The Official Wedding Planning Checklist
Photo By: Ashley Bowman Photography
Planning a wedding can get really stressful, really fast! That’s why we took the initiative to write out a full Wedding Planning Checklist for you! Whether you book a wedding planner or not, having a checklist to keep you on track during the planning process is a big bonus- so make sure to print out our planning checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything leading up to the big day!
12 Months Out
Discuss Your Budget, Style, and Size of the Wedding
Book a Wedding Planner
Choose a Wedding Venue and Date
Create a Moodboard to Put Your Ideas into One Place
11 Months Out
Hire Your Priority Vendors (Photographer, Videographer, Wedding Planner, DJ/Band)
Confirm Your Wedding Party
Make Your Wedding Registry
10 Months Out
Book Secondary Vendors (Florist, Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, Transportation, Caterer, Desserts)
Create your Guest List and Gather Addresses
Shop for Your Wedding Dress
Take Engagement Pictures
9 Months Out
Begin Planning Decor Rentals
Begin Designing Save the Dates
Book Hotel Room Blocks
Make Your Wedding Website
8 Months Out
Send out Save the Dates (8 -6 Months Prior)
Renew Your Passports
Begin Planning Your Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties
7 Months Out
Choose Bridesmaid Dreses and Alter Them
Hire Officiant
Begin Planning Ceremony Readings
6 Months Out
Begin Dress Alterations
Reserve Your Rehearsal Dinner Location
Create Your Gift Registry
5 Months Out
Confirm/Book Transportation Details
Buy/Rent Groomsmen Suits
Plan Your Dinner Menu
4 Months Out
Have the Final Tasting with Your Caterer
Buy Wedding Bands
Have Your Hair and Makeup Trial
Order Invitations
3 Months Out
Send Out Invitations (10-8 Weeks Before)
Write Your Vows
Select and Confirm Your Ceremony Readings
Check In w/ Wedding Planner
2 Months Out
Have Your Dress Fitting
Pick Up Your Marriage License
Update Details on Your Wedding Website
Order Table Numbers, Place Cards, Menus, Programs, etc.
1 Month Out
Have Final Venue Walkthrough
Give the Caterer and Venue Your Final Headcount
Give Your Shot List to the Photographer
Touch Base w/ Vendors
The Month Of
Confirm all Vendors are Paid
Check In w/ Wedding Planner
Have Your Final Dress Fitting
Have Final Meetings w/ Vendors
Steam Wedding Dress
Clean the Rings
Seems easy enough, right?! While hiring a wedding planner can definitely help keep you on track throughout the entire wedding planning process, it’s nice to know you have a full checklist to help make sure you’re not missing anything. Afterall, this is most likely your first rodeo, and planning a wedding can be incredibly stressful. Be sure to print out our wedding planning checklist to help ensure you stay on track, and that no step is missed!