HOORAY!’s Wedding Planning Timeline

Here at HOORAY!, we love a good timeline – and this one’s a total winner!

When it comes to wedding planning, it can be hard to know when to pick a florist, or how far in advance to send your invitations out.

But never fear; HOORAY! is here! We’ve put together the ultimate wedding planning timeline to cover all the bases in the lead up to your wedding day. With this list by your side, you’ll be the most organised kid on the block.

We’ve also put together a downloadable word document, so you can chop and change the list to suit your timeline and unique plans. You can download the word document by clicking right here.

Now, time to get organising!Image: Angus Porter Photography

2 years in advance

– Estimate the number of guests and draw up a rough guest list

– Pick a date range (e.g. March/April XX Year)

– Confirm budget

– Research venues for ceremony and reception (click here to check out our top picks)

– Select venue/s and lock in your date

– Create a wedding planning notebook organiser

– Optional: hire a wedding planner

1.5 years in advance

– Select a photographer (click here to see our faves in our Vendor Guide)

– Select a celebrant (click here to see our recommended celebrants)

– Select a florist (click here to check out our top picks)

– Select a videographer (click here to take a peek at our handpicked favourites)

– Schedule dress shopping days/trips

– Select stationery designer (click here to see a list of our recommended designers)

– Finalise invite list

1 year in advance

– Dress confirmed

– Select ceremony music

– Select reception music/entertainment (click here to see a list of our top picks)

– Research and reserve accommodation for interstate guests

– Contact furniture rental companies

– Optional: Make a wedding website

– Optional: Host an engagement party

8 Months in advance

– Send Save The Dates

– Book hair stylist (click here to see our recommended hair stylists)

– Book makeup artist (click here to see our favourites!)

– Book cake designer (click here to see our top cake designers)

– Shop for wedding rings

– Shop for bridesmaid gowns and shoes

– Shop for groomsmen suits and shoes

– Plan and book honeymoon

– Ask friends and family to be in the wedding party

– Optional: create a gift registry or plan for a wishing well

6 months in advance

– Hair trial

– Makeup trial

– Select bridal shoes

– Select bridal accessories

– Hire wedding day transport

– Select an MC for the event

– Ensure you have your backup plan for bad weather sorted

– Check that your passports are in date for your honeymoon

– Apply for leave for a few days prior to your wedding, the wedding day and honeymoon

– Optional: Engagement photoshoot

3 months in advance

– Send invitations

– Attend Hens Party

– Attend Bridal Shower

– Decide on songs for key moments, and deliver song lists to DJ and/or wedding band

– Confirm marriage licence with celebrant

– Attend wedding food tasting

– Assign someone not from your bridal party to assist with all the on-the-day duties

– Write a timeline for the order of events for on the day and what traditions you do or don’t want e.g. bouquet throw, garter toss, grooms speech

– Purchase robes for bride and bridesmaids to get ready in

– Arrange for a family member or friend to look after your plants, pets and house while you’re away on your honeymoon

– Dress alterations

– Optional: Prepare welcome gifts for interstate guests and organise for their delivery to their hotels

– Optional: Purchase gifts for bridesmaids and maid of honour

– Optional: organise wedding favours

1-2 months in advance

– Confirm RSVPs and call any guests who haven’t responded

– Write your vows

– Attend final gown fitting

– Create a list of guests who are giving toasts and give this list to the MC

– Confirm final seating plan and organise seating charts

– Book nail appointment for two days before your wedding

– Supply venue event manager with vendor needs (for example a table for DJ, space for the florist to set up)

– Create or order your program, menu and place cards

2 weeks in advance

– Hair cut and colour

– Finalise the delivery of items to the reception and ceremony

– Break in your shoes

– Try your dress, shoes and accessories on together one last time before the big day

– Give photographer a final list of shots you want taken

– Print out and email directions for your transport drivers, including pick up and drop off locations

– Review any printed documents, such as place cards, menus or table seating charts for errors

– Confirm honeymoon details including flight times, accommodation, activities and reservations

– Finalise and pay any remaining payments owed to vendors

– Optional: have a massage or facial

1 week in advance

– Provide reception venue/caterer with final headcount, and specify vendors to confirm vendor meals

– Determine wedding party positions during the ceremony and the order of the party in the processional and recessional

– Pack for your honeymoon

– Practice your vows out loud

– Email all vendors to confirm time of arrival and location

– Check the weather forecast and make sure you have your back up plan ready for any rainy day disasters

3 days in advance

– Pack a bag for your wedding day

– Pack an overnight bag for the night of your wedding

– Pack an emergency kit for any unexpected mishaps, be sure to include things like a sewing kit, hairspray and face powder

– Ensure your on-the-day coordinator knows their duties including having a vendor contact list with them as well as picking up any gifts and belongings at the end of the night

– Attend nail appointment

2 days in advance

– Drop off any items that can be left at the venue as soon as they will allow you to

– Groom hair trim

– Optional: get a fake tan

The day before

– Attend the venue for any last minute changes or deliveries

– Optional: Give bridesmaids and maid of honour gifts

On the day

– Eat! Don’t forget to have breakfast the day of your wedding and have plenty of water and snacks throughout the day.

– Hair preparation

– Makeup preparation

– Greet all your guests and thank them for coming to your wedding.

– Relax! Don’t sweat the small stuff—just enjoy your day! Laugh, dance and enjoy each moment.

Post-wedding day

– Return any hired suits, furniture or decorations

– Go on your honeymoon

– Write and send thank you cards to guests

– Get your wedding dress cleaned and preserved (or listed online if you’re selling it!)

– Write some positive reviews for the companies that provided you with great service on the day

– Optional: Once the photos have come back, create a hard copy wedding album

– Optional: change your name on your license, bills, bank cards and so on

– Optional: Preserve part of the wedding cake

– Optional: Preserve the bouquet

Did we miss anything?

Is there anything you would do differently? Let us know by commenting below!