Free planning guide
A wedding planning timeline, month by month
Most of wedding planning is knowing what to think about now, and what can safely wait. This is the order we suggest — from a year out to the weeks after the day.
How to use it
Read it once, then let your own dates do the work.
Every wedding runs to its own rhythm, so treat the months as guidance rather than rules. If you'd rather not keep track by hand, Elysian builds the same timeline around your wedding date and shows you only what matters now.
Twelve to ten months before
The decisions everything else rests on: when, where, roughly how much, and who is there.
Agree your wedding date
Venue
Talk through your budget
Budget
Draft your guest list
Guests
Decide the feel of the day
Venue
Visit venues
Venue
Book your ceremony
Ceremony
Book your reception venue
Venue
Ten to eight months before
The people whose diaries fill first — photography, film, music, and the clothes that take months to make.
Book your photographer
Photography & video
Book a videographer
Photography & video
Choose your wedding party
Ceremony
Start looking at wedding attire
Attire
Confirm your celebrant or officiant
Legal & admin
Research caterers
Food & drink
Book music or entertainment
Entertainment
Order wedding attire
Attire
Book your florist
Flowers & décor
Seven to six months before
The day starts to take shape: numbers settle, and guests begin to hear from you.
Arrange guest accommodation
Transport & accommodation
Finalise your guest list
Guests
Choose your invitations
Invitations
Book transport
Transport & accommodation
Plan your honeymoon
After the wedding
Choose your wedding cake
Food & drink
Five to four months before
Invitations go out, and the details you will taste and wear are confirmed.
Send or publish your invitations
Invitations
Attend your menu tasting
Food & drink
Order your wedding rings
Attire
Four to three months before
Ceremony, paperwork and styling — the parts that are easy to leave too late.
Book hair and make-up trials
Attire
Plan your ceremony readings and music
Ceremony
Complete legal paperwork
Legal & admin
Choose décor and table styling
Flowers & décor
Two to one months before
Replies arrive, numbers firm up, and the room begins to be arranged.
Review your guest replies
Invitations
Follow up outstanding replies
Guests
Confirm numbers with your caterer
Food & drink
Create your seating plan
Reception
Order favours and on-the-day stationery
Reception
Final attire fitting
Attire
Confirm timings with every supplier
Wedding day
The final three weeks
Nothing new is decided now — everything already chosen is confirmed and written down.
Finalise your seating plan
Reception
Confirm final guest numbers
Guests
Write your vows and speeches
Ceremony
Confirm transport times
Transport & accommodation
Settle remaining supplier balances
Budget
The last few days, and the day itself
The small practical things, so the day can simply happen around you.
Pack for the wedding and honeymoon
Wedding day
Share the running order
Wedding day
Print or share your seating plan
Reception
Collect attire and rings
Attire
Enjoy your wedding day
Wedding day
Afterwards
A short, kind list for the weeks that follow.
Return anything hired
After the wedding
Write your thank-you notes
After the wedding
Choose your photographs
After the wedding
Let your wedding date set the pace.
Elysian turns this timeline into your own planning journal, alongside your guests, invitations, replies, seating and budget. Start free.