The eighteen-month wedding planning timeline, month by month

Months 18 to 12: set a budget, book your venue, and start a guest list — in that order, because the guest count changes which venues are even possible.

Months 12 to 9: book photography, catering and your band or DJ. These are the vendors with the least flexible calendars, so they go first among the "everything else."

Months 9 to 6: florals, rentals, invitations design, and — if you have not already — a planner, if you are going to use one. This is also when dress shopping usually starts in earnest.

Months 6 to 3: send invitations, finalize the menu, do a final walkthrough with every vendor, and confirm the timeline in writing.

Month 1 to wedding day: final headcount to your caterer, seating chart, rehearsal, and handing the whole timeline to whoever is running your day — a coordinator, or a very organized friend who did not sign up to be one.