Planning your wedding in Buffalo, NY, means you’re not just organizing an event – you’re creating an experience in a city full of charm, history, and beauty. From choosing the perfect venue to incorporating local favorites into your celebration, here’s your ultimate wedding timeline to ensure every detail is perfectly planned.

12-18 Months Before: Dream Big and Book Early

1. Set Your Budget: Before you dive into planning, determine how much you want to spend. This will guide all your decisions moving forward. Be sure to give yourself some wiggle room to plan for unexpected guests that get added to the list, or to allow you to add on that fun signature cocktail for your guests! 
2. Choose a Date and Venue: Popular Buffalo venues, like Avanti Mansion, book up quickly, so lock in your date and location early. 
3. Hire a Wedding Planner: If you’re looking for expert guidance, now is the time to hire a wedding planner (if your venue/caterer doesn’t already supply one) to help bring your vision to life, 
4. Create a Guest List: Draft your guest list to get an idea of how many people you’ll be inviting. 
5. Make that Pinterest Board: If you’re not like my friends and I who’ve had a vision board of our weddings since we were pubescent… now is actually the time to scour the internet, get inspired, and plan the vibe for your day. Pinterest is the #1 app for wedding planning used for a reason. 

9-12 Months Before: The Fun Begins

1. Book Your Vendors: Secure your caterer, photographer, videographer, florist, and DJ or band. Buffalo has some amazing local talent – make sure to book them early to be sure they can be available for your date!
2. Say Yes to the Dress: Start shopping for your wedding dress. Many dresses can take  up to 6 months to arrive, so you want to give yourself enough time for any alterations.  Buffalo has fantastic bridal boutiques where you can find the perfect gown.
3. Engagement Photos: Schedule an engagement photo session to capture this special time and use the photos for save-the-dates. This also gives you some time to bond with your photographer before the big day.
4. Send Save-the-Dates: Let your guests know to mark their calendars.

6-9 Months Before: Details, Details, Details

1. Plan Your Honeymoon: Decide where you’ll go for your post-wedding getaway and book your travel and accommodations.
2. Design Your Invitations: Work with a local printer to create beautiful wedding invitations that reflects your theme and sets the tone for your big day!
3. Register for Gifts: Create your wedding registry and make sure to include items that reflect your life together.
4. Book Transportation: Arrange for transportation for you and your guests if needed. Buffalo has great options from classic cars, modern limos, or buses to shuttle all your guests.

4-6 Months Before: It’s All Coming Together

1. Finalize the Menu: Work with your caterer or venue to finalize your wedding menu. Don’t forget to include Buffalo favorites like a late-night chicken wing bar!
2. Order the Cake: Choose a local bakery to create your dream wedding cake. Sample lots of flavors – it’s one of the best parts of planning!
3. Choose Attire for the Wedding Party: Make sure your bridesmaids and groomsmen have their outfits sorted out.
4. Book a Hairstylist and Makeup Artist: Find local professionals who can help you look your best on your big day.

2-4 Months Before: The Final Stretch

1. Mail Invitations: Send out your wedding invitations and track RSVPs as they come in.
2. Create a Wedding Day Timeline: Work with your planner to create a detailed timeline for the day. Be sure to delegate tasks to specific people or vendors so everyone is on the same page. 
3. Plan the Ceremony: Meet with your officiant and finalize the details of your ceremony. 
4. Buy Wedding Bands: Choose and purchase your wedding bands. 

1-2 Months Before: Almost There!

1. Get Your Marriage License: Don’t forget to apply for your marriage license – a crucial step!
2. Final Dress Fitting: Make sure your dress fits perfectly.
3. Confirm Details and Guest Counts with Vendors: Reach out to all your vendors to confirm the final details and timeline.
4. Create a Seating Chart: Organize your seating arrangements for the reception. Venues like Avanti Mansion do this for you!

2-4 Weeks Before: It’s Getting Real

1. Write Your Vows: If you’re writing your own vows, now is the time to finalize them. The last thing you want is to put them off until the night before the big day!
2. Break in Your Shoes: Wear your wedding shoes around the house to make sure they’re comfortable for all the walking around you’ll be doing.
3. Pack for the Honeymoon: Start packing for your honeymoon so you’re ready to jet off after the wedding.
4. Confirm Final Headcount: Provide your caterer and venue with the final guest count.

The Week Of: Here We Go!

1. Have a Final Venue Walkthrough: Meet with your venue coordinator to go over all the details one last time.
2. Relax and Pamper Yourself: Schedule some relaxation time – get a massage, have a spa day, and make sure you’re feeling your best.
3. Rehearsal and Dinner: Have a rehearsal at the venue and enjoy a dinner with your wedding party and close family.
4. Pack an Emergency Kit: Include items like safety pins, a sewing kit, pain relievers, and anything else you might need on the big day.

The Big Day: Celebrate!

1. Get Ready: Enjoy the process of getting ready with your bridal party. Remember to eat and drink plenty of water so that everyone can fully enjoy the day from start to finish! 
2. Follow the Timeline: Trust your planner and vendors to keep everything on track. Most likely there is a reason for everything they do.  
3. Soak It All In: Take a moment to look around and appreciate all the hard work and love that went into your wedding day. Take a walk through the venue with your partner before everyone else (makes for a cute photo moment too).
4. Dance the Night Away: Celebrate with your loved ones and create memories that will last a lifetime. Just enjoy every moment, and be IN the moment. You hired photographers and videographers to capture everything, so trust they will. Nothing will ever compare to the moments themselves while you were in them.

Planning a wedding in Buffalo, NY, is a unique experience filled with local charm and traditions. By following this timeline, you’ll ensure the essentials are taken care of, allowing you to relax and enjoy your special day. Here’s to a beautiful Buffalo wedding and a lifetime of happiness!