Want the wedding of your dreams? It all starts with planning. Sure, there’s no such thing as a wedding without a hitch. But trust us, if you put in the effort and have a plan, you can have a smooth, hassle-free wedding.
To make things easier, we’ve compiled a simple and comprehensive wedding checklist for you. Print it and use it as a PDF wedding checklist.
TOP PRIORITY:
Choose a date for your wedding. Pick at least 3 potential wedding dates.
12+ Months Before Wedding Date
____ Discuss the wedding budget, who will pay for what? Use a wedding calculator if needed.
____ Decide on the kind of wedding style you want. List 3 then pick the best for you.
____ Decide and choose the following:
- Maid of Honor
- Bridesmaids
- Best Man
- Groomsmen
- Flower Girl
- Ring Bearer
____ Create a wedding website.
____ Get the engagement ring insured or think about buying a wedding insurance.
____ List down your top 3 wedding ceremony and reception venue options.
____ Begin checking price details for wedding professionals like the following:
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Florist
- Caterers
- Musicians
- Wedding Planner
____ Decide how many guests you want. Begin compiling wedding guest list.
____ Start browsing for a wedding dress and veil style you like.
____ Create a wedding mood board to keep all your inspiration in one place.
____ Get engagement photos done.
–––– Start browsing save-the-date styles and designs. For modern users, this can be a Social Media Page you set up to inform potential guests like friends and family.
–––– Once you have a save-the-date design you like, order a custom sample or order a batch to save up on a good deal.
10 to 11 Months Onward…
Whew, you finally got things started! Sometimes, that’s the hardest part. Keep going!
_____ Once you’ve chosen a ceremony and reception venue, reserve them.
_____ Book your wedding officiant.
_____ Hire the photographer, videographer, musician, florist, caterer and wedding planner.
_____ Send out your Save-the-Dates!
_____ Start shopping for a wedding dress, undergarments and veil.
_____ Create a healthy and sustainable fitness routine.
_____ Create and stick to a skin care or beauty routine.
8 to 9 Months Onward…
Getting started on the wedding details.
_____ Pick 3 possible hotels where your out-of-town guests can stay.
_____ Narrow and refine the guest list. This may take some time but should be worth it.
_____ Sign up and create at least 3 wedding registries from national retailers.
_____ Start browsing stunning wedding invitation designs and possible stationary and printing methods. This should include:
- Main Wedding Invitation
- Wedding Programs
- Menu Cards
- Thank You Cards
- Wedding Favors
______ Start planning your honeymoon!
6 to 7 Months Onward…
Halfway through, get ready for more detailed decisions.
_____ Start exploring wedding hairstyle and makeup.
_____ Meet your wedding officiant and start discussing wedding ceremony plans.
_____ Reserve all the necessary rentals: linens, chairs, lighting, decor and more.
_____ Pick your cake style and schedule your cake tastings!
_____ Browse and decide on the groomsmen attire.
_____ Finalize your wedding invitation design and stationery.
_____ Book your wedding musicians.
_____ Book your wedding transportation to and from the wedding venue.
_____ Buy your wedding bands.
_____ Order your Wedding Invitation Suite. Grab promotions whenever possible!
_____ Order Thank You Cards – to be given to gifts that arrive early.
4 to 5 Months Onward…
Time to start hustling. But don’t panic, you still have plenty of time to work things out.
_____ Pick your choice of flowers for the following:
- Attendants
- Venues
- Cakes
- Wedding Party
_____ Schedule dress fittings: wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen
_____ Book your honeymoon hotels and flights.
_____.Book a room for your wedding night.
_____ Pick and order you wedding cake.
_____ Prepare your music lists for the band or DJ.
_____ Have the final list of wedding guests.
_____ Create a rehearsal dinner guest list.
_____ Book your rehearsal dinner venue.
3 Months Onwards…
____ Finalize and complete your honeymoon details.
____ Create reception and ceremony seating or coordinate with wedding planner.
____ Visit stylist and experiment with your hair and veil style.
____ Buy the following wedding items:
- Serving Pieces
- Flutes
- Flower Baskets
- Ring Bearer Pillow
- Guestbook
- Toasting Flutes
____ Create and finalize the reception menu.
____ Order or print your Menu Cards.
____ Order your Wedding Favors.
2 Months Onward…
Whew, almost there, time to get your wedding invite ready!
_____ Mail out your Wedding Invitations!
_____ Create a system for organizing the RSVPs you receive.
_____ Start writing your Wedding Vows.
_____ Talk to officiant and review wedding ceremony details.
_____ Create and finalize content for wedding program.
_____ Apply for marriage license and get 2 or 3 extra certificates just in case.
_____ Create a final seating plan for ceremony and venue.
_____ Prepare or order welcome baskets for guests who will arrive from out-of-town.
_____. Finalize the wedding band’s playlist.
_____ Schedule and finalize fittings for the parents and wedding entourage.
_____ Update wedding vendors, the officiant and those involved with wedding timeline, so they know.
_____ Pick out your “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue.”
_____ Book a spa and beauty treatment for your bridal party.
_____ Finalize and book your wedding day transportation.
_____ Buy gifts for your wedding attendants.
_____ Order your Wedding Program sample.
1 Month Onward…
30 more days! How exciting!
_____ Contact your vendors and confirm your wedding date, time and location.
_____ Contact your hotel and airline to confirm honeymoon reservations.
_____ Pick up your wedding rings and keep it safe.
_____ Pick up your marriage license.
_____ Order or print your Wedding Programs.
_____ Schedule and do a final dress fitting with the undergarments and shoes you will use on the big day.
_____ Write ‘Thank You’ notes for gifts received.
WEDDING COUNTDOWN:
Two Weeks:
_____ Call guests who haven’t responded to RSVPs.
_____ Provide final count of guests to caterer.
_____ Update your wedding registries.
_____ Start breaking in your wedding shoes so it won’t hurt when you wear it on your wedding day.
_____ Make arrangements for plants or pets while you’re on your honeymoon.
_____Get the final haircut and hair color you want.
_____ Start delegating and assigning people to man the guestbook, gift table etc.
_____Contact the limo or transportation driver and give them written directions for your wedding day.
One Week:
_____ Get your final payments prepared including vendor and cash tips for servers.
_____ Double check and prepare all wedding clothes and items.
_____ Create a wedding day emergency kit.
_____ Get the spa treatment for your bridal party.
ONE DAY BEFORE!
This is it! You’re almost there.
_____ Deliver your welcome baskets to guests arriving from out-of-town.
_____ Get your manicure and pedicure or massages.
_____ Go to the wedding rehearsal.
_____ Enjoy your wedding rehearsal dinner!
_____Get your beauty sleep!
WEDDING DAY!!
Ah, finally it’s here!
_____ Eat a great breakfast and give yourself plenty of time to get ready.
_____ Give the wedding rings and officiant fee to the best man.
_____ Enjoy your big day!
AFTER THE PARTY:
_____ Make sure the rentals are returned.
_____ Send wedding dress to cleaners or preservationists.
_____ Order ‘Thank You Cards’ with your Wedding Photo
_____ Have your favorite wedding photo custom printed on a beautiful canvas or print for your home!
If you’re ready to pick out your own party or wedding invitations, visit My Lovely Store. It’s the place to be for creating elegant, timeless and unique wedding invitations to celebrate the most important event of your life – your wedding!