The Wedding Expo

Wedding Planning Checklist

Post Engagement                    

  • Announce Engagement
  • Decide who’s paying for what
  • Make a budget                                                                    
  • Research wedding venues
  • Research reception venues                                       
  • Pick a date
  • Create a wedding website
  • Start compiling your guest lists with address

 

12+ Months Before the Wedding

  • Create an inspiration board
  • Choose style & theme
  • Select bridal party & best man/groomsmen
  • Prepare a folder for vendors with receipts and contracts
  • Hire a wedding planner if you aren’t planning it yourself.
  • Choose and book your venues
  • Choose who is officiating your wedding
  • Sample and select a caterer
  • Book photographer/videographer
  • Book band/DJ
  • Book bar staff
  • Book florist
  • Get wedding insurance
  • Start wedding dress shopping

 

6-9 Months Before

  • Book additional entertainment
  • Sample/order wedding cake
  • Finalize your guest list
  • Send out invitations & gift list
  • Order wedding favors
  • Book your honeymoon
  • Book hair & makeup
  • Ensure your wedding accommodations
  • Get shoes, clothes, & accessories
  • Select and do fitting for wedding party dresses & suits
  • Organize (or delegate your maid of honor/best man to plan the bachelorette and bachelor parties Book guest transport/accommodations

 

3-6 Months Before

  • Agree on the order of the service
  • Decide your ‘walking down the aisle’ music
  • Decide first dance song
  • Food tasting & finalizing menu
  • Buy the wedding rings
  • Order your decorations
  • Hair & makeup practice runs
  • Choose bouquets & floral arrangements
  • Plan your bridal shower

 

1 Month Before

  • Confirm & pay ALL vendors
  • Final dress fitting
  • Write speeches
  • Bachelor & bachelorette parties
  • Host bridal shower
  • Order drinks & alcohol
  • Finalize seating plans
  • Make/buy seating place cards
  • Venue walk through and rehearsal
  • Order wedding programs & thank you cards
  • Confirm your honeymoon plans
  • Run through with wedding planner, or final checklist review

 

1 Week Before

  • Confirm final attendance numbers
  • Confirm final details with vendors/suppliers
  • Pick up suits & dresses
  • Brief the bridal party & groomsmen
  • Hair color refresh
  • Eyebrows, lashes, waxing, tanning, mani-pedi, etc.
  • Finish honeymoon packing
  • Lastly, prepare for your big day with some relaxation