Wedding Planning Timeline

It's engagement season!! This can be a very exciting time, but we also know it can be very overwhelming. We've arranged some tips to help make your wedding planning easier! 

• 12+ months before:
  • Set a date, while keeping in mind what time of year you would like to be married.
  • Consider who you would like to stand beside you on your big day as your wedding party.
  • Plan your wedding budget!
  • Begin to assemble a guest list, keeping in mind family, friends, and those who have supported you both throughout your relationship!
• 8-12+ months before:
  • Start scouting out vendors! Keep in mind questions for each vendor about their specific accommodations and packages.
    • Event Planner
    • Ceremony and Reception venues
    • Entertainment
    • Photographer/Videographer
    • Florist
    • Catering and Dessert
    • Transportation
  • Book a room block at a nearby hotel for out-of-town guests.
  • Start registering for gifts so that guests can begin their gift orders, or have an idea for shower/engagement party gifts.
  • And, of course, our favorite...begin your bridal shopping experience!! Think about what style gown you would be most comfortable in, and most importantly, you would feel the most beautiful in!
    • We know it sounds early, but bridal gowns are most often made by special orders. You also have to keep in mind your alterations timeframe. Some brides schedule return appointments before ordering, so we recommend giving yourself plenty of time for finding your gown!
• 6-8+ months before:
  • Begin shopping styles and colors for bridesmaids dresses.
    • Bridesmaids dresses are often by special order as well! You'll want to make sure your bridesmaids have plenty of time to find their dress, and allot for alterations too. When you have bridesmaids out of town it's easier for everyone if you have more time!
    • Cleo Bridal also has bridesmaids dresses from various designers!
  • Start thinking about your honeymoon! Consider your favorite places or where you haven't traveled together. This is a special time for the two of you to spend together after all the celebrating. You'll want your time away to be fun, intimate, and memorable!
  • Send out save-the-dates! If you're having a destination wedding, consider sending cards earlier to give people ample time for making accommodations.
• 4-6+ months before:
  • Begin looking for and ordering invitations. You'll want to make sure your guest have all the details for the big day! Send out invitations no later than 3 months prior to wedding.
  • Shop for wedding rings and formalwear.
    • Make sure to get measurements from the groom or groomsmen if ordering rentals.
    • Cleo Bridal by White Traditions Bridal House is an approved vendor for Jim's Formal Wear for tuxedo and suit rentals.
  • Renew passports if you'll be traveling out of the country for the wedding or the honeymoon.
• 3+ months before:
  • Order cake and desserts!
  • Finalize details with all vendors, in addition to the menu and seating arrangements.
  • Make sure to have mailed invitations!
  • Plan wedding favors for guests.
  • Shop for wedding accessories! This may include veils, hair pieces, or jewelry.
  • Begin bridal gown alterations!
    • Make sure to bring along your undergarments and wedding shoes. This will help your seamstress alter the gown best.
• 2+ months before:
  • Begin writing vows, if you are choosing to write your own!
  • Purchase gifts for one another, and for your families.
  • Book a trial run with your makeup artist and hairstylist for your wedding day look!
• 1+ month before:
  • Obtain your marriage license.
  • Create your wedding program for guests.
  • Schedule final bridal gown fitting. Bring along your maid of honor or bridesmaids so that they can watch your seamstress bustle the train of your gown.
    • We often suggest a crochet cook, for your bridesmaids to use while buttoning your gown. This may come in hand the day of, when the bridesmaids nails are done, or there are a lot of buttons!
    • We also recommend purchasing a hand steamer for the day of to get any wrinkles out of the bridal gown and bridesmaids dresses.
• 2 weeks before:
  • Send a list of pictures you would like captured to your photographer, so that they may plan accordingly.
  • Forward a list of songs or a playlist to your DJ/Band. This could even include ones you don't want played.
  • Schedule the bride's pre-wedding haircut or hair coloring appointment.
• Week of:
  • Schedule a haircut appointment for the groom.
  • Finalize wedding day details, seating chart, place cards, etc.
  • Provide vendors with contact information of someone they can call the day of.
  • Prepare for wedding rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner.
  • Pass out gifts or accessories to bridal party, usually at rehearsal.
• Day of:
  • Give gifts to each other, and to one another's family.
  • Make sure the wedding bands are with the maid of honor or best man.
  • Enjoy your wedding day!! It goes by fast.
• Post-Wedding:
  • Arrange for gifts to be delivered to your home.
  • Return the formal wear rentals of the groom and groomsmen.
  • Change and update personal information, driver's license, etc.
  • Get bridal gown preserved.
    • Bridal gown preservations can be arranged through Cleo Bridal.
  • Write and mail thank you notes to guests and vendors!
  • Live happily ever after!!

Special thanks to Allison Slater Photography for the capture of our store!