Your Complete Wedding Planning Checklist
Diane Hall
Editor
Congratulations, you’re engaged! Start planning your one-of-a-kind celebration with our compete wedding checklist. We’ve put together a timeline of wedding to-dos to make your planning journey easy and stress-free. From announcing your engagement to walking down the aisle, we have all the tips and tricks you need in a handy, completely customizable wedding planning worksheet.
Typically, couples start planning a year in advance of their big day for less stress, more options when it comes to wedding venue and vendor selection, and to give guests plenty of notice—so our wedding timeline checklist starts at 12 months before the wedding date. However, it is possible to plan a wedding in 6 months or even less if that's what your hearts desire. Simply delete or add to the 130 tasks listed and adjust the timeline to suit your unique circumstances.
Wedding checklist formats
We’ve provided this free wedding planning checklist template in multiple formats so you can choose the best one (or two) for your planning needs.
1. Printable wedding checklist
Keep track of tasks with a printable wedding checklist. Simply download and print page 1 and page 2.
2. Wedding planning google doc
For easy access from any device and planning on the go, make a copy of this detailed wedding planning checklist (bonus: you’ll get a wedding budget worksheet, guest list manager, and vendor contact list, too!). All you need is a google account to make a copy of your own wedding planning google sheet and collaborate with your partner, wedding planner, and any other loved ones you need to keep in the loop.
3. Wedding planning checklist excel
Prefer an excel workbook? Download this wedding planning excel template to your computer. File includes wedding checklist, budget worksheet, guest list manager, and vendor contact list.
4. Wedding checklist web page
Don’t forget to bookmark this page! We’ve got a simple wedding checklist below including links to more wedding ideas, venues and suppliers.
Here is your complete wedding planning checklist.
10 - 12 months before
Announce your engagement
Choose a city and season
Start your wedding guest list
Figure out your budget
Plan an engagement party
Research and hire a wedding planner
Select a theme and colour scheme
Research wedding officiants
Choose your wedding party members
Research wedding venues with a few dates in mind
Start your wedding gift registry
Start collecting guest list info
Book your ceremony and reception venues and set the date!
Research and book your wedding catering
Create a wedding website
Start researching photographers
Schedule an engagement photo shoot
Create a weather "Plan B"
Research live music, wedding DJs and entertainment for your reception
Meet with a few photographers
Start looking at wedding dresses and groom's attire
Update the guest list
Confirm your wedding party
Book your photographer
Create and order your save the dates
7 - 9 months before
Book your reception live music and/or DJ
Start researching wedding party attire
Come up with a wellness plan
Reserve hotel blocks for your guests
Start researching videographers
Start looking at florists
Start researching how to get married in your state
Book your videographer
Research decorations for your ceremony and reception
Start researching wedding invitation designers
Book your florist
Research wedding rings
Start looking at honeymoon destinations
Make a few appointments at wedding attire shops
Choose your wedding attire and schedule your first dress fitting
Update your vendor team on your plans
Schedule a bachelor and bachelorette party with your VIPs
4 - 6 months before
Book your wedding officiant
Research rentals like tents, place settings, chairs, and aisle runners
Research headpieces and veils
Update your registry
Confirm your honeymoon plans!
Research cake vendors and schedule a tasting
Send save the dates
Order your invitations and thank you cards
Book your ceremony musicians(s)
Book rental, decoration and lighting professionals
Book photobooth
Book transportation for you and for your guests
Research rehearsal dinner venues
Start researching hair stylists
Start researching makeup artists
Book your cake vendor
Prepare to send the invitations - confirm guests' addresses!
Book your hair and makeup professionals
Use Guest List tab to collect guest info (RSVP's, meal selections, etc.)
Look into getting a marriage license
Buy or rent men's formalwear
Book accommodations for your wedding night
Schedule your ceremony rehearsal
Order wedding party attire
Order your wedding favours
Think of wedding band engravings
2 - 3 months before
Purchase fashion accessories
Address and send your wedding invitations
Purchase your guest book
Purchase your wedding rings
Research/book a day-of-coordinator
Check on passports, vaccines and visas!
Think of a signature cocktail
If you want a hair cut, book now!
Purchase a wedding gift for your spouse-to-be
Think of something unique!
Sit down with your photographer again
Decide on hair and makeup styles
Double check with your transportation
Order any wedding party accessories
Check in with your officiant
Confirm meal selections and notify caterer and dessert vendor of any food allergies
Book a bartending or alcohol service, if not included in your venue or catering
Finalize the song list for your reception
Make a packing list for your wedding/honeymoon
Create your ceremony and reception timelines
Order ceremony programs
Order menus/place cards/seating chart or escort cards/signage
Make sure your wedding party knows the timeline
Buy wedding party gifts
Start thinking of your vows and speeches
Pick up your rings
The last month
Hair and make up trial!
Review the guest list and call guests that haven't RSVP'd
Finalize vows
Next-to-last wedding dress and attire fitting
Confirm rehearsal ceremony and dinner timeline and attendance
Finalize and share the seating plan with your reception venue
Make sure the speeches are ready
Start practicing for your first dance
2 weeks before
Pamper yourself!
Double check your ceremony programs and place cards
Pick up your marriage license
Pick up your wedding attire and partner's attire
1 week before
Confirm details with wedding party
Confirm final details with all your vendors and put tip money aside
Pack for your honeymoon
Write a sweet note to your partner
Pack emergency kit(s)
The day before
Pull together all the essentials
Drop off decor to the venue(s)
Relax and set your alarm
Wedding day
Smile. It's your big day!
Package up wedding cake
Gather up keepsakes and gifts
After the wedding
Return rentals
Preserve your bridal bouquet
Arrange for gown and veil to be cleaned and preserved
Post reviews of your vendors on The Bash
Order wedding photos
Share wedding photos and video
Write and send thank-you notes
Arrange for gift deliveries and exchanges; look into completion discounts
Update insurance policies
Do paperwork for name change (if required)
Store marriage license in safe place
Distribute change of address info
Let’s get started
Access and make your own copy of The Bash's free wedding planning google doc or download this excel file to customize your wedding checklist, plan your budget, manage your guest list, and keep track of your progress.
Or, download our free printable wedding checklist (2 pages).
Find wedding ideas, venues, suppliers and entertainment in The Bash Wedding Planning Guide »
