What to do when: a wedding planning timeline

Every wedding is its own, but most follow the same rhythm. The planner's to do list is laid out the same way, so you can follow it or move things to suit you.

Twelve months or more before

• Agree on a budget and a rough guest count. They decide almost everything after.
• Choose the date and book the venue, the first supplier to fill up.
• Start a draft guest list on Guests.

Nine to six months before

• Book the photographer, the caterer and the music.
• Send save the dates, especially to guests who travel.
• Choose the dress or the suit, which can take months to arrive.

Six to three months before

• Design your invitation, with the schedule, travel and dress code as pages behind it.
• Book flowers, cake and transport, and taste the menu.
• Choose the rings.

Three months to six weeks before

• Send the invitations, about eight weeks before, or twelve for a wedding abroad.
• Set a reply date, and let reminders chase the guests who have not answered.

The last month

• Send the final numbers, meals and allergies to the caterer.
• Make the seating plan from the replies.
• Share the timeline of the day with the venue and everyone helping, and settle the last payments.