The Ultimate Wedding Planning Timeline for the Boston Wedding Market
After the initial excitement of getting engaged, many couples feel overwhelmed when it’s time to start planning the wedding. There are so many moving pieces and it can be tricky to know the best timeline to do so. In this post, we will take you through our Ultimate Wedding Planning Timeline for couples utilizing our Full Wedding Planning Service in Boston and the New England area.
12 Months Out:
Determine your wedding budget and rough guest count (please note this is an estimate)
Book your wedding planner
Book your venue
Congratulations, you are engaged! In the Boston wedding market, it is realistic to expect to be planning your wedding at least 12 months in advance. Your budget will guide all decisions in the planning process, from venue to vendors, and all additional design aspects. It can be helpful, although not necessary, to book your planner before booking your venue when you are using a Full Service planner. Our process begins with an extensive questionnaire to understand your vision for your day and any specific needs for your event. After reviewing this information, including an estimation of guest count, we can assist in suggesting venues if necessary. We will also coordinate and attend all site tours, providing you a structured presentation with all options that fit your budget and vibe to aid you in this momentous decision. Our job as wedding planners is to listen to your commentary on these tours and provide you with our professional guidance to recommend creative solutions, making your event unique to you.
10-12 Months Out:
Book larger vendors (music, photography, videography, florals)
Coordinate hotel room blocks
Create your wedding website
Once the budget has been determined and the venue is locked in, it is time to book your largest and most important vendors. There are many big decisions to be made, and we can help you understand how much of your budget should be allocated to each vendor. For example, live music is typically more expensive than a DJ. If this is very important to you, we can suggest ways to reallocate your budget, while still providing you with a cushion. We also have an extensive vendor network and will only refer you to vendors that we trust. As Boston wedding industry professionals for over a decade, we will guide you to vendors who will create a seamless and unforgettable event.
At this time you should coordinate hotel room blocks for those guests who are not local to your event. It’s a great time to create a wedding website as well, where guests can find all hotel and travel information as it becomes available.
8-10 Months Out:
Finalize guest list and compile addresses
Send Save the Dates
Purchase your wedding dress
Confirm your bridal party
Schedule hair and makeup trials
Create your wedding registry
It’s time to spread the word - between eight and ten months before your event is the perfect time to send out your Save the Dates. It’s helpful to include a link or QR code to your wedding website where guests will find more details, including the members of your wedding party. Which means it is time to confirm who will be standing with you as bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearer, flower girl and officiant.
Some members of your bridal party might also accompany you wedding dress shopping during this time. We are happy to attend, or wait for fittings later in the process to ensure we are familiar with your bustle. We have bustled hundreds of dresses and are happy to take this duty from someone who might be less familiar!
6 Months Out:
Source locations for the Rehearsal Dinner
Secure a cake / dessert vendor
Confirm bridal party attire
Start wedding dress alterations
Confirm your invitation suite
Schedule your food tasting and construct your menu
Secure additional rentals
Six months to go. We will help you secure a location for your rehearsal dinner and make sure your invitation suite is coming together. During this time, food tastings and menu planning will start taking place. We are happy to attend tastings with you to make sure your menu is comprehensive and cohesive. We can guide you through the various options (buffet, seated dinner, family style) given the type of event and size of your guest list. We will also make sure any additional rentals for your event are secured, such as specialty lighting or furniture, bar upgrades, etc.
1-3 Months Out:
Attend your bridal shower
Send out your invitations
Create your guest manifest
Compile shot list for your photographer
Think about any personal touches you’d like to include
Send a list of must play or no play songs to the DJ/band
Schedule final meetings with the venue
Collect RSVPs and meal selections
As we enter the final months of working together, we will help you with the final details on the back end while you enjoy moments with friends and family, like attending your shower and sending out your long awaited invitations. On our end, we will work on your guest manifest to track RSVPs and food selection and help you compile a must have shot list for your photographer and a yes/no list for your DJ. We will schedule a final meeting with your wedding venue and the rest of your vendors to confirm final details.
1 Month Out - 1 week out
Get your marriage license
Confirm final guest count and create seating plan
Finalize vows and ceremony information
Attend final vendor meetings
Final dress fitting
The final countdown! We will remind you to get your wedding license (valid for 60 days in Massachusetts) before your nuptials, as well as attending final vendor and venue meetings with you. We will work together on your ceremony plan and seating chart to ensure that both are exactly as you envision them. On your end, you will have your final dress fittings and work on your vows with your partner.
1 Week Out - 1 Day out
Pack and label all decor items
Pick up brides dress and grooms tux
Confirm hair and makeup timelines
Confirm transportation timelines
Drop off welcome bags to hotel
Air out wedding dress
Attend wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Pack emergency kit and overnight bag
Rest and try to relax!
The week before the wedding can be stressful, but don’t worry, we’ve got this. All decor items will be packed and labeled for set up on the day of. Timelines for makeup and hair will be confirmed, as well as guest and bride and groom transportation. You should try to rest and relax before the excitement of the big day. We will send you helpful reminders about airing out your wedding dress and will have an emergency kit of supplies for the day of the wedding. Our team will attend your ceremony rehearsal and then you are off to enjoy your rehearsal dinner with your closest loved ones. We will see you in the morning for the big day!
All our weddings are truly unique, as are our couples. This timeline is a guide for those who contract with us around a year before their event. As always, we are able to customize timelines and packages to fit your event. Please drop us a line with any questions you have, we would love to hear from you.
-Elle & Team
