Blog 10—The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist (Month-by-Month)

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting—and sometimes overwhelming—experiences you’ll ever have. With so many details to manage and decisions to make, it’s easy to feel like you’re forgetting something. This is why I have created this month-by-month wedding planning checklist to help you stay organized, on budget, and fully prepared for your wedding day. Whether you’re planning a year and a half ahead of time or a shorter timeline, this guide will help you understand what you need to do and when.

💍 12-18 Months Before the Wedding

  • Set your budget and determine who’s contributing

  • Set your wedding date, visit venues and compare

  • Hire a wedding planner (hello!)

  • Start researching vendors (photographer, caterer, florist, etc.)

  • Create a wedding Pinterest board or vision folder

  • Decide on wedding theme

  • Plan engagement party and/or photos

🗓 12 Months Before

  • Book venue

  • Write guest list

  • Shop for your wedding dress

  • Pick wedding party and make proposals (if you’d like to do this)

  • Send Save the Dates

  • Work on Wedding Website

✉️ 9-11 Months Before

  • Send Save the Dates (if you haven’t done so yet)

  • Transport vendor booked

  • Vendors booked (florist, photographer, DJ, Food, videographer, officiant, hair/makeup, design/rentals)

  • Finalize Wedding Website

  • Create Wedding Registry

  • Decide on Wedding Favors (if any)

  • Buy Wedding Dress and accessories

  • Block hotel rooms/accomodations

  • Start looking for bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen attire

  • Begin researching honeymoon

  • Meet with florist to discuss vision

  • Schedule cake tastings and design meeting

💌 6–9 Months Before

  • Order your wedding dress (if not already)

  • Book hair and makeup artists (if not already)

  • Reserve any rental needs (tables, chairs, linens, etc.)

  • Work on Wedding Decor

  • Shop for Wedding Bands

  • Finalize Guest List

  • Design and order wedding invitations

  • Finalize bridesmaids/groomsmen attire & order if needed

  • Plan ceremony and reception details with your planner

  • Finalize Schedule for transportation for wedding day

  • Plan bachelor/bachelorette trips

  • Finalize and book honeymoon

🍰 4–6 Months Before

  • Send Wedding invitations

  • Finalize food menu and cake design

  • Start Wedding Dress alterations

  • Book rehearsal dinner venue (if different from wedding venue)

  • Design and purchase Wedding stationary

  • Book hair and makeup trial

  • Purchase wedding rings

  • Choose music for ceremony and reception

  • Plan for wedding favors or welcome bags (if any)

  • Confirm honeymoon bookings and passports (if needed)

👗 2-3 Months Before

  • More Dress fittings

  • Write photography list for photographer

  • Create rough draft of wedding day timeline with your planner

  • Confirm vendor details and logistics

  • Order gifts for wedding party

  • Prepare for marriage license application

  • Finalize readings or ceremony elements

  • draft wedding seating chart

✍️ 2 Months Before

  • Receive RSVP’s

  • Have final hair and makeup trial

  • Finalize ceremony music and DJ/band playlist

  • Write your vows (start early and can edit as you get closer!)

  • Schedule final dress fitting

🎉 1 Month Before

  • Finalize Wedding timeline

  • Finalize seating chart

  • Apply for marriage license

  • Confirm RSVP count and finalize head count, allergies, etc

  • Provide final numbers to caterer, venue, and rentals

  • Confirm vendor arrival and setup times, send timeline to all vendors

  • Create place cards, signage, and programs

  • Pack your wedding day emergency kit

  • Break in your wedding shoes

  • Confirm hotel/transportation accommodations

💕 1–2 Weeks Before

  • Final beauty appointments (waxing, brows, facials, cut & color, etc.)

  • Final dress fitting and pick up attire

  • Steam dress & veil

  • Prepare final payments and tips for vendors

  • Confirm wedding party duties and timeline

  • Pack for honeymoon

  • Attend final venue walkthrough

  • Send timeline to all vendors & wedding party

  • Rehearsal Dinner (if not the day before)

🎊 The Day Before

  • Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

  • Pack overnight bag for wedding night

  • Lay out everything for the next day (rings, dress, shoes, etc.)

  • Appoint bridesmaids and groomsmen duties

  • Give MOH and/or coordinator vendor contact details

  • Final payments & tips in labeled envelopes

  • Try to get a good night’s sleep and hydrate!

💫 The Big Day!

  • Eat a light breakfast

  • Allow plenty of time for hair and makeup

  • Take deep breaths and enjoy every moment

  • Trust your planner to handle the logistics

  • Say “I do” and celebrate with your people!

Final Thoughts

Wedding planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming—with the right timeline and a solid support team, it can actually be fun! If you ever feel stuck, reach out to a wedding planner (like me!) who can help guide you through the process and take the pressure off.

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Blog 11—How to Create a Wedding Weekend Itinerary—For Multi-Day Celebrations

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Blog 9—Why Every Bride Should Attend a Bridal Expo