
Rusty Rail Wedding Planning Timeline 
 
Once you get engaged… 
 
 Announce your engagement!  
 Figure out and create your wedding budget. 
 Decide on city and season. 
 Create a rough guest list. 
 Book and meet with your wedding planner. 
 Optional: Plan an engagement party at the 
Rusty Rail. 
 
12 Months before… 
 
 Select wedding date. 
 Hire your photographer and schedule your 
engagement photo shoot. 
 Book ceremony & reception at the Rusty Rail! 
 Choose your wedding colors and/or theme. 
 Solidify your wedding party. 
 Create your wedding website. 
 Create your wedding #hashtag! 
 
11 Months before… 
 
 Contract a room-block for out of town guests 
and book your wedding night hotel. 
 Meet with and book your officiant. 
 Find and book your florist. 
 
10 Months before… 
 
 Start your gift registries. 
 Book your DJ or band. 
 
9 Months before… 
 
 Say yes to the dress! 
 Choose bridesmaids dresses. 
 Buy or rent menswear for the groom and 
groomsmen. 
 Finalize your guest list and begin collecting 
addresses. 
 
8 Months before… 
 
 Create and send save the dates. 
 Meet with cake bakers and have your cake 
tasting. Yum! Then, order your cake. 
 Book your videographer. 
 Start planning your honeymoon. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7 Months before… 
 
 Book ceremony musicians. 
 Order your event rentals. 
 Book your rehearsal dinner. 
 Book salon appointments for you and your 
bridesmaids. Make sure to schedule for 
your hair trials and for the day of the 
wedding! 
 Find a makeup artist. Set up an 
appointment for a makeup trial. 
 
6 Months before… 
 
 Setup a food tasting with the Rusty Rail 
Event staff and finalize your menu. 
 Decide on bar selections. 
 Find and order your wedding invitations and 
menu cards to include in the invitations. 
*Note: RSVP date should be 6 weeks before 
day of wedding. 
 Don’t forget to buy stamps! 
 Make a transportation plan and book your 
transportation. 
 Book your honeymoon (flights and hotel) 
 
5 Months before… 
 
 Buy under-the-dress essentials. 
 Buy bride and bridesmaids accessories and 
shoes. 
 Decide on a bridal shower outfit. 
 Update your registry. 
 Make a list of ceremony and reception 
extras and buy them. 
 
4 Months before… 
 
 Begin your day-of timeline. Be sure to 
consider all of your vendors needs. 
 Begin assembling and addressing your 
invitations. 
 Order your wedding rings. 
 
3 Months before… 
 
 Mail invitations out. 
 Schedule your wedding dress fitting 
appointments. 
 Order your wedding favors. 
 Find and order attire for your ring bearer 
and flower girl(s). 
 Find/buy yourself “Something blue!” 
 List gifts you need to get for everyone and 
buy them.  
 
2 Months before… 
 
 Have your bridal shower. 
 Finish bridal shower thank-yous! 
 Finalize your ceremony outline and 
order ceremony programs. 
 Finalize seating chart and work on 
escort cards for tables. 
 Write your vows. 
 Finalize ceremony readings. 
 
 
6 Weeks before… 
 
 Schedule a follow-up phone call with 
the Rusty Rail Event staff. 
 Send rehearsal dinner invitations. 
 Make nail and spa appointments. 
 Confirm florals. 
 Buy/make a “Day-of Emergency Kit” 
 
4 Weeks before… 
 
 Get your marriage license! 
 Call guests who have not RSVP’d. 
 Prepare your toasts. 
 Pick up your wedding dress. 
 
 
2 Weeks before… 
 
 Give your final guest count and seating 
chart to the Rusty Rail Event staff. 
 Confirm final details with all of your 
vendors. 
 
Week of wedding… 
 
 Confirm details with wedding party. 
 Pay final vendor bills. Don’t forget tip! 
 Pack for your honeymoon. 
 Drop off your décor to the Rusty Rail. 
 Hand off all final details to wedding 
planner or Rusty Rail Event staff. 
 Get Married!! 
 
After the wedding… 
 
 Review your vendor teams online. 
 Store your dress and veil. 
 Send thank-you notes. 
 Change your last name! 
 Send in your pictures to the Rusty Rail.