6-Months Wedding Planning Checklist (Hurry for the Free Download!)
Planning a wedding in six months might sound impossible—especially when most checklists assume you’ve got a year or more. With a little organization, there is no need to panic.
The truth is six months is enough time to plan a beautiful, meaningful wedding. The free wedding planning checklist below breaks it down into a month by month plan. You will find pro tips to save time, stay calm, organized, and skip the last-minute chaos. Plus, I’ve created a free printable version of the checklist you can download to keep everything organized.
Whether you’re keeping it micro with just a few VIPs or planning a cozy party with 100 of your favorite people, this checklist still has your back. Not every task will apply — and that’s totally okay! For smaller celebrations, feel free to skip anything that feels extra and focus on the fun stuff — like cake, vows, and your Spotify playlist. Big or small, your day = your rules!.
Want the printable version now? No signup needed!
Grab your free 6-months wedding checklist HERE!
Please note: this checklist is NOT a rulebook. Cross stuff out, tweak the schedule, and make it work for your style and budget — no need to follow every step to the letter.
Ready? Your step-by-step breakdown starts below:
6 Months Before the Wedding
- Set your budget
- Draft your guest list
- Book your wedding venue (ceremony + reception)
- Choose your wedding date
- Hire a wedding planner (if using one)
- Book officiant
- Select and book caterer, photographer, videographer
- Choose your wedding party and let them know
5 Months Before
- Shop for wedding dress
- Hire DJ or band
- Finalize your wedding theme or style
- Book florist
- Start your registry
- Order bridesmaid dresses
- Schedule engagement photos (optional)
- Create your wedding website
- Start researching invitations
- Reserve rentals (tables, chairs, decor)
- Send save-the-dates
4 Months Before
- Order your wedding cake
- Finalize menu with caterer
- Book hair and makeup artists
- Arrange transportation for the wedding day
- Book your honeymoon
- Order wedding rings
- Order wedding invitations/stationery
- Schedule dress fittings
- Choose and order groom’s attire
3 Months Before
- Finalize guest list
- Confirm ceremony and reception details
- Plan your ceremony timeline
- Schedule tastings (if needed)
- Finalize decor and DIY elements
- Shop for shoes, accessories, and veil
- Finalize playlist or song selections
- Plan bachelor/bachelorettes
- Create a photo checklist
- Hair and makeup trials
2 Months Before
- Mail wedding invitations
- Confirm all vendor bookings
- Schedule final dress fitting
- Purchase gifts for your wedding party
- Write or prepare your vows
- Order signage and wedding favors
1 Month Before
- Apply for your marriage license
- Do a final venue and vendor walkthrough
- Confirm RSVP’s & seating chart
- Confirm the day-of wedding timeline
- Finalize your guest count
- Confirm transportation details
- Pack for your honeymoon
- Final dress fitting
- Prepare vows and readings
- Plan rehearsal dinner
2 Weeks Before
- Break in your wedding shoes
- Confirm headcount with caterer
- Confirm headcount with venue
- Print menus, programs & place cards
- Touch base with photographer
- Finalize seating chart plan
Wedding Week
- Pick up dress & attire
- Create a wedding day emergency kit
- Final beauty appointments (hair, nails, waxing, etc.)
- Prepare vendor tips and final payments
- Delegate day-of tasks to your wedding party or coordinator
- Email rehearsal schedule and wedding day timeline to wedding party
- Rehearse ceremony & host rehearsal dinner
- Do not forget marriage license and rings the day of!
- Breathe — and enjoy your special day!
Prefer the 6 months wedding planning checklist version you can print, check off, and stick to your fridge (or wedding planner)? No signup needed!
Grab the free 6-months checklist HERE!
Keep calm and plan on — you’ve got this, and it is totally doable.
If you have a little more time or want a more comprehensive wedding planning checklist, you may need THIS 12 month checklist.
