16 Month Wedding Planning Timeline: Free Checklist

Free Wedding Planning Checklist

Boston Premier is thrilled to introduce you to our incredible wedding checklist – a tool that is going to make your wedding planning journey feel manageable and exciting. This wedding checklist is part one of our comprehensive 8-part Ultimate Wedding Planner - an online organizer designed to provide you with everything you need to turn your dream wedding into reality. This planner is your ultimate companion, keeping all the essential information at your fingertips and allowing you to relax, knowing that you have everything under control.

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Your Wedding Planning Checklist Timeline

14 - 16 Months Out

As you begin this process, it’s important to start with a comprehensive wedding checklist timeline to keep in mind what truly matters to you. This is your special day, and it should reflect your personal style and desires. Whether you envision a stunning ocean view or a lively celebration filled with live music and dancing, embrace these aspirations and let them shape the essence of your wedding.

Actions

  • Create Separate Email Address
  • Choose Season
  • Discuss Priorities & Style
  • Discuss Budget
  • Discuss Location

Research

  • Planner/Coordinator (If Applicable)
  • Venues
  • Catering (If not included with venue)
  • Band/DJ
  • Photography/Videography

Tip:

As you navigate through these first couple of months, it’s important to establishing a dedicated wedding email address. This will serve as the central hub for all wedding-related communication, ensuring that you can easily keep track of correspondence and stay organized. Additionally, budgeting is a crucial aspect of wedding planning. Knowing and understanding your financial resources from the start will significantly reduce stress along the way. To assist you in this process, our ultimate wedding planner features an incredible budget manager. It will help you keep track of all your wedding-related expenditures, allowing you to make informed decisions and stay within your desired financial range. We encourage you to explore this valuable tool at https://bostonpremier.com/free-wedding-planning-tools/.

12 Months Out

As you approach the 12-month mark, it’s time to start securing some of the major vendors who will play a pivotal role in bringing your dream wedding to life. Starting with your church and or venue, it’s crucial to secure these locations first as they often have limited availability and will determine your actual wedding date.

Wedding planners can be instrumental in helping to secure these major vendors, ensuring that you have the best options available. In addition to the venue, there are a few other services that are typically in high demand. These include photographers, caterers, and entertainment, among others. By securing these professionals at the 12-month mark, you increase your chances of booking the best talents who will work closely with you to ensure your wedding day is everything you’ve envisioned.

Actions

  • Secure Planner/CoordinatorSecure
  • Venue (and caterer if applicable)
  • Secure Band/DJ
  • Secure Photographer/Videographer
  • Start Your Wedding Website

Research

  • Florists
  • Officiant
  • Ceremony Musicians
  • Guest Accommodations

Tip:

To assist you in staying organized during this process, our Ultimate Wedding Planner offers a comprehensive vendor directory. This directory allows you to keep track of contact names, email addresses, and phone numbers, serving as a centralized hub for all those who will be working by your side on your wedding day. You can learn more at: https://bostonpremier.com/free-wedding-planning-tools/.

11 Months Out

With just 11 months remaining until the big day, it’s time to turn your attention to one of the most important aspects of any wedding - the guest list.

A wedding party member can play a crucial role in the planning process by overseeing RSVPs and organizing pre-wedding events like bachelor or bachelorette parties.

Begin by creating a preliminary list where you can add all the names of the special people who you envision sharing this momentous occasion with. This is a starting point that allows you to revisit and refine the list as needed. Take your time to consider different factors and make adjustments, keeping in mind that you are working towards a final guest count, which many vendors will require.

Actions

  • Choose Bridal Party Members
  • Work on Guest List (Round 1)
  • Book Engagement Shoot

Start Researching

  • Dress Shopping
  • Transportation

Tip:

To help you navigate the guest list management process, our Ultimate Wedding Planner includes a user-friendly tool specifically designed for this purpose. With this guest list management tool, you can effortlessly organize all the important details, such as names, addresses, and the number of guests invited. This centralized location allows you to easily make changes or updates as necessary, ensuring that your guest list remains well-organized throughout the planning process. Additionally, the tool provides you with an instant guest count, allowing you to keep track of your progress. Learn more at: https://bostonpremier.com/free-wedding-planning-tools/.

10 Months Out

Month 10 is often regarded as a favorite among couples, as it marks a significant stage where they feel they have hit their stride and made remarkable progress in tackling wedding details. This month, you have the pleasure of checking off some truly memorable items from your to-do list.

One of the most thrilling tasks this month is ordering your beautiful wedding dress, a crucial part of your wedding attire. This is a momentous step as you select the gown that will make you look and feel absolutely stunning on your special day. Additionally, during this month, you have the opportunity to secure your florist. These talented professionals will work their magic and adorn your wedding day with breathtaking floral arrangements, enhancing the beauty and ambiance of your celebration.

Actions To Be Taken

  • Order Dress
  • Secure Florist
  • Secure Officiant
  • Secure Ceremony Musicians
  • Secure Transportation
  • Order Save-The-Dates

Start Researching

  • Cake Makers
  • Bridesmaids’ Dresses
  • Groomsmen’s Suits
  • Stationery Designer
  • Hair and Makeup

8 Months Out

As we approach the 8-month mark, we wanted to take a moment to remind you of something truly special - the importance of early shopping for wedding party attire and celebrating every milestone you achieve along the way.

Wedding planning can sometimes feel overwhelming, with an endless list of tasks to complete and decisions to make. However, amidst the busyness, it’s essential to pause and appreciate the significance of this journey you’re on.

Actions To Be Taken

  • Start a Gift Registry
  • Mail Save the Dates
  • Order Bridal Party Dresses
  • Secure Hair and Makeup
  • Order Suits for Groomsmen

Start Researching

  • Honeymoon
  • Rentals: Photo-booths, photo-walls, etc.
  • Favors
  • Cake Tastings

Tips:

As you check off each item on your wedding planning checklist, remember that you are one step closer to the wedding day of your dreams. This time of progress is incredibly significant, as each task completed brings you closer to creating a day that is uniquely yours. Take a moment to pause and savor the joy of planning, as this journey is just as important as the destination.

6 Months Out

We hope you well and filled with excitement as you are now just six months away from your wedding day. Take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come in this incredible journey. You have accomplished so much, and it’s time to celebrate your progress!

Last month, you and your partner started to explore some fun honeymoon options. Allow yourselvesto smile as you envision this special time together. It’s now time to lock in the exciting destination of your dreams. Also, don’t forget to reserve a hotel room for your wedding night, a place where you can unwind and bask in the joy of your wedding day.

Actions To Be Taken

  • Book Honeymoon
  • Secure Rentals
  • Order Favors
  • Secure Guests Accommodations
  • Order Cake

Start Researching

  • Review Guest List (Round 2)
  • Pre-Cana/Counseling (if applicable)
  • A room for wedding night.
  • Rehearsal-dinner venue

Tip:

In addition to the honeymoon preparations, it’s important to tend to some smaller but significant details. For Catholic couples, this is the month to book your Pre-Cana or counseling sessions. Lastly, it’s time to indulge in the sweet delight of choosing your wedding cake. Schedule some appointments with talented bakers, taste different flavor combinations, and allow your taste buds to guide you in selecting the perfect cake for your special day.

4 Months Out

Actions To Be Taken

  • Buy Wedding Bands
  • Hair and Makeup Trials
  • Order the Invitations
  • Finalize Guest List
  • Schedule Final Dress Fittings

Start Researching

  • Start Orgainzing Your Master Timeline
  • Start Organizing Ceremony Details
  • Start Organizing Reception Details
  • Wedding Shower

This is an exciting time as you start organizing the finer points that will shape your ceremony, reception, and overall wedding day timeline. Have a look at our Ultimate Wedding Planner for the following tools that cover all the necessary details.

To assist you with the organization of your ceremony, we have a dedicated ceremony planner to guide you in arranging all the essential details, from selecting entrance songs to mapping out the order of your bridal party as they process into the space.

Our reception planner will provide you with step-by-step guidance as you coordinate every aspect of your celebration. From planning the introductions of the bridal party to selecting special dance songs and organizing toasts and parent dances, this tool will ensure that your reception runs smoothly.

To tie everything together, our master timeline organizer will be your go-to tool for creating a complete wedding day timeline. This organizer allows you to meticulously plan and schedule each detail of your special day, ensuring that everything unfolds seamlessly and according to your vision.

All three planners can be easily exported as a PDF, allowing you to share your carefully crafted details with the function manager and vendors who will play a crucial role in orchestrating various segments of your amazing wedding day. Learn more at: https://bostonpremier.com/free-wedding-planning-tools/

2 Months Out

As we approach the two-month mark, it’s time to start communicating your plans with your vendors. This is an important step to ensure that everyone is on the same page and has all the necessary information to execute their respective roles on your special day. If you are an Ultimate Wedding Planner subscriber, now is the time to wrap up the final details on your digital worksheets and export them in PDF format.

Actions To Be Taken

  • Mail Invitations
  • Finalize Ceremony Details 
  • Finalize Receptions Details 
  • Finalize Your Master Timeline

Start Researching

  • Determine Vendor Meal Count
  • Marriage License
  • Table Numbers, Escort Cards, and Place Cards
  • Wedding Favors, Favor Tags and/or Favor Stickers

Tips:

Your completed ceremony worksheet should be shared with your function manager, officiant and ceremony musicians or DJ. This will provide them with all the necessary information to execute a beautiful and seamless ceremony that reflects your vision.

Similarly, your reception worksheet should be given to your function manager, photographer, and band or DJ. This will allow them to have advance notice about the event’s format, ensuring they are well-prepared for announcements or special songs selections that you have planned.

Lastly, make copies of your master timeline worksheet and distribute them to your bridal party. Your master timeline is a comprehensive document that outlines the entire schedule and flow of your wedding day. By providing each member of your bridal party with a copy, you ensure that everyone is aware of the schedule. Utilize the master timeline throughout the day to stay on track while preventing any important items from being forgotten amidst the excitement and activity.

1 Month Out

Let’s first acknowledge all the hard work and passion you’ve put into planning your wedding. It’s not an easy journey, but you have truly done an exceptional job. You are almost there. The finish line is in sight, and have no doubt that your big day is going to be absolutely amazing! As a couple, you have carefully navigated all the ups and downs of the planning process, and now it’s time to gather those final details. Wedding party members play a crucial role in managing RSVPs and guest lists, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Actions To Be Taken

  • Follow Up With Those Who Have Not RSVPed
  • Finalize and Report Guest Count
  • Finalize and Report Meal Count
  • Finalize Seating Chart
  • Wedding Shower
  • Organize Any and All DIY Items
  • Secure Marriage License and order certified copies
  • Pay Remaining Vendor Balances In Full

Tips:

As you approach the one-month mark, it’s important to start gathering those final counts for your guests and meals. If you’re an Ultimate Wedding Planner subscriber, you have access to a fantastic tool - the RSVP form. Make sure to use it to get an accurate count of your guests. Additionally, the form reports will also have your final meal counts ready. These numbers will need to be shared with your function manager or caterer so they can make all the necessary arrangements.

To make things even easier for you, the guest RSVP view page actually has a handy sorter feature. You can use that feature to effortlessly create your seating chart and organize place cards for your guests. Keep up the amazing work. You’re almost there!

2 Weeks Out

Actions To Be Taken

  • Prepare Gifts for Wedding Party
  • Prepare Something Special for Spouse
  • Tips for Vendors (Divide in Envelopes)
  • Steam/Press Dress
  • Pack For Honeymoon
  • Choose a Person of Contact
  • Prepare an Emergency Kit
  • Practice Walking in Shoes

1 Day Out

Actions To Be Taken

  • Ceremony Rehearsal
  • Give Marriage License to Official
  • Rehearsal Dinner
  • Review Timeline with Bridal Party
  • Pass Tips to a Trusted Person
  • Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Your Big Day!

Actions To Be Taken

  • Give Rings to Designated Person
  • Enjoy Every Minute!!

All of us here at Boston Premier would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to you as you prepare to celebrate your wedding day. This will undoubtedly be one of the most spectacular days of your life, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for you.

We would also like to express our sincere appreciation for utilizing our checklist to help you organize all the important essentials for your wedding. If you have also subscribed to our Ultimate Wedding Planner, we hope it has served as a valuable resource throughout this incredible journey. Our aim was to create a tool that would make the planning process smoother and more manageable for you, and we truly hope it has accomplished just that.

Your wedding day is truly one-of-a-kind, and we want you to revel in every precious moment. It is a day filled with love, joy, and laughter, and we wish you nothing but the utmost happiness as you embark on this new chapter of your life.

Please know that the entire team at Boston Premier is here cheering you on and sending you our warmest wishes. And now, let us be the first to say, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please put your hands together for the bride and groom!!!

A photo of the Boston Premier Wedding Band in Boston
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