Wedding Planning Checklist

June 11, 2018
By: Marquee

Congratulations, you're engaged!

It's your best day ever and you are ready to tie the knot. We understand that planning for a wedding can be stressful. Use the following handy timeline to help keep you organized and on schedule while you plan for your perfect day.

THINGS TO DO RIGHT AWAY

  • Organize
  • Set your budget
  • Discuss time frame and dates
  • Determine wedding basics, e.g: formal or informal, day or night, etc.

9 - 12 MONTHS

  • Check out your favorite wedding rental store for special offers
  • Set the dates
  • Announce engagement and/or send out "save the date cards"
  • Choose color schemes and/or style
  • Research and list all the documents required for marriage license and officiant
  • Book venues
  • Research vendors and hire a planner
  • Draft guest list
  • Register for your favorite wedding registry
  • Shop for gown/attire
  • Start your fitness regime

6 - 9 MONTHS

  • Order invitations and stationery
  • Book accomodations for out-of-town guests
  • Order cake and dessert bar
  • Sign vendor contracts and make neccessary deposits
  • Order gown and choose additional accessories
  • Choose your wedding party attire
  • Schedule time off from work
  • Book for honeymoon arrangements
  • Mail thank you notes as you receive gifts
  • Set up engagement photo session
  • Begin dance lesson
  • Start experimenting with hair and makeup

6 MONTHS

  • Schedule rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
  • Book wedding night hotel
  • Arrange for transportation
  • Finalize guest list and ensure to make room for unaccounted guests
  • Order or start making your wedding favors
  • Shop for ceremony/reception accessories
  • Secure passports, visas and any other travel related documents

4 MONTHS

  • Change your legal name for any identification and financial documents
  • Shop for and order wedding bands
  • Reserve and place deposit for any rental items
  • Choose groom and groomsmen attire
  • Shop for attendants' gifts
  • Book wedding day beauty appointments, e.g: make up, hair, nails

2 MONTHS

  • Arrange wedding weekend activities
  • Mail your wedding invitations
  • Schedule for menu tasting with your caterer
  • Select your music or sound ambiance for ceremony and reception
  • List your must-take photo shoot for photographer
  • Confirm attendants' attire
  • Review and update your registry as neccessary
  • Reserve your honeymoon related itineraries
  • See dentist for pre-wedding cleaning

1 MONTH

  • Send rehearsal dinner invites
  • Assign ceremoney/reception responsibilities
  • Confirm details with each vendors
  • Write or select your wedding vows
  • Arrange marriage license
  • Finalize any dress and attire fitting along with all accessories
  • Arrange for ushers to help on the wedding day
  • Hair and make up trial run and don't forget to de-stress at your favorite spa

2 WEEKS

  • Organize your dinner seating chart
  • Contact guests who have not responded
  • Confirm honeymoon arrangements; share itinerary with your family
  • Arrange for house or pet sitter
  • Prepare welcome gift baskets for out of town guests

1 WEEK

  • Arrange for dress pick up/delivery
  • Break in your wedding shoes
  • Provide final head count to your caterer
  • Distribute contact list/directions
  • Prepare tip/payment envelopes for vendors; appoint a trustee to distribute tips
  • Recruit someone to mail your marriage license
  • Pack your luggage and prepare for your wedding day and accouncement
  • Give rings to the best man
  • Rehearse
  • Get pedicure and manicure

YOUR BIG DAY

  • Ensure to eat before your big day
  • Get pampered by your beauty team
  • Switch your engagemnet ring to right hand
  • Relax and enjoy your big day

POST HONEYMOON

  • Send thank you cards to all your guests and wedding party
  • Return or exchagne gifts as neccessary
  • Make sure vendors are paid
  • Order or pick up your wedding photos
  • Have gown dry-cleaned and preserved or return your wedding attire of renting
  • Have a post wedding photoshoot