It’s been a few weeks already since that special day that your fiancé proposed to you. Everything that happened after that day is a blur now that you try to think about. You spent all the days following the proposal in a bliss and living in a fairy tale on cloud nine.

Lately you feel that the fuzzy beautiful dream is slowly unveiling its curtain and making you feel a tinge of guilt. You are slowly feeling guilty that you haven’t started anything with the panning of your wedding yet. The only information you have is the wedding date, which is slowly nearing.

So you start scouring the internet about what you have to plan, but then you see a long list of things that you have no idea how to get. You spend an entire day wondering which one you have to consider first or would you have to book everything this month? Because you were overthinking, you ended up doing nothing. You unwillingly repeat this the next day, and the next, but until when?

Are you willing to stop your overthinking and see the things that you have to consider in a time grouped manner so you won’t get overwhelmed? We prepared a list for you that is grouped by the remaining months left before your wedding.

18 to 9 months before

• Start by getting your hands on all the wedding related magazines and articles that you can find. Buy a clear binder or a segregated folder so you can compile every bit of detail that you want to incorporate in your wedding.
• Have a talk with your fiancé, determine how much your budget is. Make it realistic. Do not aim for a big budget when you still have to save more than half of it. Something might happen that may prevent you from saving, you’ll just never know. So make your budget as close as it can be to reality.
• Depending on your budget, determine how many people you want to invite. Are you aiming for a grand wedding or something small and intimate? Decide on your guest list now.
• You already have your wedding date, right? You may want to reserve your church and your venue.
• Decide whether your budget permits you to hire a wedding planner, if you are, start looking for one now. If not, you should try sending a request for quotes to your local photographers, caterers, florists and bands.

8 months before

• Close the deal with your chosen videographer/photographer.
• Book the band or singer that you have chosen.
• Shortlist at least 3 or 5 of your chosen caterers. Schedule meetings and food tasting with them.
• This is the time to order your gown. You will have enough time to have at least 3 gown fittings.
• If your wedding is out of town or if you have out of town guests, now is the time to reserve hotel rooms for them.
• If you plan to sign up for a gift registry program, do so now.

6 – 7 months before

• Order your invitations, you’ll still have time for enough revisions.
• Plan your honeymoon. As a way to relax during this tiring planning stage, plan your honeymoon with your husband.
• Order your bridesmaids’ gowns.
• Send out your save-the-date cards.
• Book the florist that you chose.
• If your wedding is far and is not easily accessible, arrange the transportation for your guests.
• Schedule your whole day in a timeline. Imagine the wedding day itself, schedule everything in chronological manner, so you will be able to find out what else you need.

4 – 5 months before

• Follow up on your invitation. Decide on the necessary revisions.
• Order and choose your cake.
• Buy your wedding shoes. Make sure it is comfortable enough to wear for a long time.
• Schedule your first gown fitting.
• Book your makeup artist.
• Choose your playlist and finalize with your wedding singer
• If your friends haven’t surprised you with a wedding shower yet, plan your own now.
• Schedule rehearsals and your rehearsal dinner.

3 months before the wedding

• Finalize your flowers and your menu.
• List the people who will give a toast.
• Finalize the order or all the activities for the ceremony. Delegate someone who can help you when the day comes.
• Print your program if you want.
• Purchase your wedding rings. You will still have time for engraving.
• Send out your final schedule to all the vendors that you booked.

2 months before the wedding

• Check and follow up with your vendors
• Review your playlist.
• Meet with the photographers, show them the photos of what appeals to you.
• Have a newspaper announcement if you want.
• Purchase all your undergarments.

1 month before the wedding

• Get your marriage license.
• Send your rehearsal dinner invites.
• Have your last gown fitting.
• Send out all the final payments to your vendors.
• Assign the seating arrangement.
• Follow up on those people who have not responded to your RSVP yet.
• Confirm times for all the vendors and your makeup artist.

1 week before

• Re-confirm the final times with all your vendors.
• Pick up your dress or have it delivered.
• Have a final run through with the photographer.
• Break-in your shoe.
• Schedule a couple spa treatment.
• Send the final guest list to the vendors and caterers.
• Pack and get ready for your honeymoon.

There you go, a month-by-month guide for everything you need. These are the basic needs of a wedding, if you wish to add more details, make sure you schedule it realistically and include it on your timeline.