The countdown is officially on! You are entering one of the most exciting and detail-heavy stretches of planning. The big decisions are made, your venue, vendors and vision are all set, and now it is time to shift toward execution and refinement.
Over the next couple of months, you will be confirming timelines, tracking RSVPs and finalizing all those smaller details that make your day feel cohesive and personal.
Let us break down exactly what to focus on during this window!
✅ Finalize Your Wedding Day Timeline & Confirm Details
This is when the puzzle pieces start fitting together.
- Schedule your timeline meeting with your planner or venue coordinator as this ensures all vendor arrivals, photo moments and transitions are synced.
- Communicate your final ceremony start time and confirm when hair and makeup will begin.
- Double-check rental delivery and pickup times and share them with your planner or point person.
- Review setup and teardown responsibilities with your team. Who is handling what and when? Are there people designated to take your items to and from the venue?
- Create or update your master contact sheet (vendors, wedding party, family, transportation).
Pro tip: Once your timeline is approved, have your planner send it to your caterer, photographer, DJ/band and any other key vendors. This keeps everyone in the loop and avoids day-of confusion.
💌 Send Out Your Invitations
By this stage, it is invitation time!
- Send your invitations about 8–10 weeks before the wedding. **If you have a B List, ensure the first round of invitations goes out 12-16 weeks before the wedding so that the second round can go out 8-10 weeks before!
- Set your RSVP deadline about 4 weeks before your date.
- Keep a digital record of responses as they come in noting meal selections, allergies and any special requests.
- If you have not already, order your day-of paper goods (menus, signage, escort cards, programs).
Pro tip: When addressing invitations, triple-check spelling, titles and zip codes. A small mistake can cause mailing delays and USPS can be unpredictable!
👗 Finalize Attire for Everyone
You have had your first round of fittings, now it is time to get everyone else on track too.
- Ensure bridesmaids and groomsmen have their attire ordered and scheduled for alterations.
- Confirm accessories, shoes and undergarments for your own final fitting.
- If applicable, schedule steam/pressing services for your gown, suit or veil.
- Plan what you will wear for pre-wedding events (rehearsal dinner, getting ready, brunch).
Pro tip: Bring your full look (veil, jewelry, shoes, undergarments) to your final fitting. It is the only way to ensure everything fits and photographs correctly!
🪞 Schedule Final Beauty Appointments
With photos just around the corner, this is the moment to get your beauty prep in sync.
- Book your hair and makeup trials if you have not done them yet.
- Schedule your facials, spray tan and teeth whitening no later than 1–2 weeks before the wedding.
- Keep your skincare routine consistent, now is not the time to introduce new products!
- Grooms and partners: schedule haircuts, beard trims or grooming sessions a few days before the wedding for a clean, but natural, look.
Pro tip: Do a “test run” of your full beauty look on a day when you have a special event. You will get real feedback on longevity, comfort and photos!
🌸 Confirm Floral & Décor Details
You already designed your vision and now it is time to lock in the details.
- Confirm final counts and quantities with your florist and rental company.
- Review your floral recipe, or inspiration board, and make small tweaks now, not later.
- Confirm delivery, setup and breakdown times with your florist and planner.
- Review ceremony layouts and centerpiece placement for final approval.
For Mankin Mansion couples: your planner will review your design notes and inventory options to ensure everything flows seamlessly with the Mansion’s spaces and style.
📋 Review Vendor Details & Payments
This window is all about making sure nothing slips through the cracks!
- Confirm all vendor arrival times, meal counts and setup needs.
- Review your contracts to ensure all final balances, gratuities and deadlines are noted.
- If you have not already, submit your bar order or finalize alcohol quantities with your caterer or planner.
Pro tip: Create a “vendor folder” in your email or a shared Google Drive to keep contracts, invoices and payment confirmations in one place.
🎶 Finalize Ceremony & Reception Music
By now, your music selections should start feeling cohesive.
- Choose your ceremony songs such as the processional, recessional and any special moments.
- Finalize your first dance, parent dances and last song of the night.
- Confirm microphone or speaker needs for your ceremony, toasts and speeches.
- If using a DJ, upload your playlists and do-not-play lists into their planning portal.
- If you have a band, share your timeline and set preferences.
Pro tip: End the night on a high note so choose a fun, collective song that everyone will want to sing along to!
🚐 Confirm Transportation & Logistics
Transportation is often one of the last pieces to click into place, but it is a crucial one.
- Confirm all pickup/drop-off times for your wedding party, family and guests.
- Share routes and timing with your planner or coordinator.
- Review parking and shuttle instructions for your wedding website and printed materials.
- Verify your getaway car or end-of-night transportation is booked and confirmed.
For Mankin Mansion couples: your planning team can help review transportation flow to ensure smooth arrivals and departures from the property.
💝 Plan & Order Gifts
This is a fun (and often overlooked) step that adds a thoughtful touch.
- Order gifts for your wedding party, parents and each other.
- If you are doing welcome bags or favors, begin ordering now and assemble closer to the wedding.
- Write thank-you cards as gifts or early registry items arrive, it will save time later!
Pro tip: Ensure that anything customizable is ordered with plenty of time to arrive in case of errors!
📦 Begin Organizing Day-Of Items
Start a system now so you are not overwhelmed later.
- Create labeled bins for ceremony, reception and personal items (signage, candles, guest book, gifts).
- Begin a packing list of what you need to bring to the venue or hotel.
- Keep décor and signage together and note which items will return home with you.
- Set aside or note any vendor return items (cake stands, rental décor, etc.).
Pro tip: Take photos of mock set ups, it helps your planner or helpers know where everything belongs during setup.
🧠 Final Tips to Stay on Track
- Schedule your final planning meeting with your planner or venue team.
- Keep up with RSVP tracking and meal counts.
- Review any permits or insurance if required by your vendors.
- Make sure all attire alterations are scheduled and on track.
- Continue updating your wedding website with travel info and schedule details.
❤️ Keep Enjoying the Process
This stage can feel like juggling a lot of little pieces, but you are so close to seeing everything come together. Keep leaning on your planner, delegate where you can and take time to celebrate milestones along the way.
Your wedding vision is about to become a reality and your team at Mankin Mansion is here every step of the way to ensure it is every bit as beautiful as you have imagined.
