are optional and they are not all inclusive either.

Each wedding will have a different vision and tasks on it’s to-do list. The guidance below is a very high level attempt at making a one-size-fits-all wedding planning guide – take what you want with you and modify as you need. Do what works best for your own wedding. Most things can be done concurrently or omitted if not wanted or applicable.

TWELVE OR MORE MONTHS:

This is where you get to take care of the big items.

If you’re one year or more away from your wedding, now is the time to determine your anticipated guest list, budget, and ideal wedding date or season. Discuss with your partner your wedding priorities, or the items that you absolutely want or do not want at your wedding. With this information, you can start looking for a venue.

I think in most cases, you’ll want to book a venue about a year in advance, but this all depends on your location and how impacted the venues are in your area. There are lots of options when it comes to a wedding venue, and there is no rule that says they have to be booked a year in advance.

If you are having a longer engagement, you can also use these early months to research other big vendors (photographer, dresses, caterer), create a vision board for your wedding on Pinterest, and create a wedding website that can have more details filled in later.

Big Items To Take Care Of:

• Guest List
• Budget
• Narrow down wedding date timeframe
• Book Venue (book a year in advance, this is the first one to book)
• Research vendors
• Look for ideas via Pinterest and create boards
• Create website
• Wedding dresses (okay to look early, don’t have to buy)

TEN TO TWELVE MONTHS

Now is when you get to book your other big items.

Once you have a venue, you have officially set the date. This means that you can book major vendors like photographer, officiant, entertainment, wedding planner, florist, and catering (including dessert). It’s also important to book your venue before these other items because many venues come with these things included or have limited options for who you can hire based on their preferred vendor list.

Another fun thing to do during this time is choose your wedding party. You can casually ask friends and family to be in your wedding, or you can do a more elaborate proposal. This is all up to your budget and personality.

Big Items To Take Care Of:

• Book vendors like photographer, officiant, DJ / Band, DOC / Wedding Planner, Flowers, Dessert, Food
• Determine wedding party

EIGHT TO TEN MONTHS

When planning a wedding, there are lots of items you can take care of in this timeframe.

Health & Wellness

A big one is to start thinking of a health and wellness plan. You may have more time right now to work out, start a meal plan, or join an accountability group. Starting the plan now will ensure that you are at your healthiest for your wedding. Additionally, start researching your hair and make up options, and consider doing trial runs with a professional before the big day.

Clothing, Theme, & Other 

Now that you have booked your photographer, schedule an engagement shoot to get to know him or her better. These photos are often used in Save The Dates and Invitations, so get them done sooner rather than later. If your family is inclined, someone may also throw you an engagement party.

Nine months before the wedding is definitely when you’ll want to start deciding attire as well, both for you and your wedding party. I think it’s best to pick out the wedding dress first, because it often inspires what the others will wear, and because most wedding dresses take longer to arrive than regular bridesmaids dresses.

You’ll also want to make decisions on your theme, colors, and décor at this time, so you can properly plan out anything you want to order or make yourself. Planning your honeymoon is also a great task to take care of here, because you don’t necessarily have other major expenses to take care of and your budget may be a bit more forgiving when it comes to booking flights and any other travel expenses you pay for up front.

Another big thing to take care of in these months is to look into premarital counseling with your local church or other counselor. These sessions can help hash out any major marital red flags and prepare you for married life. You can also check out this post on crucial conversations to have before getting married.

Big Items To Take Care Of:

• Start your health and wellness plan
• Engagement shoot with photographer
• Engagement party
• Wedding party attire
• Research honeymoon ideas
• Hair, make up plan, book vendor if needed
• Decide on themes, colors, décor (Pinterest is great for this)
• Order wedding dress
• Premarital counseling
• Plan and book honeymoon

SIX TO SEVEN MONTHS

During this time frame, it’s all about setting up the framework and communication with others.

By now, you should have what you need to create Save The Dates and send them out. While you’re doing that, you can obtain all your guest’s addresses for later use.

This is also the best time to start your DIY projects, and go out and buy any items that you really want for your ceremony or reception. Use this time to check in with vendors to see if you can firm up any decisions as well.

Big Items To Take Care Of:

• Set guest list, get addresses
• Save The Dates
• DIY decorations, procure any items you want at your ceremony and reception
• Check in with vendors to see if you need to make any decisions with them

FIVE MONTHS

Oh, you’re getting close!

Five months ahead of time, order your invitations and book any hotel rooms or room blocks. Additionally, figure out your transportation plan to and from the wedding. Now is also the best time to start shopping for rings and plan your ceremony.

You’ll also want to check with your family and friends about any showers or bachelorette parties.  These events can be done anytime before the wedding, but ideally they are 2-3 months ahead. You may have to be involved with planning them or being available at a certain time, so start the discussions early.

Big Items To Take Care Of:

• Order invitations
• Start planning bachelorette and showers
• Book hotels (room blocks if needed)
• Book transportation
• Shop Rings
• Plan out ceremony, readings, speakers, officiant’s role

THREE TO FOUR MONTHS

There is a lot that you can get done with just a few months to go.

Showers and bachelorette parties are common in this timeframe. After they take place, be sure to send out any thank you notes right away. While you’re in the habit of sending things, go ahead and send your invitations.

If you haven’t already, research any requirements it will take to get your marriage license. Every state or location is different, and some have a waiting period. Checking into it now will allow you to plan ahead. Also make note of after wedding items to take care of so you aren’t blindsided afterwards.

For your wedding décor, use this time to finalize what you can, order anything you need, and finish the DIY stuff. This is also a great time to order gifts for your bridal party, family members, and future spouse. Additionally, order supplies for welcome bags (if you will have them) as well as favors. Create a plan to dress the groomsmen as well, and get your girls to schedule any alterations they may need.

Lastly, use this time to plan the rehearsal. Think about who will need to be there, if you will have a dinner afterwards, and how you will communicate the plan to everyone.

Big Items To Take Care Of:

• Have showers/bachelorettes
• Send all thank you notes from gifts received
• Send invitations
• Have a plan for marriage license, schedule time to apply
• Finalize all wedding décor, order anything you want, finish DIY
• Purchase any gifts
• Welcome Bags
• Look into after wedding items (change name, etc.)
• Order groomsmen rentals
• Favors
• Plan rehearsal
• Wedding party alterations (if needed)

ONE TO TWO MONTHS

Getting to crunch time! This is where you’ll want to finalize everything.

Make sure that everyone involved in the wedding has their clothes picked out and properly altered. This includes your parents and grandparents. Take some time to pick out your own wedding day jewelry.

Also, put all your decoration items together, packaged up nicely, with lists of what is inside clearly visible. It will help if you label what each item is, where it will go at the wedding, and who it will go home with after the wedding.

Another fun thing to do at this time is to finalize any songs needed and create a playlist for your entertainment to use. Hopefully you’ve heard back from your guests after sending out your invitations and you can put together a seating chart and place cards with that information. This is also the time to check in with vendors again, and to finalize your vows, toasts, or speeches.

Big Items To Take Care Of:

• Final fittings for dresses, suits, for all wedding party members
• Decide final jewelry
• Get all the décor together, make lists, package up
• Finalize songs and playlist
• Finalize guest count
• Check in with vendors
• Seating chart / place cards
• Write vows, toasts, speeches

TWO TO FOUR WEEKS

In the weeks before the wedding most of the big stuff will be done, so you’ve got to tie up any loose ends.

To do this, confirm everything with vendors again. Also, make sure that all dresses and other attire are with their proper parties. Practice your bustle before the wedding. Set aside any cash you’ll want to gift to vendors as a tip at the wedding. Work with your vendors to firm up your wedding day timeline and create a communication plan for it.

Big Items To Take Care Of:

• Confirm items with vendors, get them what they need
• Obtain all dresses and attire
• Practice bustle
• Prep tips (if needed)
• Settle on wedding day timeline

ONE TO TWO WEEKS

You’re in the home stretch!

Right before the wedding, make sure everything is packed up properly. This includes items for both the wedding and for your honeymoon if you’re leaving right away.

Communicate the plan with all your vendors and anyone closely involved with the wedding. Take care of personal items like coloring your hair, nails, waxing, or tanning.  Above all else, try to hydrate, eat right, and relax. You’re almost there!

Big Items To Take Care Of:

• Pack up everything that you want to take to wedding
• Pack for honeymoon (if needed)
• Communicate wedding timeline
• Hair, nails, wax, tanning, etc.
• Hydrate, take care of yourself, handle everything that comes up

CLOSING THOUGHTS

In this post I go over what to do the night before and in the future I’ll lay out the day of your wedding, but this is good for now. Take what you can with this guidance for planning a wedding in one year.  And, if you can get some items done earlier go for it!  Depending on your circumstances, if you have to wait a little longer, it’s not the end of the world. If you have a quick engagement there will be a post one day for you, too. Thanks for getting this far and happy wedding planning!

More From Hummingbird Wedding Advice: 

How To Deal With Wedding Planning Stress

How To Host A Virtual Bridal Shower

Late Night Snack Ideas For Your Wedding

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