Congratulations! You're engaged and ready to start planning your dream wedding. While the process can seem overwhelming, breaking it down into manageable steps can help make it easier. With a 12-month timeline, you can space out tasks and avoid any last-minute stress. Here's a comprehensive wedding planning checklist to help you stay on track and make the most of your planning journey.
12 Months Out:
- Set a budget
- Create a guest list
- Choose a date and time
- Decide on a venue
- Hire a wedding planner (if desired)
- Start researching vendors such as caterers, photographers, and florists
- Start thinking about the overall theme and style of the wedding
11 Months Out:
- Book vendors such as caterer, photographer, and florist
- Create a wedding website with My Wedding Whizz
- Begin dress shopping
- Start planning the honeymoon
10 Months Out:
- Choose wedding party members
- Schedule engagement photos
- Create a preliminary list of songs or readings for the ceremony
- Choose a wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses
- Book hotel accommodations for out-of-town guests
9 Months Out:
- Finalise guest list
- Create you Digital Invited with My Wedding Whizz and order matching prints (if desired)
- Book transportation for the wedding day
- Decide on ceremony and reception music and book musicians or DJ
- Order wedding cake
- Begin planning the rehearsal dinner
8 Months Out:
- Choose and purchase wedding rings
- Schedule hair and makeup trials
- Begin planning seating arrangements
- Purchase or rent groom and groomsmen attire
- Choose wedding favors and purchase them
7 Months Out:
- Create a wedding registry
- Purchase any necessary wedding day accessories such as a guest book and cake topper
- Finalise wedding menu with caterer
- Choose readings or songs for the ceremony
- Purchase or make decorations and centerpieces
6 Months Out:
- Send out save-the-date evites
- Schedule final dress fitting
- Meet with the officiant to discuss ceremony details
- Plan and book rehearsal dinner
- Finalise seating chart
5 Months Out:
- Follow up with guests who have not RSVP'd
- Purchase gifts for the wedding party and parents
- Finalise wedding day timeline with vendors
- Obtain marriage license
- Create a list of shot requests for photographer
4 Months Out:
- Finalise wedding day timeline with wedding party and family
- Purchase wedding day attire and accessories for the flower girl and ring bearer
- Purchase or make any necessary reception décor
- Choose and book accommodations for the wedding night
3 Months Out:
- Confirm all vendor bookings and details
- Send out digital wedding invitations with My Wedding Whizz
- Begin addressing and sending out physical invitations (if desired)
- Purchase or make any necessary ceremony décor
- Purchase wedding day emergency kit
2 Months Out:
- Confirm transportation arrangements
- Finalise seating chart and
- Purchase or rent any necessary items for the ceremony and reception
- Create a day-of wedding timeline
- Create a plan for wedding favours and your guestbook
1 Month Out:
- Confirm all vendor bookings and details
- Follow up with guests who have not RSVP'd
- Finalise day-of wedding timeline with wedding party and family
- Obtain marriage license
- Pack for honeymoon
1 Week Out:
- Confirm all vendor bookings and details
- Finalise day-of wedding timeline with vendors
- Confirm wedding party and family members' arrival and attendance
- Deliver final payments to vendors
Planning a wedding can be a lot of work, but it's also an exciting time to celebrate your love and commitment to your partner. With this 12-month wedding planning checklist, you can break down the process into manageable steps and avoid any last-minute stress. Remember to take breaks, delegate tasks, and enjoy the journey. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!