The whole year, mapped out.

12 months before

Set your date & vision

The single most important milestone: agree on the date, the style, and the money. Everything else flows from these three.

• Agree on a shortlist of dates with both families
• Set your total wedding budget with all contributors
• Create a rough guest list — who must be there
• Choose your wedding style and city
• Tour and shortlist venues
• Book your venue and lock the date

11 months before

Choose your team

Decide who will help you plan and run the day. A good team booked early saves you money and stress.

• Decide whether you need a wedding planner or coordinator
• Shortlist photographers and videographers
• Research caterers and menu styles
• Start a vendor contact list with quotes
• Book your officiant or religious leader

10 months before

Lock the big vendors

Book the vendors that shape the day: photography, catering, music, and decor. Confirm everything in writing.

• Book your photographer and videographer
• Book the caterer and schedule a tasting
• Book ceremony and reception music
• Book your decor and floral team
• Review and sign all vendor contracts

9 months before

Start the guest list

A complete guest list is the anchor for your venue, catering, and seating. Build it once and refine it as RSVPs arrive.

• Finalize the master guest list
• Collect addresses and contact details
• Design save-the-dates
• Create your wedding website with details
• Start researching wedding attire

8 months before

Attire & beauty

Wedding outfits and beauty teams book out months ahead. Start early so fittings and trials are relaxed.

• Start shopping for wedding outfits
• Book hair, makeup, and mehendi artists
• Schedule first fittings for the couple
• Coordinate attire for family and the wedding party
• Pick accessories and jewelry

7 months before

Invitations & stationery

Design and order your invitations so they reach guests with time to spare. Save-the-dates should already be out.

• Design and order formal invitations
• Send save-the-dates
• Order welcome signage and stationery
• Arrange accommodation blocks for out-of-town guests
• Book guest transport if needed

6 months before

Send the invitations

Formal invitations go out now. This is also when catering, photography, and music should all be locked in.

• Mail formal invitations on schedule
• Lock the final menu after the tasting
• Finalize ceremony and reception details
• Book the rehearsal or welcome dinner
• Start tracking RSVPs as they arrive

5 months before

Decor & rentals

Commit to the look of the day: palette, florals, linens, and lighting. Confirming early locks seasonal prices.

• Finalize the color palette and theme
• Order linens, tableware, and rentals
• Confirm lighting and stage design
• Plan the flower arrangements
• Draft the seating plan layout

4 months before

Legal & logistics

Handle paperwork and travel now, while there is still time to fix mistakes and book the best rates.

• Apply for the marriage license
• Confirm accommodation for close family
• Arrange airport transfers for guests
• Finalize day-of transport for the couple
• Book honeymoon flights and stay

3 months before

Final details

The guest list becomes a seating chart, the menu becomes a headcount, and every detail gets a final number.

• Send RSVP reminders to pending guests
• Finalize the seating chart
• Confirm every vendor with final numbers
• Create the photography shot list
• Do final outfit fittings

2 months before

Confirm everything

Lock the final counts with every vendor and share the day-of plan with the people who will run it.

• Send the final headcount to all vendors
• Confirm arrival times with every vendor
• Finish all outfit alterations
• Create the day-of timeline and share it
• Delegate roles to family and friends

1 month before

Final month

Settle the money, print the details, and prepare the small things that make the day run smoothly.

• Settle remaining vendor payments
• Print welcome signs, cards, and programs
• Prepare welcome gifts for guests
• Pack for the wedding and honeymoon
• Confirm the final wedding day schedule

4 weeks before

Four weeks out

• Send the final guest count to catering and the venue
• Settle all vendor deposits and balances
• Send the day-of timeline to every vendor
• Book the final rehearsal time

3 weeks before

Three weeks out

• Confirm the rehearsal and welcome dinner
• Print programs, welcome signs, and cards
• Pack wedding outfits for steaming and fittings
• Write thank-you notes for the wedding party

2 weeks before

Two weeks out

• Reconfirm arrival times with every vendor
• Prepare payment envelopes and vendor tips
• Delegate day-of roles to family and friends
• Check the weather and review the backup plan

1 week before

One week out

• Do the final venue walkthrough
• Pack the wedding day emergency kit
• Review the seating chart one last time
• Take a breath — most of it is done

6 days before

Six days out

• Confirm all vendor arrival times in writing
• Pack clothes for travel and the honeymoon
• Assign someone to manage payments on the day

5 days before

Five days out

• Run the rehearsal for the wedding party
• Finish seating chart and escort cards
• Steam and prepare the wedding outfits

4 days before

Four days out

• Prepare the emergency kit — pins, thread, water, snacks
• Charge every device and confirm chargers are packed
• Send the final timeline to your coordinator

3 days before

Three days out

• Deliver welcome gifts and any guest amenities
• Confirm hair, makeup, and mehendi schedules
• Do a final check of vows and speeches

2 days before

Two days out

• Pack the couple's day-of bag with the essentials
• Confirm guest pickups and transport
• Review the vendor contact list for the day

1 day before

One day out

• Attend the welcome dinner or sangeet and relax
• Lay out outfits, accessories, and rings
• Set an early alarm and try to sleep