Most planning checklists are written for no market in particular. But wedding planning is local: Connecticut's best venues book 12–14 months out for peak Saturdays, our top photographers hold only 25–30 dates a year, and tent inventory in June is a contact sport. Here is the timeline we run internally, tuned to how Greater Hartford actually books.
12–10 months out: the foundation
- Define the feeling first. Three words for how the day should feel. Every later decision gets tested against them.
- Set the real budget — including who's contributing what, in writing, kindly.
- Draft the guest list to the nearest 25. Everything (venue, catering, rentals) prices off this number.
- Book venue and planner. In that order or together — we frequently save couples from venue contracts that fight their vision.
- Book photography. The great ones go first. This is the deadline couples most often miss.
9–7 months out: the team
- Book catering (if not in-house), music, videography, and florist.
- Order the dress — salons genuinely need 6–8 months for made-to-order gowns, plus alterations.
- Reserve hotel room blocks; Hartford fills fast on UConn and event weekends.
- Send save-the-dates, especially for holiday weekends or traveling families.
6–4 months out: the design
- Lock the design narrative: palette, florals, lighting, linens, tablescape, signage.
- Schedule the tasting and finalize the menu and bar structure.
- Book transportation, officiant, hair and makeup, and rentals.
- Order invitations; calligraphy and printing want 8–10 weeks of runway.
3–2 months out: the details
- Mail invitations at 8 weeks; set RSVPs at 3–4 weeks out.
- Apply for the Connecticut marriage license window — it's issued in the town where you'll marry and is valid for 65 days.
- First dress fitting; finalize ceremony order and readings.
- Confirm all vendor arrival times in writing. (We confirm twice.)
The final month: the handoff
- Build the seating chart after final RSVPs — never before, in pencil, with grace.
- Final venue walkthrough with your planner and key vendors.
- Deliver the minute-by-minute timeline to every vendor and the wedding party.
- Final fitting, final payments scheduled, rings and license in one envelope.
- Then: hand it all to your coordinator and sleep. If you're checking vendor emails during your rehearsal dinner, something went wrong in this step.
The goal of a timeline isn't to fill twelve months with tasks. It's to make the final month boring — and the final day yours.
Engaged and feeling behind? You're probably not — but the fastest way to know is a complimentary consultation. We'll map your specific date against your town's real booking climate and tell you exactly what to do this month.