18 to 14 months before: laying the foundations
This phase is the most important. The decisions made here will influence all other organizational aspects. Take the time to discuss with your partner before starting.
| Task | Priority | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Set the total budget | Essential | Including potential family contributions. Set a firm cap. |
| Define the number of guests | Essential | Draw up a first rough list. Each guest costs ~€215. |
| Choose the date (or season) | Essential | High season (May-Sept) or low season. Saturday, Friday, or Sunday. |
| Define the wedding style | Important | Rustic, elegant, bohemian, modern? This guides all choices. |
| Start venue visits | Important | Visit 3 to 5 venues. Book as soon as you find the right one (30-50% deposit). |
| Open a tracking tool | Recommended | Nupty app, spreadsheet, or notebook. Track every expense from day one. |
The Golden Rule for Foundations
Do not contact any vendors until your budget and guest count are fixed. Without these two figures, you cannot properly evaluate quotes and risk committing beyond your means.
14 to 10 months before: booking key vendors
Once the venue is locked in, you enter the phase of booking main vendors. The order of priority is important because some are in high demand.
| Task | Priority | Estimated Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Book the venue (if not already done) | Essential | Deposit 30-50% |
| Choose and book the caterer | Essential | Request 3 quotes, taste before signing |
| Book the photographer | Essential | €1,200 to €3,500, 30% deposit |
| Book the DJ / musicians | Important | €600 to €1,500 |
| Order wedding rings | Important | €400 to €1,000, 2-3 months lead time |
| Choose witnesses | Important | Inform them so they can block the date |
| Send save the dates | Recommended | Digital or paper, simple date announcement |
The right reflex for 2027
For a wedding in summer 2027, the most sought-after venues will be booked from January 2026. If your date is flexible (Friday or Sunday), you gain months of leeway. A Friday evening venue is often available up to 8 months before, even in high season.
10 to 6 months before: refining the details
| Task | Priority | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Choose the wedding dress | Essential | Fittings, order or purchase. Allow 2-3 months for alterations. |
| Choose the groom's suit | Important | Purchase or custom-made, allow 1-2 months lead time. |
| Book the florist / decorator | Important | Define floral style, decor elements, colors. |
| Order invitations | Important | To be sent 3 to 4 months before the wedding. |
| Finalize guest list | Essential | Final list with addresses for invitations. |
| Prepare the ceremony (secular or religious) | Important | Meeting with priest/officiant, choice of texts and music. |
| Book guest accommodation | Recommended | Block rooms in hotels near the venue. |
| Organize bachelor/bachelorette party | Optional | Delegate to witnesses, set date 1-2 months before the wedding. |
6 to 3 months before: accelerating preparations
| Task | Priority | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Send invitations | Essential | 3 to 4 months before, with RSVP deadline 6 weeks before. |
| Caterer tasting | Essential | Validate the final menu, drinks, quantities. |
| First dress fitting | Important | Alterations to be expected (2-3 sessions over 2 months). |
| Buy accessories | Important | Shoes, jewelry, veil, cufflinks. |
| Order D-day stationery | Important | Menus, seating plan, place cards, ceremony booklet. |
| Prepare playlist with DJ | Recommended | List of desired songs + prohibited songs. |
| Buy witness gifts | Recommended | Personalized gifts to thank them. |
| Purchase drinks (if direct) | Important | Order wine, sparkling wine/champagne from the winemaker. |
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Nupty centralizes your entire wedding
Budget, checklist, vendors, timeline, seating plan. One app, zero spreadsheets, zero stress.
To move forward calmly without leaving anything to chance, centralize everything with Nupty — budget, checklist, vendors, timeline — all accessible to both of you.
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Nupty centralizes your entire wedding
Budget, checklist, vendors, timeline, seating plan. One app, zero spreadsheets, zero stress.
3 to 1 month before: the finishing touches
| Task | Priority | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Follow up on missing RSVPs | Essential | Send individual messages to latecomers. |
| Finalize the seating plan | Essential | With final RSVPs. Plan for dietary restrictions. |
| Last dress fitting | Essential | With D-day shoes and accessories. |
| Confirm all vendors | Essential | Schedules, addresses, D-day contacts, balances to be paid. |
| Prepare D-day schedule | Important | Minute by minute: who does what, when. |
| Pay vendor balances | Important | Caterer, photographer, DJ, florist. Prepare envelopes. |
| Prepare DIY elements | Important | Centerpieces, place cards, photobooth, decorations. |
| Hair and makeup trial | Important | Hair + makeup trial with photo for validation. |
2 weeks to D-day: the final sprint
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| 14 days before | Confirm schedules with all vendors in writing |
| 10 days before | Communicate the final guest count to the caterer |
| 7 days before | Prepare the D-day bag (dress, suit, accessories, beauty kit) |
| 5 days before | Secular ceremony rehearsal (if applicable) |
| 3 days before | Drop off decorations at the venue / prepare equipment |
| 2 days before | Distribute the D-day schedule to the coordination team |
| 1 day before | On-site setup, final checks, rest |
D-Day: sample schedule
| Time | Activity | Who |
|---|---|---|
| 8am-10am | Bride's hair and makeup | Bride + witnesses |
| 10am-11am | Getting dressed, preparation photos | Couple + photographer |
| 2pm-3pm | Civil ceremony at the town hall | All |
| 3:30pm-4:30pm | Secular or religious ceremony | All |
| 4:30pm-5pm | Couple photo session | Couple + photographer |
| 5pm-7pm | Cocktail reception | All |
| 7pm-8pm | Group photos | All + photographer |
| 8pm-10:30pm | Dinner | All |
| 10:30pm-11pm | First dance + entertainment | Couple then all |
| 11pm-3am+ | Dance party | All |
After the wedding
- Day +1: Brunch with close relatives (if planned), retrieve decorations and equipment
- Week +1: Send thank yous to vendors, leave online reviews
- Week +2: Check accounts, send thank you photos to guests
- Month +1: Receive photos, order album if planned
- Month +3: Submit family record book, change name (if applicable)
Frequently asked questions
When to start organizing a wedding planned for 2027?
Ideally 14 to 18 months before, meaning the first half of 2026 for a summer 2027 wedding. Start with the budget, guest list, and venue.
To make sure you don't forget anything, an app like Nupty offers a complete checklist with automatic reminders — synchronized with your timeline and budget.
What are the first steps?
In order: set the total budget, define the number of guests, choose the date/season, visit and book the venue, then start looking for a caterer.
Which vendors to book first?
Venue (14-18 months before), caterer (12-14 months), photographer (10-12 months), DJ (8-10 months), florist (6-8 months).
How long does organization take?
80 to 120 hours over 12 to 18 months. With a structured application, time is reduced by 20 to 30%. The peak of activity is between 6 and 2 months before D-Day.
What to do the week before the wedding?
Confirm all vendors, prepare the D-day bag, ceremony rehearsal, distribute the schedule, and most importantly, rest.
Organize your wedding calmly with Nupty
Budget, timeline, vendors, to-do list: everything is centralized in one application. No more spreadsheets, no more stress.
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Sources: feedback from 500+ couples, Mariages.net 2026 survey