How To Plan Your Dream Wedding in 6 Months: The Ultimate Wedding Timeline and Checklist

Congratulations on your engagement! Planning a wedding can seem overwhelming, but with a 6-month engagement, you still have enough time to create a dream wedding that reflects your unique style and preferences. It’s important to remember that your wedding day should be about you and your partner, so don’t feel pressured to follow any so-called “norms” or expectations from others. Stay true to your vision and budget, and prioritize what’s most important to you both as a couple. To help you stay on track and organized, our wedding planning checklist offers a comprehensive timeline to ensure your special day is as stress-free as possible. Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration in 6 months—or even 3 or 12— you can trust our checklist to guide you through every step of the process.

6 Months Out:

Determine your realistic wedding budget
Sit down with your partner to get on the same page about your shared vision for the big day and prioritize what’s most important to you to include
Research and apply for a credit card with great travel benefits—put wedding expenses on this card and rack up points for your honeymo
Visit potential venues
Start researching vendors
Draft guest list
Choose your wedding party
Join online wedding communities, like The Hive, to get inspiration, ask questions, and get advice from other couples planning their weddings
Consider signing up for a travel or hotel credit card to earn rewards on wedding expenses and enjoy perks like discounted accommodations and exclusive benefits for a memorable honeymoon experience.

5 Months Out:

Finalize date & venue
Start booking vendors
Start looking at wedding attire
Explore pre-marital counseling with your partner to help set your marriage up for success
Discuss who you want to officiate your wedding
Schedule tastings for wedding cake and caterers
Create a wedding website—write your greeting, upload a photo, and include any relevant information for your guests
Hire a wedding planner (if desired)

4 Months Out:

Confirm honeymoon plans and book travel
Book hotel room blocks & transportation
Finalize guest list
Order Save the Dates, if using printed
Have an engagement photo session (if desired)
Book your wedding photographer
Start collecting guests’ contact information—you can keep track of all of this in your Honeyfund account!
Book your DJ or wedding band. If you’d rather save in this area, try making your own Spotify playlist and using a Bluetooth speaker or sound system

3 Months Out:

Purchase wedding rings & consider purchasing ring insurance
Start browsing Pinterest for some easy hair and makeup styles to do yourself
Plan and book any pre-wedding festivities (engagement party, bridal shower, etc.)
Book your officiant
Publish your wedding website & create your Honeyfund registry
Brainstorm a wedding hashtag
Mail or e-mail Send Save-the-Dates
Order wedding invitations
Send shower invites
Create a backup plan for any outdoor activities in case of inclement weather.
Start browsing Facebook Marketplace for decor that you can repurpose for your big day

2 Months Out:

Finalize all vendor hires and make final payments
Book rehearsal dinner venue
Create a timeline for the wedding day
Add more items to your Honeyfund registry to give your guests plenty of items to choose from
Book florist and finalize flowers

Finalize seating chart and create place cards
Book wedding cake baker
Book hair and makeup
Decide on bachelorette and bachelor party activities
Send formal wedding invitations

1 Month Out:

Wedding Showers & bachelor/bachelorette parties
Share your Honeyfund registry with your guests — consider including a registry card with your invitations or sharing another way.
Schedule final fittings for your wedding dress and bridesmaids’ dresses
Confirm details with vendors and make any final payments
Meet with your officiant
Confirm playlists and music with your wedding DJ or band
Work on DIY projects for your wedding decor
Create a timeline for the wedding day and share it with vendors and the bridal party
Finalize details for the rehearsal dinner and any other pre-wedding events
Plan honeymoon excursions
Start collecting RSVPs
Create seating chart
Obtain marriage license
Finalize attire & alterations
Make final vendor payments
Write vows
Order clothing and necessities for your honeymoon

2 Weeks Out:

Create a shot list for your photographer
Touch base with all vendors

1 Week Out:

Pack overnight bags for your wedding and/or honeymoon

Day Before:

Ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Pack wedding day essentials
Eat well, stay hydrated, and get a good night’s sleep!

Wedding Day:

Set up venue and make any final vendor payments
Get married
Celebrate!
Clean up (if required by your venue)

After the wedding:

Tip your DJ, caterer, or any other wedding vendors and/or settle any outstanding balances with your vendors
Transfer the funds from your Honeyfund Wallet to your Venmo or Paypal, completely fee-free (hello, Honeymoon funds!)
Enjoy your honeymoon and start your new life together as a married couple!
Send thank-you notes to guests and vendors
Change your name
Use the remaining funds from your Honeyfund registry to pay off credit card-related wedding expenses
Order wedding photos