WPC Wedding Professionals of Columbus

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Planning a wedding from scratch.

Twelve months sounds like plenty of time until you start. Here's the order things actually need to happen in, and the deadlines that matter.

The planning timeline.

Six phases on one page, from 12 months out to the final two weeks.

01 12 months out

The big decisions

Set a rough budget and decide who pays for what
Pick a date window (not a fixed date yet)
Make a guest list – 100, 150, 250
Choose the wedding format
Book the ceremony venue
Book the reception venue

02 9–10 months out

Start the search

Hire a planner if you want one
Begin dress shopping
Start interviewing photographers

03 6–8 months out

The key vendors

Send save-the-dates
Book photographer, florist, caterer, DJ
Coordinate wedding party attire
Book hotel blocks
Plan the honeymoon
Register for gifts

04 3–5 months out

The middle stretch

Order invitations
Buy or rent the groom's suit
Book hair and makeup trials
Plan the ceremony

05 1–2 months out

The details

Mail invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding
Apply for the marriage license. In Franklin County it's valid for 60 days
Final dress fitting
Confirm timeline with every vendor
Buy wedding rings
Write or finalize vows
Make seating chart

06 Last 2 weeks

The home stretch

Confirm final headcount
Pick up rings, dress, suit, license
Prepare tip envelopes
Pack honeymoon bags
Manicure, haircut, good sleep

Guides to read next.