This is the timeline we actually use with couples. It's not exhaustive — every wedding has its own specifics — but if you're hitting these milestones roughly on schedule, you're in good shape.
12 months out: The big, hard-to-reverse decisions
- Set your overall budget, with a 10-15% buffer
- Agree on a rough guest count with both families
- Book your venue(s)
- Book your photographer/videographer
- Decide: local Bengaluru wedding or destination
9 months out: Locking in the core team
- Finalize catering and schedule a tasting
- Book your décor team and agree on a design direction
- Book entertainment (DJ, live music, performers)
- Start outfit shopping/fittings
6 months out: Details and logistics
- Send save-the-dates
- Finalize the function-by-function schedule (mehndi, sangeet, ceremony, reception)
- Book makeup and hair artists
- Arrange guest travel/accommodation if it's a destination wedding
- Order invitations
3 months out: Confirming everything
- Send formal invitations
- Confirm final guest count with caterer and venue
- Finalize décor mood boards and floor plans
- Do outfit fittings/alterations
- Confirm transport and accommodation for out-of-town guests
1 month out: Final details
- Confirm final headcount with every vendor
- Create the day-of timeline and share it with all vendors
- Assign a day-of point of contact who isn't the couple
- Confirm weather contingency plan for any outdoor functions
- Final fittings
Week of: Just the essentials
- Confirm arrival times and setup schedules with every vendor
- Pack an emergency kit (safety pins, stain remover, extra outfit pieces)
- Delegate day-of logistics fully — this is not the week to be managing vendor calls yourself
Day of: Just be there
If the earlier steps were handled properly, the day-of checklist should have exactly one item on it: show up and enjoy it. That's the actual goal of everything above.