Wedding Planning Checklist

Wedding Planning Checklist

1 Year

 

  • Get inspired! CHECK OUT, MY PINTEREST BOARDS!
  • Choose a color scheme!
  • Work out your budget. Remember to prioritize what is most important to you on your wedding day
  • Select your wedding party
  • Start your wedding guest list
  • Hire a planner
  • Reserve your date at your dream venue
  • Research photographers, bands, caterers, florists, rentals, officiants, etc.
  • Start a wedding binder to keep all of your quotes, brochures, and notes in one place

8 Months

  • After researching your vendors hire your wedding photographer & videographer
  • Book a florist
  • Take your engagement photos! Don’t know what to wear? Check my latest blog
  • Buy your dress!
  • Create a wedding website
  • Meet with caterers
  • Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests
  • Book the officiant

7-6 Months

  • Purchase your invitations
  • Finalize your guest list and request addresses
  • Start planning your honeymoon!
  • Choose the bridesmaids’ dresses
  • Reserve any rentals you may need (chairs, tents, linens, etc.)
  • Arrange Transportation
  • Send out save-the-dates!

4-5 Months 

  • Time to order your cake.
  • Send your bridal shower guest list to your host
  • Check on the status of your wedding invitations
  • Book the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner venues
  • Schedule hair and makeup artists
  • Choose your processional music and reception playlist
  • Go to your first dress fitting, and pick up some accessories while you’re at it!
  • Purchase/rent groom’s attire
  • Book accommodations for your wedding night
  • Provide guest lists to the maid of honor and best man for bachelor and bachelorette parties and bridal shower

 

3 Months

  • Work with your caterer to finalize the menu for the reception
  • Print menu cards
  • Meet with your florist to finalize the florals for the event
  • Purchase the rings
  • Finalize the event schedule and start creating the day-of-timeline
  • Print programs
  • Order your wedding favors
  • Meet with officiant and coordinate readings from friends and family as well as anything else to include in the ceremony

2 Months 

  • Review the playlist with the band and DJ, and provide them with “don’t play” and “must play” lists
  • Send out invitations
  • Submit your announcement to the local newspaper
  • Let loose at your bachelor/bachelorette parties
  • Send out as many final payments as you can
  • Touch base with all vendors
  • Make sure groomsmen attire has been purchased/rented

 

1 Month

  • Get your marriage license
  • Attend your last dress fitting
  • Send out rehearsal-dinner invitations
  • Purchase alcohol and finalize your signature cocktails if needed
  • Confirm times for all of the vendors, and send out your day-of timeline again
  • For the reception, create your seating chart
  • Purchase wedding party gifts
  • Write vows
  • Enter all RSVPs you have received into your guest list
  • Check on hotel room blocks
  • Call guests who have not yet RSVP’d for a final headcount
  • Make sure members of the wedding party know their roles and duties come the wedding day

 

2-1 Weeks 

  • Touch base with all vendors and ensure they have the day-of timelines
  • Outsource any small day-of tasks you can to family and friends
  • Ensure everyone in your wedding party has your wedding day timeline
  • Send the final guest list to the caterer
  • Relax!!!

After the Wedding & Honeymoon

  • Write “thank you” cards
  • Print your photos
  • Choose the photos for your wedding album!