The Best Wedding Planning Checklist (Free Download!)
Don’t want to read the full post? Grab your free wedding checklist now.
What is a Wedding Planning Checklist, Anyway? A wedding checklist is a step-by-step planning guide that helps you prioritize tasks and stay ahead of deadlines as you plan your big day. It breaks down everything you need to do and when you should do it.
A checklist isn’t just a to-do list — it’s a tool to help you:
- Stay organized and reduce stress
- Make decisions with more clarity
- Avoid last-minute surprises
- Delegate tasks with confidence
- Track your progress
What’s Inside the Checklist
It includes all the typical tasks for a traditional wedding timeline; however, it is completely adaptable for smaller weddings, elopements, or micro celebrations. It is broken down into manageable chunks based on your timeline. Whether you have 12 months or just a few, you can easily adjust it to your pace.
If you’re keeping things simple or hosting a smaller gathering, know that you don’t need to complete every task listed. Pick and choose what feels right for your day. For example, you may skip a large reception venue, a formal wedding party, or elaborate vendor contracts — and that’s perfectly okay. The goal is to use this checklist as a flexible roadmap, not a rigid rulebook.
Planning a small or micro wedding doesn’t mean sacrificing style, or memorable moments. With a more intimate guest list, you’ll have the freedom to focus on the details that truly matter — like quality time with loved ones, a personalized ceremony, or a venue that wouldn’t be practical for a larger crowd.
Here’s a sneak peek:
- 12+ Months Out: Budget, venue, guest list, and vision
- 9–11 Months Out: Vendors, dress shopping, wedding party
- 6–8 Months Out: Save-the-dates, florals, menu planning
- 2–5 Months Out: Invitations, rentals, seating, vows
- Final Month: Marriage license, fittings, timeline
- Wedding Day: Essentials checklist + a reminder to breathe and enjoy it all
How to Use It
- Print it out and pop it into your wedding binder
- Or Save it digitally and check off tasks as you go
- Mark out the sections you do not want. Adjust it to your style and budget, you are not obligated to do everything in the checklist!
- Share it with your partner, planner, or bridal party
- Use it as your “wedding headquarters” so nothing slips through the cracks
Without further ado, the wedding planning checklist is below for you to peruse before printing!
🎀 12+ Months Before
- Set your wedding budget
- Create a guest list
- Choose your wedding style/theme
- Book your venue(s)
- Hire a wedding planner
- Set your date and time
- Start researching vendors (photographer, caterer, florist, etc.)
- Create a wedding website
- Celebrate your engagement with a party!
🎀 9–11 Months Before
- Take engagement photos
- Send save the dates
- Choose your wedding party
- Buy your wedding dress
- Book photographer & videographer
- Book catering and/or tastings
- Book entertainment (DJ or band)
- Reserve room blocks for out-of-town guests
- Start planning honeymoon
🎀 6–8 Months Before
- Finalize guest list
- Book florist
- Book hair and makeup
- Shop for bridesmaid’s dresses
- Arrange transportation
- Start planning ceremony details
- Choose officiant
- Book honeymoon
🎀 4–5 Months Before
- Finalize menu and cake design
- Purchase wedding rings
- Arrange rentals (tables, chairs, linens)
- Schedule dress fittings
- Decide on groomsmen attire
- Create timeline for the big day
- Design or order invitations
🎀 2–3 Months Before
- Mail invitations
- Confirm all vendors
- Write vows (if personalizing)
- Plan seating chart
- Order signage and favors
- Purchase gifts for parents and wedding party
- Schedule final hair/makeup trial
🎀 1 Month Before
- Final RSVP count
- Apply for marriage license
- Final dress fitting
- Create a wedding day emergency kit
- Confirm playlist or shot list with vendors
- Final venue walk-through
🎀 1–2 Weeks Before
- Confirm final head count with caterer
- Final details, payments and tips for vendors
- Pack for honeymoon
- Confirm timeline with bridal party
- Finalize seating chart
- Haircuts and color
- Pick up dress, rings, accessories
- Break in your wedding shoes!
🎀 Day Before!
- Get a mani/pedi/spray tan
🎀 Wedding Day
- Eat breakfast and hydrate
- Stick to the timeline
- Bring marriage license (and rings!)
- Enjoy every moment 💗
Want to print it out or save it for later? Just download it to your device first.
Click below to grab your free PDF wedding planning checklist.
On a tight schedule? This 6-month checklist has you covered.
Love this post? Save it to your wedding board!
