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Wedding Planning Checklist
The tasks to book, send and confirm, from setting a budget to the final vendor briefings.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
Tick the circles, tap any line to change it, drag the dots to reorder.
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Book the big vendors early, though the sources differ on how early. The California photographers say venues and photographers book up 12 to 18 months ahead, while Precious Pics sets the booking window at 9 to 12 months. Budget Savvy Bride begins with the kind of wedding, then a rough budget, then the guest list, because more guests means more food and a bigger venue. After that the list moves on through caterer and dress, then fittings and final confirmations. It assumes roughly a year of engagement and leaves out regional traditions.
Why these items are on the list
- Decide the type and vision. Start with the big picture, then narrow it into details as you plan.
- Set a rough budget. Budget Savvy Bride advises setting the budget before the guest list; more guests means more food, bigger venue.
- Draft the guest list. Count family, friends and coworkers; the headcount drives food and venue size.
- Choose a date or month. Venues and vendors need it. Check holidays that might keep guests away.
- Book the venue. Ask what's included, such as catering and room size, before you sign.
- Hire photographer and videographer. Precious Pics says popular photographers and venues go a year out, so book alongside the venue.
- Book a caterer or planner. Precious Pics says 9 to 12 months out; the California photographers would hire a planner earlier.
- Send save-the-dates. Early notice helps guests plan travel and announces the engagement.
- Choose who marries you. Pick an officiant and get in touch soon; options range from a friend to a judge.
- Pick your wedding party. You don't need a full party; it can be as small as you like.
- Book florist and remaining vendors. Once the big vendors are locked in, fill out the rest of the team.
- Choose and order the dress. Precious Pics orders the dress 6 to 9 months out; the California photographers say yes to it earlier.
- Pick out your wedding bands. Onelove's California photographers list picking out wedding bands at 6 to 7 months out.
- Reserve a hotel block. Onelove lists a hotel block at 6 to 7 months out for easy guest planning.
- Plan the rehearsal dinner. Start planning around the same time as guest accommodations.
- Choose wedding party outfits. Give your wedding party enough time to sort their attire.
- Finalize menu and logistics. Precious Pics puts finalizing menus and logistics at about six months out.
- Order the cake and suits. Onelove says to order suits around the 5-month mark, if not earlier.
- Schedule fittings and alterations. Onelove says dress, bridesmaid dresses and suits should be ready for alterations by 3 months out.
- Apply for marriage license. Precious Pics' 3-month checklist includes the marriage license; check your local requirements.
- Confirm all vendor details. Precious Pics lists confirming all vendor details at one to three months out.
- Finalize RSVPs and seating. Precious Pics' 1-month countdown has you lock your headcount and finalize seating.
- Organize the rehearsal. Precious Pics puts organizing the rehearsal at one to three months out.
- Pay remaining vendors. Precious Pics' 1-month countdown lists paying vendors among its final-month tasks.
- Brief every vendor. Precious Pics suggests vendor briefings and timeline reviews in the final weeks.
- Rest, hydrate and sleep. Precious Pics says the final days are for relaxing, hydrating and sleeping well.
Share it with your partner and tick off what each of you has handled, so the same call doesn't get made twice. On your phone it's easy to check between vendor visits.
When to use it
Start the day you set a date, ideally a year or more ahead, since Precious Pics says popular photographers and venues go a year out.