Wedding timeline generator

Agree what you can spend, and the split by category is drawn for you.

Everything here is for both of you. They get a sign-in of their own.

Civil, religious or symbolic — it decides the papers, the officiant and often the place.

The number of guests shapes the venue, the budget and nearly everything after.

The first real decision, and the one everything else follows. The best dates go a year ahead.

The Riviera's summer Saturdays go first, often more than a year ahead; the centre and the shoulder months have more room.

Once the venue confirms a day, everything else can be booked against it.

The ones couples want are booked a year ahead for the summer.

Athens photographers shoot island weddings too, so their summer fills from every direction. Ask early.

Often booked with the photographer — ask if they work together.

Many venues cater themselves. If yours does not, the good caterers go early.

Rooms near the venue go first in summer. A block held early saves everyone a search.

One base hotel makes the transfers simple. Ask for a group rate and a date the unsold rooms are released.

A band, a DJ, or both — and the musicians for the ceremony.

Guests travelling to Greece need time to plan flights and leave.

A made-to-measure dress takes six months or more, with fittings.

One page at your own address — where it is, when, and how to get there.

Flowers for the ceremony, the tables and the two of you — and what is in season then.

For the couple, and for whoever else is getting ready with you.

For the couple, and for whoever else is getting ready with you.

Flights and hotels are cheaper booked early.

Getting guests between the hotels, the ceremony and the venue, and back at the end of the night.

For a coastal venue this is the guests' transport, not just yours — coaches from the hotels, and back at the end of the night.

Furniture, lighting, tableware — whatever the venue does not have.

Three to four months ahead for guests who travel, with a date to reply by.

Guests travelling from abroad book flights on the invitation, not the save-the-date. Send it as soon as the date and the venue are fixed.

Engraving and sizing take a few weeks.

Bombonieres, or whatever you give your guests to take home.

Most venues and caterers hold a tasting a few months ahead.

Your venue will want a final number soon.

Ask the ones who have not answered whether they are coming for the whole weekend; the hotel and the transfers need the number.

See the look before the day, in the light it will be seen in.

See the look before the day, in the light it will be seen in.

Who arrives when, and what happens in what order — for you and for every vendor.

Once the replies are in, who sits with whom.

The last adjustments, with the shoes you will wear.

One last message each: when they arrive, where, and who to call on the day.

Give every vendor the same schedule and the same contact for the day. Arrival times at a coastal venue depend on the traffic.

Pins, plasters, a charger, the rings — and the papers, if the ceremony needs them.

A walk through with whoever takes part, ideally at the place itself.

A note to everyone who came, and to everyone who sent something.

A word from you is what the next couple reads.