Timeline

I really dont think there is an exact timeline anyone should follow. I say make your own as it applys to you. There are ppl who plan weddings in 6 (or less) months so those timelines wouldnt even apply to them.

As for me, I plan to send out STDs about 8-9 months before my wedding. I plan to start dress shopping a yr from my wedding.

I think it all depends on you. I plan on sending out my STDs by the end of the month which will be the one year mark before my wedding because it's a holiday weekend and I want people to have enough time to plan accordingly.
I already have my dress and it's a little over a year before my wedding. That was definitely not planned it just happened that way.
I think it's better to book your major vendors as early as possible then that will give you time to work on the smaller things.
I thought I had a lot of time in the beginning of my planning but now I feel like time is flying by. Some people still say your wedding is not until '2013' however I feel like the wedding day will be here in no time.

I would book your major vendors ASAP. A band I wanted was already booked 4 months ago for November 2013. Book the vendors that work one wedding per day, venue, photographer and music.

Happy planning :) the time flys by

Everyone is different. I use the timelines as a guide. I ordered my dress in Mid March (they say it can take up to 9 months to come in) and I'm currently working on my STDs. I hope to have them out by the end of the month (10 months before the wedding).

I have yet to book my photo, limo, hotel block and clergy...I try to take things day by day. Instead of a timeline, I created a huge To-Do List in Google Docs that I use as a guide.

I would suggest making a To-Do so you can see what needs to be done first.