Congratulations—you’re engaged! Whether you popped the question, said “Yes,” or proposed to each other, it’s time to start planning your wedding.
If you’re an event planner at heart or want to skip a professional wedding planner to expand your budget, however, preparing for your nuptials can feel like the starting line of a months-long marathon. With our helpful event planning tips, you can be off to the races and the altar.
Start With an Event Timeline
So, when or how do you start planning a wedding? We’ve got you covered. First, you should understand how much time you’ve got for planning. There’s no standard length of engagement—the average U.S. engagement is about 15 months, or a year and three months. The more months until your wedding day means more time to plan it, but if you’re ready to go, you can always shorten your engagement length.
Regardless of the length of your engagement, you can always benefit from writing out an event timeline. Keep in mind that every timeline looks different depending on the length of your engagement.
A 12-month engagement wedding timeline may look something like this:
Twelve to Ten Months Before Your Wedding
- Twelve months out. Insure your engagement ring, determine your budget, make a guest list, select a venue and caterer, choose a theme, and more.
- Eleven months out. Decide on a color palette and hire vendors such as photographers, videographers, a DJ, or a band.
- Ten months out. Shop for wedding clothes, take engagement photos, review wedding invitation options, and book hotel room blocks for guests.
Nine to Seven Months Before the Wedding
- Nine months out. Create a gift registry, coordinate with wedding party members for their clothes, and interview possible florists.
- Eight months out. Build an online gift registry, research florists, decide on wedding party attire and accessories, and order save-the-date cards and invitations.
- Seven months out. Choose and hire an officiant and music vendor—DJ, band, or soloist—for your ceremony and reception. Book your rehearsal dinner venue as well. Start planning your honeymoon.
Six to Four Months Before Your Wedding
- Six months out. Book airfare for your honeymoon. Order wedding linens to give the vendor more time to plan logistics, such as delivery. Buy or rent the groom’s tuxedo or suit. Send out save-the-date cards.
- Five months out. Book transportation to and from the wedding for your guests, wedding party, and yourself and your fiance. Begin premarital counseling—not required, but experts highlight many benefits of premarital counseling.
- Four months out. Have final tastings for your caterer and cake, do a trial run for hair and makeup, purchase wedding bands, and send out invitations. If you or your fiance will be wearing a wedding dress, get fitted.
Three Months to One Month Before the Wedding
- Three months out. Research and decide on wedding favors, have a check-in with your officiant, write your vows, and plan your menu. Pick up your marriage license while considering that marriage license information varies by state.
- Two months out. Mail out rehearsal dinner invitations, buy wedding party gifts, pick your music for the ceremony and reception, and check in with your florist. Begin making any DIY wedding decorations or party favors.
- One month out. Breathe—you’re almost there! You should pay vendors in full, assemble gift bags, create your seating card, break in your wedding shoes, and have a final venue walk-through.
- The week before your wedding. Have a final dress fitting, get your ring cleaned, pack for your honeymoon, and review your timeline for outstanding items.
Must-Have Items for Your Wedding Day Checklist
You may have realized it by now, but lists are your best friend when planning your wedding. In addition to building an overarching timeline, a wedding day checklist is vital for your coordination efforts and sanity.
Tailor your checklist to your nuptials, but there are a few must-haves no matter what “I do” looks like to you:
- Emergency kit. Things can happen, even on the happiest day of your life. Be prepared for the surprise button repair or bee sting by building a wedding emergency kit.
- Wedding rings. Make sure you have a designated person, traditionally the best man, who will keep track of your wedding rings or whatever item you’re using to symbolize your union during the ceremony.
- Marriage license. The devil is in the details—your officiant and two witnesses must sign your marriage license to seal the deal. You should determine your witnesses before the ceremony, so no one runs off to the reception too soon.
- Overnight bags. If you and your spouse aren’t heading home after the wedding, pack an overnight bag for wherever you plan to stay.
- Weather check-in. You can’t control the weather, but you should be prepared for it. Check the weather the morning of your wedding to see if and how you need to take care of your guests for rain, snow, or inclement weather.
- Charged phones. You likely won’t have your phone during the ceremony, but you need to be able to quickly contact your vendors, guests, and wedding party leading up to it. Keep your phone charged, and have someone near you with pockets keep a charger on hand.
Simplifying Saying “I Do”: How To Plan a Small Wedding
In the wake of COVID-19 restrictions around large gatherings, small weddings—also known as micro weddings—have become increasingly popular. Mass gathering restrictions were lifted in March 2021. Still, with 77% of vendors raising their prices due to inflation in 2023 and 2024, the appeal of a traditionally large wedding has faded for many couples.
You can go about planning a small wedding in several ways, such as:
- Eloping. An elopement can be a unique and memorable experience for you, your soon-to-be spouse, and your closest friends and family members—not to mention efficient!
- Hosting a backyard wedding. If you have a larger family but don’t want to commit to an actual venue, consider hosting a laid-back wedding ceremony and reception in a family member’s or your backyard.
- Having a destination wedding. Take the budget you would have used for a larger wedding at home and turn your big day into an intimate destination wedding.
Take the Pressure off Party Planning With Event Storage
Whether you want to have the biggest wedding of the season or you’re two seconds away from a trip to a Las Vegas chapel, getting married means you’ll need more space. From DIY decorations to invitations, save-the-date cards, and even your wedding dress, event storage solutions like self storage help you stay organized.
A storage unit is incredibly convenient for tucking away favors for guests, large signage, and thrift decorations like flower vases. Remember that climate-controlled storage is vital for belongings sensitive to extreme temperatures, such as lace, silk, leather, documents, and dishes.
Embrace Compass Self Storage’s Event Storage Solutions
At Compass, our variety of storage unit sizes and features, like month-to-month leases, ensure self storage is affordable and convenient for any budget. Additionally, if you need to consolidate households after getting married, you can convert your wedding storage into a spot for your belongings to make moving in together even more manageable.
Say “I do” to a stellar self storage experience—find a Compass Self Storage facility near you today!
