Now that you’re engaged, you have so many thoughts and questions running through your head. When planning a wedding, it may be overwhelming, feeling like you must plan it all at once. The good news is, you don’t have to. As a wedding photographer in the Omaha area, I have created a comprehensive wedding planning timeline to help you navigate through the process to create a memorable celebration.

After You Get Engaged

One of the most important things to do after getting engaged and celebrating is to set a total budget amount and choose 2-3 top priorities that you and your partner are willing to splurge on for your wedding day. These areas can include: Photographer, Videographer, Venue, Wedding Planner, Hair and Makeup, Florals, Food and Drinks, Wedding Attire (dress and/or suit, shoes, jewelry), Entertainment (DJ), and Decorations. After creating this priority list, you can start to budget the amounts of money you are willing and able to spend in each category. You will also start drafting a guest list now, to get a broad idea of how many guests you may need space for on wedding day.

Now it is time to start booking some of your vendors. Unless you have specific people in mind to book immediately, you will want to start with looking into venues, photographers, videographers, and wedding planners. Venues are important to book first for a couple reasons. First, venues can typically only hold one wedding a day compared to florists or hair and makeup artists (HMUA) that can book more than one client per day. Secondly, many venues have vendor recommendations or exclusive vendor relationships.

Once you have booked these vendors, take some time to do non-interaction planning tasks:

Create a wedding website. A wedding website is a central location for wedding information in which guests can often RSVP digitally, learn more about your wedding party, and wedding registries/gift ideas.
Choose the styles and colors of your wedding. Utilize the heck out of Pinterest.
If you’re having a wedding party, choose who will be included supporting you by the altar.
Research wedding dress styles, shops, and book a dress shopping day with your besties!
Research local florists, officiants, hair and makeup artists (HMUA), entertainment, food ideas, and stationary.

Another task that DOES involve talking to someone is to discuss and schedule your engagement photo session with your photographer. Typically engagement sessions are completed at least six months prior to the wedding, but there is no hard and fast rule. Take into consideration the season you’d like your photos to be done in, as well as the expected editing time for your photographer and if you’re wanting to use the photos for save the dates or invitations. I’ve taken engagement photos over a year prior to the wedding as well as less than a month before the wedding day. Click here for 3 wedding tips on how to prepare for your engagement photo session.

Lady and man hugging each other smiling for engagement photos

10-12 months before the wedding day

Time to book a few more vendors for your wedding day. By 10 months before your wedding, you should be finishing up on securing a majority of the rest of your vendors: florist, officiant, HMUA, entertainment, and catering. If you’re stumped on either of these areas, ask your venue or photographer for recommendations.

Now is the time to buy your dress! It’s recommended to have your dress purchased by the 10 month mark at the latest to allow for time for the dress to arrive and go through alterations. You can also purchase your wedding veil at this time, but it’s not necessary.

Bride and groom dancing with sparks behind them, first dance in Lincoln

Send out your save the dates. These can but don’t need to include photos. These are simply sent to your wedding guests to ensure they have your date marked on the calendar so they don’t overbook themselves with plans for your big day.

8-10 months before the wedding day

Start creating your wedding registry. Take this as a time to reflect with your fiancé on what new things you’re interested in receiving. Often these include new and improved household items, kitchenware, and bedding. You can also add in gift cards to use on future date - Top Golf, Taco Bell, or the movie theater. Many couples also include a fund that guests may add into that will be put towards a honeymoon and/or a house.

Research or go out on cake testing dates. This may include stops to local bakeries, or may be a trip to the local Sam’s Club (I’ve never had it but have heard they have such a cost efficient and tasty wedding cake).

6-8 months before the wedding day

By the time 6 months rolls around, you should have your wedding baker booked, who may provide the wedding cake, the guests’ wedding cake, and other desserts. Your bridesmaids should also have their dresses purchased now.

Now is the perfect time to start designing your wedding invitations, to ensure they are ordered and ready to be sent out 4 months before the wedding. You can work with a local stationary company or utilize online services for little to no cost. Also work on gathering addresses for your guests.

If you choose to DIY wedding decor, start your crafting around now so you aren’t rushing and stressing close to your wedding. Utilize and rope your partner, family, and wedding party into creating with you.

4-6 months before the wedding day

Send out your wedding invitations. Remember that you do not need to order an invitation for every single guest, as many of your guests will be coming from the same household.

Book accomodations for your wedding night if you’re deciding to spend your first night as newlyweds in a swanky hotel or Airbnb.

Regarding your creative vendors: research hair and makeup styles with your HMUA. Schedule a hair and makeup trial to be done before the wedding. Work with your florist on deciding on flowers.

Meet with your officiant and plan your ceremony.

Ensure the groom and groomsmen have their suits/tuxedos purchased or scheduled to be rented by now, to ensure it is in stock.

3 months before the wedding day

Work with your wedding planner or photographer in finalizing the wedding day timeline. Click here for ideas on what events should be included in your wedding day.

Now is also a good time to ensure you have bought or finished DIYing your wedding decorations.

Finalize the menu with your caterer.

Book the rehearsal dinner venue.

2 months before the wedding day

Get the rest of those RSVPs from those last few stragglers to ensure you’re able to provide a head count for your venue and caterer.

Review ceremony details with your officiant, make sure you still vibe with what you planned a few months back.

Finalize reception seating arrangements, if you’re choosing to assign seating.

Bride and groom reading private vows in Iowa wedding — Write those wedding vows! Do not push this off, and take time to fully focus on writing from the heart to your future spouse.

Purchase day of accessories, which may include necklaces, bracelets, earrings, veil, cufflinks, or a hairpiece.

Confirm your day of transportation. This is often overlooked. Are you planning to drive separate to the venue? Are you going to drink at your reception and need a ride at the end of the night?

Apply and pay for your marriage license. This should be done at the courthouse located in the county you will be getting married in. Here are links to vital records/marriage licensing departments for counties local to the Omaha metro.

Nebraska: Douglas county, Sarpy county, Cass county, Lancaster county, Saunders county, Dodge county, Washington county

Iowa: Pottawattamie county, Mills county, Montgomery county, Cass county, Shelby county, Harrison county

1 month before the wedding day

Check in with vendors to confirm dates and details.

Pick up the marriage license.

Order thank you cards, to be sent out following your wedding day.

Typically a bridal shower and bachelorette party is done within the month leading up to your wedding. These may or may not be on your plate of scheduling and planning. Don’t be afraid to recruit family and friends to plan these for you.

If you have decided to do it yourself, finish up with your DIY decorations about a month before the wedding day to allow for time to focus on your upcoming tasks.