Wedding Planning Checklist: Monthly To-Do List for a Perfect Wedding

Welcome to the ultimate wedding planning checklist! Planning a wedding can be an exciting and overwhelming experience, with countless details and tasks to manage. To help you stay organized and ensure you cover all the necessary preparations, we’ve created a comprehensive monthly breakdown of tasks to consider before your big day. From setting a budget to selecting vendors, booking accommodations, and finalizing the ceremony details, this checklist will guide you through the entire wedding planning process. Whether you’re starting a year in advance or have a shorter timeline, our monthly breakdown will assist you in staying on track and ensuring a smooth journey towards your dream wedding. Let’s dive in and make your wedding planning journey a joyful and stress-free experience!

Here’s a detailed explanation of each task mentioned in the monthly breakdown for wedding planning:

12 Months Before the Wedding:

1. Determine your budget: Set a budget for your wedding to help guide your spending decisions throughout the planning process.
2. Create a guest list: Compile a list of the people you want to invite to your wedding.
3. Research and book your wedding venue: Start searching for potential venues that fit your style and budget. Once you find one you like, secure the booking.
4. Hire a wedding planner (if desired): Consider hiring a professional wedding planner to help you with the planning and coordination of your big day.
5. Start looking for and booking vendors: Research and reach out to vendors such as photographers, videographers, and caterers. Book the ones you like as early as possible.
6. Begin gathering wedding inspiration and creating a vision board: Collect ideas, images, and themes that inspire you and reflect your vision for the wedding.
7. Start shopping for your wedding dress: Begin visiting bridal boutiques and trying on dresses to find the perfect one for your special day.

11 Months Before the Wedding:

1. Finalize your guest list: Review and make any necessary adjustments to your guest list before moving forward with other planning tasks.
2. Research and book your ceremony officiant: Start exploring options for an officiant who will conduct your wedding ceremony and secure their services.
3. Begin planning your honeymoon: Research potential honeymoon destinations and start making arrangements for flights, accommodations, and activities.
4. Start thinking about your wedding party: Consider who you want to include in your wedding party and begin asking your bridesmaids and groomsmen.
5. Continue meeting with vendors and making bookings: Keep meeting with vendors, such as florists, musicians, and decorators, and finalize your bookings.
6. Begin exploring options for wedding invitations and stationery: Start looking into different designs and printing options for your wedding invitations and other stationery items.

10 Months Before the Wedding:

1. Choose and order your wedding invitations: Select a design for your wedding invitations and place the order.
2. Research and book accommodations for out-of-town guests: Look for nearby hotels or other lodging options for guests who will be traveling from out of town.
3. Start planning your bridal shower and/or bachelor/bachelorette parties: Begin thinking about the pre-wedding celebrations and make initial plans.
4. Begin shopping for wedding rings: Start looking for wedding bands that you and your partner love.
5. Arrange transportation for the wedding day: Research and book transportation services for you, your partner, and the wedding party to travel to and from the ceremony and reception venues.

9 Months Before the Wedding:

1. Book your wedding cake or dessert options: Find a bakery or pastry chef to create your wedding cake or other sweet treats.
2. Begin planning the ceremony and reception details: Start discussing and making decisions about the order of events, decorations, and other specifics for the ceremony and reception.
3. Start looking for wedding favors or gifts for guests: Begin searching for small tokens of appreciation to give to your guests as wedding favors.
4. Research and book your wedding entertainment: Look for entertainment options such as live bands, DJs, or other performers, and secure their services.
5. Begin thinking about your wedding ceremony and reception décor: Consider the theme, colors, and overall ambiance you want to create, and start brainstorming decoration ideas.

8 Months Before the Wedding:

1. Plan and book your rehearsal dinner venue: Choose a location for the rehearsal dinner and make the necessary arrangements.
2. Start finalizing your wedding menu with the caterer: Work with your chosen caterer to design a menu that suits your preferences and dietary needs.
3. Begin searching for bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen attire: Help your wedding party find their outfits by exploring different options and coordinating shopping trips.
4. Book hair and makeup artists for the wedding day: Research and secure the services of professionals who will take care of your hair and makeup on the big day.
5. Research and book wedding rentals: If you need to rent items like tables, chairs, linens, or decor, start looking for rental companies and make the necessary arrangements.

7 Months Before the Wedding:

1. Schedule dress fittings and alterations: Start attending dress fittings and work with a tailor or seamstress to ensure your dress fits perfectly.
2. Choose and order wedding favors: Decide on the specific favors you want to give to your guests and place the order.
3. Start planning the order of events for the ceremony and reception: Create a rough timeline of how the wedding day will unfold, including the various activities and events.
4. Begin planning the music playlist for the wedding: Compile a list of songs you want to be played during key moments of the wedding, such as the processional, first dance, etc.
5. Finalize honeymoon plans and book flights and accommodations: Confirm your honeymoon arrangements, including flights, hotels, and any activities or excursions.

6 Months Before the Wedding:

1. Send out save-the-date cards: Inform your guests about the date and location of your wedding by sending save-the-date cards or electronic notifications.
2. Select and order wedding decorations: Decide on the specific decor items you want to incorporate into your ceremony and reception, and purchase them.
3. Start planning the seating arrangement for the reception: Begin organizing the seating chart and determining where each guest will be seated.
4. Schedule engagement photoshoot: Arrange a session with a photographer to capture beautiful engagement photos.
5. Research marriage license requirements and gather necessary documents: Find out what documentation is required to obtain a marriage license and start preparing them.

5 Months Before the Wedding:

1. Mail out wedding invitations: Send out the official wedding invitations to your guests, including all the necessary details and RSVP information.
2. Book accommodations for yourself and the wedding party on the wedding day: Make arrangements for you and your wedding party to stay in a convenient location on the wedding day.
3. Plan and book any necessary wedding day transportation: Arrange for transportation for the bridal party and guests, if needed, on the wedding day.
4. Start planning the wedding rehearsal: Begin organizing and coordinating the wedding rehearsal, including the location, timing, and roles of each participant.

4 Months Before the Wedding:

1. Start writing your vows: Begin crafting your personal vows that you will exchange with your partner during the wedding ceremony.
2. Finalize the ceremony details with the officiant: Meet with your chosen officiant to discuss the ceremony script, readings, and any specific rituals or customs you want to include.
3. Confirm all vendor bookings and finalize contracts: Reach out to all your vendors to confirm the details, review contracts, and ensure everyone is on the same page.
4. Plan and book wedding day beauty treatments: Schedule appointments for any beauty treatments or spa services you want to have before the wedding.
5. Organize wedding party attire fittings: Coordinate fittings for the bridesmaids’ dresses and groomsmen’s attire to ensure everything fits well.

3 Months Before the Wedding:

1. Finalize the menu with the caterer: Confirm the menu selections, including any dietary restrictions or special requests, with your caterer.
2. Purchase wedding accessories: Shop for additional items such as a veil, shoes, jewelry, or other accessories to complement your wedding dress.
3. Schedule final dress fittings and alterations: Attend your final dress fitting and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a perfect fit.
4. Plan and book the honeymoon activities: Research and book activities, tours, or special experiences you want to enjoy during your honeymoon.
5. Create a wedding-day timeline: Prepare a detailed timeline that outlines the schedule of events for the wedding day, including key moments and activities.

2 Months Before the Wedding:

1. Follow up with guests who haven’t RSVPed: Reach out to guests who haven’t responded to the wedding invitation to confirm their attendance.
2. Arrange for wedding-day details: Make sure you have all the necessary items for the wedding day, such as a guest book, toasting glasses, or any other special items you want to include.
3. Finalize the seating chart and table assignments: Organize the seating arrangements and assign guests to their respective tables.
4. Confirm all wedding day logistics with vendors: Reconfirm the details, timing, and logistics with all your vendors to ensure a smooth execution on the wedding day.

1 Month Before the Wedding:

1. Apply for the marriage license: Visit the appropriate government office to obtain the necessary marriage license or complete the required paperwork.
2. Confirm the final headcount with the caterer and other vendors: Provide the final guest count to your caterer and inform other vendors of any changes or updates.
3. Create and print the wedding program: Design and print the wedding program that outlines the order of events and introduces the wedding party.
4. Attend the final dress fitting: Attend your last dress fitting to ensure that all adjustments are complete and the dress fits perfectly.
5. Have a final meeting with the photographer and videographer: Discuss your preferences, shot list, and any specific requests with your photographer and videographer.

1-2 Weeks Before the Wedding:

1. Pack for your honeymoon: Gather all the necessary items and pack your bags for your honeymoon.
2. Confirm all details and deliveries with vendors: Reach out to all vendors to confirm the final details, delivery times, and any last-minute arrangements.
3. Have a wedding rehearsal and dinner: Gather the wedding party and go through a practice run of the ceremony, followed by a rehearsal dinner.
4. Create a day-of emergency kit: Assemble a kit with essential items like safety pins, Band-Aids, aspirin, sewing kit, and other items that may come in handy on the wedding day.
5. Delegate any last-minute tasks to trusted friends or family members: Assign specific tasks or responsibilities to trusted individuals who can assist with any remaining preparations.

This list should give you a general idea of what to consider each month leading up to your wedding. Remember to stay flexible and adjust the timeline as needed. Good luck with your wedding preparations!