Wedding Planning Checklist
Whether you're a couple months away or a year from your big day, plan each stage with confidence!
Engagement Season’ is upon us! The term ‘Engagement Season’ refers to the period when there is an increased spike in the number of engagements. This occurs from late November up till February, covering the beautiful festive period through to the day of love, Valentine’s day.
It’s true that when December reaches and the glittering Christmas lights are up, that there is something that just makes it the oh-so-perfect time to propose; family and friends unite, it’s the season of giving and, undoubtedly, love. Which will most likely explain the spike in those beautiful engagement ring photographs, that you will be seeing an abundance of on your Instagram and Facebook newsfeeds.
So have you just gotten engaged to the love of your life and don't know where to start? Our wedding planning checklist guides you through 12+ months of the planning process, helping you to manage your time and to-do list—right up until your big day and beyond.
Mark off your to-do’s and write-in your own. If you’re organized, you’ll have more time to enjoy the process and each other!
12+ months (No worries, you got this!)
Choose a date (or up to 3 so you can be flexible).
Talk budget and decide who’s contributing what.
Plan your wedding style.
Choose your wedding party: maid of honor, bridesmaids, best man, groomsmen, flower girl and ring bearer.
Create a wedding website.
Get engagement ring insured and consider purchasing wedding insurance.
Begin compiling a guest list.
Explore ceremony and reception venue options.
Start assembling a team of wedding pros: planner, photographer, videographer, caterer, florist, and musicians.
Browse wedding dress and veil styles.
Create wedding and style boards on Pinterest.
Get engagement photos taken.
Start browsing Save the Date designs to find your favorite shape and size.
See your design in person! Order a sample of your Save the Date.
Order your Save the Dates.
10 - 11 months (You're on a roll...)
Choose bridal party attire and accessories.
Reserve ceremony and reception venues.
Book officiant.
Hire photographer, videographer, caterer, DJ/band, florist, and planner.
Mail your Save the Dates.
Purchase wedding dress, veil and undergarments.
Establish a fitness routine.
Establish a skin care/beauty routine.
8 - 9 months (Get your colors on!)
Find 3 hotels (at different price points) for out-of-town guests.
Browse Wedding Invitation designs and coordinating stationery (Enclosures, Programs, Menu Cards, Thank You’s, and Favors).
Refine guest list.
Create gift registries at 3 national retailers.
Begin planning honeymoon.
6 - 7 months (Good job! What's next?)
Explore wedding day hair and makeup styles.
Meet with officiant to discuss plans for ceremony.
Reserve rentals: chairs, linens, lighting, décor, etc.
Choose cake style and schedule tastings.
Decide on groomsmen attire.
Personalize & order a Wedding Invitation sample.
Hire ceremony musicians.
Book transportation to and from venues.
Purchase wedding bands.
Order Wedding Invitation Suite.
Order Thank You Cards (for gifts that arrive early).
4 - 5 months (The finishing touches...)
Choose flowers for: wedding party, attendants, venues, cake, etc.
Schedule dress fittings.
Book honeymoon flights and hotels.
Book room for wedding night.
Order wedding cake.
Plan welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.
Prepare {play/do not play} lists for DJ/band.
Finalize wedding guest list.
Assemble rehearsal dinner guest list.
Book rehearsal dinner venue.
Order Rehearsal Dinner Invitations.
3 months (You're getting close!)
Finalize honeymoon plans and ensure all documents are in order.
Plan ceremony and reception seating.
Experiment with hair and veil with stylist.
Finalize readers and readings.
Purchase: toasting flutes, serving pieces, guestbook, flower basket and ring bearer pillow.
Finalize reception menu.
Order Menu Cards.
Order Wedding Favors.
2 months (Crunch Time)
Mail Wedding Invitations.
Develop system for organizing RSVPs.
Begin writing vows.
Review ceremony details with officiant.
Lay out the content for Wedding Programs.
Apply for marriage license: order 2-3 extra.
Finalize seating arrangements.
Finalize playlists with musicians.
Finalize fittings for wedding party and parents.
Create wedding day timeline and send to your vendors, officiant and wedding party.
Write out honeymoon itinerary for family at home.
Decide “Something Old, New, Borrowed, Blue.”
Book spa and beauty treatments for you and your bridal party.
Book wedding day transportation.
Purchase gifts for attendants.
Order a Wedding Program sample.
1 month (Don’t Forget)
Call vendors to confirm date, times and location.
Confirm honeymoon reservations.
Pack for honeymoon.
Pick up wedding rings.
Pick up marriage license.
Order Wedding Programs.
Final dress fitting (with shoes & undergarments).
Write Thank You notes as gifts are received.
2 weeks (Down to the wire)
Follow up with guests who have not RSVP’d.
Give final count to caterer.
Update registries.
Begin breaking in wedding shoes.
Make arrangements for the caring of pets and plants while on honeymoon.
Send playlists to DJ/band/ceremony musicians.
Get final haircut and color.
Delegate wedding day duties: gift table, guestbook, etc.
Delegate someone to return tuxes, rentals and tend to wedding dress.
Send directions to wedding day limo/transportation driver.
1 week (Relax, almost there!)
Prepare final payments to vendors + cash tips for service personnel.
Give readers their scripts.
Give photographer and videographer your image and video requests.
Lay out wedding clothes.
Prepare wedding day emergency kit.
Get spa treatments for you and the bridal party.
The day Before (Can you believe it?)
Deliver welcome baskets.
Get mani/pedi/massage.
Attend wedding rehearsal.
Have fun at the rehearsal dinner.
Get to bed at a decent hour!
Wedding Day (Enjoy your Day!)
Eat a good breakfast!
Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready.
Give wedding rings and officiant fee to best man.
Relax, smile, and soak in every incredible moment.
Beyond the wedding (Wrapping things up...)
Ensure tuxes and rentals have been returned.
Get wedding dress to preservationist or cleaners.
Order Photo Thank You Cards (include a wedding photo).
Order Personalized Stationery with your new last name.
Put your favorite wedding photo on a beautiful keepsake.
That about sums it all up. Of course you can add or remove items as you see fit, but having this guideline will help take some of the stress off of all your planning. Wishing you all the best! So, happy engagement season everyone! It really is the most magical, wonderful time of the year…