Stress Less By Following This Wedding Planning Checklist & Timeline

The question has been asked, the champagne has been popped and the happy tears have been wiped away...now it’s time to start planning!!

Organizing a wedding can quickly become overwhelming-who knew there were so many details involved?! But, the good news is, planning the big day doesn’t actually have to be so stressful if you divide the tasks on a month by month basis with a wedding-planning checklist and timeline!

To help get you started on devising the wedding of your dreams, we’ve created the ultimate checklist to help guide you through the planning process that way you’re able to enjoy each step, stress less, have fun and more importantly revel in this special time together!

12 MONTHS

Choose a date, talk budget, decide wedding style, make a guest list, explore ceremony + reception venue options while knowing your dream photographers available dates, start assembling a dream team of wedding pros, engagement photo session, choose wedding party, create wedding website, begin browsing Save the Date designs, order sample Save the Date, order Save the Dates, begin researching wedding dress and veil styles, create wedding style mood boards on Pinterest.

11-10 MONTHS

Hire vendors, reserve ceremony & reception venues, purchase wedding dress, veil and undergarments, choose bridal party attire + accessories, book officiant, mail Save the Dates.

9-8 MONTHS

Find hotels at different price points for out-of-town guests, Browse wedding invitation designs, Refine guest list, Create gift registry, Begin planning honeymoon.

7-6 MONTHS

Reserve rentals, hire ceremony musicians, book transportation to and from venues, research wedding day hair and makeup styles, meet with officiant to discuss run down of ceremony, choose cake style & schedule tastings, decide groomsmen attire, personalize + order wedding invitation sample, purchase wedding bands, order wedding invitation suite, order thank you cards.

5-4 MONTHS

Order wedding cake, meet with florist, schedule dress fittings, book honeymoon flights + hotel, book room for wedding night, prepare a playlist for DJ/band, finalize guest list, compile rehearsal dinner guest list, book rehearsal dinner venue, order rehearsal dinner invitations.

3 MONTHS

Hair and makeup trial, book a photo booth rental, finalize readers and readings, finalize honeymoon plans and ensure all documents are in order, plan reception seating, purchase toasting flutes, serving pieces, guestbook, flower basket and ring bearer pillow, finalize reception menu with caterer, order menu cards.

2 MONTHS

Mail wedding invitations, begin writing vows, review ceremony details with officiant, finalize seating arrangements, buy wedding-party gifts, apply for marriage license, purchase gifts for guests, lay out the content for wedding programs, finalize fittings for wedding party and parents, create wedding day timelines and send to vendors, officiant and wedding party, decide on “something old, something new, something borrowed & something blue,” book spa and beauty treatments for you and bridal party.

1 MONTH

Final dress fitting, pick up marriage license, call vendors to confirm date, time & location, confirm honeymoon reservations, pick up wedding rings, order wedding programs, write thank you notes as gifts are received.

2 WEEKS

Begin breaking in wedding shoes, make arrangements for the caring of pets & plants while on honeymoon, follow up with guests who have not RSVP’d, give final guest count to caterer, send playlists to DJ/band/ceremony musicians, get haircut + freshen up color, update registries, send directions to wedding day transportation driver, delegate someone to return tuxes, rentals + tend to wedding dress.

1 WEEK

Prepare wedding day emergency kit, give photographer & videographer your image + video requests, Give readers their scripts, prepare final payments to vendors + cash tips for service personnel, lay out wedding clothes + gather all accessories.

DAY BEFORE

Treat yourself to a mani/pedi + massage, attend wedding rehearsal, have fun at rehearsal dinner, thank everyone around you, get to bed at a decent hour.

WEDDING DAY

Eat a good breakfast, stay off feet as much as possible, allow plenty of time to get ready, drink water, take dress + veil out of the bag and have steamed if needed, lay out all items you want to be captured by photographer, give officiant fee and wedding rings to best man, exchange notes with fiancé, relax, smile and soak up every moment of the big day.

BEYOND THE WEDDING

Ensure tuxes + all rentals have been returned, get wedding dress to cleaners, send out thank you cards no later than 3 weeks after wedding day.