The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist and Timeline

A wedding has hundreds of moving parts, and without clear planning, things can easily get overwhelming. A wedding planning checklist acts as a month-by-month itinerary to guarantee that all major items receive attention at the right time. It can be used by brides, groomsmen, wedding coordinators, and the bridesmaid, as a real-world roadmap from getting engaged to the day of the wedding.

Each part of our wedding planning to do list tackles priorities, along with expert tips to avoid common mistakes and costly last-minute changes. If you want to stay organized, reduce stress, and enjoy the process while keeping every detail on track, keep reading this wedding planning checklist!

When Should You Start Wedding Planning?

A good time to start planning a wedding is 12 months in advance of the wished-for date. It gives you exactly enough time to:

• Secure your perfect venue
• Book in-demand vendors
• Make decisions without rushing
• Manage unexpected changes like guest counts and cancellations

Starting earlier than 12 months can work for couples with longer engagements, but it is essential to set a date early to guide all other decisions. If you have less than a year, you can still use this checklist by compressing the timeline and prioritizing tasks that impact other bookings, such as venue, catering, and photography.

12 Months

Ensure Your Engagement Ring

Before making any major bookings, protect your engagement ring with insurance. This can usually be added to your homeowner’s or renter’s policy, or purchased separately. Confirm the coverage includes loss, theft, and damage. Taking care of this early gives you peace of mind and ensures one of your most sentimental items is protected from day one.

Book the Venue and Set the Date

Your venue will determine what your wedding ends up looking like. So if you want full control, you’ll have to start booking these early because popular venues often book out a year or more in advance.

When you’re looking through venues, always confirm what is included in the booking, such as tables, chairs, or catering services. The sooner you finalize your venue, the easier it will be to plan around a fixed date and secure other vendors.

Hire Your Key Vendors

Book your photographer, videographer, and caterer at this stage. These professionals will help capture and create the memories you will look back on for years. Review contracts carefully for cancellation policies, deliverables, and timelines.

Having your core vendor team confirmed early allows you to plan each detail, knowing your most important moments will be in experienced hands. What else can you ask for?

11 Months

Create a Functional Wedding Folder and Moodboard

Ever had a wedding aesthetic that had you wowed? It probably had a moodboard behind it! Whether it’s on dear ol' Pinterest or any other tool, a wedding moodboard'll help you define your wedding’s aesthetic and keep all visual references consistent.

Start organizing all your ideas, inspiration, and documents in one place. This could be a physical binder, a digital folder, or both. This step is especially useful when communicating your vision to vendors, so there is no confusion later on!

Make a Guest List

Begin drafting your guest list early, even if it is just a rough version. Your venue choice, catering costs, and stationery orders will all depend on your final headcount. Create categories for must-invite, would-like-to-invite, and optional guests.

This makes it easier to adjust numbers if budget or space becomes an issue. Getting this done now will also help you avoid last-minute seating chart stress.

10 Months

Start Browsing for Wedding Dresses

Give yourself plenty of time to explore different styles and designers. Wedding dresses often take several months to be made and altered, so starting early means you can try on different silhouettes without pressure.

Take photos of dresses you like, note what feels comfortable, and consider how your choice fits with the overall theme and season of your wedding. Wedding planners recommend bringing along one or two trusted voices instead of an entire entourage, so you can focus on what truly feels like you instead of juggling too many opinions.

Book Your Hotel Rooms

If you have guests traveling from out of town, reserve a block of rooms at a hotel near your venue. Many hotels offer discounted group rates if you book early. Having this secured now makes it easier to include accommodation details on your invitations and wedding website.

Tip: Ask the hotel if they can offer perks like late check-out or a small welcome basket for your guests. It adds a thoughtful touch they will appreciate after their travels.

Finalize Your Wedding Invites

Wedding invites have to start going in soon, and they’re the first impression of your wedding theme. So you should choose a design that aligns with your theme and reflects your style.

Decide on wording, fonts, and colors, and ensure you include all necessary details. Ordering them now gives time for printing, proofing, and addressing without a last-minute rush. If you’re working with a stationer, ask for a test print so you can see the colors and paper texture in person before committing to the final batch!

Enjoy Your Engagement Photography

Schedule an engagement photo session with your chosen photographer. This is a great opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera and build rapport with your photographer before the big day.

These photos can also be used for your save-the-dates, wedding website, or guest book. Choose a location that feels meaningful so the photos can feel like a natural part of your story. This can be where you first met or even your favorite weekend spot!

9 Months

Buy Your Wedding Dress

By now, you should have a clear idea of the style and designer you love. Placing your order at this stage allows enough time for the dress to be made and altered without rushing.

Fittings and alterations can take several months, so building in extra time will make the process more relaxed. Once the dress is ordered, you can start thinking about accessories like veils, shoes, and jewelry to complete your look.

Send Your Save-the-Dates

This is your guests’ first official notice of your wedding date. That's why you should send these about nine months in advance, especially if you’re planning a destination wedding or hosting guests from out of town. Keep the design simple and consistent with your overall theme.

Whether you choose printed cards or digital announcements, include key details like the date, location, and a link to your wedding website if you have one.

8 Months

Look into Bridesmaid Dresses

Your bridal party can’t be ignored by the 8-month mark. So if you have your wedding theme and season at hand, start prepping for your bridesmaid dresses. You should consider your bridal party the most when picking out dresses, including their:

• Comfort
  
• Body type
• Skin color
• Budgets

At this stage, you can easily get alterations made and avoid any shipping hassles. You can also start figuring out your accessories and shoes along with the dress now.

Schedule Dress Fittings

If your own wedding dress has arrived, now is the time to schedule your first fitting. Early fittings mean there is enough time for adjustments without a last-minute rush. Bring along the shoes and undergarments you plan to wear, so the fit is exact. Brides can also use this moment to take in how your bridal look is starting to come together!

Meet with the Florist

Time to turn your floral vision into something tangible. Bring your moodboard, talk about your color palette, and ask your florist about which flowers will be in season. You can make the discussion easier by breaking it into categories:

• Bridal bouquet and bridesmaids’ bouquets
• Boutonnieres and corsages
• Ceremony arrangements
• Reception centerpieces and decor

A florist who understands your style will help you balance your wish list with your budget while still making the arrangements feel special.

Register for Your Gifts

Your registry is a chance to include both the practical and the personal. Mix everyday essentials with a few luxury pieces or even experiences you can enjoy together. Consider including:

• Kitchen or dining upgrades
• Home comfort items
• Travel or experience vouchers
• Charitable donation options for guests who prefer them

Updating your registry regularly ensures guests always have a variety of options to choose from.

7 Months

Hire Your Officiant

By the 7-month mark, your ceremony vision should be taking shape, so it’s the right time to confirm who will lead it. Whether you are choosing a religious leader, a civil officiant, or a close friend, book them early to ensure availability. Meet or chat with them about the tone and structure of the ceremony so it reflects you as a couple.

Order Any Rentals

Think about the items your venue does not provide. This could include tables, chairs, linens, lighting, or even lounge furniture for a cozy reception space. Booking early means you get your first choice of style and quantity. When renting, ask about delivery times, setup, and pickup schedules to avoid surprises.

Hire Your Wedding Musicians

Weddings are incomplete without the right music dedicated to your love story. Live music can also elevate the atmosphere, so decide whether you want a band, a string quartet, or a solo musician for your ceremony and/or reception.

Before booking, listen to them perform either in person or through recordings and discuss your preferred genres or songs. Many couples also mix live music for key moments with a DJ for the rest of the night.

Choose Your Rehearsal Dinner Venue

This is a more intimate event, but it still needs planning. Choose a space that feels relaxed and allows conversation. Think private dining rooms, gardens, or family-style restaurants. When shortlisting your rehearsal dinner venues, consider:

• Guest count and seating arrangements
• Menu options (fixed vs. custom)
• Accessibility for out-of-town guests
• Whether speeches or presentations will take place

Locking this in now gives you one less thing to juggle in the final months.

6 Months

Hire Event Day Technicians

If your venue or vendors require lighting specialists, sound engineers, or AV technicians, secure them now. They can take over the behind-the-scenes setup that ensures everything runs smoothly like making sure your speeches can be heard and your dance floor is perfectly lit. Ask for examples of their work at weddings to see how they set the mood.

Book Your Transportation

Think about how you, your bridal party, and close family will get to and from the venue. This could range from classic cars to shuttle buses for guests. Booking early means more options and better rates. When arranging transportation, confirm:

• Pick-up and drop-off times
• Parking or access at your venue
• Contingency plans for delays

Book Your Honeymoon

Even if you plan to travel months after the wedding, booking now secures the best availability and pricing. Decide on a destination that fits your style, whether that is a beach escape, a city adventure, or something off the beaten path. Remember to check passport expiration dates and any visa or vaccination requirements.

Make Your Wedding Website

Your wedding website keeps all your event details in one place, from the schedule to accommodation info. It can also host your RSVP form and gift registry links. Include sections such as:

• Ceremony and reception details
• Dress code guidance
• Accommodation and transport tips
• A brief version of your love story for guests to enjoy

A well-designed site saves you from answering the same guest questions multiple times.

5 Months

Buy the Groom’s Tuxedo

This is the point where the groom’s look should start coming together. Buying or renting early allows time for tailoring and any changes in style or fit. If your wedding is black-tie, make sure accessories like cufflinks, shoes, and a pocket square are also planned now.

Coordinating with the groomsmen’s attire will keep the overall look cohesive without feeling too matchy-matchy.

Do Premarital Counseling

More couples are choosing premarital counseling as part of their planning process, not because something is wrong, but to strengthen communication before marriage. Think of it as wedding prep for your relationship.

Whether it’s faith-based, with a professional counselor, or through a workshop, these sessions can help you align on important topics like finances, family planning, and long-term goals.

Track RSVPs

Your RSVP list starts to matter more around this time. Even if you haven’t sent formal invitations yet, keeping track of verbal confirmations or early replies will give you a better idea of your guest count.

This helps with seating charts, catering numbers, and even ordering favors. Having a simple spreadsheet or a wedding website with RSVP tracking can save hours of chasing people later.

Finalize Menu, Cake, Favors, and Floral Decor

This is one of the most creative parts of the process. Schedule tastings with your caterer and baker so you can make confident choices for your menu and cake. Consider how your favors can tie into the theme.

For floral decor, confirm your arrangements with your florist so they can reserve specific blooms for your date. Small details now will make your reception feel cohesive and well thought-out.

Tip: When picking your cake flavors, remember that something edible, seasonal, or locally made is always a hit!

4 Months

Plan Your Rehearsal Dinner Details

You’ve booked the venue and you’ve got your headcount. Now what? Now, you’re going to plan out the finer details of your rehearsal dinner! Start by considering the general flow of the evening, and decide on the following:

• Who gives the speeches?
• Who shows a slideshow?
• How formal or casual is the dress code?

It’s important to remember that your rehearsal dinner will be more relaxed than the wedding day so don’t overthink this process too much!

Plan Your Ceremony Order

A ceremony has its own rhythm, and deciding that order now makes the day feel seamless. Work with your officiant to outline each step, from the processional to the vows to the recessional. Even if you want to keep things traditional, you can still add personal touches, like having a friend read a poem or incorporating a cultural tradition that means something to you.

Buy the Wedding Bands

Shopping for wedding bands can be surprisingly sentimental. Try different styles together, and don’t be afraid to choose something that reflects your everyday lifestyle. Of course, durability matters if you plan to wear it daily!

Many couples have their bands engraved with a date, initials, or a short phrase that’s meaningful to them.

Write Your Vows

If you’re writing your own vows, start now so the words have time to come naturally. You can jot down ideas over the next few weeks whenever inspiration hits, instead of forcing it all in one sitting. Think about moments that define your relationship like private jokes, small gestures, shared challenges and how they’ve shaped the promises you want to make.

Choose Groomsmen Attire

Whether you’re renting or buying, this is the time to choose colors, fabrics, and styles. Coordinating early ensures everyone has time for fittings and alterations, especially if some groomsmen live out of town.

Giving them clear instructions on shoes and accessories will save you from mismatched looks on the day.

Have Your Makeup and Hair Trial

Your hair and makeup trial is more than a test run. It’s the chance to see how your photographs look and hold up over a few hours.

Bring your veil or hair accessories, and wear a top in a similar color to your dress to get the full effect. Take photos from different angles so you can make adjustments before the wedding day.

3 Months

Get a Photo Booth

A photo booth is one of those wedding extras guests never stop talking about. It gives everyone something fun to do between dances and leaves you with a stack of candid, often hilarious memories. Look for one that offers instant prints and a digital gallery, so guests can take home a keepsake, and you can relive the night later.

Start on Your Diy Projects

If you’ve been planning handmade decor, signage, or favors, now is the time to start before the weeks get too busy. Set aside a couple of weekends to knock out projects with friends or family. Not only does it get things done, but it turns into a mini pre-wedding memory of its own.

Meet with Your Officiant

Your officiant is one of the most important parts of the ceremony. If you’re not getting married in a house of worship, then you’ll need a person to make it official. Some couples like to pick out a close family member like the father of the bride or groom.

Select Your Ceremony Readings

Choose readings that reflect your personalities or the values you share. These can be religious passages, poems, song lyrics, or even excerpts from books you both love. Asking someone special to read is a thoughtful way to include them in your day.

Finalize Your Wedding Favors and Gift Bags

Whether you’re giving local treats, personalized keepsakes, or something practical like hangover kits, now is the time to finalize quantities and packaging. Adding a handwritten note or tag instantly makes even the simplest gift feel personal.

Create Your Final Menu

Schedule a final tasting with your caterer to lock in every course. This is also the time to confirm dietary accommodations for any guests who need them. Small tweaks now can make the meal feel more memorable and polished.

Order Invites

Your invitations should go out soon, so place the order now to allow time for printing, proofing, and addressing. Double-check every detail such as the names to dates before you approve the final proof. A second pair of eyes never hurts.

2 Months

Pick up Your Marriage License

It’s not the most glamorous task, but it’s essential. Check your local requirements for documents, fees, and waiting periods. Some places require you to pick it up in person together, so plan ahead. Keep it in a safe spot where it won’t get lost among the seating charts and flower samples.

Have Your First Wedding Dress Fitting

Finally, it’s time to see your dream dress tailored to you! Wear the exact shoes and undergarments you’ll use on the big day so the fit is spot-on. If you’re unsure about any part of the look, now is the time to speak up. A good seamstress will welcome feedback to make it perfect.

Send Wedding and Rehearsal Dinner Invites

Your formal invitations should be in the mail by now. If you haven’t already, also send out rehearsal dinner invites. Make sure RSVP deadlines are clear so you’re not tracking down guests at the last minute.

Have a Floral Mockup with the Florist

This is your sneak peek at how your arrangements will look on the day. Seeing the colors, textures, and scale in person helps you fine-tune anything that feels off. Don’t be afraid to make changes because your florist wants it to be right as much as you do.

1 Month

Assemble Your Gift Bags

This is one of those final touches that guests really remember. Whether you’re putting them in hotel rooms or handing them out at the reception, make them feel thoughtful. Think about snacks, water bottles, a little thank-you note, maybe even something local to your wedding location.

Order Escort and Place Cards

Your seating chart will be ready soon, so get the cards ordered now. Even something as simple as a handwritten tag can add polish to your reception tables. If you’re feeling creative, this is a fun DIY project that doubles as decor.

Prepare Cash Tips in Envelopes

It’s much easier to have tips sorted and labeled ahead of time for vendors, drivers, and service staff. Assign a trusted family member or friend to hand them out so you don’t have to think about it on the day.

Have a Final Venue Walk-Through

This is your chance to confirm all the details in person. table layouts, decor placement, power sources, timing for the ceremony and reception. Walk through the spaces as if you’re a guest so you can spot anything that might need adjusting.

Create Your Seating Chart

It can feel like a game of Tetris, but it’s worth taking the time to get it right. Think about who will enjoy sitting together, and keep in mind any tricky family dynamics that might need separating.

Pay Your Vendors

Settling final balances early means one less thing to worry about later. Confirm payment methods and due dates so there are no surprises.

Break in Your Wedding Shoes

Wear them around the house for short periods so they’re comfortable by the time the big day arrives. A few minutes a day can make a big difference when you’re dancing all night.

1 Week before the Wedding

Have the Final Dress Fitting

Once you’re only a week away from your wedding, have your final dress fitting! This way you can be sure the dress fits like it was made for you. You should also bring along your shoes, undergarments and accessories to see how the final look will turn out.

If the dress crinkles in the wrong places, you can have your seamstress make any adjustments for the perfect look.

Tip: Practice some basic moving, sitting and dancing around to know if you can comfortably move around on the big day.

Pack for Your Honeymoon

If you’re planning to head out for your honeymoon after your wedding, do the packing now. Instead of throwing clothes into a suitcase after your reception, you can organize everything without forgetting much.

Include essentials like your travel documents, charges, special outfits, and even your electronics. Even if you’re leaving a few days later, having everything ready will feel like a weight off your shoulders.

Pack Your Fix Kit

Your wedding day emergency kit is your safety net. Ask a bridesmaid or close friend to keep it handy so you can focus on enjoying the day. Your wedding day emergency kit could include:

• Safety pins
• Stain remover wipes
• Pain relievers (ibuprofen, aspirin, or similar)
• Fashion tape
• Mints or gum
• Small sewing kit (with needles, thread in matching colors, and extra buttons)
• Band-aids and blister pads
• Tissues or handkerchiefs
• Mini deodorant
• Hair ties, bobby pins, and a small hairbrush or comb
• Lip balm and lipstick for touch-ups
• Compact mirror
• Hand sanitizer
• Extra earring backs
• Breath-freshening spray
• Clear nail polish (to stop hosiery runs)
• Portable phone charger
• A snack or granola bar for quick energy

Finalize Your Headcount

Confirm your final guest numbers with your caterer, venue, and anyone handling rentals. This will help avoid shortages or overspending. It’s also a good time to finalize place settings and update your seating chart if needed.

Practice Vows

It’s time to start practicing the vows you’ve written down out loud for a seamless recital on the big day. Saying your vows out loud can be an emotional experience, and rightfully so.

So if you don’t want to choke infinitely on your wedding day, start practicing it now. Read them aloud a few times this week to help with your pacing, memorization, and nerves.

1 Day before the Wedding

Do These the Night Before

• Lay out everything you’ll need for the morning: your dress or suit, accessories, shoes, and any special keepsakes.
• Double-check that all vendor payments and tips are prepared in labeled envelopes.
• Charge your phone (and any backup batteries) so you’re not scrambling for a charger during photos.
• Take a moment for yourself. Light a candle, listen to music, or write a short note to your partner for them to read before the ceremony.

Do These on the Morning of Your Wedding

• Eat a good breakfast or brunch. Nerves can make you forget, but you’ll need energy to get through the day.
• Hand over any final details, like the fix kit or seating chart to your planner, coordinator, or a trusted friend so you can let go of the logistics.
• Have a calm getting-ready space. Keep it tidy, have some background music, and surround yourself with people who keep you relaxed.
• Take five minutes alone to breathe and take it all in before the day officially begins.

Final Thoughts

Your wedding is more than a single day. It’s the months of preparation, the little decisions, and the shared excitement that lead up to it. In all of this, our wedding planning checklist and timeline are meant to give you structure. What matters most is that the day reflects you as a couple and that you actually get to enjoy it.

Some tasks will go exactly as planned, others might shift along the way, and that’s perfectly normal. The best weddings have a mix of thoughtful organization and a little room for spontaneity.

Keep this guide close, lean on the people who want to help you, and let yourself savor the process because once the day arrives, it will go by faster than you think.