13–24 Months (or as soon as you’re engaged)
☐ Tell family and friends you’re engaged
☐ Insure your engagement ring
☐ Set up a wedding website
☐ Start a Pinterest board for inspiration
☐ Begin drafting a preliminary guest list
☐ Start discussing your wedding budget
☐ Choose a preferred wedding date or season
☐ Consider potential wedding themes
☐ Host an engagement party (optional)
☐ Begin looking at possible venues
☐ Have engagement photos taken
10–12 Months To Go
☐ Work out your budget and establish top priorities (where to save/splurge)
☐ Start browsing inspiration (websites, social media, magazines) to define style and colors
☐ Compile your preliminary guest list and consider capacity constraints
☐ Choose your wedding party and ask them in advance
☐ Find and book your ceremony and/or reception venue, then secure the wedding date
☐ Consider wedding insurance (liability or cancellation)
☐ Send save-the-date cards (8–12 months for destination, 6–9 months domestic)
☐ Create a wedding website and include URL on save-the-dates
☐ Begin searching for your wedding attire (dress, suit) and accessories
☐ Consider hiring a wedding planner if feeling overwhelmed
☐ Begin assembling a vendor team: Caterer, Photographer, Officiant, etc. (get details in writing)
☐ Start dreaming about your honeymoon, if you plan to take one
6–9 Months To Go
☐ Hire a floral designer and discuss floral styles and budget
☐ Schedule a cake tasting and choose your wedding cake
☐ Book your DJ/entertainment for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception (plan playlists)
☐ Order invitations and work on wording with a stationer or online service
☐ Create or update your gift registry (add links to your website)
☐ Arrange hotel room blocks for guests and book your own wedding-night suite
☐ Shop for bridesmaid/flower girl dresses and groomsmen suits; give clear ordering instructions
☐ Arrange and book wedding-day transportation (limos, shuttles)
☐ Discuss bridal shower and bachelor(ette) party details with host(s)
☐ Consider premarital counseling
3–5 Months To Go
☐ Book the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner location(s)
☐ Put together your rehearsal dinner guest list (immediate family, wedding party, officiant, etc.)
☐ Make childcare arrangements or plan entertainment for guests’ children
☐ Reserve all necessary party rentals (tables, chairs, linens)
☐ Order wedding favors or decide on a charitable donation in lieu of favors
☐ Finalize the wedding guest list and organize addresses in a spreadsheet
☐ Confirm invitation wording and order any additional day-of stationery (programs, menus)
☐ Decide on ceremony readings and draft your vows
☐ Finalize menu, beverages, and catering details with venue/caterer
☐ Work on the wedding day timeline and reception formalities with your coordinator/venue
☐ Do a makeup and hair trial; book your stylists and start a beauty/fitness regimen
☐ Purchase wedding rings (engraving if desired)
☐ Finalize honeymoon plans; ensure passports and documents are up-to-date
6–8 Weeks To Go
☐ Send out wedding invitations; plan how you’ll track RSVPs and meal choices
☐ Discuss a contingency plan with your venue if hosting outdoors
☐ Touch base with vendors to confirm dates, deposits, and details
☐ Research marriage license requirements and name-change paperwork, if applicable
☐ Begin dress/attire fittings and purchase appropriate undergarments
☐ Check the status of wedding party attire; nudge anyone who hasn’t ordered yet
☐ Write thank-you cards for shower or early wedding gifts
☐ Start assembling welcome bags for out-of-town guests (if doing so)
3–5 Weeks To Go
☐ Send out rehearsal dinner invitations (formal invites or evites if casual)
☐ Finalize and confirm wedding vows and ceremony readings with officiant
☐ Finalize and confirm shot list with photographer/videographer
☐ Finalize and confirm song lists for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception with DJ/musicians
☐ Finalize and confirm the reception timeline and who’s giving toasts
☐ Finalize and confirm wedding night and honeymoon accommodations
☐ Obtain your marriage license and complete any name-change documents
☐ Pick up your wedding rings and proofread engravings
☐ Gather “something old, new, borrowed, blue” if following tradition
☐ Purchase day-of accessories (guest book, toasting flutes, cake servers, unity candle, ring pillow)
☐ Buy gifts for wedding party, parents, or your partner (optional)
☐ Have your final dress/suit fitting (bring shoes and accessories)
☐ Follow up with anyone who hasn’t RSVP’d
1–2 Weeks To Go
☐ Give your caterer/venue the final guest count
☐ Arrange seating, create the seating chart, and/or place cards
☐ Pick up your gown/suit
☐ Confirm arrival times and finalize the wedding timeline with vendors and wedding party; share copies
☐ Hand over favors, décor, paper goods, and ceremony items to your planner or on-site coordinator
☐ Prepare a wedding-day emergency kit (sewing kit, safety pins, bandages, stain remover, etc.)
☐ Check the weather; if necessary, implement the backup plan
☐ Start packing for your honeymoon
☐ Book a facial or massage if desired
☐ Confirm pickup times and locations with transportation vendors
The Days Before
☐ Ensure all wedding-day items are packed and ready (rings, license, attire)
☐ Prepare tips and final payments for vendors; put in labeled envelopes and assign someone to distribute
☐ Assign someone to pack up gifts/belongings after the reception (including top tier of the cake)
☐ Assign someone to return rental items or tuxedos the next day, if needed
☐ Wrap gifts or write notes for your spouse, family, or wedding party
☐ Drop off welcome bags to hotels, if using them
☐ Get a mani-pedi
☐ Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner; give out wedding party gifts now
☐ Try to get a good night’s sleep
☐ Set your alarm to allow plenty of prep time
☐ Take a deep breath and savor the moment!
Your Wedding Day
☐ Give the rings to the best man/maid of honor
☐ Enjoy getting ready with your wedding party
☐ Have your photographer capture the prep moments
☐ Gift bridesmaids/groomsmen their presents if you haven’t already
☐ Meet briefly with vendors/officiant for any last-minute confirmations
☐ Get dressed and feel amazing!
☐ Get married and celebrate!
Wedding Photography Checklist (Optional)
Bridal Prep
☐ Dress, shoes, jewelry, bouquet close-ups
☐ Final touches of hair and makeup
☐ Bride putting on dress
☐ Parents’ first look
☐ Photos with bridal party before ceremony
Before the Ceremony
☐ Groom, Best Man, Groomsmen getting ready shots
☐ Groom’s details: boutonniere, rings, order of service
☐ Arrival of bridal party and bride
☐ Bridesmaids group and individual portraits
☐ Bride with the person escorting her to the altar
☐ Shots with any special transportation (cars, carriage)
During the Ceremony
☐ Exchange of vows and rings (as allowed)
☐ Signing of register (if permitted)
☐ First kiss
☐ Recessional down the aisle
Family and Friends
☐ Bride & Groom with parents
☐ Bride & Groom with siblings, grandparents, extended family
☐ Large group shots of both families
After the Ceremony
☐ Bridal party group shots
☐ Bride & Bridesmaids
☐ Groom & Groomsmen
☐ Couple’s portraits in multiple locations
☐ Reception details: table settings, centerpieces, décor
☐ Mock cutting of the cake (if before dinner)
Special Items
☐ Any sentimental items (heirloom in bouquet, special ring engraving)
☐ Shots of surprise elements or special moments you’ve planned
Don’t Forget
☐ Review all tasks at regular intervals
☐ Adjust the timeline as needed
☐ Breathe, smile, and enjoy the journey!
Good luck and happy wedding planning!
