A Month-By-Month Guide to a Seamless, Stress-Free Wedding

Planning a wedding is one of life’s most meaningful milestones — a balance of emotion, design, logistics and anticipation. While deeply exciting, the process can quickly feel overwhelming without clear structure, particularly when balancing careers, travel, family commitments and a defined creative vision.

With a considered timeline, an experienced team and thoughtful pacing, the planning process becomes not only manageable, but genuinely enjoyable.

Below, we share our carefully curated, end-to-end wedding planning timeline — refined through years of delivering luxury weddings across Australia, Europe and beyond.

12+ Months Before the Wedding

Foundation, Vision & Key Direction

This phase shapes everything. Securing your key dates, locations and creative direction early allows the remainder of the planning process to unfold with ease.

Engage your wedding planner
Attend venue inspections and secure your wedding venue and date
Confirm your ceremony location
Secure your photographer and videographer
Define your overall aesthetic, colour palette and design direction
Begin sourcing inspiration through editorial features and curated social media
Attend select wedding showcases or industry shows
Create your preliminary guest list
Begin Save the Date design and production
Establish your wedding budget
Create a payment tracker to monitor deposits and key due dates
Book key accommodation for you and your immediate family if required
Consider wedding insurance

9+ Months Before the Wedding

Styling, Beauty & Guest Experience Design

This is where your wedding begins to take visual and experiential form.

Secure your remaining core vendors:
- Hair stylist
- Makeup artist
- Florist
- Entertainment and musicians
- Transportation and wedding cars
- Rental items, styling and furniture suppliers
- Lighting and production where applicable
Book your hair and makeup trial
Begin wedding dress shopping (especially for custom gowns)
Confirm your dress fitting schedule
Source and confirm bridesmaid and groomsmen attire direction
Choose your wedding party
Finalise your formal invitation guest list
Negotiate hotel and accommodation blocks for guests
Begin preliminary honeymoon research
Confirm cultural or religious elements if applicable

6 Months Before the Wedding

Legal, Travel & Fashion

This stage marks the transition from dreaming into formal execution.

Order your wedding rings
Book your honeymoon
Renew passports and check visa requirements if applicable
Ensure all remaining suppliers are secured and initial deposits are paid
Confirm your food and beverage selections with your venue or caterer
Schedule your menu tasting
Begin suit shopping and tailoring
Purchase wedding party attire and accessories
Confirm ceremony structure and traditions
Begin styling discussions for ceremony and reception
Source veil, shoes and jewellery

3-4 Months Before the Wedding

Paper Goods, Legalities & Guest Experience

This phase focuses on guest communication, personal celebrations and final legal preparation.

Confirm all legal requirements with your celebrant or priest
Prepare any required documentation for international or destination weddings
Begin wedding invitation design
Approve proofs and send invitations to print
Begin planning your bridal shower or kitchen tea
Order wedding favours or bonbonniere
Confirm final hire quantities and styling items
Send wedding invitations
Book rehearsal dinner venue if required
Plan welcome events or additional wedding weekend experiences

2 Months Before the Wedding

Design Lock-In & Guest Coordination

Celebrate your bridal shower or kitchen tea
Track RSVPs and follow up outstanding guests
Finalise your guest count
Create your ceremony and reception floorplans
Allocate guest seating
Confirm children’s arrangements or nanny services if required
Prepare your full supplier contact sheet
Place your full wedding stationery order including:
- Menus
- Place Cards
- Table Numbers
- Welcome Sign
- Seating Chart
- Bar Sign
- Wishing Well
- Wedding Programs
- Thank You Cards

1 Month Before the Wedding

Final Confirmations & Production Readiness

This is where everything aligns - details are locked in and focus shifts to seamless delivery.

Write your wedding vows
Begin writing your wedding speeches
Finalise all legal documentation
Hold final meetings with all vendors
Confirm all styling concepts and floorplans
Approve final floral, lighting and rental plans
Celebrate your bachelorette or buck’s celebration
Attend your final dress fitting
Lock in your full music selections, including all key moments
Confirm your final guest numbers
Submit your final documentation to your venue
Finalise all outstanding wedding payments
Approve your detailed wedding day run sheet
Confirm bump-in and bump-out schedules

1-2 Weeks Before the Wedding

Personal Preparation & Final Logistics

This phase is about care, presence and final readiness.

Book all personal pampering appointments
Facials, manicure and pedicure
Groom’s haircut
Bride’s hair colour
Confirm beauty schedule with your planner
Pack for your honeymoon
Prepare your wedding day emergency kit
Collect all wedding attire
Break in your wedding shoes
Send your final run sheet to all suppliers
Complete any personal DIY projects
Prepare final tip envelopes where applicable

2 Days Before the Wedding:

Arrival, Rehearsal & Enjoy

Final beauty appointments such as spray tans
Venue walk-through and styling drop-off
Wedding rehearsal
Rehearsal dinner
Rest, hydrate and allow yourself to fully arrive in the moment

A Final Word

Your wedding planning journey is as unique as your love story. With a clear timeline, a trusted team, and space for spontaneity, the process becomes not only seamless – but deeply meaningful.

A truly unforgettable wedding isn’t defined by perfection. It’s defined by intention, connection, beauty and presence.

And when the planning is calm, considered and supported – the magic is effortless.

The Wedding Planning Timeline Every Couple Should Know