The Wedding Planning Checklist

Define Your Wedding Visionkey task

Set your style, color palette, and guest experience goals so every decision aligns with your vision.

Set Your Wedding Budgetkey task

Determine your total budget and allocate funds across all categories.

Create Initial Guest Listkey task

Draft your guest list to determine venue size and catering needs.

Choose Your Wedding Datekey task

Select 2-3 preferred dates considering season, venue availability, and guest convenience.

Book Ceremony & Reception Venuekey task

Secure your venue to lock in the date, guest capacity, and layout so you can book vendors with confidence.

Hire Wedding Planner

A planner can save you time, stress, and often money through vendor relationships.

Book Catering & Bar Servicekey task

Hire catering and bar services to ensure your guests are well-fed and the drinks flow smoothly.

Book Photographerkey task

Secure a photographer whose style matches your vision and who can capture every moment beautifully.

Book Videographer

Hire a videographer to capture your wedding day in cinematic quality.

Shop for Wedding Dress/Suitkey task

Find and purchase your wedding attire.

Get Event Insurance

Purchase wedding insurance to protect against cancellations and unforeseen issues.

Book Ceremony Musicians

Hire musicians or DJ for ceremony music to set the perfect tone as you walk down the aisle.

Book Reception DJ or Bandkey task

Hire entertainment for your reception to keep guests dancing all night.

Book Officiantkey task

Hire an officiant to perform your ceremony.

Choose Wedding Party

Ask your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other attendants.

Schedule Engagement Photo Session

Book an engagement shoot for save-the-dates and website photos.

Book Floristkey task

Hire a florist to bring your floral vision to life with bouquets, centerpieces, and ceremony arrangements.

Order Bridesmaid Dresses

Choose and order bridesmaid dresses or coordinate attire.

Order Save-the-Dates

Design and send save-the-dates so guests can block off your wedding date.

Research Honeymoon Destinations

Start planning your post-wedding getaway. Some destinations need visas.

Mail Save-the-Dates

Send save-the-dates to your guest list 6-8 months before the wedding.

Order Wedding Cake

Book your cake designer and schedule a tasting.

Order Groomsmen Attire

Select and order suits or tuxedos for groomsmen.

Book Hair & Makeup Artistskey task

Secure professionals for wedding day beauty services.

Book Transportation

Arrange transportation for wedding party and guests.

Reserve Hotel Room Blocks

Reserve hotel blocks for out-of-town guests.

Register for Gifts

Create registries at 2-3 stores across different price points.

Design Wedding Invitationskey task

Create and order your formal wedding invitations.

Attend Menu Tastingkey task

Sample dishes and finalize your wedding menu.

Choose Wedding Ringskey task

Select and order your wedding bands.

Order Wedding Accessories

Purchase shoes, jewelry, veil, and other accessories.

Conduct Venue Site Visit

Visit venue with key vendors to plan setup, logistics, and timeline.

Order Personal Flowers

Finalize bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages.

Choose First Dance Song

Select your first dance song and practice if needed.

Schedule Dress Alterationskey task

Have your wedding attire tailored for the perfect fit.

Order Wedding Favors

Select and purchase thank-you gifts for guests.

Create Must-Have Photo List

Share a list of specific shots and family groupings with your photographer.

Create Video Shot List

Discuss key moments and style preferences with your videographer.

Finalize Floral Design

Approve final floral arrangements, centerpieces, bouquets, and boutonnieres.

Create Must-Play & Do-Not-Play Lists

Share your music preferences and special songs with your DJ/band.

Mail Wedding Invitationskey task

Send invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

Order Ceremony Programs & Menus

Design and print programs, menus, and other day-of stationery.

Plan Rehearsal Dinner

Organize rehearsal dinner for wedding party and close family.

Write Vows

Start drafting your vows. Read them aloud for timing (aim for 1-2 minutes).

Finalize Guest Count for Cateringkey task

Provide final headcount to caterer for accurate food and beverage planning.

Finalize Photography Timelinekey task

Coordinate with photographer on timing for getting ready, first look, ceremony, and portraits.

Track RSVPskey task

Monitor responses and follow up with guests who haven't replied.

Create Seating Chartkey task

Assign tables and seats for all guests.

Create Day-of Timelinekey task

Build a detailed timeline for your wedding day and share with all vendors.

Confirm All Vendor Detailskey task

Send timeline and contact info to every vendor. Confirm arrival times.

Final Venue Walkthroughkey task

Walk through setup, layout, and logistics with your venue coordinator.

Print Place Cards & Escort Cards

Create and print seating assignments.

Obtain Marriage Licensekey task

Visit your local courthouse to get your marriage license.

Conduct Wedding Rehearsalkey task

Run through ceremony with wedding party and officiant.

Pack Wedding Day Emergency Kit

Prepare a kit with safety pins, stain remover, Band-Aids, and other essentials.

Prepare Tip Envelopes

Prepare cash tips for vendors in labeled envelopes.

Pack for Honeymoon

Pack bags in advance so you can leave right after the reception or next morning.