The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist and Timeline

Planning your wedding can feel overwhelming, but a clear wedding planning checklist makes it easier by breaking it down into manageable steps. Whether you're planning a small gathering or a large celebration, having a timeline and staying organized helps everything run smoothly.

This checklist will guide you through each stage so you can focus on enjoying the process and making lasting memories. From setting a budget to finalizing the guest list, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s dive into the essential steps you need to take to plan your perfect wedding.

12 months before

This is the stage where the foundation of your wedding is set. Take a moment to envision your big day and begin aligning your goals with your budget. Start securing key elements, such as your venue and your guest list, so everything else can follow.

• Set your wedding budget: Take a look at your finances and decide how much you’re willing to spend. Allocate funds to key categories like the venue, catering, and decorations.
• Draft your initial guest list: Consider who you want to invite and share ideas with your partner. Your list may evolve as the date approaches.
• Choose your wedding date: Think about the best time to get married and confirm with venues if they’re available on your selected dates.
• Hire a wedding planner (if needed): If you’ve decided to work with a wedding planner, now is the time to bring them on board.
• Tour venues: Visit potential venues to find the one that perfectly matches your vision and budget. Pay attention to the space, ambiance, and amenities, and make sure it can comfortably accommodate your guest list.
• Select your wedding style or theme: Think about the mood or theme you want for your wedding, from casual and laid-back to formal and traditional.
• Create your wedding website: A wedding website helps guests keep track of event details, directions, and gift registries.

Pro Tip: Start your planning with a few backup dates for the venue in case your first choice isn’t available. It’ll give you more flexibility as you move forward.

11 months before

As the months roll forward, now is the time to refine your vision and start booking essential vendors. Your guest list may begin to settle, but you’ll still have flexibility, so be sure to finalize who’s attending.

• Finalize your guest list: Confirm the initial guest list with your partner and families. Consider any plus-ones or changes that may come up later.
• Book your venue and caterer: Book your venue and caterer to secure your preferred location and date.
• Choose a color palette: Pick a wedding color scheme that complements your wedding venue and reflects the mood you want for the day.
• Book key vendors: Secure vendors who tend to book up quickly, such as photographers, videographers, DJs, and entertainment.
• Choose your wedding party: Start deciding who will stand by your side on your big day, including your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other important roles.

Pro Tip: Book your photographer and videographer early—they tend to get booked quickly, especially during peak wedding seasons. Make sure to secure the ones you want before their schedules fill up.

10 months before

At this point, your wedding attire takes center stage. Whether you're searching for the perfect dress or organizing accommodations for out-of-town guests, start taking action to avoid any last-minute rushes.

• Buy your wedding dress: Start trying on dresses and exploring different styles. It can take time to find the perfect one, so begin early to allow for fittings and alterations.
• Book hotel room blocks for guests: If your wedding is out of town, reserve hotel rooms for your guests to make sure they have a place to stay.
• Take engagement photos: Schedule a session with your photographer to capture some beautiful engagement shots that you can use for your wedding website or save the date cards.
• Pick out wedding invitations: Begin browsing for wedding invitation designs that fit your style and theme.

Pro Tip: Don’t hesitate to ask your photographer about engagement photo locations or outfit ideas. This is a great opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera before the big day.

9 months before

With the venue and major vendors booked, it’s time to focus on the finer details that will bring your wedding to life. This is when things start to come together, and you can really envision your big day.

• Send save the dates: Set your save the date card ideas and send them out to give guests plenty of time to plan.

• Book entertainment: Finalize your DJ, live band, or any other entertainment options for the reception.

• Book your florist: Research and book your florist, then begin sharing your vision and inspiration photos to help them understand your preferred style and color scheme.

Pro Tip: When booking your entertainment, be sure to discuss your vision for the atmosphere with your DJ or band. Share song preferences, special requests, and any must-play tracks to guarantee they fit your wedding vibe perfectly.

8 months before

This is the moment to solidify your wedding party's look and start registering for gifts. This is a crucial time to start working on your registry and bridal party’s outfits while making sure everything is on track.

• Create a gift registry: Create your gift registry, keeping in mind the needs of your new home and your guests’ preferences.
• Finalize your bridal party attire: Confirm your bridal party’s outfits and schedule dress and suit fittings.
• Book transportation: Arrange transportation for the wedding day, including getting the bridal party to the venue and guests to and from the reception if needed.
• Send out bridal shower invites: If you’re having a bridal shower, it’s a good time to get those invitations out.

7 months before

At 7 months out, it’s time to solidify the details that require more coordination, like booking transportation and finalizing the ceremony details. This is also a great time to begin planning for the rehearsal dinner.

• Book the rehearsal dinner venue: Secure the location for your rehearsal dinner, and send out invitations to your bridal party and close family.
• Hire ceremony musicians: If you’re having live music at your ceremony, hire musicians and discuss song choices.
• Order rental items: Book any specialty items, such as chairs, linens, draping, or lounge furniture, for the ceremony or reception.
• Hire an officiant: If you haven’t already, hire an officiant and confirm their availability for the ceremony.
• Start DIY projects: If you're planning any DIY elements for your wedding, such as decorations or favors, begin working on them now.

Pro Tip: Double-check the availability of your chosen rehearsal-dinner venue and officiant, as these can fill up quickly. Secure them as soon as possible to avoid last-minute changes.

6 months before

At this stage, it’s time to check off some of the bigger details, like booking transportation and finalizing your wedding bands. You should also start looking into any beauty treatments or appointments you might want before the wedding.

• Book transportation for guests: If necessary, arrange transportation for guests, especially if your ceremony and reception are at different locations.
• Order wedding bands: Shop for wedding bands and place your order with enough time for engraving or resizing.
• Start premarital counseling: If you plan on attending premarital counseling, now is a good time to schedule your sessions.
• Schedule hair and makeup trials: Book a trial with your hairstylist and makeup artist to make sure you’re happy with your look.
• Plan any additional parties or showers: If you're hosting a bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette party, or other pre-wedding events, start planning these now.

Pro Tip: When booking transportation, consider your timeline for the wedding day. You want to confirm there’s plenty of time to get from place to place without rushing.

5 months before

With the big day rapidly approaching, it’s time to finalize more details that will set the stage for your wedding day. This includes confirming plans for your honeymoon, ordering formal attire, and making sure your guest experience is well thought out.

• Book the honeymoon: Finalize your honeymoon destination and book flights and accommodations to secure the best rates.
• Buy or rent the groom’s tuxedo: Start looking for the groom’s attire and schedule fittings.
• Order formal invitations: Choose and order your wedding invitations. This allows you time to address and send them out on time.
• Finalize menu choices: Meet with your caterer to select and finalize the wedding menu, considering dietary preferences and special requests.
• Buy wedding party gifts: Begin shopping for thoughtful gifts for your wedding party as a thank-you for their support.

Pro Tip: When ordering invitations, consider sending a digital save-the-date first to give guests a heads-up about the date and location, especially if you're working on a tight timeline.

4 months before

You’re entering the home stretch, and now it’s time to iron out crucial details. This is the perfect time to finalize crucial details and start bringing your vision to life with small but important tasks.

• Finalize ceremony and reception details: Confirm the schedule, timing, and layout with your venue, and discuss any special needs or requests.
• Create your seating chart: Begin organizing your guest list into a seating chart for the reception.
• Confirm vendor contracts: Double-check details with your vendors to confirm everything is on track.
• Finalize floral arrangements: Meet with your florist to confirm bouquets, centerpieces, and any floral installations.
• Have your hair and makeup trial: Schedule a trial run with your stylist and makeup artist to test your wedding day look.
• Choose your wedding cake: Finalize your wedding cake design, flavors, and details with your baker.

Pro Tip: Take the time to double-check your wedding day timeline with your vendors. This confirms they are aligned with your schedule and prevents any last-minute hiccups.

3 months before

Now that things are falling into place, it's time to start thinking about the last few details. This is the time to finalize the details that will make your wedding day flow smoothly, from your attire to your final guest list.

• Send formal wedding invitations: Get your invitations out to guests, allowing time for RSVPs.
• Attend your wedding shower: Celebrate with friends and family at your bridal shower, if planned.
• Purchase thank-you gifts: Purchase thank-you gifts for your wedding party, family, and anyone who helped with the planning.
• Finalize your ceremony program: Work with your officiant to confirm the order of the ceremony and any special readings or rituals.
• Create your wedding day menu: Confirm the final details with your caterer, including any dietary restrictions.

Pro Tip: As you send out your invitations, include any important details like dress code, RSVP deadline, and gift registry links. Clear communication now will help reduce confusion later.

2 months before

With only a couple of months left, it’s time to wrap up any lingering tasks.

• Schedule your final dress fitting: Try on your wedding dress one last time to ensure the fit is perfect.
• Confirm your wedding party attire: Check in with your bridal party to make sure their outfits are ordered and ready for fitting.
• Create your wedding day timeline: Work with your planner or coordinator to create a timeline for the wedding day, detailing when each part of the day will take place.
• Order or make escort cards and place cards: Decide how you want to direct your guests to their seats and order or create the cards.
• Pick up your marriage license: Don’t forget to get your marriage license, as it’s essential for the ceremony.
• Write your vows: Take time to reflect on your relationship and write personal vows that express your love and commitment. This is a meaningful part of the ceremony, so give yourself plenty of time to craft something special.

Pro Tip: Delegate tasks to your bridal party or family to help reduce wedding stress and keep everything on track as the big day approaches.

1 month before

With just one month to go, it’s time to wrap up any final details and focus on preparing for your big day. This is when everything starts coming together, and you’ll be busy finalizing the last touches.

• Confirm RSVPs: Check your guest list to confirm all RSVPs have been received and follow up with any stragglers.
• Schedule your final vendor check-ins: Confirm details with your vendors, including arrival times, payments, and any last-minute needs.
• Break in your wedding shoes: Wear your wedding shoes around the house to guarantee they’re comfortable on the big day.
• Start designing your wedding photo book: Begin gathering photos from your engagement shoot, bridal shower, or other pre-wedding events to start creating a beautiful photo book that will preserve your memories.

Pro Tip: Double-check your timeline with your vendors to confirm everyone knows the schedule and is on the same page for the big day.

Capture Your Wedding Memories with Mixbook

As you plan your wedding and check off important tasks, don’t forget to think about how you’ll preserve the memories. From engagement photos to your bridal shower and beyond, creating a custom photo book is a great way to document your journey and keep those moments close for years to come.

No matter when you start putting it together—whether it’s after your engagement shoot, your wedding day, or any of the special events leading up to the big day—a personalized photo book is a gift to yourself and your partner that you’ll cherish forever.