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!