The Ultimate Month-By-Month Wedding Planning Guide
- Arson Lively
- Dec 11
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
12 Months Out: The Vision Phase
This is where wedding dreams stretch their arms and wake up.
To-Do
Choose your wedding date and preferred season.
Set a realistic budget and identify must-have priorities.
Draft your guest list.
Select your ceremony and reception venues.
Choose your wedding party.
Tips
Saturdays book first. If you want better pricing, explore Fridays or Sundays.
Think about the guest count early. It shapes everything else.
Soft Suggestion: If music and atmosphere are big to you, start considering DJ and lighting teams now. South Dakota Wedding Pros can hold your date early so you don’t lose it.
10–11 Months Out: Build Your Dream Team
Vendors are the heartbeat of the day.
To-Do
Book your photographer and videographer.
Hire your DJ/MC.
Reserve your officiant.
Choose your caterer and bar service.
Begin dress shopping.
Tips
Meet your DJ before you book. A great MC makes the night flow effortlessly.
Order your dress early to allow time for alterations.
Soft Suggestion: If you’d like a high-energy party with clean, curated music and elegant lighting, South Dakota Wedding Pros is your go-to team.
8–9 Months Out: Design the Experience
The puzzle pieces start snapping together.
To-Do
Choose décor style and colors.
Book a florist.
Schedule engagement photos.
Create a wedding website and save-the-dates.
Start thinking about entertainment extras (photo booth, uplighting, cold sparks).
Tips
Keep your color palette to 2–3 tone families for a cohesive style.
Engagement photos make great save-the-date materials.
Soft Suggestion: Looking for a modern or elegant photo booth? Pop+Pose Events offers stylish backdrops, templates, and guestbooks that pair beautifully with your reception.
6–7 Months Out: The Rhythm of Planning
Momentum is your friend.
To-Do
Order bridesmaid dresses.
Plan a honeymoon.
Create a registry.
Book rentals: linens, chairs, specialty décor.
Finalize the entertainment timeline.
Tips
Create a shared spreadsheet with your partner for tracking tasks and budgeting.
Don’t forget your passport if traveling internationally.
Soft Suggestion: When you’re ready to plan your reception timeline, South Dakota Wedding Pros can help with flow, pacing, and curated music selections.
5 Months Out: Locking In Logistics
Details begin to sparkle.
To-Do
Finalize menu and bar selections.
Order invitations.
Choose ceremony music.
Book transportation if needed.
Schedule hair and makeup trials.
Tips
Ask your DJ about ceremony audio. Outdoor mics matter more than people think.
Hold your invitation order until your timeline is confirmed.
Soft Suggestion: For crystal-clear ceremony audio (no wind noise or fading vows), South Dakota Wedding Pros offers professional lapel and handheld mic setups.
4 Months Out: The Creative Touches
You’re sculpting the personality of your wedding.
To-Do
Choose wedding bands.
Finalize floral designs.
Confirm vendor arrival times.
Start planning the rehearsal dinner.
Tips
Think about the “guest experience” from door to dancefloor.
Ask vendors what they need to perform their best (power, space, lighting).
Soft Suggestion: Your DJ can help you organize your grand entrance order, first-dance timing, parent dances, and special surprises.
3 Months Out: Invitations & Music
This is where the party playlist starts to bloom.
To-Do
Mail invitations.
Submit song lists to your DJ.
Create a do-not-play list (trust me, it helps).
Finalize ceremony details.
Order signage and printed items.
Tips
Mix your must-play songs: modern hits, classics, and a few personal favorites.
Be honest with your do-not-play list. Your DJ won't judge.
Soft Suggestion: South Dakota Wedding Pros offers a guided music planning portal to help you pick songs for every special moment.
2 Months Out: Rehearsal Mode
Everything begins to feel real.
To-Do
Final dress fitting.
Confirm guest RSVPs.
Update seating chart.
Share the timeline with vendors.
Finalize speech order and special announcements.
Tips
Choose someone you trust to be your “day-of point person.”
Build in time for breathers and snacks.
Soft Suggestion: Your DJ/MC can help coordinate speeches, transitions, and smooth flow during the reception.
1 Month Out: Countdown Sparkles
The last lap.
To-Do
Pick up the wedding license.
Final vendor payments.
Create final timeline (ceremony–reception).
Confirm load-in times with the venue.
Pack an emergency kit.
Tips
Keep your phone on low-power mode on the wedding day.
Assign someone to collect gifts/cards at the end of the night.
Soft Suggestion: If you’re adding uplighting, cold sparks, or a photo booth, finalize those upgrades now. South Dakota Wedding Pros + Pop+Pose Events can bundle services for convenience.
2 Weeks Out: Fine Tune
Your orchestra is ready.
To-Do
Final song confirmations with the DJ.
Rehearse the ceremony flow.
Provide floor plan to vendors.
Touch base with the photographer on the shot list.
Tips
Make a “morning of” playlist to set the vibe.
Hydrate more than you think you need to.
Wedding Week: The Glow
This is your time.
To-Do
Pack overnight bags and honeymoon luggage.
Steam dress and suits.
Confirm transportation pickups.
Hand out the wedding day timeline.
Tips
Eat real food the morning of (something with protein).
Have someone capture behind-the-scenes photos.
Soft Suggestion: Tell your DJ about any last-minute surprises so they can weave them into the night seamlessly.
Wedding Day: A Day Like No Other
You’ve done the work. Now you simply float.
Tips
Smile at each other often. Guests feel that energy.
Let the night breathe. Memories love space.
Trust your vendor team to carry the weight so you can enjoy every moment.
Soft Suggestion: Your DJ, MC, and photo booth crew are there to elevate the joy. South Dakota Wedding Pros ensures your soundtrack, lighting, and flow feel effortless. Pop+Pose Events captures the sparkle of the night.
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