Planning guide

The countdown is the plan

Every number on your wedding countdown maps to a job. Here's the 12-month timeline, stage by stage.

12+ months out

The big three
  • ♥Set the budget and who contributes what
  • ♥Draft the guest count (it drives every other decision)
  • ♥Book the venue and lock the date
  • ♥Start your countdown: seeing '400 days' makes it real

9-12 months out

The vendor round
  • ♥Book photographer, videographer, caterer and music
  • ♥Choose the wedding party
  • ♥Start dress or suit shopping (fittings take months)
  • ♥Block hotel rooms for out-of-town guests

6-9 months out

Paper and plans
  • ♥Send save-the-dates
  • ♥Book florist, cake and transportation
  • ♥Plan the honeymoon and check passports
  • ♥Register for gifts

3-6 months out

The details
  • ♥Order invitations and plan the ceremony program
  • ♥Schedule tastings and finalize the menu
  • ♥Book hair and makeup trials
  • ♥Arrange the rehearsal dinner

8-12 weeks out

Confirmations
  • ♥Mail the invitations (RSVP deadline 3-4 weeks before)
  • ♥Final dress fitting with the actual shoes
  • ♥Apply for the marriage license (check local validity windows)
  • ♥Write the vows; the countdown makes excellent pressure

The final week

Hand off and breathe
  • ♥Confirm timelines with every vendor in one email thread
  • ♥Delegate the day-of phone to a wedding party member
  • ♥Pack for the honeymoon and prep final payments in envelopes
  • ♥Watch the countdown hit single digits together

Know exactly where you are: start your countdown.

Wedding Countdown app icon

Put the big day on your home screen

Beautiful countdown widgets with your engagement photo, 10 romantic backgrounds, falling hearts and your names together. Free on iPhone.

Download Wedding Countdown on the App Store

Frequently asked questions

How many months do you need to plan a wedding?+

Twelve months is comfortable for a full wedding; nine is workable; six is a sprint that mostly limits venue choice. Small weddings and elopements can come together in eight weeks.

What should be booked first?+

Venue, then photographer and caterer. Those three sell out furthest ahead, and the venue fixes your date, which everything else hangs on.

When should invitations go out?+

Mail invitations 8-10 weeks before the wedding with an RSVP deadline 3-4 weeks out, so the caterer gets final numbers in time. Save-the-dates go 6-9 months ahead.

How do I keep track of how much time is left?+

Set the date once in the Our Day app and glance at the widget: days, weeks or weekends left. Each planning stage above maps to a countdown number, so the widget doubles as a planning nudge.