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