The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist

When planning a wedding, the list of tasks and to-do's seem to be ever-growing and never-ending! It's so important to stay organized and on top of everything to ensure that every detail gets handled, but it can be overwhelming if you don't have a good place to start. Our Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist will simplify your wedding to-do's all in one place. Keep this checklist handy for easy reference and check back every few months to ensure you're on target for the big day.

Good luck! 

24 months - 13 months Before Your Wedding  (Refers to longer engagements. These tasks can be handled at the one year mark as well)

• Tell all your family and friends you’re engaged!
• Insure your engagement ring
• Set up a wedding website
• Start a Pinterest board
• Start planning your guest list to get a good idea of numbers
• Start your wedding budget
• Choose your wedding date/season
• Choose a wedding theme
• Host an engagement party
• Begin looking at venues 

1 Year Before Your Wedding

• Book reception facility 
• Book your officiant
• Hire a wedding planner (if necessary and budget permits)
• Have an engagement photo shoot (hint – this is a good way to find out in advance if you’ve chosen the right photographer for your wedding)

• Choose your wedding party
• Choose your color scheme
• Plan and budget for your honeymoon
• Order your passport if you plan to travel for your honeymoon
• Start wedding dress and bridal party shopping 

• Start researching your bachelor/bachelorette parties
• Get started on a health and skincare routine

6-9 Months Before Your Wedding

• Finalize your guest list
• Hire your photographer 
• Book your DJ, musicians or other entertainment
• Hire your florist, caterer and other wedding vendors
• Order your invitations and thank you cards

• Purchase your wedding dress and bridal party dresses
• Send out save the date cards
• Book any transportation needs and reserve hotel rooms for out-of-town guests
• Book a suite for your wedding night
• Revisit your budget to make sure you’re on track and make any adjustments
• Confirm any rentals you may need, including a tent, tables, chairs, linens and table settings

4 Months Before Your Wedding

• Order your flowers 
• Register for marriage classes
• Book your rehearsal dinner
• Decide on your hair and makeup style and book appointments with stylists
• Have several tasting sessions and choose your cake and food
• Start writing your vows and choose any ceremony readings
• Create a schedule of the ceremony and reception activities
• Schedule dress fittings for yourself and your bridal party
• Purchase your rings 
• Plan the menus for all your pre-wedding events 
• Purchase gifts for your wedding party

6 to 8 Weeks Before Your Wedding

• Send out your wedding invitations (can be done earlier if you're expecting international guests or a destination wedding)
• Start tracking RSVPs
• Arrange for your marriage license
• Plan any name change documents and insurance
• Finalize your reception menu
• Finalize any outstanding vendor bookings
• Purchase a guestbook

• Purchase favors 
• Create a seating plan
• Confirm any travel arrangements
• Get together with your bridal party to help you coordinate the details of the day
• Purchase your wedding accessories including shoes, jewelry, veil, ring pillows, gloves etc. 

1 Month Before Your Wedding

• Finalize your wedding vows
• Have a trial hair and makeup day
• Finish tracking and following up RSVPs
• Final fitting of your gown
• Find something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue!
• Pick up your wedding rings 
• Start preparing DIY elements of your wedding
• Prepare thank you cards
• Prepare a shot-list for your photographer
• Get a facial and continue with your skincare routine

2 Weeks Before Your Wedding

• Finalize your guest list and give a final headcount to your reception facility, caterer etc.
• Confirm all final arrangements with your vendors

• Send detailed instructions to your bridal party and vendors, including the final schedule for the ceremony and reception
• Pack for your honeymoon
• Provide a final song-list to your DJ/musicians
• Print place cards
• Prepare payment for all your vendors
• Write speeches
• Pick up your wedding dress

1 Week Before Your Wedding

• Build a bridal emergency kit with tissues, lipstick, band aids, a sewing kit, safety pins etc.
• Check the weather forecast and make any required alternative plans
• Have a spa day with your bridal party. (Be careful about getting a facial this close to your wedding day. It may cause breakouts.)

1-3 days Before Your Wedding

• Get a manicure/pedicure
• Wedding rehearsal or pre-wedding dinner
• Pack all your wedding day items including your rings, booking receipts, passports, shoes, accessories, vows and your marriage license 
• Arrange for someone in your wedding party to transport any gifts or flower arrangements before and after the wedding
• Finish DIY elements and arrangements 
• Arrange for return of rental items
• Get as much rest as possible

Your Wedding Day

• Give the rings to the best man and maid of honor
• Spend a lot of time getting ready
• Eat breakfast
• Attend hair and makeup appointments
• Include your photographer in the wedding preparation process
• Give your bridesmaids their gifts
• Meet with your vendors and officiant and go over any final arrangements
• Get dressed
• Get married!