The ultimate wedding planning checklist
Download our ultimate wedding planning checklist on Gumroad.
Planning a wedding can come with lots of emotions and expectations. There are tons of details to remember and tasks to complete, and you’ve probably been imagining what it’ll look like for years. But don’t stress! We've created the ultimate wedding planning checklist to guide you through each step of the planning process, from the early stages of choosing a venue to the final details of the reception. Check out our two timeline variations below.
For those with lots of planning time:
12-18 months before the wedding:
Choose a wedding date
Set a budget
Create a guest list
Decide on your wedding theme and color scheme
Book a venue
Start researching vendors (photographer, florist, caterer, etc.)
10-12 months before the wedding:
Choose your wedding party
Book your photographer and videographer
Book your florist
Book your DJ or band
Book your wedding officiant
Book your caterer and bartender
Start shopping for your wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses
Begin planning your honeymoon
Build your wedding website
Send out your Save the Dates
8-10 months before the wedding:
Order your wedding invitations
Plan the menu
Choose your wedding cake or desserts
Reserve any rental items (tables, chairs, linens, etc.)
Decide on wedding favors
6-8 months before the wedding:
Schedule hair and makeup trials
Book your transportation (limo, party bus, etc.)
Order your wedding rings
Finalize your wedding menu
Order wedding favors
Finalize your wedding playlist
4-6 months before the wedding:
Send out your wedding invitations
Book your wedding night hotel room
Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests
Schedule your final dress fitting
Purchase gifts for your wedding party
Schedule your wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
2-4 months before the wedding:
Apply for a marriage license
Finalize any remaining vendor contracts
Have your final hair and makeup trials
Finalize your seating chart
Finalize ceremony details with your officiant
Confirm accommodations for out-of-town guests
Purchase wedding day accessories (shoes, jewelry, etc.)
Order any remaining stationary items (signs, programs, etc.)
Purchase grand exit items
1 month before the wedding:
Send final guest count to your caterer and venue
Finalize payments with vendors
Have a final meeting with your wedding planner (if applicable)
Attend your final dress fitting
Write your wedding vows
Create a wedding day emergency kit
Finalize wedding day timeline
Obtain your marriage license
Break in your wedding shoes
Schedule a final walk-through with your venue
1 week before the wedding:
Confirm final details with all vendors
Confirm your transportation
Pack for your honeymoon
1 day before the wedding:
Get a manicure and pedicure
Attend your wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
On the wedding day:
Get ready with your bridal party
Enjoy your special day!
For those on a shorter timeline:
4-6 months before the wedding:
Choose your wedding date and book your venue
Decide on your wedding theme and color scheme
Book your wedding photographer and videographer
Book your caterer, florist, and musicians/DJ
Select and order your wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses
Order wedding invitations and begin addressing them
Book your wedding officiant
Arrange transportation for the wedding party
Decide on your wedding favors and begin ordering them
Book your hair and makeup artist and schedule hair and makeup trials
Build your wedding website
3 months before the wedding:
Send out your wedding invitations
Schedule your wedding dress fittings
Finalize your menu with your caterer
Order your wedding cake
Choose your wedding vows
Order your wedding rings
Finalize your wedding playlist with your musicians/DJ
Purchase wedding party gifts
Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests
Schedule your wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Finalize any remaining vendor contracts
Book your wedding night hotel rooms
Order wedding favors
2 months before the wedding:
Apply for a marriage license
Purchase wedding day accessories (veil, shoes, jewelry, etc.)
Finalize details with your vendors (timeline, setup, etc.)
Finalize ceremony details with your officiant
Confirm transportation for the wedding day
Confirm accommodations for out-of-town guests
Order any remaining stationary items (signs, programs, etc.)
Purchase grand exit items
1 month before the wedding:
Obtain your marriage license
Send final guest count to your caterer and venue
Finalize payments with vendors
Finalize wedding day timeline
Have your hair and makeup trials
Attend your final dress fitting
Have a final meeting with your wedding planner (if applicable)
Break in your wedding shoes
Confirm arrival times and final details with vendors
Finalize your seating chart and confirm seating arrangements with venue
Schedule a final walk-through with your venue
Write your wedding vows
Create a wedding day emergency kit
1 week before the wedding:
Confirm final details with all vendors
Confirm your transportation
Pack for your honeymoon
1 day before the wedding:
Get a manicure and pedicure
Attend your wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
On the wedding day:
Get ready with your bridal party
Enjoy your special day!
Keep in mind that this is just a general guide, and you may need to make adjustments based on your unique wedding details. Remember to enjoy the planning process, ask for help when needed, and take time to savor each moment leading up to your big day. And if this all seems like something that you’d love someone else to be in charge of so you can enjoy the process with a bit less of the responsibility, say hey! We’d be happy to be in charge of the checklist and help you plan your special day.
