Wedding Planning Timeline

Wedding To-Do List

Below is a list of things to do before the big day!
Congratulations on your Engagement!

After The Engagement

  • Announce your Engagement & set a Wedding date
  • Getting Wedding Packets and Tour Facilities
  • Book a Reception Location
  • Book a Ceremony Location
  • Set a budget, size of the event, & the formality
  • Select an officiate
  • Hire a florist & start thinking about arrangements & decorations
  • Find a DJ or music, start thinking about the type of music
  • Choose a photographer
  • Select your bridal party & ask them
  • Start putting together your guest list  & thinking about how many  you want to attend
  • Start planning, get ideas, tips & advice, attend bridal shows

6-9 Months Before The Wedding

  • Start looking for a wedding gown
  • Select attendants attire & accessories
  • Start finalizing your guest list
  • Start planning for the honeymoon and making work arrangements
  • Set-up a Room Block & Reserve a Room for the Wedding Night Click for Room Options

3-6 Months Before The Wedding

  • Order invitations, announcements, thank you cards, and programs
  • Find & purchase wedding band
  • Take engagement pictures
  • Finalize wedding gown plans, alterations & purchase accessories
  • Register for gifts
  • Purchase ceremony items (cake knife, guest book, etc.)
  • Finalize honeymoon plans
  • Book Rehearsal Dinner Location
  • Start addressing invitations & announcements
  • Hire transportation for the wedding day
  • Finalize hair stylist for yourself & bridal party
  • Help mom shop for dress & accessories
  • Buy bridal party gifts
  • Select songs for reception (first dance, father-daughter, etc.)
  • Order wedding cake

2 Months Before The Wedding

  • Make appointments (hair, make-up, etc.)
  • Call Deer Valley Lodge for contact signing appointment 608-924-1600 or 888-924-1601
    • Finalize Menu, Set-up, Timeline, Rental Items, etc.
  • Make a gift record for writing out thank you cards
  • Make a list of RSVP’s
  • Mail out invitations 4-6 weeks
  • Get final fittings
  • Finalize ceremony (readings, vows, etc.)

1 Month Before The Wedding

  • Get marriage license
    • Iowa County Clerk Offices
      222 N. Iowa Street
      Dodgeville, WI 53533
      608-935-0399
  • Make necessary payments
  • Finalize last minute details
  • Arrange for name change (drivers license, bills, etc.)
  • Contact guests who haven’t responded

1-2 Weeks Before The Wedding

  • Start packing for honeymoon
  • Get everything ready for wedding and rehearsal
  • Put together an emergency kit

12 Days Before The Wedding

  • Call Deer Valley Lodge with the final guest count & to finalize details

The Wedding Day

  • Eat something in the morning
  • 3 hours before-do hair & make-up
  • 1 hour before-put dress & accessories on
  • Bring the marriage license to the wedding site
  • Enjoy the reception & your guests

After The Wedding

  • Go on your honeymoon
  • Send thank you cards
  • Enjoy being married forever